Adult, Dislocated Worker, and Youth Activities

The following programs offer services in the Burlington One-Stop AJC and throughout the One-Stop AJC Network: 

1. WIOA Adult Program (VDOL)
2. WIOA Youth Program (VDOL) 
3. WIOA Dislocated Worker Program, including Rapid Response (VDOL)
4. Wagner-Peyser Employment Services Program (VDOL)
5. Trade Adjustment Assistance Program (VDOL)
6. Registered Apprenticeship Program (VDOL)
7. Unemployment Insurance Program (VDOL)
8. Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessments (RESEA) Program (VDOL)
9. Jobs for Veterans Program (VDOL)
10. Vocational Rehabilitation Program, (VR)
11. Blind and Visually Impaired Services Program (DVBI)
12. Senior Community Service Employment Program (Associates for Training and Development (A4TD)
13. Training and Employment Support Programs offered through Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity (CVOEO)
14. Migrant Seasonal Farmworker Outreach (VDOL and Pathstone)
15. YouthBuild Program (ReSourceVT)
16. JobCorp Program (Northlands Jobcorps)
17. Adult Education and Family Literacy Programs (AOE)
18. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (a.k.a. Reach-UP) (ESD)
19. Vermont Technical College Employment and Training Outreach Programs (VTC)
20. Community College of Vermont Employment and Training Outreach Programs (CCV)
21. Vermont Student Assistance Corporation Employment and Training Outreach and Support Programs (VSAC)
22. WIOA Native American Training and Employment Support Programs, and 
23. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (a.k.a. 3SquaresVT) (ICAN).

The organizations that provide basic career services, described below, help customers access resources along with individualized career services or referrals to counseling or other training services available through partner programs. Customers can access services through any of the One-Stop Career Centers, through walk-in appointments, scheduled one-on-one appointments, group orientations, and self-service resources. Partners who provide the same career services agree to deliver those services in a coordinated manner. At least one member of the VDOL staff is to be physically present during regular business hours at the Burlington comprehensive AJC so customers have access to all programs, services, and activities described in this section.

The following services are provided by One-Stop partners in Vermont’s One-Stop system:

Basic Career Services

Eligibility for Title I Services – Determination of whether a customer is eligible to receive services from the Adult, Dislocated Worker, or Youth programs.  

Outreach, Intake, and System Orientation – Outreach is intended to promote awareness of the availability of the system services to/for individuals and businesses that may need these services. Intake and system orientation is the process of gathering basic information to determine the program(s) appropriate for the customer, and providing the customer with information on the services available to determine if he/she is interested in pursuing those services.  Note: “SYSTEM” means the One-Stop System where all required partners make their services available.

Initial Assessment – The collection and assessment of information on a customer’s skill levels, including literacy, numeracy, and English language proficiency; work history; employment barriers; employment goal(s) and occupational knowledge; supportive service needs; and whether referrals to other programs are appropriate or necessary.  

Labor Exchange Services – Providing job search and placement services to the customer, including but not limited to, information on in-demand industry sectors and occupations and non-traditional employment, when appropriate; development of a work search plan; placement in workshops; posting jobs on the state job bank; providing job matching and referrals; and advising how to maintain a record of job search.  

In some instances, programs may require their customers to maintain and submit a log detailing the amount of time spent on job search activities including identifying, applying, and interviewing for potential jobs, and time spent preparing and sending follow-up material to businesses.  

Labor exchange services also include appropriate recruitment and other business services, which may include, but are not limited to, customized screening and referral of qualified customers in training services to businesses; customized services to businesses, business associations, or other such organizations, on employment-related issues; customized recruitment events for businesses and targeted job fairs; human resource consultation services which may include writing/reviewing job descriptions and employee handbooks, developing performance evaluations and personnel policies, creating orientation sessions for new employees, honing job interview techniques for efficiency and compliance, analyzing employee turnover, creating job accommodations and using assistive technologies, and explaining labor law to help businesses comply; and customized labor market information for specific businesses, sectors, industries, or clusters.  

Referrals to Programs – Referrals and coordination of activities with other appropriate programs and services that meet specific customer needs, assist them in overcoming barriers to employment, and provide services to gain/retain employment.  These other programs and services may include, but are not limited to, employment and training services; treatment for alcohol, substance abuse or mental health issues; Unemployment Insurance benefits; Workers’ Compensation; VT Disability Insurance; and vocational rehabilitation services.  

