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—
- c. With respect to youth workforce investment activities authorized in section 129 of WIOA—
With respect to youth workforce investment activities authorized in section 129 of WIOA—
- c. With respect to youth workforce investment activities authorized in section 129 of WIOA—
c. 3. Describe how the state will ensure that all 14 program elements described in WIOA section 129(c)(2) are made available and effectively implemented, including quality pre-apprenticeship programs under the work experience program element. [12]
[12] Sec. 102(b)(2)(D)(i)(I)
Current Narrative:
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funding enables the delivery of a comprehensive array of youth services that prepare youth for post-secondary educational and employment opportunities, attainment of educational and/or skills training credentials, and obtainment of employment with career opportunities. This is accomplished by assessing the participant’s skills, interests, needs, and personal goals, creating customized service plans in collaboration with the participant, and expanding the participant’s connection to and understanding of the local economy, educational opportunities, and available community services. This process is organized and coordinated around the 14 WIOA Youth program elements, which must be made available to every participant.
Make availablemeans that each Workforce Development Board must ensure that all 14 program elements are available in all areas served. While this does not mean that an individual service provider must deliver all 14 elements, they must identify partnerships to ensure availability by referral. Local areas have the discretion to determine which specific services a youth will receive based upon the youth’s informal interview, objective assessment, and Individual Service Strategy (ISS).
Youth must be informed of the 14 elements via signage, program materials, or other similar means. The method by which youth are informed of the elements will be observed during comprehensive, programmatic reviews. As part of the monitoring process, State staff conduct comprehensive programmatic reviews via both interviews and file reviews to ensure that all 14 program elements are made available to youth program participants, are effectively implemented, and catered to suit the needs of each participant on an individual basis.
Each program year, the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity updates and distributes the list of eligible providers of youth activities based on information received from the local areas. With clarification from 20 CFR Section 681.400, some local agencies may choose to directly provide an array of the elements. The submissions in response to the required list of eligible providers, including local agencies, must detail services provided by each entity. If not providing services directly, local areas are required to monitor their contractors to ensure all 14 program elements as described in WIOA Section 129(c)(2) are made available and effectively implemented.
Strong partnerships help to leverage resources and increase opportunities for youth. The local areas are working towards ongoing partnerships with employers, training and educational institutions, and supportive service providers to further advance pre-apprenticeship programs for all eligible youth. The partnerships established will include coordinated case management strategies to ensure career pathways, and possible attainment of at least one industry-recognized credential to place individuals who complete the pre-apprenticeship program in a Registered Apprenticeship program.