Located in:
- III. Operational Planning Elements
The Unified or Combined State Plan must include an Operational Planning Elements section that supports 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 Policies
The 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, provide the State’s guidelines for State-administered one-stop partner programs’ contributions to a one-stop delivery system
Current Narrative:
General Policy Process
Most policies that support the implementation of the State’s strategies in the Combined State Plan are currently determined at the agency or provider level based on the statutory requirements for each Title (for example, program intake and assessment policies). Although the statute changed several years ago, the state agencies responsible for the various programs continue to review their existing policies to ensure compliance with WIOA, ensure alignment with the strategies identified in this Combined Plan, and identify potential logistical complications across programs. State agencies are expected to communicate these policies to local programs, provide applicable training so that program staff have a full understanding of the most current policies, and establish methods to monitor local compliance. It is important that any such policies should be developed with full input from local providers, as applicable, to ensure that policies are reasonable, necessary, and provide adequate flexibility for local and regional implementation.
Idaho has several co-enrollment policies in place, primarily for programs housed with the Idaho Department of Labor (Title I-B, Title III, TAA, VETS). For example, the Department requires co-enrollment of Trade Adjustment Assistance recipients with WIOA Title I-B Dislocated Worker whenever they are eligible to receive assistance or services from WIOA staff. The Department utilizes a single management information system (MIS) for both fiscal and case management for WIOA Title I-B and III programs, as well as Trade and VETS programs. Unemployment Insurance has a policy that job-seeking UI claimants must enroll in the Wagner-Peyser labor exchange. IDVR and ICBVI address Title IV co-enrollment through an MOU, but this understanding is currently only between the two programs. Development of additional co-enrollment policy or procedure will take place across all core programs as a function of the DataLabs co-enrollment initiative, currently underway.
Guidelines for the one-stop system in Idaho are developed by the One-Stop Committee of the Workforce Development Council, comprised of decision-makers for the state administrative entities for the core partners and one-stop partners. This committee provides active oversight for the state’s One-Stop delivery system and makes policy recommendation to the Workforce Development Council, utilizing WIOA as a foundation for policy development in combination with specific program regulations to ensure partners have a thorough understanding of any potential impacts. The committee developed the following policies, approved by the Council, to facilitate WIOA implementation across the state.
- Executed a statewide one-stop MOU (link) that outlines the expected policies and standards for service delivery
- Provided additional one-stop infrastructure funding guidelines (link)
- Recommended criteria for one-stop certification and assessments (link)
- Developed a policy for selecting service providers under WIOA Title I-B (link), including the One-Stop Operator
- Implementing the state’s one-stop branding requirement (link)
- Developed a policy for the state’s Eligible Training Provider list (link)
Through the statewide one-stop MOU, the Workforce Development Council provides the following guidance for state-administered one-stop partner programs' contributions to a one-stop delivery system:
Cost sharing for the Idaho American Job Center Network will be negotiated at the service delivery area level. Partners at comprehensive AJC (and affiliate AJCs as appropriate) agree to enter into a cost sharing agreement on an annual basis to support the cost of shared services and jointly occupied facilities. All parties to this MOU recognize infrastructure costs are applicable to all required one-stop partners, whether they are physically located in the AJC or not. Each partner’s contributions to these costs, however, may vary, as these contributions are based on the proportionate use and relative benefit received, consistent with the Partner programs’ authorizing laws and regulations and the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards at 2 CFR Part 200, state rules and policy guidelines and any local program policies regarding cost sharing.