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  • 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—

III. b. 9. Addressing the Accessibility of the One-Stop Delivery System for Individuals who are English Language Learners

Describe how the one-stop delivery system (including one-stop center operators and the one-stop delivery system partners) will ensure that each one-stop center is able to meet the needs of English language learners, such as through established procedures, staff training, resources, and other materials.

Current Narrative:

Local Workforce Development Boards are responsible for improving access to and the effectiveness of One-Stop and program services.  The Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) certifies Michigan Works! One-Stop centers every three years using criteria developed in consultation with the Governor’s Workforce Development State Board, local Chief Elected Officials, and local Workforce Development Board Chairs.  Our policy regarding the certification criteria for Michigan Works! One-Stop centers requires that they provide all customers access to high-quality customer service that connect customers with the full range of services available.  The certification criteria policy also provides guidance on accessibility of our One-Stop delivery system and information about the requirements of posters and other materials to be displayed at Michigan Works! One-Stop centers. 

The State ensures that each One-Stop center is able to meet the needs of English language learners.  High-quality Michigan Works! One-Stop centers reflect a welcoming environment to all customer groups who are served.  All staff are courteous, responsive and helpful to job seekers, businesses, and others who visit, either in person, or by telephone and/or email.  One-Stop centers must provide adequate staff assistance in both English and the participant’s native language, whenever requested.   

As recipients of federal funds, the Michigan Works! Agencies (MWAs) are required to comply with regulations relating to non-discrimination, equal opportunity, and inclusion.  The certification criteria are consistent with the requirements of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), which ensures that each One-Stop center is able to meet the needs of English language learners, including: 

  1. The provision of information, in usable and understandable formats and languages, about how the local area is performing on local performance accountability measures as well as any additional performance information relating to the area’s One-Stop delivery system; and 
  2. The provision of information, in usable and understandable formats and languages, relating to the availability of supportive services or assistance, and appropriate referrals to those services and assistance, including: 
  • Child Care.
     
  • Child support.
     
  • Medical or child health assistance available through the State’s Medicaid program and Children’s Health Insurance Program, benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, assistance through the Earned Income Tax Credit, and assistance under a State program for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and other supportive services and transportation provided through that program.
     
    High quality Michigan Works! Service Centers provide career services that motivate, support, and empower customers, including English language learners, to make informed decisions based on local and regional economic demand and effectively attain their personal employment and education goals.  The provision of information, in usable and understandable formats and languages, about how the local area is performing on local performance accountability measures, as well as additional information related to the area’s One-Stop delivery system is required.  Career services include English language acquisition and integrated education and training programs, and support activities that address the particular financial literacy needs of non-English speakers (development and distribution of multilingual financial literacy and education materials).
     
    High-quality Michigan Works! One-Stop centers ensure meaningful access to all customers.  Michigan Works! Service Centers must be physically and programmatically accessible to all customers.  In doing so, Michigan One-Stop centers use principles of universal design and human-centered design, such as flexibility in space usage; the use of pictorial, written, verbal, and tactile modes to present information for customers with disabilities or limited English proficiency; providing clear lines of sight to information for seated or standing users; providing necessary accommodations; and providing adequate space for the use of assistive devices or personal assistants.
     
    The Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity staff monitor One-Stop centers for compliance with certification criteria as part of WIOA programmatic reviews.  The goal of programmatic reviews is to provide technical assistance, as appropriate, and ensure that established policies, procedures, and systems of the MWA achieve quality program outcomes that meet the requirements and objectives of the WIOA and federal and state regulations.  This program review is in addition to the WIOA fiscal compliance monitoring, and thereby ensures the state will meet program design, as required by the WIOA.
     
    The Michigan Works! Association coordinates professional development activities for Employment Service front line-staff.  The training provided is designed to enable staff to provide high-quality services to job seekers and employers.  The activities sponsored by the Michigan Works! Association, educate, inspire and train staff to meet the demands of Michigan’s demand-driven system while providing access and commitment to closing the equity gap for those populations including, but not limited to race, gender, geography, and socioeconomic status, etc.