Located in:
IV. Coordination with State Plan Programs
Current Narrative:
Florida Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Implementation Team
Parallel to the work of the Florida WIOA Task Force Discussed in section (II)(c)(2) above, a WIOA Interagency Implementation Team was created that includes professional team members from all core programs. This team has met monthly and initially was an opportunity to learn more about each core program, its structure, purpose and customer base, and what they could contribute to the statewide system. This work has been beneficial in setting the stage for program alignment and identifying gaps. Once the teams’ understanding of each program deepened, the focus turned to identifying how the major components of WIOA would be implemented. This led to the formation of workgroups for the measurement/ performance accountability (data) component and the strategic planning/ statewide plan development (planning) component. Additional workgroups may be formed as needed to address implementation of other WIOA components.
The workgroups have taken the same process-driven approach as the interagency team; each developed a workgroup charter and mission, a process flowchart, a timeline for deliverables, requirements matrices and other management documents. Meetings are managed using detailed agendas with meeting minutes and action items, and workgroup documents are stored in a secure Sharefile drive that is accessible to everyone on the Interagency Team. Forming workgroups specific to major WIOA components was beneficial in providing an opportunity for agency subject matter experts to collaborate outside of the Interagency Team meetings to discuss specific details and requirements and actually plan, then report back to the entire team with a progress update or decision points. Any decision points, recommendations or progress updates from the workgroups are vetted through the Interagency Team and Core Program Leadership prior to being presented to the CareerSource Florida Board, which encourages and ensures transparency, flow of information and open communication between all core programs. Workgroup members have acknowledged the value of the group and the opportunity to plan together, and intend to keep the workgroups active even after the statewide plan has been submitted and the performance accountability system is in place.
These groups will continue to address issues that arise with WIOA implementation, utilizing the structure and processes to resolve gaps or weaknesses. Examples of efforts that will be addressed through this process include, but not limited to:
• Continue implementation of WIOA with other core programs, including design of one-stop career center system and integrated performance accountability system.
• Collaborate among core programs to efficiently provide services.
• Membership of state and local workforce boards.
• Develop a network of qualified benefits planners to augment the SSA contracts for Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) services. SSA-contracted networks are insufficient in quantity, and they have reprioritized their service population so that ticketholders, youth and SSI/SSDI beneficiaries who are not yet working or ready to work are in last place. VR believes benefits planning must be provided early to families and youth, and will purchase these services when not available through SSA capacity.
• Collaborate with CareerSource Florida and other career center partners to implement universal design principles into the workforce development system’s facilities and operations, with intent to include universal design as a separate component of the career center certification process.
• Continue partnerships with community rehabilitation service providers, employers, and career centers.
• Continue partnerships with the Florida Rehabilitation Council and the Florida Rehabilitation Council for the Blind to review, analyze, and advise the rehabilitation partners regarding the performance of their responsibilities.
• Complete a stakeholder engagement analysis to determine where to target outreach efforts, including business engagement.
• Review services, programs and partnerships of core WIOA programs to reduce duplication of efforts, as well as gaps between programs.
• Work collaboratively to ensure that disability coordinators are cross trained with core partner processes.
• Partner to communicate, strategize and execute agreed upon methods of meeting the needs of individuals with disabilities.
• Identify opportunities to expand services/programs to meet ongoing needs of individuals with disabilities.