WIOA State Plan Common Elements

Coordination, Alignment and Provision of Services to Individuals

Florida emphasizes integrated service delivery in improving services to individuals. Core program partners are dedicated to developing strong strategic alliances linking employers and job seekers to quality services including employment, training, education, human resource assistance to employers and career and business development which improve the economic growth of Florida counties. In addition to services offered through comprehensive career centers and affiliate sites, several local workforce development boards deploy mobile centers to provide services to Florida’s businesses and workers to support special events and in areas where access to services may be challenging. Major emphasis is placed on providing services directly at employer sites and direct service delivery in rural communities. Mobile centers are a cost-effective and customer-friendly service solution. Mobile centers play an integral role in providing services and assistance after hurricanes and other disaster events.

Florida requires local workforce development boards (LWDBs) to seek broad stakeholder involvement in the development of their local plan. Local elected officials, local workforce development board members, core program partners and mandatory one-stop partners are an integral part of the planning process. Each plan addresses how the LWDB coordinates service delivery with core programs such as the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), the Florida Division of Blind Services, (FDBS) and the Division of Career and Adult Education. VR has active representation on 23 of the 24 LWDBs and is represented by FDBS on the remaining board. VR is physically collocated in 15 geographic locations and seeks to expand colocations.

Each plan is based on current and projected needs of the workforce investment system, with an increased emphasis on coordination and collaboration at all levels to ensure a seamless system for employers and job seekers, including veterans, individuals with disabilities and rural areas. Local plans identify the education and skill needs of the workforce and the employment needs of the local area. Additionally, plans include an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of services provided to address identified needs. LWDBs provide a comprehensive view of the system-wide needs of the local workforce development area.

• The FDBS provides ongoing training for its staff and review and revise policies and processes to ensure efficient services. Onsite reviews of community providers are conducted with an emphasis on adherence to state policies, compliance of federal regulations, case documentation, Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) signatures, timeliness of eligibility determination, activities tied to the IPE, and authorization approvals. The quality assurance team maintains knowledge of all current federal/state regulations affecting the vocational rehabilitation program. This team reviews case review forms for trend analysis and to identify areas in need of improvement. The Division plans to develop strategies that streamline internal processes to provide quality-efficient services to consumers.
   
• The VR counselors will actively involve clients and families as appropriate in assessment, planning and decision-making throughout the service delivery process. FDBS continuously evaluates the effectiveness of its job placement services and makes needed improvements. An Employment Outcomes Report is completed and reviewed monthly to track individuals who are ready to work. The report measures how many individuals have found gainful employment and how long it takes to assist individuals in obtaining employment.

• Florida’s JVSG program creates opportunities for all eligible veterans and eligible spouses to obtain meaningful and successful careers through provision of resources and expertise that maximize employment opportunities and protect veterans’ employment rights. Services provided by Disabled Veteran Outreach Program (DVOP) staff include, but are not limited to, comprehensive assessments, development of an IEP, career counseling, and referrals to veteran and community organizations as needed. The Local Veteran Employment Representative (LVER) is a fully-integrated member of the LWDB Business Services Team (BST). LVER staff promote the hiring veterans to employers, employer associations, and business groups; facilitate employer training; plan and participate in career fairs and conduct job development contacts on behalf of veterans with employers.

Between 2016-2017, WIOA Strategy Implementation and Data Integration workgroups met to improve and align services provided by the unified state plan programs. Statewide policies and practices were reviewed by this team to ensure needs were considered and potential impacts understood. Continuous improvement of service to individuals is paramount to the success of Florida’s workforce system. Core partners work to ensure career centers are available to serve all job seekers regardless of obstacles to employment, level of need, or degree of career development.

Florida emphasizes integrated service delivery in improving services to individuals. Core program partners are dedicated to developing strong strategic alliances linking employers and job seekers to quality services including employment, training, education, human resource assistance to employers and career and business development which improve the economic growth of Florida counties. VR has active representation on 23 of the 24 LWDBs and is represented by FDBS on the remaining board. VR is physically collocated in 15 geographic locations and seeks to expand colocations.

The FDBS is committed to providing high-quality services to people with bilateral visual disabilities and supporting individuals in making employment choices consistent with their strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities and interests. The FDBS demands an accountable and exemplary division workforce that ensures high-quality services. Employees receive annual training on division policies/procedures, new federal/state regulations, and the responsibilities of their positions. All employees attend New Employee Orientation where they are introduced to Client Services and the VR Program. On September 20, 2017, the FDBS renewed its Intensive Technical Assistance Agreement with WINTAC for five years. WINTAC provides training on specific topics, such as Pre-Employment Transition, VR, Supported Employment, Career Pathways, etc. The FDBS seeks to employ and develop Certified Rehabilitation Counselors (CRCs) for services delivery; there are currently 15 CRCs on staff. 

The vocational rehabilitation counselors assist individuals in pursuing their goals as detailed in their Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) by using supported employment resources selected to produce the best results for the individual. Job seekers are referred to online tools such as the Talent Acquisition Portal (TAP), Employ Florida, and Ability Works to assist in finding and applying for jobs. The Abilities Work Help desk connects employers to a qualified workforce by sending notifications to the FDBS, VR, CareerSource Florida, etc., when companies have job openings and are looking to fill positions with a qualified person with a disability. The FDBS supervisors, counselors and Employment Placement Specialist staff complete the Employment Outcomes Professionals II training. This training provides staff with marketing and sales skills directly relating to real job development. The EPS and counselors meet weekly to discuss labor market information, work experience opportunities, internships, and the hiring needs of employers.

The vocational rehabilitation counselors will actively involve clients and families as appropriate in assessment, planning and decision-making throughout the service delivery process. FDBS continuously evaluates the effectiveness of its job placement services and makes needed improvements. An Employment Outcomes Report is completed and reviewed monthly to track individuals who are ready to work. The report measures how many individuals have found gainful employment and how long it takes to assist individuals in obtaining employment.

The Division provides ongoing training for its staff and will review and revise policies and processes to ensure efficient services. Onsite reviews of community providers are conducted with an emphasis on adherence to state policies, compliance of federal regulations, case documentation, IPE signatures, timeliness of eligibility determination, activities tied to the IPE, and authorization approvals. The quality assurance team maintains knowledge of all current federal/state regulations affecting the vocational rehabilitation program. This team reviews case review forms for trend analysis and to identify areas in need of improvement. The Division plans to develop strategies that streamline internal processes to provide quality-efficient services to consumers.