Labor Market Information – Staff provides workforce and labor market employment statistics to assist job seeking customers in the development of employment goal(s) and businesses in the development and implementation of sector partnerships and career pathways.  The employment statistics include local, regional, and national labor market conditions; career counseling and career exploration services; characteristics of industries, occupations, and the workforce area; business-identified skill needs; short and long-term industry and occupational growth and salary projections; worker supply and demand; and high-growth and high-demand industries.  

Performance and Program Cost of Eligible Providers – The provision of performance information and program cost information on eligible providers of education, training, and workforce services by program and type of provider.  

Referrals to Supportive Services – Staff provides customers with referrals to supportive services that enable the customer to participate in authorized WIOA activities.  Based on various partners’ programmatic rules and regulations, these supportive services may include, but are not limited to, transportation; child care; dependent care; housing; needs related payments; interpreter services; reasonable accommodation for youth with disabilities; legal aid services; assistance with uniforms or other appropriate work attire; assistance with books, fees, and school supplies; payments and fees for employment and training related applications, tests, and certifications; and tools or instruments.  Depending on the program, when appropriate, information may also be provided to customers on how to continue these supportive services after program services are completed.  

Unemployment Insurance (UI) Information and Assistance – One-Stop Career Center and UI staff provides information and meaningful assistance to individuals seeking assistance in filing a claim for unemployment compensation.  Meaningful assistance means providing assistance on-site using staff that is well trained in UI compensation claims filing and the rights and responsibilities of claimants or providing assistance by phone or via other technology as long as the assistance is provided by trained and available staff within a reasonable time.  

Financial Aid Assistance – Providing assistance in establishing eligibility, accessing, and applying for programs of financial aid for training and education programs not provided under WIOA.  

Individualized Career Services

Comprehensive Assessment – Staff conducts a specialized assessment of a job seeker’s barriers to employment, occupational and employment goal(s), educational and skill levels, and personal circumstance to determine his/her service needs.  This may include diagnostic testing and use of other assessment tools, and in-depth interviewing and evaluation.  Under WIOA Title I, the comprehensive assessment is used to develop the Individual Employment Plan (IEP), while under Title IV, it is used to develop the Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE). 

Individual Employment Plan (IEP)/Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) – The IEP/IPE identifies the appropriate employment goal(s) chosen by the customer.  The initial and comprehensive assessment is used to develop the IEP/IPE in consultation with the customer.  The plan outlines the necessary services to be provided to achieve the planned goals; steps and timelines for achieving the goals; and the terms, conditions, and responsibilities associated with the plan.  The IEP for Title I Adult/DW/Youth programs also includes information about eligible training providers, when applicable.  The IPE for Title IV Vocational Rehabilitation Programs must also include those specific rehabilitation services needed to achieve the employment outcome, including assistive technology devices and services, when applicable.  

Career Planning and Counseling – One-on-one or intensive career planning and counseling with a professional counselor uses initial and comprehensive assessments and the IEP/IPE, and aims at enhancing job seeking and retention skills and career advancement of customers by: 

• Helping the customer analyze and understand career information, and gain a better understanding of his/herself using career information gained through assessment tools and counseling strategies to more realistically choose or change short and long-term occupational goals; and 
• Preparing service strategies to assist in the achievement of occupational goal(s) and to ensure customers have access to necessary workforce activities and supportive services, which may include, but are not limited to, drug and alcohol abuse counseling, mental health counseling, and referrals to partner programs appropriate to the needs of the customer.   

Counseling may also include notification of available training in entrepreneurial skills which may include, but is not limited to, taking initiative; creatively seeking out and identifying business opportunities; developing budgets and forecasting resource needs; understanding options for acquiring capital; and communicating effectively to market oneself and ideas.  

Short-term Pre-Vocational Services – Development of skills customers need to live independently and enter the workforce fully prepared to engage in employment.  These services may include academic education and job readiness trainings for development of work readiness skills, including but not limited to, learning skills, communication skills, interviewing skills, punctuality, personal maintenance skills, higher-order reasoning, problem-solving skills, work attitudes, and professional conduct.  

