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Alabama PYs 2020-2023

WIOA State Plan Common Elements

Located in:
  • III. Operational Planning Elements

    The Unified or Combined State Plan must include an Operational Planning Elements section that supports 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—

    • b. State Operating Systems and Policies

      The Unified or Combined State Plan must include a description of the State operating systems and policies that will support the implementation of the State strategy described in section II Strategic Elements.  This includes—

III. b. 2. The State policies that will support the implementation of the State’s strategies (e.g., co-enrollment policies and universal intake processes where appropriate).  In addition, provide the State’s guidelines for State-administered one-stop partner programs’ contributions to a one-stop delivery system

View corresponding narrative from PYs 2018-2019

Current Narrative:

(2) The Alabama College and Career Exploration Tool (ACCET) will be a Career and College exploration tool that will consist of a web-based dashboard, accessible at no cost to the general public developed from data taken from the ATLAS database.  The ACCET will enable the user to compare all education and workforce training programs offered in the State of Alabama, including postsecondary education and training programs, programs offered through the public workforce system, and employment opportunities offered by public and private employers.  It will allow users to compare annual and total cost, length of time to complete, graduation rate, median salary, and eligibility for financial aid. It will also provide pertinent information on all 16 career clusters and the 79 career pathways including all related occupations. The ACCET is expected to be operational by October 1, 2020.

State-developed guidelines for State-administered One-Stop partner programs’ contributions to the One-Stop delivery system were initially promulgated via Governor’s Workforce Innovation Directive (GWID) Number PY2015-10 on January 20, 2016. GWID PY2015-10, Changes 1 – 4 were subsequentially issued. These Directives give guidance regarding infrastructure costs and require each local area, the Local Board, chief elected officials and One-Stop partners to come to an agreement regarding the methodology for determining One-Stop infrastructure cost contributions per WIOA 121(h)(1)(B). If local officials are unable to reach consensus, they will be required to use the infrastructure funding methodology determined by the Alabama Department of Commerce’s Workforce Development Division on behalf of the Governor.

Limitations are also placed on how much each partner can contribute to infrastructure costs. These limitations are as follows, by program:

Adult, Dislocated Worker, and Youth: Shall not exceed 3 percent of the federal funds provided to the State for a full program year. 

Wagner-Peyser Act: Shall not exceed 3 percent of the federal funds provided to the State for a full program year.

Vocational Rehabilitation: Shall not exceed .75 percent of the federal funds provided to the State in the second full program year; 1 percent of the federal funds provided to the State in the third full program year; 1.25 percent of the federal funds provided to the State in the fourth full program year; 1.5 percent of the federal funds provided to the State in the fifth full program year and in each succeeding year.

Other Partners: Shall not exceed 1.5 percent of the federal funds provided to the State. Subject to the above limitations, those local areas in which the local board, chief elected officials, and One-Stop partners fail to reach a consensus agreement on methods to fund the infrastructure of the One-Stop Career Centers in the local areas beginning on July 1, 2016 and thereafter, the Governor, after consultation with chief elected officials, local boards, and the State Board, shall determine the portion of funds to be provided by each One-Stop Career Center partner. In making such determinations (for the purpose of determining funding contributions), the Governor shall calculate amounts for the proportionate use of the One-Stop Career Centers in the State consistent with Chapter II of Title 2, Code of Federal Regulations (or any corresponding similar regulation or ruling) taking into account the costs of administration of the One-Stop delivery system for purposes not related to One-Stop Career Centers for each partner.

The Governor shall exclude from such determination of funds the amounts for proportionate use of one-stop centers attributable to the programs of one-stop partners for those local areas of the State where the costs of infrastructure of one-stop centers are funded under the option described in WIOA Section 121(h)(1)(A)(i)(I), e.g. funding methods agreed on by the local board, chief elected officials, and One-Stop Career Center partners (and described in the memorandum of understanding described in WIOA Section 121(c). The Governor shall also take into account the statutory requirements for each partner program and the partner program’s ability to fulfill such requirements. Per WIOA Section 121(h)(2)(C) in a State in which the State constitution or a State statute places policymaking authority that is independent of the authority of the Governor in an entity or official with respect to the funds provided for adult education and literacy activities authorized under Title II, postsecondary career and technical education activities authorized under the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2301 et seq.), or vocational rehabilitation services offered under a provision covered by Section 3(13)(D), the determination with respect to the programs authorized under that title, Act, or provision shall be made by the chief officer of the entity, or the official, with such authority in consultation with the Governor.

Pursuant to WIOA Section 121(h)(2)(E), the Governor established a process contained in GWID Number PY2015-10, described under WIOA Section 102(b)(2)(D)(i)(IV), for a One-Stop partner administering a program described in WIOA Section 121(b)(1) to appeal a determination regarding the portion of funds to be provided by the One-Stop partner. Such a determination may be appealed under the process on the basis that such determination is inconsistent with the WIOA requirements for One-Stop partners’ contributions for One-Stop Career Center infrastructure costs. Such process shall ensure prompt resolution of the appeal in order to ensure the funds are distributed in a timely manner, consistent with the requirements of WIOA Section 182(e).

The Alabama One-Stop system is available to all eligible participants and is designed to offer a variety of services to customers through the coordinated efforts of several agencies, whether on-site or through electronic connections.  Fostering partnerships among partner agencies results in a more cost-efficient and seamless environment for those customers who desire services.  This is a  joint staff effort including members of the Alabama Department of Commerce, Workforce Development Division (WDD), Alabama Department of Labor, Employment Service Division (ES), Alabama Community College System, Adult Education, Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services, Alabama Department of Senior Services, Alabama Department of Human Resources, and the Alabama Career Center System staff.  

The core programs currently mandated by the WIOA have participated and partnered together in the Alabama One-Stop System since 2001. A culture of strong communication and collaboration by these partners enhances services throughout the Alabama Career Center System.  In Alabama, partner collaboration is a “top down” process.  Top level partner agency administrators meet quarterly at a WIOA Partners’ Roundtable to discuss and share information on new initiatives, progress made toward workforce development goals, process updates, labor market information, local area updates and other issues.  This process is mirrored in all Alabama One-Stop Centers where mandated quarterly partner meetings are held to share similar information at the local level. The Staff of these core partners including Wagner Peyser and Title I staff are cross trained to work with clients, employers, and job seekers to connect unemployed customers to jobs, prepare underemployed customers for new jobs, and introduce youth to job readiness skills. These staff members jointly provide intake and enrollment, basic and individualized career services, training services and youth services  through core partner collaboration by offering service delivery across multiple programs. This requires One-Stop partner co-location, coordination, and integration of all activities and information.  Each partner is required to provide access to its programs or activities through the Alabama One-Stop System in addition to any other appropriate locations and make available a portion of its funds to partner programs to provide applicable career services and jointly fund the Career Center infrastructure.