WIOA State Plan Common Elements

Under this State plan, state agencies which provide WIOA Core Partner programs will coordinate activities and resources to provide comprehensive, high-quality, customer-centered services, including supportive services to individuals including those populations identified in section II(a)(1)(B).

Rehabilitation Services, the state’s VR program in the Kansas Department for Children and Families, will provide individualized services to empower people with disabilities to achieve, retain or regain employment.

The Adult Education program of Regents will provide services to support adults in achieving foundational, secondary, postsecondary, and workforce preparation skills.

For Titles IB and III, Commerce and Local Workforce Development Boards will provide career services, as well as access to training services, access to programs and activities carried out by one-stop partners, access to the data, information, and analysis as described in section 15(a) of the Wagner-Peyser Act (29 USC. 49l-2(a)) and all job search, placement, recruitment and other labor exchange services authorized under the Wagner-Peyser Act.

Kansas Workforce Centers operate using a Functional Management model wherein Title IB and III partners co-located in any workforce center agree to participation in a team approach to meeting the needs of all customers, whether individual jobseekers or local businesses.

Wagner-Peyser staff members are co-located in One-Stop Centers across the State. The state coordinates and aligns service delivery as described in Section VI Wagner-Peyser Act.

The coordination and alignment of WIOA Adult Dislocated Worker and Youth Services to Individuals are described in Section VI.

Trade Adjustment Assistance

Partnerships

Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) programs are delivered through partnerships between Commerce, WIOA Core and Required partner programs as well as other workforce system partners to provide seamless services to customers. All staff members approving TAA benefits are merit staff, both at the state administrative and the local level. This is to ensure the requirement for this rule as prescribed by the Trade and Globalization Adjustment Assistance Act (TGAAA) has been met.

Outreach

A customer may learn about the TAA Program through TAA informational meetings, Rapid Response meetings or outreach conducted by WIOA Core and Required partners. Rapid Response is a team effort staffed by representatives from key workforce development partners at both the state and local levels. The coordination of Rapid Response events not only helps businesses and dislocated workers, but also helps develop linkages between the TAA program and other workforce programs.

TAA Information Meetings

Following federal certification of a Trade Act petition, workforce center staff or the local Rapid Response Coordinator works with the State Trade Act Coordinator to ensure a TAA information meeting is provided for any affected workers. When possible, this meeting is held in conjunction with the Rapid Response meeting. During these meetings the worker will be instructed to go to the nearest workforce center to make application for TAA benefits. RR staff will coordinate reasonable accommodations for effected workers to assist in accessing TAA information.

State Department of Labor (UI)

If a customer contacts the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL)/Unemployment Insurance Call Center to file an unemployment insurance claim, the customer will be instructed to go to the nearest workforce center to make application for TAA benefits if they have been laid off by a company having a certified TAA petition.

There is a very close working relationship with KDOL/Trade Adjustment Allowances (TRA) staff, including constant communication regarding TAA customers for almost every aspect of the program. For example, Kansas has a TRA Statement request used as a communication piece between agencies to ensure the customer meets eligibility deadlines.

Service Delivery and Compliance

Local TAA services are delivered at the Workforce Centers; therefore, the One-Stop delivery system serves as an important avenue for linking TAA with its WIOA Core, Required program partners, as well as other partners, in the area effected.

Workforce center staff works with the customer to ensure registration in KANSASWORKS.com, a combined MIS system, which is another element supporting the development of strong linkages between the TAA program and other workforce development partners. KANSASWORKS.com is capable of linking multiple state agencies and currently links WIOA Youth, Adult, Dislocate Worker, W-P, Trade Act, Reemployment Services, Unemployment Insurance, Reemployment and Eligibility Assessment and the Senior Community Service Employment Program. The system is capable of cross-programmatic service delivery and provides management case files for multiple programs and/or agencies. Information on a participant can be accessed without moving from one agency system to another. Because case managers from different agencies have access to the same participant data, the entire system has become seamless to deliver better services for common customers of programs using KANSASWORKS.com.

Once a customer is deemed TAA eligible, they will complete the Application for Trade Act Benefits form with a TAA case manager (CM), complete an initial assessment to identify their initial employment plan, and will be offered the eight required employment and case management services. Based on the customer’s needs, the CM will work with them on next steps.