Internships and Work Experience – Based on partners’ programmatic rules and regulations, the work experience is a planned, structured learning experience, in most cases linked to a career, that takes place in a private for-profit, non-profit or public sector workplace.  For most partner programs, work experiences may be in the form of internships, work-study, externship, on-the-job training, apprenticeship, summer employment for youth, and/or other work placement opportunities.  The purpose of a work experience is to provide the customer with an understanding of the work environment and job responsibilities, specific work skills, and experience on how the customer performs in the work setting.  WIOA Title I Youth work experiences also include an academic and occupational education component.  Partners follow all applicable work experience requirements for their respective program’s State and Federal rules and regulations.

Out of Area Job Search and Relocation Assistance – Staff provides information on labor exchange activities in other local areas, regions, or states and whether businesses the customer may be interested in offer assistance with relocation.  Allowable relocation expenses may be paid to eligible customers by the appropriate program.  

Financial Literacy Services – Educate and support customers to gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence to make informed financial decisions that enable them to attain greater financial health and stability by using high quality relevant learning strategies.  The learning, where possible, may include, but is not limited to, creating a budget; initiating checking and/or savings accounts at banks; learning how to effectively manage spending, credit, and debt; learning how to protect against identity theft; and benefits advisement.  These services may also include opportunities to put financial literacy lessons into practice, based on the needs of the customer.  

English Language Acquisition and Integrated Education – Adult Education staff provides an integrated program of services that incorporates English literacy and civics education concurrently and contextually with workforce preparation and training for a specific occupation/sector for the purpose of educational and career advancement of customers.  These services allow customers to attain economic self-sufficiency and are designed for partnerships among adult education programs and postsecondary educational institutions, training providers, and/or businesses.  Other partners provide direct linkages and information on how to locate and enroll in English as a Second Language (ESL) or English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes.  

Workforce Preparation – Activities to help an individual acquire a combination of basic academic skills, critical thinking skills, digital literacy skills, and self-management skills, including competencies in utilizing resources, using information, working with others, understanding systems, and obtaining skills necessary for successful transition into and completion of postsecondary education, training, or employment and other employability skills that increase an individual’s preparation for the workforce.  For Adult Education these activities are incorporated into all literacy instruction.  

Comprehensive Assessment – Staff conducts a specialized assessment of a job seeker’s barriers to employment, occupational and employment goal(s), educational and skill levels, and personal circumstance to determine his/her service needs.  This may include diagnostic testing and use of other assessment tools, and in-depth interviewing and evaluation.  Under WIOA Title I, the comprehensive assessment is used to develop the Individual Employment Plan (IEP), while under Title IV, it is used to develop the Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE). 

Individual Employment Plan (IEP)/Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) – The IEP/IPE identifies the appropriate employment goal(s) chosen by the customer.  The initial and comprehensive assessment is used to develop the IEP/IPE in consultation with the customer.  The plan outlines the necessary services to be provided to achieve the planned goals; steps and timelines for achieving the goals; and the terms, conditions, and responsibilities associated with the plan.  The IEP for Title I Adult/DW/Youth programs also includes information about eligible training providers, when applicable.  The IPE for Title IV Vocational Rehabilitation Programs must also include those specific rehabilitation services needed to achieve the employment outcome, including assistive technology devices and services, when applicable.  

Career Planning and Counseling – One-on-one or intensive career planning and counseling with a professional counselor uses initial and comprehensive assessments and the IEP/IPE, and aims at enhancing job seeking and retention skills and career advancement of customers by: 

• Helping the customer analyze and understand career information, and gain a better understanding of his/herself using career information gained through assessment tools and counseling strategies to more realistically choose or change short and long-term occupational goals; and 
• Preparing service strategies to assist in the achievement of occupational goal(s) and to ensure customers have access to necessary workforce activities and supportive services, which may include, but are not limited to, drug and alcohol abuse counseling, mental health counseling, and referrals to partner programs appropriate to the needs of the customer.   

Counseling may also include notification of available training in entrepreneurial skills which may include, but is not limited to, taking initiative; creatively seeking out and identifying business opportunities; developing budgets and forecasting resource needs; understanding options for acquiring capital; and communicating effectively to market oneself and ideas.  

Short-term Pre-Vocational Services – Development of skills customers need to live independently and enter the workforce fully prepared to engage in employment.  These services may include academic education and job readiness trainings for development of work readiness skills, including but not limited to, learning skills, communication skills, interviewing skills, punctuality, personal maintenance skills, higher-order reasoning, problem-solving skills, work attitudes, and professional conduct.  

