1. 2015 Michigan Works! Annual Conference
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Implementation: Continuing the Momentum
2015 Michigan Works! Annual Conference
Mt. Pleasant, Michigan
October 4-6, 2015

2. Session Overview Progress since passage of WIOA in July 2014
Key guidance released since June mini-conference
Update on final WIOA regulations
Key next steps in terms of implementation
Today’s session will:
Celebrate progress we’ve made collectively in terms of WIOA implementation since the passage of the law in July 2014;
Outline key guidance released by the USDOL since June’s WIOA Ready, Set, Go Conference;
Provide an update on the status of the final WIOA regulations; and
Discuss key next steps in terms of WIOA implementation.

3. Key Accomplishments Since Passage of WIOA on July 22, 2014
Defined regions in place as part of Governor Snyder’s Regional Prosperity Initiative
Alignment w/ these regions occurring at local level
WIOA compliant state board established/operating
Onboarding and orientation complete
By-laws and governance structure in place
Already held two quarterly meetings
Some key policies requiring consultation approved
Local area designation process complete. Gone from 24 MWAs to 16 as of October 1st.
Key policies include: local area designation and local board certification.

4. Key Accomplishments Continued
Necessary modifications made to State’s One-Stop Management Information System (OSMIS) prior to start of WIOA implementation on July 1, 2015
Able to capture necessary data for WIOA participants
Necessary modifications made to State’s fiscal management system (MARS)
Able to capture necessary WIA and WIOA information
USDOL still working to establish performance and fiscal reporting systems for WIOA. May create need for additional changes to our systems once finalized.

5. Key Accomplishments Continued
WIOA Ready, Set, Go held on June 17, 2015
Focused on all aspects of WIOA implementation
Participation by all WIOA core partners
Draft WIOA program operating guidance issued to local areas prior to July 1, 2015

6. Key Accomplishments Continued
Closer collaboration between WIOA Titles I, II, and III with WIOA Title IV
Having monthly implementation discussions
Working together on State’s Unified Plan
Greater partnership between WDA and MWAs
This has truly been a partnership between WDA and the MWAs.
All WIOA Implementation Teams had MWA representation. Analyzed new law together.
WDA and MWAs collaborated on comments submitted in response to WIOA Proposed Rules.
Conducted a series of Dispatch Dialogues.
Held WIOA Ready, Set, Go Conference in June.

7. What do you feel have been some of the key accomplishments this past year from a local perspective?

8. Implementation Challenges/Issues
Lack of timely guidance from the federal departments necessary to implement WIOA
Inconsistent messaging from the federal level regarding when WIOA goes into effect
USDOL says July 1, 2015 while USDOE says July 1, 2016
While we’ve accomplished a lot the past fourteen months, WIOA implementation hasn’t been without it challenges.

9. Challenges/Issues Continued
Lack of meaningful technical assistance from the federal departments to assist with implementation
Existence of multiple data systems tracking participant information for various titles of WIOA
Enough with the listening sessions already! They’re not helpful. We need REAL technical assistance.

10. From your perspective, what have been some of the implementation challenges/issues you have faced?

11. Recently Issued Guidance
TEGL 41-14, issued June 26, 2015
WIOA Training Provider Eligibility Transition
TEGL 1-15, issued July 1, 2015
Use of WIA Waivers Under WIOA During PY 2015
TEGL 2-15, issued July 1, 2015
National Dislocated Worker Grants Under WIOA
TEGL 3-15, issued July 1, 2015
Adult and Dislocated Worker Programming Under WIOA
TEGL 4-15, issued August 13, 2015
Vision for the One-Stop Delivery System Under WIOA
Since the WIOA Ready, Set, Go Conference in June, some additional guidance has been released by the USDOL with respect to WIOA.
Some of the more important guidance includes:

12. WIOA Final Regulations Update
Draft WIOA regulations published in April 2015
Comment period closed in June 2015
Federal departments currently considering all comments, along with other feedback received
According to the law, the final WIOA regulations are to be published no later than
January 22, 2016
My Opinion: Final WIOA regulations unlikely to be published by the due date specified in the law
I want to take a few minutes to talk about the status of the final WIOA regulations.
We cannot wait for the final WIOA regulations to be published to continue our WIOA implementation efforts. We must proceed!

