WIOA State Plan Common Elements

III 6 (A) (ii) Describe the State’s plans to integrate data systems to facilitate streamlined intake and service delivery to track participation across all programs included in this plan. DJL provides for a single information system serving all DOL programs housed within our four One–Stop Career Centers: Youth, Adults, Dislocated Workers, Wagner–Peyser Labor Exchange, Local Veterans Employment Representative Program, Disabled Veterans Outreach Program, Migrant and Seasonal Farm Workers Program, Alien Labor Certification, Trade Act, and UI Profiling Reemployment Services, as well as the State Blue Collar. Customers of other core One–Stop partners seeking services through the One–Stop Career Centers are offered appropriate services, and tracked as they receive services.

In addition, DJL offers employers and job seekers, staff, and training providers seamless self–service access to a wide range of employment and training services and information including the Delaware Workforce Development Board’s interactive list of Certified ITA Providers and Courses; Delaware’s Job Bank; Delaware’s Resume Talent Bank; One–Stop Career Center services, bulletins, and links to related sites; as well as links to national electronic workforce information tools such as O*Net Online.

Currently a registration data interface exists between the Division of Unemployment Insurance and the Division of Employment and Training. This interface allows common data elements to be captured at intake by the Division of Unemployment then seamlessly transferred to the Division of Employment and Training. As a result of this process, it greatly reduces the number of data fields the customer has to provide input.

Interfaces are possible with all core programs to maximize the efficient exchange of common data elements. Future plans to make these connections and establish data interfaces are pending final regulations.

III (b) (6) (iii) Explain how the State board will assist the governor in aligning technology. The elimination of the duplicate collection of data from the customer is a major goal. Discussion will take place with the unaligned programs during the first year with the goal being to streamline the customer experience. All partners will have access to JobLink and will be capable of using it for tracking participation as they choose. The referral system will track referred individuals through partner programs using JobLink. Since JobLink includes the entire job seeker population, including the customer of most of the mandatory programs, the interface with unemployment insurance as well as its electronic presence and four full service one–stops, it offers many opportunities for linkages. The DWDB will assist the governor in aligning technology and data systems across mandatory One–Stop partner programs in accordance with WIOA legislation and federal guidance. The State Board will, over the next two years, establish a subcommittee to oversee the discussion on integration. See partner MOUs at Appendix D.

III (b) (6) (iv) Describe the State’s plans to develop and produce the reports required under section 116, performance accountability system. (WIOA section 116(d) (2).

US DOL – at this point – has provided very little regarding the submission of the reports required under 116 (d)(2). Even so, Delaware JobLink (DJL) is part of America’s JobLink Alliance (AJLA), a consortium of more than eight states. AJLA has a documented history of being able to meet deadlines and requirements for the Federal reports required by the U.S. Department of Labor. Both Vocational Rehabilitation and Adult Education have national systems targeting their programs also. These programs do not produce as broad a selection of Federal reports as AJLA but they also have a history of meeting deadlines and producing reports. While there may be additional reporting regarding trainers performance, AJLA, contains the Delaware Approved Provider list currently and will be able to produce reports required.

The Core Partners in Delaware have a history of working together when data exchanges are necessary. Presently, the data–collection and reporting processes for the WIOA core programs are not integrated. The data–collection and reporting processes for all DOL programs and activities is executed in the DJL system. The data–collection and reporting processes for DOE programs is carried out by the Literacy Pro system for the Adult Education program and the AWARE system for the Vocational Rehabilitation programs. Information reported by U.S. DOL and U.S. DOE on August 13, 2015 in a Workforce3 One seminar indicated the WIOA annual report would be submitted by core programs directly to their respective U.S. Federal agencies. Activities to integrate systems among the core programs are contingent upon final WIOA regulations.

It would be fiscally irresponsible to invest funds in an integrated system while no final regulations have been issued which outline requirements. Implementing a system in advance of federal guidance would undoubtedly precipitate the need for costly adjustments or modifications. Consequently, fewer funds would be available to provide services to the public.

As of this writing, US DOE has directed Title II programs to document performance through their US DOE compliant MIS system. All programs will be inputting performance data and DDOE Adult Education will be monitoring program and statewide progress for accountability purposes.