Internships and Work Experience – Based on partners’ programmatic rules and regulations, the work experience is a planned, structured learning experience, in most cases linked to a career, that takes place in a private for-profit, non-profit or public sector workplace.  For most partner programs, work experiences may be in the form of internships, work-study, externship, on-the-job training, apprenticeship, summer employment for youth, and/or other work placement opportunities.  The purpose of a work experience is to provide the customer with an understanding of the work environment and job responsibilities, specific work skills, and experience on how the customer performs in the work setting.  WIOA Title I Youth work experiences also include an academic and occupational education component.  Partners follow all applicable work experience requirements for their respective program’s State and Federal rules and regulations.

Out of Area Job Search and Relocation Assistance – Staff provides information on labor exchange activities in other local areas, regions, or states and whether businesses the customer may be interested in offer assistance with relocation.  Allowable relocation expenses may be paid to eligible customers by the appropriate program.  

Financial Literacy Services – Educate and support customers to gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence to make informed financial decisions that enable them to attain greater financial health and stability by using high quality relevant learning strategies.  The learning, where possible, may include, but is not limited to, creating a budget; initiating checking and/or savings accounts at banks; learning how to effectively manage spending, credit, and debt; learning how to protect against identity theft; and benefits advisement.  These services may also include opportunities to put financial literacy lessons into practice, based on the needs of the customer.  

English Language Acquisition and Integrated Education – Adult Education staff provides an integrated program of services that incorporates English literacy and civics education concurrently and contextually with workforce preparation and training for a specific occupation/sector for the purpose of educational and career advancement of customers.  These services allow customers to attain economic self-sufficiency and are designed for partnerships among adult education programs and postsecondary educational institutions, training providers, and/or businesses.  Other partners provide direct linkages and information on how to locate and enroll in English as a Second Language (ESL) or English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes.  

Workforce Preparation – Activities to help an individual acquire a combination of basic academic skills, critical thinking skills, digital literacy skills, and self-management skills, including competencies in utilizing resources, using information, working with others, understanding systems, and obtaining skills necessary for successful transition into and completion of postsecondary education, training, or employment and other employability skills that increase an individual’s preparation for the workforce.  For Adult Education these activities are incorporated into all literacy instruction.  

Follow-Up Services: Depending upon the individual partner’s programmatic rules and regulations, follow-up services may include counseling regarding the workplace for customers in adult or dislocated worker programs, who are placed in unsubsidized employment, for up to 12 months after the first day of employment.  For youth programs, the follow-up services include critical services provided following a youth’s exit from the program to help ensure the youth is successful in employment and/or postsecondary education and training.  These services may include regular contact with a youth’s business and education provider, including assistance in addressing work-related or education-related problems that arise.   

The requirements and resource contributions of the one-stop partners are outlined in the One-Stop MOU as follows:

1. 1. Career Services Coordination and Delivery

The following programs will offer services in the Burlington AJC and throughout the One-Stop AJC Network: (1) WIOA Adult Program, (2) WIOA Youth Program, (3) WIOA Dislocated Worker Program, (4) Wagner-Peyser Employment Services Program, (5) Trade Adjustment Assistance Program, (6) State Registered Apprenticeship Program, (7) State Unemployment Insurance Program, (8) Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessments (RESEA) Program, (9) Jobs for Veterans Program, (10) Vocational Rehabilitation Program, Blind and Visually Impaired Services Program, (11) Senior Community Service Employment Program, (12) Training and Employment Support Programs offered through Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity, (13) Migrant Seasonal Farmworker Program, (14) YouthBuild Program, (15) JobCorp Program,  (16) Adult Education and Family Literacy Programs, (17) Employment and Training Support Programs offered by Vermont Department of Corrections, (18) Assistance for Needy Families (a.k.a. Reach-UP), (19) Vermont Technical College Employment and Training Outreach Programs, (20) Community College of Vermont Employment and Training Outreach Programs, (21) Vermont Student Assistance Corporation Employment and Training Outreach and Support Programs, (22) WIOA Native American Training and Employment Support Programs, and (23) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (a.k.a. 3SquaresVT).

At a minimum, parties agree that all of the required career services described in 20 CFR §678.430, access to training services described in 20 CFR §680.200, access to any employment and training activities carried out under 29 U.S.C. §3151(b)(1)(B), access to programs and activities carried out by one-stop partners listed in §§678.400 through 678.410, including the employment service program authorized under the Wagner-Peyser Act, as amended by WIOA title III, and workforce and labor market information will be available at the Burlington AJC.

