WIOA State Plan Common Elements

Alignment with Activities Outside the Plan

Activities identified in Section A are aligned with programs and activities provided by required partner one-stop partners, not covered by this plan, to avoid duplication. These activities are described below.

Enhancing Partner Collaboration
A unified plan approach was selected for the first plan and two-year modification submitted under WIOA. These plans included required core partners: CareerSource Florida, the Department of Economic Opportunity, the Department of Education, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, the Division of Blind Services and Career and Adult Education. Florida has built on the collaboration established through the WIOA Task Force, the WIOA Core Leader Team and smaller workgroups by involving other programs such as the Florida College System and organizations as needed in workforce system updates and by identifying opportunities for partnerships.

The Department of Economic Opportunity has a longstanding relationship with the Florida Department of Children and Families whereby DCF refers individuals to DEO to receive services provided by the workforce system. Services include access to job preparation, training, and other support services designed to assist customers with obtaining employment. Employment and Training services, including WIOA and other core partner services, are available to TANF and SNAP recipients in local area career centers.  

CareerSource Florida, the Department of Economic Opportunity and the Department of Corrections meet regularly to discuss barriers to employment for returning citizens and enhancement of program design and service delivery in the following ways:

• CareerSource Florida special grant awards for local workforce development boards that provide services for returning citizens
• CareerSource Florida performance funding for local workforce development boards that serve customers with barriers to employment including returning citizens
• Piloting programs with local workforce development boards to enter currently incarcerated persons in the Employ Florida case management system prior to release
• Data sharing to unify communication and services across stakeholders
• CareerSource Florida serves on the Executive Steering Committee and Cross-Disciplinary Workgroups to implement the U.S. Department of Justice Strategic Planning Program Grant facilitated by the Department of Corrections/Department of Economic Opportunity; Grant goal is to conduct systems mapping and recommend filling gaps in systems and services that advance re-entry policy statewide
• Adult Education and Family Literacy Programs (DOE)
• Federal Bonding Program (DEO)
• Work Opportunity Tax Credit (DEO)

The Community Services Block Grant Program (CSBG) is administratively housed in the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity but is not included in Florida’s WIOA Unified Plan.  CSBG operates under a consolidated plan pursuant to federal requirements. This consolidated plan provides the framework for a planning process to identify housing, homeless, community and economic development needs, and resources for meeting those needs. The plan process provides an opportunity for citizens, nonprofit organizations or other interested parties to help define priorities for addressing local community (as well as statewide) needs and to tailor a strategic plan for meeting identified needs. The Consolidated Plan describes needs, goals and objectives of the agencies responsible for the administration of certain federally funded programs administered by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The Consolidated Plan process allows core partners and stakeholders to exchange information on goals and objectives relating to housing, community development and social services and facilities a consolidated approach to meeting those needs. Each affected agency and other interested parties gain insight into the structure and activities of several federally funded programs that have a direct benefit on local communities and the state.

CSBG provides federal funds to designated local governments and non-profit agencies called Community Action Agencies (CAA) to assist eligible low-income households in attaining the skills, knowledge and motivation necessary to achieve self-sufficiency. Local Community Action Agencies partner with local workforce development boards for the provision of services. These partnerships and alignment of resources are addressed via MOUs and IFAs locally.  The agencies may provide a variety of anti-poverty services such as emergency health, food, housing, day care, transportation assistance; housing counseling; financial management assistance; nutrition programs including federal surplus food distribution, community gardening projects, food banks, job counseling, placement and training services, and homeless prevention programs.

The goals of the Community Services Block Grant program align with WIOA goals to:

• Increase access to education, training and employment—particularly for customers with barriers to employment;

• Create a comprehensive, high-quality workforce by aligning workforce investment, education and economic development;

• Improve the quality and labor market relevance of workforce investment, education and economic development efforts;

• Promote improvements in the structure and delivery of services;

• Increase the prosperity of workers and employers; and,

• Reduce welfare dependency, increase economic self-sufficiency, meet employer needs and enhance the productivity and competitiveness of the state.

The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) provides community service and job training to Florida’s older Americans. The Florida Department of Elder Affairs is responsible for state-level administration of SCSEP and contracts with local entities such as AARP Foundation. The National Caucus & Center on Black Aged (NCBA) and National Urban League receive direct funding from USDOL for the provision of employment and training services for older Americans. These entities partner with the local workforce development boards through MOUs and IFAs to ensure SCSEP’s presence in the workforce system and at local career centers.

Partnering with State Colleges
The Florida College System (FCS) supports, strengthens and expands efforts by its post-secondary institutions to deepen the region’s talent pool in targeted sectors. Over the next two years, these special efforts will include post-secondary credential attainment through the Last Mile College Completion, a program included in the Governor’s 2020 budget. This scholarship program, which is currently supported by all FCS institutions, will allow Florida residents who meet certain criteria and are within 12 credit hours of completing their first associate or baccalaureate degree to complete their programs and be eligible for in-state tuition. Other programs to deepen the talent pipeline include an expansion of the current tuition waivers for spouses and dependents of deceased law enforcement, correctional officers and firefighters to include spouses and dependents of deceased first responders and members of the Florida National Guard and U.S. Armed Forces. Florida currently has this program for veterans and active-duty military.

Partnering with Florida Universities and Others
VR supports participants attending Inclusive Postsecondary Education (IPSE) for individuals with unique abilities. VR has dedicated IPSE Liaisons located throughout the state to participate in IPSE student selection committees and program development.

A common theme throughout Florida’s WIOA implementation strategy is the continued alignment with potential combined planning partners and optional one-stop career center partners. Through the WIOA established interagency teams, increased coordination with these organizations and agencies is sought.

FDBS maintains cooperative agreements with Community Rehabilitation Providers and other entities not carrying out activities under the Workforce Investment System. FDBS has a long-standing contractual relationship with its statewide CRPs and values the services they provide to clients. For FDBS, CRPs are private, non-profit programs that provide specialized rehabilitation services to individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Specialized services include education, independent life skills, job training and job placement services to clients and their families who are participating in the vocational rehabilitation program.