Located in:
- III. Operational Planning Elements
The Unified or Combined State Plan must include an Operational Planning Elements section that supports the State’s strategy and the system-wide vision described in Section II(c) above. Unless otherwise noted, all Operational Planning Elements apply to Combined State Plan partner programs included in the plan as well as to core programs. This section must include—
- b. State Operating Systems and Policies
The Unified or Combined State Plan must include a description of the State operating systems and policies that will support the implementation of the State strategy described in section II Strategic Elements. This includes—
- 6. Program Data
- A. Data Alignment and Integration
Describe the plans of the lead State agencies with responsibility for the administration of the core programs, along with the State Board, to align and integrate available workforce and education data systems for the core programs, unemployment insurance programs, and education through postsecondary education, and to the extent possible, the Combined State Plan partner programs included in this plan. The description of the State’s plan for integrating data systems should include the State’s goals for achieving integration and any progress to date.
- A. Data Alignment and Integration
- 6. Program Data
- b. State Operating Systems and Policies
III. b. 6. A. iii. Explain how the State board will assist the governor in aligning technology and data systems across required one-stop partner programs (including design and implementation of common intake, data collection, etc.) and how such alignment will improve service delivery to individuals, including unemployed individuals
Current Narrative:
(iii) Explain how the state board will assist the governor in aligning technology and data systems across required AJC partner programs (including design and implementation of common intake, data collection, etc.) and how such alignment will improve service delivery to individuals, including unemployed individuals.
The GWDB has established cross-cutting strategic initiatives as an outgrowth of task forces, formulated in previous years. Engagement and support from stakeholders and leaders throughout the business, workforce, education, labor, and nonprofit industries representing Maryland is essential to these initiatives. Two of these strategic initiatives include:
- Cybersecurity and Information Technology (IT), the needs of which cut across industry sectors and
- Interagency Development, helping expose staff and board members to holistic, wraparound services, and to interagency work across multiple State agency partners.
The Cybersecurity and Information Technology strategic initiative includes leaders and experts from businesses, universities, and nonprofits to ensure education and instruction align with employer needs within the Cybersecurity and IT industry. The initiative continuously works to create a pipeline of talent for employers by focusing efforts on engaging students as well as incumbent workers as necessary catalysts to fill these openings.
The GWDB, along with the other WIOA partners, have been in discussions regarding coordinated data collection under the upcoming MD THINK platform. MD THINK is a groundbreaking technology platform that will transform the State’s ability to deliver vital human services to constituents. The first program of its kind in the nation, MD THINK will serve more than two million Marylanders through one cloud-based platform. It will integrate the state’s health and human services applications, so workforce system partners can more effectively and efficiently deliver multiple services on a unified platform.