In order to move to the next step of training services, a customer must not have the skills to obtain suitable employment in the current labor market and must also meet the six criteria for approval for training. Has this changed with the new law(s)? Customers receive training targeted to a specific occupation which will prepare them for suitable employment. Based on the individual’s existing skills and education, along with labor market conditions, training will be of the shortest duration necessary to return the customer to employment.

Eligible customers may be waived from participation in training if the applicable criteria are met; however, a waiver will only be issued for a customer whose eventual goal is to enroll in TAA approved training. The customer may not be issued more than one waiver per petition number under any circumstance.

It is the CM’s responsibility to determine if the customer is eligible to be placed on a waiver. A waiver from training shall be issued to the customer only upon a supported determination (verification of condition) which shows approval of a training program is not feasible or is not appropriate for the customer at such time.

TAA customers are eligible for other benefits as well, such as Relocation, Out-of-Area Job Search and A/RTAA, HCTC, also handled at the Workforce Center by Case Managers.

Another component of the Commerce/TAA staff and KDOL/TRA partnership is the work they complete together in the appeals process. If an application for TAA benefits has been denied and the customer believes the determination is incorrect, they have the right to appeal or request reconsideration. The determination becomes final unless appealed within 10 days from the date it is mailed to the customer. A customer may file an appeal by writing a letter stating their desire to appeal. The letter must state the customer’s reason why it is believed the determination is incorrect. A copy of the denial letter issued from the TAA Administrative Office and mailed to KDOL must accompany the appeal letter from the customer showing why benefits have been denied.

Additionally, both agencies work together on the monitoring aspect of TAA. As part of the responsibilities for the oversight of the TAA activities in Kansas, the Regulatory Compliance Unit of the Commerce Legal Division, conducts both desk and on-site monitoring reviews on a quarterly basis. Reviews may include any or all of the administrative and program components. If possible, reviews are done on cases in each of the five local areas. Results of monitoring activities are documented in a report and disseminated for response and corrective action as warranted.

Lastly, the System Reporting Analyst for Commerce works with both Commerce and KDOL staff to file the TAPR reporting requirements.

Rapid Response

The Department of Commerce, State Dislocated Worker Unit, is responsible for providing Rapid Response services. The state RR team consists of the Rapid Response Coordinator/TAA Supervisor, Deputy Administrator of Workforce Investment Programs/NEG Coordinator, the Workforce Services Director, the Systems Reporting Analyst, and the Deputy Director of LMIS at KDOL. The state’s responsibilities include the following:

• Provide overall grant management to the Rapid Response program;
• Serve as the central point of communication for the state Workforce Centers;
• Develop prospective strategies for addressing dislocation events that ensure rapid access to the broad range of allowable assistance in conjunction with other appropriate federal, state, and local service agencies and officials, employer associations, technical or other business councils, and labor organizations;
• Compile information and distribute to the State Board, the USDOL, and others as needed;
• Establish and maintain the WARN online data base;
• Coordinate and provide related staff development activities;
• Establish and maintain dislocated worker and Rapid Response information on the Department of Commerce web site;
• Initiate early intervention services;
• Maintain an official file for all Rapid Response activities, including the surveys;
• Print materials and folders and deliver informational packets;
• Review and make recommendations on requests for Rapid Response services;
• Prepare National Emergency Grants; and
• Continually improve customer service, evaluate customer satisfaction measures, and share this information with the State Board.

Commerce designates local area Rapid Response Coordinators to provide and oversee Rapid Response activities in their respective Local Workforce Development Areas. The local RR teams vary per area, but each includes at least the local Rapid Response Coordinator and local workforce center staff. The activities they provide include, but are not limited to:

• Immediate and on-site contact with the employer, representatives of the affected workers, and the local community;
• Conduct an assessment of the layoff plans and schedule of the employer.
• Contact Commerce Administrative Office to request statewide materials and folders as well as collection and assimilation of information to be provided at employee meetings;
• Immediately notify affected Workforce Center Operators, WIOA Core Partners and other workforce system partners of a layoff incident.
• Hold informational meetings with the affected workers, providing them with re-employment services, UI, WIOA Core Partner programs and community resources information. RR will coordinate reasonable accommodations for effected workers to assist in RR service delivery.

RR administers a customer survey to be completed for each layoff incident in which on-site contact was made. Information relating to follow-up services is gathered, including assistance needed for training, education, or job search activities;

• Responsible for connecting the affected workers to resources necessary for follow-up services;
• Work with the employers and affected workers on additional services such as Job Fairs, resume writing/interviewing workshops, referral services and etc.

