1. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)

2. WIOA Overview WIOA signed by President Obama: July 22, 2014
Amendments made by Title IV of WIOA generally take effect on date of enactment
WIOA and the President’s commitment to job-driven training
No new funding

3. Independent Living (IL)
Federal oversight now provided by the Independent Living Administration (ILA) within the Administration for Community Living (ACL) within the United States Department of Health and Human Services
State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) developed by State Independent Living Council (SILC) chairperson and the directors of the Independent Living Centers (ILCs)
SPIL must be signed by 51% of ILC Directors
ILCs must provide 5th core service focusing on youth transition and preventing institutionalization

4. Services to Youth
DOR must reserve at least 15% of federal Vocational Rehabilitation Services grant to provide Pre-Employment Transition Services (PETS) to students with disabilities.
5 Required Services:
Job exploration counseling;
Work-based learning experiences;
Counseling related to post-secondary opportunities;
Workplace readiness training; and
Self-advocacy training.
9 Optional Services
Each student’s Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) must identify specific transition services and supports

5. Services to Youth Pre-Employment Transition Coordination:
DOR must attend individualized education program (IEP) meetings for students with disabilities when invited
Each DOR office must work with local workforce development boards, one-stop centers, and employers to develop work opportunities for students with disabilities
Each DOR office must work with schools to coordinate provision of transition services

6. Supported Employment (SE)
SE is defined as customized employment in integrated competitive employment SE services may be provided up to 24 months
Extended services to youth for up to 4 years
DOR must spend half of SE grant on youth
DOR may use SE grant to provide extended services to youth
DOR may not use more than 2.5% of SE grant for administrative costs

7. Subminimum Wage (SW)
Series of steps must be completed before an individual age 24 or younger may be placed in a SW setting:
Receipt of pre-employment transition services;
Application for vocational rehabilitation services and either been found ineligible or, if eligible, has not achieved success working towards employment outcomes specified in the IEP within a reasonable amount of time despite having appropriate supports and services, and the vocational rehabilitation case is closed; and
Receipt of career counseling, and understands and consents to work for the employer at a SW, giving informed consent after receiving information and referrals to resources that include non-subminimum wage employment opportunities.

8. Subminimum Wage (SW)
Allows continued placement in SW if currently employed in SW setting through July 22, 2016
Prohibits schools from contracting with subminimum wage providers.

9. One-Stops
VR agencies remain mandated one-stop partners and a member of local workforce boards and the state workforce board
Payment for one-stop infrastructure and other costs will be determined at the local board level
If agreement cannot be reached, Governor will develop payment arrangements, which will include staggered increases of VR funds
Local workforce development boards must perform assessments of the physical and programmatic accessibility of one-stop centers and the one-stop delivery system

10. VR Counselor Requirements
VR counselors must hold a minimum of a baccalaureate degree in a field of study reasonably related to vocational rehabilitation
DOR will maintain its educational requirements for counselors to hold a masters degree in VR counseling or a related field

11. DOR Guiding Principles
Needs of consumers paramount
Conversation and input with consumers, partners, stakeholders, advisory bodies, and employees
Innovative approach to resource management

12. DOR Process Legal Analysis Creation of workgroups Public meetings
Engagement with partners, employees, and advisory bodies