13. Key Next Steps for Implementation
Regional and Local Strategic Planning
State Plan due to USDOL and USDOE March 3, 2016
Local and regional plans must be in place by July 1, 2016
Give the group an update on where the State is at in terms of the WIOA Unified Plan.
WDA will issue guidance regarding the submission of regional and local plans for approval. Probably some time in early 2016.
Need to begin the planning process NOW if you have not done so already.

14. Regional Plans Under WIOA Required Elements
Establishment of regional service strategies, including use of cooperative service delivery agreements
Development and implementation of sector initiatives for in-demand industry sectors or occupations
Collection and analysis of regional labor market data
Establishment of administrative cost arrangements, including pooling of funds for administrative costs
Coordination of transportation and other supportive services
Coordination with regional economic development providers
Establishment of agreement concerning how region will collectively negotiate and reach agreement with Governor on local levels of performance (reporting as well) for indicators
Incorporation of all local plans in planning region
Taken directly from WIOA.

15. Local Plans Under WIOA New Elements
Four-year plan; must review every two years
Must include strategic planning elements
Must describe workforce development system in local area
Must discuss how local board will expand access to employment, education, training, and supportive services in local area
Must describe strategies and services used to facilitate employer engagement, meet needs of businesses, better coordinate programs with economic development, and strengthen UI linkages
Must discuss how local board will coordinate education and workforce activities with:
Secondary and postsecondary education programs
Adult education and literacy programs
Must discuss how one-stop centers implementing and transitioning to integrated, technology-enabled intake and case management information system
To review, new local planning elements under WIOA include:

16. Key Next Steps Continued
Local Workforce Development Boards
Members identified; board certified by WDA
Governance structure in place
Onboarding training complete
Functioning
A little over half of local boards have been certified under WIOA.
Governance structure includes: by-laws; chair and vice chair; committee structure.
Board members have a clear understanding of their role and functions; part of onboarding and orientation process.
Functioning = Meeting and making decisions.

17. Key Next Steps Continued
Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs)
Local boards must execute w/ required one-stop partners
Key components:
Service provision and coordination
Funding, including infrastructure costs
Referral strategies
Inclusion strategies
Other provisions
Duration of agreement
Must review every three years
Policy issuance forthcoming; will include MOU template.
Not released yet as still finalizing language re: infrastructure costs.
MOUs should also be executed, as appropriate, with optional one-stop partners.

18. Key Next Steps Continued
One-Stop Delivery System Design
High-quality one-stop centers:
Provide excellent customer service to job seekers,
workers, and businesses
Reflect innovative and effective service design
Operate w/ integrated management systems
and high-quality staffing
Local and regional footprint
Use of AJC Common Identifier
required by July 1, 2016
Local boards should be examining one-stop delivery system design as we move forward with WIOA implementation.
Refer to TEGL 4-15, which lays out the vision for the one-stop delivery system under WIOA.
TEGL 4-15 identifies three broad categories of characteristics of high-quality one-stop centers.
Local and regional footprint considerations = how many full vs. satellite centers; mobile centers; use of technology to expand customer access.
Reminder: Use of American Job Center Common Identifier is required as of July 1, 2016.

19. Key Next Steps Continued
One-Stop Certification
State required to certify one-stops under WIOA
Guidance to be released this Winter after required consultation w/ state workforce investment board (GTIB)
Mix of self-certification followed by onsite reviews

20. Key Next Steps Continued
New WIOA Youth Expenditure Limitations
Out-of-school youth emphasis (75% minimum*)
Work experience requirement (20% minimum)
WIOA shifted emphasis of WIOA Youth program to out-of-school youth vs. in-school youth and added the requirement that a minimum of 20% of Youth funds be spent providing work experiences to eligible youth.
For most local areas, meeting these new requirements will be a challenge.
Are you taking the necessary steps locally to ensure you’re in compliance with these requirements?

21. Key Next Steps Continued
Review applicable local policies and procedures
Ensure WIOA compliant
Ensure strategic plan alignment
Should begin doing if you have not already done so.
Ongoing review and changes will be needed as additional guidance is released.

22. Technical Assistance
What are your future needs in terms of technical assistance when it comes to WIOA implementation? What is the best format for the delivery of the needed technical assistance?

23. Questions?

24. Contact Information
Krista Johnson, Manager, WIOA Title I Section Office of Talent Policy and Planning Workforce Development Agency 201 North Washington Square, 5th Floor Lansing, MI (517) Maggie Sayles, Specialist, WIOA Title I Section (517)