Rapid Response activities are initiated when the State or Local Rapid Response Coordinator becomes aware of an impending layoff of any size. A WARN or non-WARN notice may be initiated from the following:

• Employer - Upon receipt of the official WARN notification from the employer, the State or Local Rapid Response Coordinator contacts the employer within 48 hours of the notice to offer Rapid Response services.
• Kansas Department of Commerce - Any Commerce employee who receives notification of non-WARN information must send that information to the State Rapid Response Coordinator within 24 hours. The State or Local Rapid Response Coordinator contacts the employer within 48 hours from the time they are notified.
• Workforce Center Partner - If a workforce center partner (who is not part of the local Rapid Response delegation) receives or learns of a layoff, they must notify the State or Local Rapid Response Coordinator. The State or Local Rapid Response Coordinator contacts the employer within 48 hours of learning of the layoff.
• Newspaper Articles or Broadcast News - The State or Local Rapid Response Coordinator contacts the employer within 48 hours of receiving information from newspaper articles or broadcast news.
• Other - Other notifications may include WIOA Core Partner information, phoned-in leads, employer contacts, and notification from the USDOL or Trade Act program certifications. The State or Local Rapid Response Coordinator contacts the employer within 48 hours of learning of the impending layoff.

Once the information is received and confirmed, the affected workers are notified through the following strategies:

Employer Contact

The State or Local Rapid Response Coordinator makes immediate contact with the employer to determine the layoff plans and to schedule informational meetings for the affected workers. The goal is to hold pre-layoff meetings at the work-site; however, the details are determined based on the employer’s needs and desires. Every effort is made to best accommodate the employer and promote attendance. Post-layoff informational meetings may also be arranged and held, if necessary.

Union Contact

When the affected workers are organized under a union, the Local Rapid Response Coordinator notifies the local or regional union office of the time, date and location of the pre-layoff informational meeting so the union may promote the meeting to its members. If meetings cannot be held at the work site, the union hall may be a suitable alternative.

The order of preference for meeting location is first, the work site; second, the union facility; and third, another location approved by labor and management.

Other

If the employer has already closed the plant, isn’t responding to our contact or if there is no Union involvement, there are several different avenues we will try in notifying the workers. RR will provide outreach through print ads or radio ads in the area of lay-off and will work with KDOL to send out information regarding meetings.

Once the workers are notified and meetings are set up, the workers are offered the following services:

Rapid Response Services and Workforce Center Activities

As part of all Rapid Response meetings, information is presented about services available through KANSASWORKS—the statewide workforce system. Staff that deliver services in the workforce center may provide information during the Rapid Response meetings or this will be covered by the Local Rapid Response Coordinator. Eligible dislocated workers are provided services at the meetings or are referred to the workforce center for further evaluation and services. These services include, but are not limited to:

• WIOA eligibility determination
• Case management
• Skills assessment
• Resume writing and interview techniques
• Labor market information
• Job matching services
• Occupational training

As mentioned above, customer surveys are administered and collected at the Rapid Response meetings. Kansas started utilizes a scan-able worker survey, to include all of the Region V Rapid Response survey questions as well as some unique to Kansas. These surveys are administered and collected during the Rapid Response meetings. The local area RR Coordinator makes copies for themselves to keep for follow-up and referrals and then sends the originals to the state RR Coordinator.

Kansas has developed layoff aversion strategies:

• The Dislocated Worker Unit and Kansas Department of Labor Market Information Services are working together on a layoff aversion strategy by analyzing the trends of industries in a particular region, whether the industry is growing, stable or declining in sales, employment, etc.
• The State Dislocated Worker Unit partners with the Kansas Department of Labor to promote the Work Share program as a layoff aversion strategy. The Shared Work Program is designed to help both employers and employees. It is an alternative for employers faced with a reduction in workforce and allows an employer to divide the available work or hours of work among a specified group of affected employees in lieu of a layoff. Shared Work allows the employees to receive a portion of their unemployment insurance benefits while working reduced hours.
• The State Dislocated Worker Unit may also support pre-feasibility studies of avoiding a plant closure through such options as a company or group, including the workers, to purchase the plant or company and continue it in operation.

