Located in:
- Program-specific Requirements for Adult, Dislocated Worker, and Youth Activities under Title I-B
The Unified or Combined State Plan must include the following with respect to activities carried out under subtitle B—
d. Single-area State Requirements (D1-D4)
In States where there is only one local workforce investment area, the governor serves as both the State and local chief elected official. In such cases, the State must submit any information required in the local plan (WIOA section 106(d)(2)). States with a single workforce area must include—
1. Any comments from the public comment period that represent disagreement with the Plan. (WIOA section 108(d)(3).)
2. The entity responsible for the disbursal of grant funds, as determined by the governor, if different from that for the State. (WIOA section 108(b)(15).)
3. A description of the type and availability of WIOA title I Youth activities and successful models, including for youth with disabilities. (WIOA section 108(b)(9).)
Current Narrative:
No comments received in opposition to or disagreement with the Plan.
As the State Workforce Agency (SWA), the Vermont Department of Labor (VDOL) is the entity responsible for the disbursal of all Title I and III grant funds. The Vermont Agency of Education (AOE) is the entity responsible for the disbursal of all Title II grant funds. The Vermont Agency of Human Services (AHS) is the entity responsible for the disbursal of all Title IV grant funds.
The VDOL is committed to providing high quality services for youth and young adults beginning with career exploration and guidance; continuing support for educational attainment; developing opportunities for skills training in in-demand industries and occupations; connecting participants with real work-based learning and training experiences, and culminating with a good job in a career pathway of interest to the participant or enrollment in postsecondary education. The VDOL provides intensive case management for youth participants and is increasingly adopting stronger approaches to supporting employers during work placements.
The VDOL places an emphasis on professional development of its own staff so case managers are prepared to support the challenges that disadvantaged your face. Professional development opportunities include motivational interviewing, case management training, financial literacy and mental health trainings. . The VDOL is pursuing a partnership with the Annie E. Cassie Foundation to gain a deeper of understanding of how to serve at-risk teens and young adults. This partnership will allow staff to develop a more individualized approach to career exploration and service delivery to build on individuals strengths and develop a path to sustainable careers.
Eligible participants in the youth program engage in a comprehensive review of the 14 program elements with the VDOL case managers and develop an Individual Service Strategy (ISS) based on objective and subjective assessments and career counseling. VDOL takes a coordinated, teaming approach to providing the 14 program elements to its participants. Case managers consider ways to leverage resources through co-enrollment and appropriate partner program referrals to assist in meeting the participants goals.
The VDOL ensures that all 14 program elements are made available and effectively implemented, by organizing a menu of options for a case manager and participant to consider, in collaboration with other State agencies, non-profit organizations, employers and community-based organizations. The provision of the program elements varies depending on the area of the State served and the particular needs of that area’s Youth population.
In addition to co-enrolling participants with disabilities in WIOA Youth and WIOA Vocational Rehabilitation services, The VDOL and VR are working to pilot targeted outreach to students in up to five communities across the state. This pilot is intended to braid resources and support more tightly around career exploration, provide training and skill enhancement opportunities, work-place training, pre-apprenticeship and registered apprenticeship development, progressive employment, career pathway advancement, and successful long-term unsubsidized employment outcomes.