Kansas PYs 2016-2017 Published

WIOA State Plan Common Elements

Section Published
Located in:
  • II. Strategic Elements

    The Unified or Combined State Plan must include a Strategic Planning Elements section that analyzes the State’s current economic environment and identifies the State’s overall vision for its workforce development system. The required elements in this section allow the State to develop data-driven goals for preparing an educated and skilled workforce and to identify successful strategies for aligning workforce development programs. Unless otherwise noted, all Strategic Planning Elements apply to Combined State Plan partner programs included in the plan as well as to core programs.

    • a. Economic, Workforce, and Workforce Development Activities Analysis

      The Unified or Combined State Plan must include an analysis of the economic conditions, economic development strategies, and labor market in which the State’s workforce system and programs will operate.

      • 2. Workforce Development, Education and Training Activities Analysis
        The Unified or Combined State Plan must include an analysis of the workforce development activities, including education and training in the State, to address the education and skill needs of the workforce, as identified in Education and Skill Levels of the Workforce above, and the employment needs of employers, as identified in Employers' Employment Needs above. This must include an analysis of –

II. a. 2. C. State Workforce Development Capacity

Provide an analysis of the capacity of State entities to provide the workforce development activities identified in (A) above.

Current Narrative:

(C)State Workforce Development Capacity: KANSASWORKS

KANSASWORKS, including JVSG, SCSEP, Trade Act and all other partner programs, has the capacity to better serve jobseekers and those with more barriers to employment through enhanced partnerships, targeted distribution of resources and staff training. Technology upgrades and access to multiple data systems would substantially increase capacity to serve more individuals more effectively and efficiently. Capacity issues are continually changing based on annual reduction in funds, whether caused by an improved economy or cuts in federal appropriations.

(C) State Workforce Development Capacity: Adult Education

  • Services to rural areas tend to be more expensive due to the lack of economy of scale and added costs to support staff and provide professional development. This has been a constant limit on the state’s capacity to serve eligible populations.
  • Capacity has decreased as a result of flat funding since 2002, leading to declining enrollment. When adjusting for inflation funding has dropped by almost $1.5 million.
  • The goals of WIOA will necessitate longer, more intensive, and additional services as well as contributions to one–stop infrastructure funding which could further negatively impact capacity.

(C) State Workforce Development Capacity: Vocational Rehabilitation

  • Even at full staff, VR has the capacity to serve only about 5% of the nearly 180,000 working age Kansans with disabilities (Disability Statistics Compendium). .
  • New requirements to set–aside funds for pre–employment transition services and potential one–stop infrastructure costs must be carefully monitored to determine if Order of Selection will be necessary. Order of Selection is the process for establishing waiting lists for services if there are not sufficient funds or personnel to serve all eligible individuals who apply.
  • Gaps in the service provider network, especially in rural and frontier areas of the state, limit the program’s capacity to provide intensive job search assistance, job carving and on–the–job supports.
  • Young people with disabilities need more opportunities to explore employment options, gain work experience and develop soft skills through paid after–school, part–time and summer employment.

Over the first two years of this Combined Plan, the Core Partners will complete a thorough analysis of the overall strengths, weaknesses and capacity of the workforce system when viewed as a whole. Activities to build on strengths and to address weaknesses and capacity issues will be undertaken during this time period in accordance with priorities and within available resources