Incumbent Workers

In conjunction with Rapid Response Services, Workforce Services use a portion of the Dislocated Worker funding for incumbent worker training. Training using this funding is limited to skill attainment activities. The training is to be used for the purpose of averting layoffs, but may also be used for the purpose of improving employee retention, increasing employee earning potential through the upgrade of skills and to assist in staying competitive.

Rapid Response in Kansas is a continual process of improvement and has now expanded its response to include WIOA Core Partner program information and referrals.

Veterans Priority Service

Service Delivery

Staff are strategically placed in KANSASWORKS American Job Centers aimed at meeting the needs of all veterans with significant barriers to employment. WIOA partners trained in case management will assess and serve veterans at all local workforce center locations. Kansas has integrated all DVOP specialists into the AJC’s system through assignment to a Workforce Center. Veterans are initially identified by a front desk member. An assessment to identify any significant barriers to preventing employment (SBE) is conducted. Veterans with SBE’s are referred to a DVOP. Those who do not have SBE’s are provided services through the workforce center staff. Despite the determination of SBE status, all veterans remain entitled to, and do receive Veteran Priority of Service.

Local workforce development boards provide priority job placement and training activities to veterans. Plans on how services are provided are located in the State Policy narrative and in local workforce board WIOA plans. These plans include: how available resources (WIOA, Wagner-Peyser and others) are pooled to provide core and intensive services; processes to accomplish intake, assessment, registration and follow-up services; a description of mediated and non-mediated services; how veterans are provided priority in placement services and activities; and detailed description of how case management services are provided to veterans.

All workforce centers have an integrated, business services function responsible for connecting local employers to the local One-Stop system. In addition, Kansas has developed a coordinated intake and information system through KANSASWORKS.com, the statewide job search and case management system to facilitate the provision of services to veterans.

Educational opportunities are promoted through counseling services to veterans. Commerce and Regents coordinate education and training activities to increase postsecondary capacity for job driven training programs. Additionally, local workforce developent boards (LWDBs) provide real-time intelligence regarding skill gaps and projected skill needs.

American Job Center staff will provide job search and placement services for veterans including counseling, testing, occupational and labor market information, and skill evaluations such as WorkReady!, to help veterans make educated and up-to-date decisions about their training and employment needs. Veterans will be introduced to America’s Career InfoNet, O-Net, and other local resources that offer career exploration, education and job tools such as the following to help them make career decisions:

• Assess personal marketability;
• Assess skills, skill gaps and related occupations
• Research occupations on a national, state or local level;
• Research occupations, employment trends to national, state and local wage information
• Research employers for job searches;
• Track labor market trends
• Learn how to network in various career fields using professional associations and Career Resource Library links
• Research training options by occupation such as certifications, schools, programs, and licenses
• Explore credentialing options; and
• Find financial aid resources

Please see attached modified plan as approved.

SCSEP

Service Delivery

Kansas State SCSEP is operated in seven counties in south central Kansas: Butler, Cowley, Harper, Harvey, Kingman, Sumner and Sedgwick. The LWDB, Workforce Alliance of South Central Kansas, provides SCSEP services through its workforce centers, creating an excellent opportunity for SCSEP participants to access all available KANSASWORKS services.

KWSB has codified the inclusion of older workers as a priority population for all KANSASWORKS services. With the implementation of WIOA, strategic coordination of the Core Partners will result in an investment in skill development of SCSEP participants. Services from WIOA Adult and Dislocated Worker Workforce Development, VR, Adult Education and Wagner-Peyser can be utilized to streamline services for SCSEP participants. WIOA as implemented in Kansas ultimately assures participants will be able to access all services for which they are eligible through all WIOA Core Partners.

As it was prior to WIOA, SCSEP is truly another program of KANSASWORKS where customers are provided with the same services as any other eligible job seeker.

Kansas will utilize the State Workforce Policy regarding serving minorities and other subpopulations. In addition, the SCSEP state sub-contractor will continue its practice of engaging community-based organizations serving minorities to recruit eligible participants and coordinate services. For example, SCSEP in Kansas increased the number of Native American participants through coordination with the All American Indian Center, providing referrals and opportunities for recruitment by participating in scheduled activities specifically designed to engage the local Native American population. Coordination with Hispanic organizations including La Familia Senior Center, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Guadalupe Clinic have enhances SCSEP recognition throughout the Hispanic community. Each of these community-based agencies have assisted in recruitment of participants, furnished space for participant meetings, acted as host sites, provided job leads in the Hispanic community and worked with SCSEP staff on participant retention when unsubsidized employment has been secured. The Indochinese Center acts as a host agency and is providing interpreters for participants and program staff; with the assistance of the Center targeted recruitments events will be held which should increase participation of Asian individuals. The Kansas Minority Business Council has been a valuable resource for helping recruit a significant number of African American participants and provides many referrals for unsubsidized jobs. Enrollment levels of minorities have remained consistent over the last several years and the most recent analysis indicates Kansas serves a much higher percentage of minorities overall than their representation in the population.

