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. 3. A. State Agency Organization
Describe the organization and delivery systems at the State and local levels for the programs covered in the plan, including the organizational structure. Include an organizational chart.
Current Narrative:
Colorado’s workforce programs are state administered and operated locally, allowing the needed customization to meet the unique needs of businesses and job seekers throughout Colorado. Therefore, each of the core programs and required one-stop partners function differently at both the state and local level. The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE), Colorado Department of Education (CDE), and Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) each have administrative responsibility for one or more programs contained in this plan. Below is a list of each of the programs included in this Combined Plan and the state agency that has administrative responsibility for each program.
| State Agency Program Responsibility | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Program |
| CDLE | - Adult (Title I) - Dislocated Worker (Title I) - Youth (Title I) - Wagner-Peyser (Wagner-Peyser Act, as amended by Title III) - Vocational Rehabilitation (Title I Rehabilitation, as amended by Title IV) Trade Adjustment Assistance for Worker Program (Chapter 2, Title II Tract Act) - Jobs for Veterans State Grants (Title 38, Chapter 41) - Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker Program (Title I) |
| CDE | - Adult Education and Family Literacy (WIOA Title II) |
| CDHS | - Senior Community Service Employment Program (Title V Older Americans Act) Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program (42 U.S.C.) |
Narrative Organizational Charts of State Agencies
CDLE is led by the Executive Director, Joseph Barela, and Deputy Executive Directors Cher Haavind and Darcy Kennedy. There are eight divisions reporting to them including Employment and Training, Vocational Rehabilitation, Unemployment Insurance, and Labor Standards and Statistics. Additionally, as the Colorado Workforce Development Council is housed at CDLE for administrative purposes they also report to the Executive Director of CDLE.
William Dowling directs the Division of Employment and Training (E&T). The E&T Division includes the management information systems group and a large department named Workforce Development Programs led by Elise Lowe-Vaughn. Workforce Development Programs has administrative responsibility for Title I-B Programs, Wagner-Peyser, TAA, JVSG, and the Agricultural Outreach activities within the Wagner-Peyser program. Title I-B and Wagner-Peyser funds are distributed to the ten local workforce development areas in Colorado. JVSG is a state-run, federally funded program, and state employees are based at workforce centers throughout Colorado to deliver services.
Kristin Corash directs the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. Administrative staff are based in the CDLE main office in Denver and field staff are housed in locations throughout the state of Colorado.
Labor Standards and Statistics includes the Labor Market Information group and is headed by Scott Moss. Jeff Fitzgerald leads the Unemployment Insurance team.
Lee Wheeler-Berliner is the managing director of the Colorado Workforce Development Council (CWDC). The CWDC brings together businesses and public partners to set strategy for talent development efforts statewide. Through business-led collaboration and the creation of innovative resources CWDC reimagines how Coloradans connect to work and businesses connect to workers, leading to economic prosperity for all Coloradans.
The Colorado Department of Education has administrative responsibility for Title II funds and conducts a competitive process to award grants to providers. The commissioner of education is Dr. Katy Anthes and she is hired by a publicly-elected state board of education. One of the divisions reporting to the commissioner is Innovation and Pathways, led by executive director Misti Ruthven. Underneath Ms. Ruthven is the Office of Adult Education, led by Danielle Ongart. Ms. Ongart is the state AEFLA director and administers Title II programs and funds.
Colorado Works is administered through CDHS and is also county-run. Therefore the county department of human or social services is responsible for delivering services in each of Colorado’s 64 counties. Many counties choose to contract portions of Colorado Works to the local workforce center or another provider. CDHS is led by executive director Michelle Barnes and has two departments that manage programs within this Combined Plan. The Office of Economic Security oversees the Colorado Works (TANF) Program and that program is directly managed by the Employment and Benefits Director, Danielle Dunaway. The Office of Community Access and Independence has an Aging and Adult Services unit that administers the SCSEP program.