Parties agree to provide applicable career services listed in Table 1 (attached) and defined in Table 2 (attached) and described in Table 5 (attached) through walk-in appointments, scheduled one-on-one appointments, group orientations, and self-service resources. Where appropriate, partners who provide the same career services agree to deliver those services in a coordinated manner and will involve the One-Stop Operator in the design of the process as needed. VDOL has been selected by the SWDB as the One-Stop Operator from July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2021. The duties of the One-Stop Operator are further described in subsection (e) of this agreement.

At least one Title I staff person will be physically present during regular business hours and customers will have access to all programs, services, and activities described in this section. For the purposes of this agreement, “access” means that a program staff member or a staff member from a different program who is appropriately trained, will be physically present at the Burlington AJC, or that a direct connection via phone or real-time Web-based communication will be available at the Burlington AJC to connect a customer with a program staff member who can provide information or services to the customer, within a reasonable time.

1. 2. Infrastructure Cost Share Agreement

Required Partners. Section 121(b)(1)(B) of WIOA identifies the programs responsible for sharing the infrastructure costs of the Burlington AJC. The partners who administer these programs and carry this responsibility are as follows:

1. WIOA Title I Adult Program, VDOL;
2. WIOA Title I Dislocated Worker Program, VDOL;
3. WIOA Title I Youth Program, VDOL;
4. Job Corps, Northlands JobCorps;
5. YouthBuild, ReSource;
6. Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker Programs, PathStone;
7. Wagner-Peyser Act Employment Service Program, VDOL;
8. WIOA Title II Adult Education and Family Literacy Act program, AOE;
9. WIOA Title IV Vocational Rehabilitation Program, DVR;
10. WIOA Title IV Vocational Rehabilitation Program, DBVI;
11. Senior Community Service Employment Program, Vermont Associates;
12. Perkins Career and Technical Education Programs at the Postsecondary Level, AOE;
13. Title II Trade Act Trade Adjustment Assistance Activities, VDOL;
14. Jobs for Veterans State Grants Programs, VDOL;
15. Employment and Training Activities under the Community Services Block Grant, CVOEO;
16. State Unemployment Compensation Program, VDOL; and
17. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, ESD.

Non-Required, Contributing Partners. The following programs voluntarily agree to share the infrastructure costs of the Burlington AJC:

1. RESEA, VDOL; and
2. State Apprenticeship Program; VDOL

Non-Required, Non-Contributing Partners. For the purpose of sharing infrastructure costs, the following program partners are not subject to cost assessments under this section for the reasons stated next to their name:

1. Native American Programs, Maquam Bay of Missisquoi, Inc., excluded from obligation under WIOA;
2. Second Chance Act, DOC, excluded from obligation because funding under this Act doesn’t currently exist in Vermont;
3. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, ESD, excluded from obligation because it is not a federally required partner;
4. Vermont Student Assistance Corporation; excluded from obligation because it is not a federally required partner but will pay for use of space to deliver services under a separate agreement with VDOL as appropriate;
5. Community College of Vermont, excluded from obligation because it is not a federally required partner; and
6. Vermont Technical College, excluded from obligation because it is not a federally required partner.

Burlington AJC Programs. In addition to the required partner programs listed above, the following entities provide services out of the Burlington AJC: VSAC, and Vermont HITEC. In calculating the proportional infrastructure use of the Burlington AJC these programs will be included. VDOL agrees to assume financial responsibility for their proportional share of the infrastructure cost.

Use of Federal Funds to Maintain Burlington AJC. Each entity that carries out a program or activity in the Burlington AJC will use a portion of their available funds to maintain the one-stop delivery system, including payment of the infrastructure costs for the Burlington AJC. These payments will be in accordance with 20 CFR § Subpart E; federal cost principles, which require that all costs must be allowable, reasonable, necessary, and allocable to the program; and all other applicable legal requirements.

Shared Costs. Table 3 (available) identifies three categories of costs that will be shared by the Burlington AJC required partners: Infrastructure, Shared Services, and Shared Costs.

Infrastructure Costs. The cost categories listed under Infrastructure represent the costs that will be billed proportionally to required partner programs and other co-located programs on a quarterly basis, as accrued. The total amount assessed to programs for the Shared One-Stop Space will not exceed sixteen percent of the total proportional amount budgeted for the Burlington AJC. Partner programs who are also co-located in the building, will be assessed an additional amount for their proportional square foot use.

