WIOA State Plan Common Elements

The Governor’s Workforce Cabinet (GWC) reports to the Governor’s Office. The GWC sets policy and advises the Governor on workforce initiatives. It serves as an overall policymaker and advisor to the Governor on workforce issues and is specifically charged with creating a plan for a statewide vision to connect education, workforce, social services, corrections and economic development initiatives. The GWC also sets policy for workforce activities managed regionally by the local Workforce Development Boards (WDBs). The GWC and its staff have a mission to address current and future education and employment needs of both individuals and employers, strengthen Indiana’s economy by integrating and aligning state and federal resources, ensure a talent-driven education and workforce system, and complete other duties as directed by the Governor or legislature. The GWC works with all agencies in the workforce ecosystem to drive policy recommendations through regular meetings or through the Combined Plan.

The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) is the state agency responsible for the administration and oversight of all of the WIOA programs under Titles I, II, and III. DWD oversees operations managed regionally by the WDBs. The Family and Social Services Administration, through its Bureau of Rehabilitative Services, is the state agency responsible for the administration and oversight of WIOA programs under Title IV.

The GWC operates as the state advisory body for the programs contained in this Combined State Plan (see IC 4-3-27). On behalf of the Governor and in collaboration with the GWC, DWD operates as the designated administrative entity for WIOA Titles I, II, and III, the Unemployment Insurance system, and other federal and state programs. As such, DWD is named the sole agency to plan, coordinate, implement, monitor, and make recommendations regarding initiatives designed to prepare Indiana's workforce for effective participation in the competitive and global economy (see IC 22-4.1).

Although the Governor has primary authority in WIOA local area governance, both the GWC and DWD have approval and signatory authority on behalf of the Governor for various WIOA local area governance activities. For local area governance activities requiring Governor-level approval:

• If activities are specifically outlined within USDOL regulation or guidance as State Board functions, the GWC is authorized to approve/sign on behalf of the Governor. (E.g., WIOA Local Plan approvals, Designation of Local Areas, etc.)
• If activities are operational or compliance-based, the DWD Commissioner is authorized to approve/sign on behalf of the Governor. DWD will issue guidance on, review and make decisions regarding these activities, consulting with the GWC as appropriate. (E.g., WIOA Single Entity/Multiple Role structures, local WDB certifications, submission of bi-annual Nondiscrimination Plan, etc.).
• For any activities that may overlap the above designations of signatory authority, the GWC and DWD collaborate and EITHER may approve/sign on behalf of the Governor. (E.g., The review process for Local Plans is conducted by DWD, with a recommendation provided to the GWC for final approval. Written approval may then be signed/issued by DWD, on behalf of the GWC, or may be issued directly from the GWC.)

Indiana has a total of twelve (12) designated local areas with a WDB in each. WDBs are responsible for the oversight of funds and activities, delivering career assessments, job search, and education and training related services through WorkOne offices (Indiana’s term for our one-stop centers or American Job Centers) established by the local board. Indiana has identified regions 5 and 12 as a planning region in the state. 

Indiana, along with Kentucky, created the first Bi-State Planning Region by resolution of the Cabinet and Kentucky Workforce and Innovation Board. Indiana’s Region 10 Workforce Board created the Bi-State Plan with Kentuckiana Works to advance the regional workforce. This Plan is the first of its kind to merge interstate regions into one designated workforce hub. This significant collaboration exists between local areas Indiana Region 10 and Kentuckiana Works in order to develop the regional plan around the Louisville metropolitan area, which includes urban and rural sprawl in southern Indiana. The Bi-State Regional Plan creates an innovative picture of the region’s economy and workforce environment through joint Indiana-Kentucky strategies to attain regional goals and objections.

Workforce, education opportunities, and other needed individual services and resources are delivered on a local level through a WorkOne established by the WDBs and managed by Executive Directors, Regional Operators, and One Stop Operators. The WorkOne operations are engaged and reviewed by both the GWC and the coordinating WDB. Local boards and Wagner-Peyser staff assist DWD with the administration of the workforce system. Other crucial partners in the workforce system include employers, our public and private institutions for higher education, school districts, CTE districts, community action centers, and local organizations providing adult education and other services. Indiana is driving a focused effort on technical assistance, training, and coordination for services leading to a comprehensive system that is better equipped to serve Hoosiers effectively. 

The Governor’s Workforce Cabinet team can be found at: https://www.in.gov/gwc/2332.htm.

• Governor's Workforce Cabinet Executive Director, Whitney Ertel
• Chief of Staff, Erin Sheridan
• Communications Director, Sam Rourke

The Indiana Department of Workforce Development Leadership team can be found at: https://www.in.gov/dwd/about-dwd/executive-team/. A full organizational chart for the Department of Workforce Development can be found in the UI section.

• Indiana Department of Workforce Development Commissioner, Fred Payne
• Executive Assistant, Cindy George
• Chief of Staff, Regina Ashley
• Executive Director of Applied Data Services & Legislative Affairs, Josh Richardson
• Chief Workforce Officer, Mike Barnes
• Chief Financial Officer, Deanna Oware
• Associate Chief Workforce Strategy & Design, Marilyn Pitzulo
• Associate Chief Workforce Operations Officer, Katie Rounds
• Associate Chief, Compliance & Policy, Connie Wray
• Associate Chief of Service Delivery and Field Operations, Leslie Crist
• Executive Director of Workforce Programs and Services, Allison Bertl
• Director, Human Resources, Danai Bracey
• Director, IT - Workforce Development, Jeff Tucker
• General Counsel, Beth Green
• Director, UI Review Board, Gabriel Paul
• Chief Communications Officer, To be named
• Chief Unemployment Insurance Officer, Noah Shelton
• Executive Director, Office of Work-Based Learning and Apprenticeship, Darrel Zeck
• Associate. Chief Operating Officer, Workforce Education & Training, Beth Meguschar
• Director, Adult Education, Jerry Haffner
• Director, Workforce Systems, Chad Carter
• Executive Director, Serve Indiana, Marc Mcaleavey

The Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA), through its Bureau of Rehabilitative Services, is the state agency responsible for the administration and oversight of WIOA programs under Title IV. A graphic organizational chart of FSSA leadership can be viewed at http://www.in.gov/fssa/4829.htm. The chart illustrates the following agency structure:

• Secretary of FSSA, Daniel Rusyniak, MD
• Deputy Secretary/Chief of Staff, Michael Gargano
• Executive Assistant, Cate Marshall
• Chief Advocacy Officer, Peggy Welch
• Chief Financial Officer, Paul Bowling
• Chief Information Officer, Jared Linder
• Chief Medical Officer, Maria Finnell, MD
• Chief Health Equity and ADA Officer, Breanca Merritt, Ph.D.
• Chief Science Officer, Amy Lewis Gilbert
• Director of Aging, Sarah Renner
• Director of Communications, Jim Gavin
• Director of Disability and Rehabilitative Services, Kim Opsahl
• Director of Early Childhood and Out of School Learning, Nicole Norvell
• Director of Family Resources, Adrienne Shields
• Director of 211, Tara Morse
• Director of Medicaid, Allison Taylor
• Director of Mental Health and Addiction, Jay Chaudhary
• General Counsel, Leslie Huckleberry
• Legislative/Policy Director, Gus Habig
• Human Resources Director, Casey Parent
• Disability Determination Bureau Director, Sylvia Funk