Located in:
I. b. Plan Introduction or Executive Summary
The Unified or Combined State Plan may include an introduction or executive summary. This element is optional.
Current Narrative:
INTRODUCTION
The federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) provides direction and guidance for the workforce system in every state. The law prioritizes a market-driven approach to talent development that prepares people seeking employment for the jobs of today and of the future. Added emphasis is placed on the need for access to workforce services for all. Under WIOA, regional alignment of markets and resources are facilitated and encouraged.
Since the adoption of WIOA, Florida continues to seek opportunities to improve outcomes, grow partnerships and enhance customer service. Florida’s workforce investment system built on momentum gained through expanded business engagement and improved alignment with regional economies and stakeholders. Florida’s strong focus on performance was sharpened by increasing the emphasis on achievement of results for job seekers, workers looking to grow in their careers and businesses looking to hire and enhance competitiveness.
Following the submission of Florida’s first Unified State Plan in 2016, and its Two-Year Modification in 2018, regular interagency meetings of the WIOA Core Partner programs address aspects of plan implementation and successful strategies for continuous improvement. These meetings include leadership and subject matter experts from the Florida Department of Education’s Divisions of Career and Adult Education, Vocational Rehabilitation and Blind Services; the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity; and CareerSource Florida. A stakeholders’ workgroup including core and other partners meets regularly to share information and provide input for the unified plan.
As of December 2019, with a record-low unemployment rate of 3.0 percent, Florida enjoys a healthy labor market and a strong workforce system well-positioned to continue its integrated approach to providing exceptional services to businesses and job seekers.
States and local workforce development boards are required to regularly revisit state plan strategies and recalibrate those strategies to respond to the changing economic conditions and workforce needs of the state (20 CFR, Unified and Combined Plans Under Title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, §676.135). The State of Florida WIOA Unified Plan is consistent with the requirements of federal and state law with an emphasis on:
- Streamlining services – Florida’s employment and training programs must be coordinated and consolidated at locally managed one-stop delivery system centers.
- Empowering individuals – Eligible participants will make informed decisions, choosing the qualified training program that best meets their needs.
- Universal access – Through a one-stop delivery system, every Floridian will have access to employment services.
- Increased accountability – The state, localities and training providers will be held accountable for their performance.
I. WORKFORCE INNOVATION AND OPPORTUNITY ACT STATE PLAN TYPE
Florida submits its Unified State Plan which includes the following required programs:
- Adult Program
- Dislocated Worker Program
- Youth Program
- Adult Education and Family Literacy Act
- Wagner-Peyser Act
- Vocational Rehabilitation Program, including Blind Services Program
This Unified Plan submitted under WIOA includes required core partners: CareerSource Florida, the Department of Economic Opportunity and the Department of Education’s Divisions of Career and Adult Education, Vocational Rehabilitation and Blind Services.
Florida continues to build on collaboration with core partners and smaller workgroups by including other programs such as the Florida College System and organizations as needed in workforce system updates and by identifying opportunities for partnerships. This allows Florida to be deliberate and thorough in its strategic planning efforts across programs.