Additional Costs. Table 3 (available) limits the amounts and types of Shared Services and Additional Costs expenditures that may be proportionally assessed to the partner programs. Each program will be assessed their proportional share of the Additional Costs on a quarterly basis, after costs have been incurred.

Duration. Partners named in this section agree to share the cost of maintaining the Burlington AJC infrastructure, as outlined above, from July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019.

1. 3. Business Practices
2. Parties to this agreement will follow their agency’s or program’s business practices in the provision of services under this MOU. These practices include, but are not limited to, those related to auditing, employee personnel practices, employee and client confidentiality, insurance, procurement, record keeping and retention, and employee and client confidentiality.  
3. 1. Management of the Burlington AJC and Vermont’s AJC Network

Parties recognize and respect that each agency has different philosophies, policies, practices and day-to-day operation and supervision requirements.

Parties acknowledge that the role of the designated One-Stop Operator (“Operator”) is to coordinate the delivery of services by required One-Stop partners and service providers both within the Burlington AJC and across the Vermont AJC Network. Partners agree to assist the Operator in performance of its duties as necessary. Other responsibilities of the Operator include, but are not limited to:

• Providing reports and other information as required by the SWDB. The Operator will make available to the SWDB sufficient information to enable the SWDB to oversee the Vermont AJC Network, and to ensure that funds are appropriately used, managed, and invested in order to maximize performance outcomes. 
• Assisting in the development of MOUs between the SWDB and the One-Stop partners that fully describe the roles and responsibilities of each One-Stop partner, including sharing the infrastructure and additional shared costs related to Vermont’s AJC Network.
• Developing processes to ensure that all customers receive appropriate, timely, and effective career services.
• Coordinating reception and initial registration services for all customers.
• Coordinating access to virtual resources at appropriate partner locations, libraries, and other points.
• Identifying and recruiting additional system partners and resources.
• Performing continuous improvement activities to achieve high-level service quality and exceptional customer service, including: reviewing the various resources and services available to customers on an ongoing basis, and identifying additional services or enhancements; and measuring customer satisfaction, reviewing results, and making recommendations for improvement.
• Handling and resolving complaints related to the Burlington AJC and the Vermont AJC Network in accordance with an approved grievance procedure.
• Developing and implementing a coordinated staff development and training plan for the Burlington AJC and Vermont AJC Network.
• In coordination with the One-Stop partners, developing and implementing a formal referral process, including referral forms, as described in subsection (g) of this agreement.
• Ensure alignment of resources, services, and data as outlined in the State Plan.
• Monitoring compliance with all federal and state laws, regulations, policies, and procedures related to the Vermont AJC Network, including the Burlington AJC.
  2. Customer Referrals  

Vermont’s AJC Network is designed to share service delivery infrastructure, empowering all partner organizations to provide the widest array of high-quality services to meet customer needs. Parties agree to create a policy for making and following-up on referrals and review it annually to ensure that the system is effective, efficient, and helpful to customers.

In addition, parties agree to:

• Participate in a customer focused referral system that seamlessly accesses resources from involved partners to increase quality outcomes;
• Offer customers information on how to apply for a partner's services and arrange an appointment for the customer, if needed;
• Identify a partner referral liaison for each program partner;
• Provide ongoing training to all partner frontline staff in each program’s services and eligibility; and
• Establish a standard of real-time referrals to all applicable local program partners. 

1. 3. Confidentiality  

Customer information will only be shared in accordance with each partner’s respective confidentiality requirements. If shared, the information will be made available within a reasonable timeframe.

Information about Vocational Rehabilitation customers may only be shared if the customer has signed a written release. Information may only be shared for the period of time specified in the release and only with the persons identified in the release. 

Personally identifiable information obtained from customers of specific programs during outreach, intake, system orientation, initial assessment, referral to a partner programs, referral to supportive services, or otherwise is confidential and will not be released, disclosed or re-disclosed without obtaining the proper program specific release. Parties agree to work with the One Stop Operator to design information sharing protocols for one stop partners that complies with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), and any other relevant federal or state privacy laws.

1. 4. Accessibility   

Activities, employment, information and services available to job seekers and employers through the Vermont AJC Network and the Burlington AJC must be both physically and programmatically accessible to all people. A person’s race, creed, color, national origin, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, political affiliation or belief, disability, veteran’s status, or physical or mental condition will not impede their ability to access services, events, or programs.

