Florida PYs 2016-2017 Published

WIOA State Plan Common Elements

Section Published
Located in:
  • III. Operational Planning Elements
    The Unified or Combined State Plan must include an Operational Planning Elements section that support 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—
    • a. State Strategy Implementation
      The Unified or Combined State Plan must include—
      • 2. Implementation of State Strategy
        Describe how the lead State agency with responsibility for the administration of each core program or a Combined Plan partner program included in this plan will implement the State’s Strategies identified in Section II(c). above. This must include a description of—

III. a. 2. B. Alignment with Activities Outside the Plan

Describe how the activities identified in (A) will be aligned with programs and activities provided by required one-stop partners and other optional one-stop partners and activities provided under employment, training (including Registered Apprenticeships), education (including career and technical education), human services and other programs not covered by the plan, as appropriate, assuring coordination of, and avoiding duplication among these activities.

Current Narrative:

Enhancing Partner Collaboration

The Florida WIOA Task Force recommended state board membership be offered to the Florida Department of Corrections; the Florida Agency for Persons with Disabilities; the Florida Small Business Development Center Network; and Enterprise Florida, the state’s primary economic development organization. While the programs overseen by these organizations are not part of this WIOA plan, it is the intention of CareerSource Florida and the core programs to expand planning efforts to include these programs. Additionally, Florida intends to build on the collaboration established through the WIOA Task Force by continuing to involve other programs and organizations as needed in workforce system updates and in identifying opportunities for partnerships.

Enhanced partnerships are being formed with Florida Office of Apprenticeships, increasing awareness and opportunities for growth for Registered Apprenticeships. The state board will continue to explore these opportunities.

Improving Employment Outcomes for Juvenile Offenders

An example of an ongoing partnership is a collaboration with the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ), DEO, CareerSource Florida, and the LWDBs aimed at improving the employment outcomes for juvenile offenders. On January 1, 2015, DJJ and DEO entered into a statewide Memorandum of Agreement to establish general conditions and joint processes that will enable each agency to collaborate as partners to ensure juvenile offenders under the supervision of DJJ have information about and access to services provided by the state’s workforce system. The agreement outlines mutual responsibilities that allow for planning at the state, regional and local levels, promotes the development of linkages between DJJ and the LWDBs, encourages collaboration and establishes guidelines for data sharing protocol development.

Based on this Agreement, DJJ, DEO, and CareerSource Northeast Florida entered into a pilot project with funding from DJJ and CareerSource Florida. The purpose of the pilot project is to improve the employment outcomes for youth offenders under the jurisdiction of DJJ within CareerSource Northeast Florida’s local workforce area.

Partnering with State Colleges

Another example of coordination with partners outside of this plan can be found in the United States Department of Labor (USDOL) Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCT) Grant. On behalf of the Florida College Consortium, St. Petersburg College received a $15 million USDOL TAACCT Grant in 2012. Titled Florida TRADE, for Transforming Resources for Accelerated Degrees and Employment, the vision is to transform Florida’s existing training and education system in advanced manufacturing. The Florida team began by collaborating to identify and align existing resources such as curricula and equipment from 12 institutions to build capacity and serve as a sustainable way to offer training for a range of skill levels in advanced manufacturing. The project includes providing widespread access for students to take courses online and combine their training with practical work experience through internships and hands-on training activities.

The program targets displaced workers who have lost their jobs due to foreign trade; unemployed workers; incumbent workers looking to upgrade their current skills or learn new skills; students; and veterans transitioning into the civilian workforce.

The Florida TRADE program is designed to deliver accelerated training that can be completed in three to six months, depending on the program, and leads to internships and jobs in manufacturing. As participants complete components of the program, they will be provided with the skills and opportunities to achieve nationally recognized industry certifications that will also transfer into free college credits toward an Associate of Science degree.

Partnering with Florida Universities and Others

VR currently has one innovation and expansion project through the University of South Florida, Center for Rehabilitation Engineering and Technology. This project involves the use of virtual reality simulators for customers with severe disabilities. VR recognizes grants from the US Department of Education that encourage innovative practices and expansion of services as an opportunity that could be beneficial and complementary to WIOA-related initiatives. In the upcoming year, VR will be looking for innovative opportunities that will improve employment services to and successful outcomes for individuals with “unique abilities,” defined in Florida legislation as including intellectual disabilities or Autism Spectrum Disorders. These opportunities, when identified, will be offered through formal procurement processes.

A common theme throughout Florida’s WIOA implementation strategy is the continued alignment with potential combined planning partners and optional one-stop career center partners. Through the WIOA established interagency teams, increased coordination with these organizations and agencies will be sought.

FDBS is one such partner that maintains cooperative agreements with community rehabilitation providers and other entities not carrying out activities under the Workforce Investment System. FDBS has a long-standing contractual relationship with its statewide Community Rehabilitation Providers (CRPs) and values the services they provide to clients. A CRP is defined as a private, non-profit program that provides rehabilitation services to individuals who are blind or visually impaired. CRPs provide education, independent life skills, job training, and job placement services to clients and their families who are participating in the vocational rehabilitation program.