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c. 2. Describe the strategies the State will use to achieve improved outcomes for out-of-school youth as described in 129(a)(1)(B), including how it will leverage and align the core programs, any Combined State Plan partner programs included in this Plan, required and optional one-stop partner programs, and any other resources available.

Current Narrative:

(2) The WIOA requirement that increases the minimum out-of-school youth (OSY) expenditure rate to 75 % signifies a much greater focus on both funds and resources on the OSY population. Early in Alabama’s WIOA implementation process representatives from state level core and optional one-stop partner focused on reviewing requirements for aligning program services and activities. 

The State Workforce Development Board supports cost-efficient, collaborative efforts that result in comprehensive and innovative services that lead youth to academic improvement, high school graduation or High School Equivalency attainment, employment, military services, advanced or apprenticeship training, paid and unpaid internships, and/or post-secondary education. Local programs must link academic and occupational learning and develop measures of successful outcomes. Effective programs require the involvement of local groups providing input on the proposed program design and coordinating the delivery of the youth services with local employers, One-Stop Career Centers and other youth services already available in the community.

Local programs have the discretion to determine which specific program services will be provided to a youth participant, based on each participant’s objective assessment and individual service strategy. Critical to the success is integrating a youth development strategy that focuses on a young person’s assets, provides a variety of interventions and supports enabling the youth to grow, learn and mature—successfully transitioning to careers and productive adulthood. Youth development activities include leadership development opportunities that encourage responsibility, employability, and other positive social behaviors. It is expected that each youth will participate in more than one of the fourteen program elements required as part of any local youth program. The overall goal of the youth program is to help youth complete a high school diploma or equivalent and to prepare for a career pathway that will transition into skilled employment and/or postsecondary education.


In Alabama, the workforce system will expand education, training, and employment services to youth and adults with disabilities by using a career pathway framework to increase opportunities. Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services (ADRS) and the ACCS Adult Education program partners on serving individuals with disabilities that lack the basic academic skills and soft “essential” skills to be successful in postsecondary education and employment. The services include eligible services outlined under section 202 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Title II Adult Education and the support services that are offered by ADRS under section 414 (Vocational Rehabilitation Services) of WIOA.

Alabama will use multiple strategies to achieve improved outcomes for out of school youth as described in 129(2)(1)(B). These strategies will include all of the combined partners, especially Title II and Title IV being inclusive in their delivery models. The integrated Education and Training opportunities that will be offered through the Alabama Community College System adult education and technical education programs will emphasize braided funding and support services for continued success. All Out of School Youth will follow the eligibility and performance requirements as outlined in WIOA.

The State is implementing a WIOA Common Intake and Reporting System that will capture demographic participant information for the four core programs and additional partners as requested. The system will align accountability measures and generate automatic referrals among the programs. The system is under development and will have a target date of 2020 for full implementation.

Currently each partner has their own accountability and performance systems for tracking client information and generating reports and referrals. Memorandums of Understanding are in place to allow for data matching of participants to collect the required common measure and partner specific information for accountability.

Using a no-wrong-door policy, all participants will develop an individualized plan which will entail an optimum blend of services and funding to achieve their objectives. The plan will guide a participant to a pathway built to meet his/her needs and integrate multiple programs and services in a seamless and effective manner. This model is an integrated compilation of programs and services intended to develop basic academic, technical and employability skills; provide continuous education, training, and work supports that lead to high-demand jobs in targeted sector areas in the local region.