Parties will comply with all relevant federal and state laws and regulations, including the Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity Provisions of WIOA, the Fair Employment and Housing Act; ADA Amendments Act of 2008, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Parties will comply with all relevant federal and state laws and regulations, including the Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity Provisions of WIOA’ the Fair Employment and Housing Act; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Staff Training. Parties agree to assist the One-Stop Operator in coordinating ongoing trainings and sharing information so that program staff are trained in ways to modify environments, procedures, and information dissemination to avoid discrimination and to meet individual needs. Trainings will include instruction on how to provide services for all customers in compliance with the laws referenced above and best practices concerning accessibility, inclusiveness, and universal design.

Partners in Vermont’s AJC Network will ensure that all locations where program services are available to customers meet the standards of physical and programmatic accessibility described below.

Evaluations of the Burlington AJC’s physical and programmatic accessibility will include how customers with disabilities can access, fully participate in, or benefit from available services compared to customers without disabilities.

Physical Accessibility

Physical accessibility refers to the extent to which facilities are designed, constructed, or altered so they are accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities. AJC partners will use universal design and human-centered design strategies to help all customers access services. Evaluations of physical accessibility will take into account exterior and interior accessibility and will include criteria evaluating how well the AJCs and delivery systems take actions to comply with disability-related regulations implementing WIOA section 188.

Location and Facility. The Burlington AJC is accessible by public transportation, driving, biking, or walking. The center’s sign is clearly marked and visible from a main road. The required number parking spaces are dedicated and marked for individuals with disabilities and are located closest to an accessible entrance.

The physical layout of the Burlington AJC eliminates structural barriers to mobility and is accessible to individuals of all capabilities. The building complies with the most recent ADA standards for Accessible Design and the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards. The center’s layout supports a culture of inclusiveness, guided by laws and regulations referenced above.

Workspaces and Assistive Technology. All public workspaces will be physically accessible to all customers by July 1, 2018 and will include assistive technology for customer use. A plan will be implemented to select, install, maintain, and update assistive technology based on customer’s needs.  Staff will also be trained on the use of the assistive technology so they can support customers needing the tools to access services.

Hours of Operation. The Burlington AJC provides maximum access to partner program services during regular business hours. Partner staff will consider the unique work, childcare, or transportation needs of participants and try to offer flexibility in scheduling whenever possible.

Programmatic Accessibility

Programmatic accessibility means that services and activities provided through Vermont’s AJC Network, specifically those provided in the Burlington AJC, will be offered and delivered in a way that enables all eligible job seekers and employers to participate regardless of their range of abilities, age, culture, learning style, intelligence, or education level, in the most integrated setting appropriate.

All customers with disabilities will be reasonably accommodated so that they are able to interact and communicate with service providers in the most conducive environment available. Accommodations will also be made for individuals who have communication challenges, such as individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, individuals with vision impairments, and individuals with communication disorders.

Communication. Staff will communicate with persons with disabilities as effectively as with others, and provide appropriate auxiliary aids, services, or other accommodations as needed. Individuals with disabilities seeking information or services from the Burlington AJC will have equal access to all information and data provided by the center.

Resources through the Burlington AJC will be accessible to individuals with disabilities and made available in multi-lingual versions. Translation services will be available, as needed, for all customers and service providers. All information, including that which is in digital format, will be clearly identified, communicated in a way that the public can understand and use, and fully accessible for individuals utilizing assistive technology tools.  Information will be presented in a way that is compliant with federal and state law. 

Virtual Accessibility. Customers will have access to all partner program services in the Burlington AJC onsite or via technology located at the center in compliance with WIOA’s “direct linkage” requirement further described in 20 CFR 678.305.  Phone, real-time web-based communications, or other technology will be physically present, enabling real-time interactions either on-demand or within a reasonable time. Parties agree to establish a policy that defines and describes a reasonable response time and protocol and agree that partner program staff located remotely and at the Burlington AJC will comply with the policy.

AJC partners will work to ensure that job seekers and businesses have access to the same information online as they do in a physical facility. All information kept virtually will be updated regularly to ensure dissemination of correct information. Partners will either have their own web presences via a website or social media, or will enter into a separate agreement with another partner program to post content through its website. Partners will assure that their websites are fully accessible for customers utilizing assistive technology tools.

TABLE 1: Services Provided in Burlington AJC

X = Program Provides the Service               

O = Program Partially/Somewhat Provides Service                       

 [Blank] = Program Does Not Provide Service