Located in:
- III. Operational Planning ElementsThe 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 ImplementationThe Unified or Combined State Plan must include—
- 2. Implementation of State StrategyDescribe 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—
- 2. Implementation of State Strategy
- a. State Strategy Implementation
III. a. 2. B. Alignment with Activities Outside the Plan
Current Narrative:
Enhancing Partner Collaboration
The Florida WIOA Task Force recommended state board membership be offered to the Florida Department of Corrections, the Florida Agency for Persons with Disabilities, the Florida Small Business Development Center Network and Enterprise Florida, the state’s primary economic development organization.
A unified plan approach was selected for the first plan submitted under WIOA. This plan includes required core partners: CareerSource Florida, the Department of Economic Opportunity, the Department of Education, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Division of Blind Services and Career and Adult Education. Florida has built on the collaboration established through the WIOA Task Force, the WIOA Core Leader Team and smaller workgroups by involving other programs and organizations as needed in workforce system updates and by identifying opportunities for partnerships.
This allowed Florida to be deliberate and thorough in its strategic planning efforts across programs while creating the foundation for a combined plan approach.
Stakeholders Workgroup and Combined Planning Elements
Enhanced relationships and collaboration are underway with non-core partners including the Florida Department of Education - Office of Apprenticeships, the Florida Department of Corrections, the Florida Department of Children and Families, the Florida Agency for Persons with Disabilities, the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, Enterprise Florida and the Community Services Block Grant Program. It is recommended by the CareerSource Florida and Department of Economic Opportunity Policy and Performance Team that a workgroup be convened to discuss benefits and implementation of a combined plan. The workgroup may consist of core partners, leadership and staff of the Community Services Block Grant Program, Community Action Agencies, local workforce development board members, local area executive directors and other stakeholders as necessary. The scope of this workgroup will be centered on making suggestions and obtaining feedback on resources, logistics, strategic policy, operational policy and other foundational aspects associated with including the Community Services Block Grant Program (or other combined plan partners) in a combined plan.
Stakeholders and the Policy and Performance Team will make recommendations to executive leadership including a timeline for incorporating other agencies into a four-year combined plan anticipated for 2020.
Improving Employment Outcomes for Juvenile Offenders
In 2015, DJJ and DEO entered into a statewide Memorandum of Agreement to establish general conditions and joint processes that authorize each agency to collaborate as partners to ensure juvenile offenders under the supervision of DJJ have information about and access to services provided by the state’s workforce system. The agreement outlines mutual responsibilities that allow state and local-level planning, promote the development of linkages between DJJ and the LWDBs, encourage collaboration and establish guidelines for data sharing protocol.
The agreement allowed DJJ, DEO and CareerSource Northeast Florida to pilot a project with funding from DJJ and CareerSource Florida. The project was designed to improve employment outcomes for youth offenders under the jurisdiction of DJJ within CareerSource Northeast Florida’s local workforce area. The pilot concluded in June 2016 and served a total of 52 youth.
Figure 3.02
Youth Offenders Placed in Paid Work Experience
| Status | Number of Participants |
|---|---|
| In-school, High School or less | 36 |
| In-school, Alternative School | 4 |
| In-school, post High School | 1 |
| Attained secondary school (high school) diploma | 2 |
| Entered Employment | 4 |
VR has developed a Technical Assistance Plan for collaboration in the delivery of Pre-Employment Transition Services to youth with disabilities in DJJ residential facilities. VR is also supporting a grant proposal focused on improving employment outcomes for juvenile offenders.
Partnering with State Colleges
Another example of coordination with non-core partners is found in the USDOL Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCT) Grant. On behalf of the Florida College Consortium, St. Petersburg College received a $15 million USDOL TAACCT Grant in 2012. The Florida Transforming Resources for Accelerated Degrees and Employment program (TRADE) was created with the vision of transforming Florida’s existing advanced manufacturing training and education system. The Florida team collaborated to identify and align existing resources such as curricula and equipment from 12 institutions to build capacity and serve as a sustainable way to offer training for a range of skill levels in advanced manufacturing. The project provides widespread access for students to attend online courses and combine training with practical hands-on work experience through internships
The program targets displaced workers who lost jobs due to foreign trade; unemployed workers; incumbent workers seeking to upgrade current skills or learn new skills; students; and veterans transitioning into the civilian workforce.
The Florida TRADE program delivers accelerated training achievable in three to six months, depending on the program, that leads to internships and jobs in manufacturing. Participants who complete components of the program obtain skills and opportunities recognized nationally as well as industry certifications that transfer into free college credits that can be applied to an Associate of Science degree.
Partnering with Florida Universities and Others
VR supports participants attending Inclusive Postsecondary Education (IPSE) for individuals with unique abilities. VR has dedicated IPSE Liaisons located throughout the state to participate in IPSE student selection committees and program development.
VR has Memoranda of Understanding with the presidents of Florida’s public universities and the Florida College System. These memoranda outline the purposes, roles and responsibilities of VR and the educational institutions and financial and programmatic responsibilities. The memoranda provide information about financial assistance, sharing of assessment findings, accommodations, rehabilitation technology services, academic advisement, counseling, confidentiality and other topics.
A common theme throughout Florida’s WIOA implementation strategy is the continued alignment with potential combined planning partners and optional one-stop career center partners. Through the WIOA established interagency teams, increased coordination with these organizations and agencies is sought.
FDBS maintains cooperative agreements with Community Rehabilitation Providers and other entities not carrying out activities under the Workforce Investment System. FDBS has a long-standing contractual relationship with its statewide CRPs and values the services they provide to clients. For FDBS, CRPs are private, non-profit programs that provide specialized rehabilitation services to individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Specialized services include education, independent life skills, job training and job placement services to clients and their families who are participating in the vocational rehabilitation program.