WIOA State Plan Common Elements

Leveraging Resources to Increase Educational Access

The CareerSource Florida State Board of Directors has provided funding allocations with an emphasis on leveraging federal and state funds with local providers of services. Local Workforce Development Boards are encouraged to obtain and document leveraged resources within the project budget. Leveraged resources may be in the form of financial gifts or in-kind services.  In-kind services are services that are provided to enhance the project at no charge or at discounted charges. Leveraged resources accomplish three things: 

• Contributes to the success of the project
• Strengthens partnerships for future outreach
• Promotes the sustainability of the project

All leveraged resources must be identified by source. Leveraged resources may be obtained from:

• Local Workforce Development Board formula dollars
• Participating businesses or business groups
• Educational institutions (public/private), or
• Other sources to contribute financially to the project, including cross-regional collaboration.

The Governor’s vision for increasing access to training and opportunities for individuals is anchored in state statute which requires 50 percent of the formula funds for adults and dislocated workers to be allocated to Individual Training Accounts (ITA). This requirement affirms the Governor’s vision that most funds are allocated for direct training-related costs. Costs that qualify under the 50 percent rule include all customer service costs associated with the ITA program such as tuition, fees and books and other training services. Florida allows LWDBs to establish ITA limits and durations.

If necessary, local boards may obtain a waiver from the State ITA reserve requirement by applying to DEO. For consideration of a waiver from the State ITA reserve requirement and to guide the review process by DEO and CareerSource Florida, the requesting LWDB must submit a waiver application identifying the requested reduction from the statutorily required State ITA reserve, specifying the percentage (between 0 and 50 percent) of Title I funds for Adults and Dislocated Workers that the local area proposes to reserve for the required training services. This request must include supporting data describing how the reserved training funds will be spent for State ITAs and each of the other authorized training services, and how the diverted training funds will be spent for other services.

Documentation must substantiate the lack of demand for each authorized training service; the substantially greater demand for career services and business services, relative to training services; the qualitative and quantitative financial impact that the statutorily required State ITA reserve requirement has on the provision of services for clients seeking or receiving training services; or the exceptional circumstances that warrant granting a waiver.

Factors DEO and CareerSource Florida may consider in deciding to grant an ITA waiver may include whether the local area is contractually obligated or is seeking participation in a training program funded by a partner, for which the local workforce development board will provide career services; whether the local area is contractually obligated or is seeking participation in a major economic development initiative of regional impact that will result in significant job creation, to the extent the initiative does not interfere with the priority of services to other clients as required by federal law; or whether the local area is entirely contained within a statutorily designated Rural Area of Critical Economic Concern (RACEC).

LWDBs requesting a waiver from the State ITA requirement must submit a budget (or proposed budget) showing program components and major breakouts for each program including one-stop services, training providers, supportive services, administrative costs, etc.; a description of how the current and long-term unemployment rate for the local area will be impacted by a waiver, should it be approved; documents identifying the local area’s efforts to increase demand from individuals to meet market needs (to address the talent gap); documentation that the local workforce development board and the chief elected official approved the waiver request; and an agreement that, if the conditions warranting the waiver change, the local area commits to comply with the State ITA reserve requirement and will notify CareerSource Florida of such compliance.

LWDBs are responsible for their respective Targeted Occupations List (TOL) or using the state TOL. Private postsecondary institutions must be licensed with the Commission for Independent Education. All training institutions must report student data to the Florida Education and Training Placement Information Program (FETPIP) maintained by the Florida Department of Education.

The FDBS will allocate 15 percent of its federal allotment to Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) for all students with disabilities who are eligible or potentially eligible for these services. Pre-ETS are accessible at the age of 14. Pre-ETS are provided through the age of 21, provided that the student is receiving special education or related services under part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and/or when the individual has a disability, for purposes of Section 504 of the Act.

Individuals meeting the definition for Pre-Employment Transition Services at the time services are initiated will continue to qualify for such services through age 21, provided that he person is eligible for, and receiving, special education or related services under part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and/or when the individual has a disability, for purposes of Section 504 of the Act.