WIOA State Plan Common Elements

Local Workforce Development Boards are responsible for improving access to and the effectiveness of One-Stop and program services. The Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity certifies Michigan Works! Service Centers every three years using criteria developed in consultation with the Governor’s Michigan Future Talent, local Chief Elected Officials, and local Workforce Development Board Chairs. Our policy regarding the certification criteria for Michigan Works! Service Centers requires that Michigan Works Service Centers provide all customers access to high-quality One-Stop Centers that connect customers with the full range of services available.

As recipients of federal funds, Michigan Works! Agencies are required to comply with various regulations relating to non-discrimination, equal opportunity and inclusion. The certification criteria is consistent with the requirements of the WIOA, which ensures that each One-Stop Center is able to meet the needs of limited English proficient individuals, including

1. The provision of information, in usable and understandable formats and languages, about how the local area is performing on local performance accountability measures as well as any additional performance information relating to the area’s One-Stop delivery system; and
2. The provision of information, in usable and understandable formats and languages, relating to the availability of supportive services or assistance, and appropriate referrals to those services and assistance, including:
   • Child care;
   • Child support;
   • Medical or child health assistance available through the State’s Medicaid program and Children’s Health Insurance Program, benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, assistance through the Earned Income Tax Credit, and assistance under a State program for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and other supportive services and transportation provided through that program.

The State ensures that each one-stop center is able to meet the needs of English language learners. High-quality Michigan Works! Service Centers reflect a welcoming environment to all customer groups who are served. All staff are courteous, responsive and helpful to jobseekers, businesses, and others who visit, either in person, or by telephone and/or e-mail. Certified Michigan Works! Service Centers must present and promote a professional, businesslike and accessible setting.

Michigan Works! Service Centers must be inclusive of all customers to be effective. Inclusion honors and accommodates diversity. A universally accessible system requires meeting the diverse customer needs that exist within the local service delivery area, which includes the needs of individuals with disabilities, people of different cultures including English language learners, and persons with barriers to employment. Service Centers must provide adequate staff assistance in both English and the participant’s native language, whenever requested. Michigan Works! Agencies are required to comply with various regulations related to non-discrimination, equal opportunity, and inclusion.

High quality Michigan Works! Service Centers provide career services that motivate, support, and empower customers, including individuals with disabilities and English Language learners, to make informed decisions based on local and regional economic demand and effectively attain their personal employment and education goals. The provision of information, in usable and understandable formats and languages, about how the local area is performing on local performance accountability measures, as well as additional information related to the area’s One-Stop delivery system is required. Career services include English language acquisition and integrated education and training programs.

High-quality Michigan Works! Service Centers ensure meaningful access to all customers. Michigan Works! Service Centers must be physically and programmatically accessible to all customers. In doing so, Michigan Works! Service Centers use principles of universal design and human-centered design, such as flexibility in space usage; the use of pictorial, written, verbal, and tactile modes to present information for customers with disabilities or limited English proficiency; providing clear lines of sight to information for seated or standing users; providing necessary accommodations; and providing adequate space for the use of assistive devices or personal assistants.

The Michigan Works! Service Center certification criteria policy provides guidance on accessibility of our One-Stop delivery system and our Wagner-Peyser Employment Services Manual provides information about the requirements of posters and other materials to be displayed at Michigan Works! Service Centers.

The Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity staff monitor Service Centers for compliance with certification criteria as part of WIOA programmatic reviews. The goal of programmatic reviews is to provide technical assistance, as appropriate, and ensure that established policies, procedures, and systems of the Michigan Works! Agency achieve quality program outcomes that meet the requirements and objectives of the WIOA and federal and state regulations. This program review is in addition to the WIOA fiscal compliance monitoring, and thereby ensures the state will meet program design, as required by the WIOA.

The Michigan Works! Association coordinates professional development activities for Employment Service front line-staff. The training provided is designed to enable staff to provide high-quality services to job seekers and employers. The activities sponsored by the Michigan Works! Association, educate, inspire and train staff to meet the demands of Michigan’s demand-driven system.