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—
- b. State Operating Systems and PoliciesThe 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—
- b. State Operating Systems and Policies
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, Describe the State’s Process for Developing Guidelines for State-administered One-stop Partner Programs’ Contributions to a One-stop Delivery System, Including Benchmarks, and Its Guidance to Assist Local Boards, Chief Elected Officials, and Local One-stop Partners in Determining Equitable and Stable Methods of Funding Infrastructure in Accordance with Sec. 121(h)(1)(b). Beginning with the State Plan Modification in 2018 and for Subsequent State Plans and State Plan Modifications, the State Must Also Include Such Guidelines.
Current Narrative:
Several state policies have been issued or updated in response to the transition to WIOA. The state’s Priority of Service Policy requires that at least 50% of the clients served under Title I Adult are either receiving public assistance, low-income, or basic-skills deficient. This ensures that services are being prioritized for those with barriers to employment and that are most in need of services. Local areas must have written policies that delineate how they will give priority of service and must adhere to these policies. DWD will provide technical assistance to local areas that do not have 50% or more of their adult participants enrolled into one of the priority categories. DWD will review the data and the local policies to determine if changes are needed after a year of data is available.
The state has also issued guidance on the delivery of Title I Adult and Dislocated Worker Services regarding participation and exit dates, requiring that the date of participation reflects the first DOL funded program. The common participation date encourages co-enrollment in programs from the earliest point of contact to best serve the individual with the broadest menu of services possible.
With the renewed emphasis that WIOA places on work experience-based job training, the state has issued a policy for On-The-Job Training (OJT) contracts that provides guidance to the regions in establishing these employer led experiences. The state has issued draft guidance for Incumbent Worker programs which provide a framework for the regions to provide these services. Indiana has decided to keep it in draft form for now, to allow the regions flexibility to innovate when implementing this new program.
DWD issued a policy on April 15, 2016, regarding Memoranda of Understanding and Shared Infrastructure Costs. In that policy, it was stated that for Program Year 2016, state and local areas will need to continue to negotiate local funding agreements as they have been doing under WIA and that as the regulations become finalized. On January 17, 2017 DWD issued policy 2016-07 Guidance for the Competitive Procurement of One-Stop Operators. On October 16, 2017 DWD issued policy 2017-04 State Funding Mechanism. All infrastructure and additional costs negotiations have concluded and agreements are in place.
Lastly, the state is looking at issuing policy guidance regarding: (1) pay-for-performance contracts for the delivery of training services and (2) job quality criteria for determining employer eligibility for WIOA funds. The state will work with the State Workforce Innovation Council’s WIOA Implementation Taskforce on these.