Located in:
- III. Operational Planning ElementsThe Unified or Combined State Plan must include an Operational Planning Elements section that support 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 PoliciesThe 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. 9. Addressing the Accessibility of the One-stop Delivery System for English Language Learners
Current Narrative:
•Each WorkForce Center attempts to hire staff that reflect the local community, including non-English languages spoken in the area. For example, Somali-speaking staff are housed in the Minneapolis, St. Paul, St. Cloud, and Willmar WorkForce Centers where Somali communities are growing. Every WorkForce Center has an account with Language Line Translation Services. WorkForce Centers are able to access translation services via phone, video remote, or on site in 240+ languages. • Every WorkForce Center is knowledgeable of community-based organizations who specialize in serving LEP learners. The local Adult Basic Education (ABE) provider offers English language classes in every region of the state and is often one of the first referral sources. There are also community-based organizations in larger communities that are an important partner and referral source for the One-Stops. • DEED targets areas of the state with significant populations of LEP clients by investing existing resources in those areas. For example, additional Wagner Peyser funding is provided to the Minneapolis and St. Cloud WorkForce Centers so they can employ Community Liaison Representatives who speak the local languages. DEED invested significant WIOA and Wagner Peyser resources into a new One-Stop in North Minneapolis that houses all WIOA programs, adult and K-12 education programming, and a community health care clinic to better serve the growing LEP population DEED and its partners already collect the preferred language of each applicant, registrant participant, and terminee, which is a requirement for all states effective January 3, 2019. For languages spoken by a significant number or portion of the population eligible to be served, or likely to be encountered, vital information will be translated into those languages and made readily available in hard copy, upon request, or electronically.