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Florida PYs 2016-2017

WIOA State Plan Common Elements

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. C. Coordination, Alignment and Provision of Services to Individuals

Describe how the entities carrying out the respective core programs, Combined State Plan partner programs included in this plan, and required and optional one-stop partner programs will coordinate activities and resources to provide comprehensive, high-quality, customer-centered services, including supportive services to individuals including those populations identified in section II(a)(1)(B). The activities described shall conform to the statutory requirements of each program.

Current Narrative:

Over the last fifteen years, Florida has become a nationally recognized leader in the integration of workforce services programs. The state has successfully implemented the joint management of state Wagner-Peyser employees who operate at local one-stop centers under the supervision of local workforce board staff. It has successfully integrated the work components of both the federal TANF program and the federal SNAP program into the mix of workforce services available at local one-stop centers. This includes WIOA Adult and Dislocated Worker services. Local Boards also work with their local educational partners and community organizations to offer services under the WIOA Youth Program. Generally, these youth services are outside the local one-stop delivery system.

Customers have access to labor market information; have access to the state’s labor exchange job matching system (Employ Florida Marketplace); have access to resource rooms that have computers that are internet enabled; have access to training services; and, have access to assistance in meeting work requirements in the TANF and SNAP programs.

The WIOA Strategy Implementation and Data Integration workgroups will continue to meet to improve and align services provided by the unified state plan programs. Statewide policies and practices can be reviewed by this team to ensure that all needs are considered and potential impacts are understood.

Continuous improvement of service to individuals is paramount to the success of Florida’s workforce system. Florida will work to ensure career centers are available to serve all job seekers regardless of obstacles to employment, level of need and education, or degree of career development.

Florida will continue to emphasize integrated service delivery in improving services to individuals. The partnership between the core programs is dedicated to developing strong strategic alliances that link employers and job seekers to services. These services include, but are not limited to, employment, training, education, human resource assistance to employers, and career and business development to further the economic growth of all 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 will seek to expand collocations.

FDBS is committed to providing high quality services to people with disabilities. FDBS will continue to support individuals in making employment choices consistent with their strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, and interests. Also, FDBS will continue to create an accountable and exemplary division workforce that ensures high quality services.

FDBS’s vocational rehabilitation counselors will 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. FDBS vocational rehabilitation counselors will actively involve clients and families as appropriate in assessment, planning, and decision making throughout the service delivery process. Additionally, FDBS will continuously evaluate the effectiveness of its job placement services and make needed improvements.

Moreover, FDBS will provide ongoing training for its staff and will review and revise policies and processes to ensure efficient services. FDBS has developed a quality assurance team who will assess the need to expand their operations. Currently, FDBS provides on-site reviews statewide with an emphasis on adherence to state policies, compliance of federal regulations, case documentation, IPE signatures, timeliness of certificate of eligibility, activities tied to the IPE, and authorization approvals. This team is responsible for being aware of all current federal and state regulations affecting the vocational rehabilitation program and also attends the Annual Quality Assurance Summit for ongoing professional staff development. AEFLA programs will continue to partner with the criminal justice system to offer literacy courses along with GED® Preparation and testing. AEFLA programs will expand services for populations facing multiple barriers to include postsecondary advisement on applications, financial aid, and other elements for postsecondary success. AEFLA programs will partner with SNAP, TANF and other programs that serve individuals with low literacy skills in order for those clients to earn a high school diploma or equivalent.