2 Year Modification

Kansas PYs 2018-2019 Published

WIOA State Plan Common Elements

Section Published
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. I. Coordinating with Economic Development Strategies.

Describe how the activities identified in (A) will be coordinated with economic development entities, strategies and activities in the State.

Current Narrative:

The Kansas Department of Commerce is not only the state workforce agency, but also the state economic development agency; and is therefore uniquely structured to coordinate economic development strategies with the activities provided across the Kansas workforce development system. The Business Services Division of Commerce provides both state-level intelligence regarding industries establishing operations in the state and local-level intelligence regarding growth and expansion of particular companies. Commerce’s divisions meet weekly to share, coordinate, and align activities. As part of this economic development system, including the local workforce development boards and local economic development organizations, WIOA core partners are at the forefront of up-to-date workforce development activities and will utilize this position to counsel Kansas workforce development system customers and support training and skill development activities to match the employment needs of Kansas industries, thus improving the probability of successful employment placement.

Additionally, as required by WIOA Section 102, Kansas core partners facilitated an inclusive work group process, including local workforce development executives responsible for economic development, to develop narratives included throughout the combined state plan. A summary of those narratives are as follows:

  • The activities that will be funded by WIOA core partners to implement the described strategies
  • How such activities will be aligned across the programs and among the entities administering the programs, including using co-enrollment and other strategies
  • How the activities described will be aligned with activities provided under employment, training, education, including career and technical education, and human services programs not covered by the plan, as appropriate, assuring coordination of, and avoiding duplication among, the activities referred to in this clause
  • How the entities carrying out the respective core programs will coordinate activities and provide comprehensive, high-quality services including supportive services, to individuals
  • How the State’s strategy will engage the State’s community colleges and area career and technical education schools as partners in the workforce development system and enable the State to leverage other Federal, State, and local investments that have enhanced access to workforce development programs at those institutions
  • How the activities described will be coordinated with economic development strategies and activities in the State
  • How the State’s strategy will improve access to activities leading to a recognized postsecondary credential, including a credential that is an industry-recognized certificate or certification, portable, and stackable.

Economic development activities at the local level are coordinated through the work of local workforce development boards, local area executive directors, business outreach staff, and similar staff within KANSASWORKS centers and core and combined partner offices. Regular communications occur between these staff and economic development entities such as chambers of commerce, rural and county development agencies, economic development district representatives, city government officials, and large employers.