Please see attached approved SCSEP State Plan

Workforce Innovation Fund

Service Delivery

The Workforce Innovation Fund grant will allow LWDBs to serve individuals with multiple barriers to employment with integrated and intensive case management, supportive services and on-the-job training to increase the likelihood each participant will obtain and maintain employment. The grant will also work with the Workforce Data Quality Initiative grant to improve data sharing across multiple state agencies and programs and to develop an portal for individuals to use a single entry into multiple systems for services. Finally, the WIF project will establish and deliver cross-system training throughout the state to educate all WIOA Core, Required and other partners on each program offered in the local workforce system and local community.

Kansas Health Profession Opportunity Project

Service Delivery

KHPOP leverages the resources of partners including; Department for Children and Families (DCF), local workforce development boards, KANSASWORKS State Board, Registered Apprenticeship and Adult Education, as well as healthcare associations, private employers and representatives from education and training and other state agencies to provide employment opportunities in high-paying career healthcare positions.

The Department of Commerce and other partners will utilize its existing relationships to promote KHPOP to potential employers. DCF will aid in identifying members of the targeted population for participation in KHPOP. The KANSASWORKS system will be leveraged to enroll targeted individuals into the program and connect them with the appropriate training opportunities. KANSASWORKS will also serve as the channel between employers and KHPOP participants, linking participants to available job opportunities.

Referrals to KHPOP come from the workforce centers, DCF, adult education or local community or technical colleges. There is no ‘wrong door’ entry to this project

Alternative Workforce Specialist

Service Delivery

Because the offender population includes individuals who can become viable members of the workforce with the proper instruction and training, the Department of Corrections and Commerce created the Alternative (Offender) Workforce Development Specialist, which serves as a bridge between the Workforce System and correctional institutions and offices across the state. Multiple entities fund this position through the State General Fund, federal workforce development funds and funds from other Workforce System partners. The position serves individuals through coordination of pre- and post-release services, case management, employment development and vocational counselling.

Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC)

Service Delivery

The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) encourages the hiring of targeted employees so they move from economic dependency into self-sufficiency as they earn a steady income and become contributing taxpayers. Participating employers receive compensation by reducing their federal income tax liability. The largest number of workers are recipients of SNAP, followed by community residents, ex-felons, unemployed veterans and TANF recipients. Employers apply to receive WOTC credit WOTC LiveFile at KansasWOTC.com.

Workforce Aid (Aligned with Industry Demand)

Service Delivery

Workforce AID is a workforce training solution that supports the economic strategic plan for Kansas, with a focus on providing skilled talent for employers and growing jobs. Using short term highly focused training programs resulting in college credit and industry-recognized credentials, Workforce AID finds, trains and delivers Kansas employers a skilled, certified workforce - education directly linked to a job. Employers design training programs that expose participants to a wide variety of entry-level skills identified by employers in a specific industry sector, with an early and ongoing connection between employers and employees. This innovative project is led by the Kansas Department of Commerce in partnership with Regents and the State Workforce System.

Registered Apprenticeship

Service Delivery

Registered Apprenticeship is a structured system for training employees in a variety of occupations that require a wide range of skills and knowledge. It is an ideal way for employers to build and maintain a skilled workforce. It combines full-time employment, through on-the-job learning, under the supervision of experienced journey level workers, and related technical instruction. The related instruction may be provided through community or technical colleges, correspondence, online, distance learning, contract vendors or apprenticeship training centers to both educate and develop business and industries’ workforce. Partnerships with WIOA partners include Adult Education and Commerce. ECAAP, described elsewhere in this section, is one of the many registered apprenticeships in Kansas.

As described in the Customer Flow section of the attached plan on pages 33 - 37 and Continuous Improvement section on pages 29 - 32, all Core Partners have worked together to determine how to initially coordinate and align services to individuals. Further, the Core Partners have agreed to monitor progress and modify the state plan after a two-year implementation period.