Narrative: III. b. 2.

III. b. 2. The State policies that will support the implementation of the State’s strategies (e.g., co-enrollment policies and universal intake processes where appropriate).  In addition, provide the State’s guidelines for State-administered one-stop partner programs’ contributions to a one-stop delivery system

Co-enrollment – WIOA Title I Adult, Dislocated Worker, and Youth programs

Individuals who meet the respective program and service eligibility requirements may participate in Adult/Dislocated Worker and Youth programs concurrently. Co-enrollment offers the opportunity to access additional program services and funds to help address a participant’s specific barriers to employment and/or education. Local programs operators determine the appropriate level and balance of services under the Youth and Adult/Dislocated Worker programs. Case managers must include a case note of justification in the participant file explaining why the co-enrollment is appropriate. Participants must meet the eligibility requirements of each program and will become part of each program’s performance.  This determination depends not only on the eligibility requirements of each program, but also on the services needed by each participant [TEGL 19-16]. Services available under each funding stream will depend on eligibility for services under that funding stream. Local program operators determine the appropriate level and balance of services for each individual under each program. Local program operators must identify and track the funding streams that pay the costs of services and ensure no duplication of services [20 CFR 681.430]. However, if it is determined that only the Youth or the Adult/Dislocated Worker program array of services is appropriate for an individual aged 18 - 24, then the local program provider may enroll the participant in only one program [20 CFR 681.440].

LWC continues to evaluate the process for the development and modification of MOUs with core and required partners. The purpose of the MOU is to:

1. Articulate a coordinated vision for organizing the broadly defined public workforce system in Louisiana to produce the best possible outcomes for customers — job seekers and businesses.

2. Describe the manner in which the WIOA program partners are legally authorized to participate in the delivery of services, under the provision of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, through Local Workforce Development Boards, the American Job Centers/One-Stop Career Centers and WIOA Core Program partners.

3. Establish agreement at the state level focused on designing partnerships and service delivery systems through the WIOA Core Program partners to ensure that Louisiana businesses and job seekers, including those individuals with disabilities, low-income status, Veteran status, education or language barriers, and other individuals “shared” by the core program partners, achieve/demonstrate measurable and better outcomes in the areas of education, training, job placement, and wages.

4. Establish a definition and set of shared infrastructure costs to support newly designed partnerships and service delivery between the core program partners, specialized centers and/or affiliated centers, and the local workforce development boards, American Job Centers/One-Stop Career Centers in local areas as authorized by WIOA.

5. Guide the establishment of local area partnerships and MOU agreements on how services can be connected, integrated or enhanced by sharing staffing, resources or jointly designed services in ways that improve outcomes for “shared” customers – job seekers and businesses.

The Office of Workforce Development Monitoring Unit reviews and evaluates executed MOUs annually to ensure alignment with State infrastructure policy, that partners follow the identify MOU purposes listed above, as well as have a method to identify shared common customers, have a system in place to provide and track referrals, and enroll shared customers in the State’s HiRE case management system to serve as a data warehouse to report on outcomes of both job seeker and business customers. Agreements must also have clearly defined infrastructure cost-sharing requirements for all core and required partners. 

LWC’s various departments reviews, updates, and develops policy guidance on an ongoing basis to support the implementation of workforce activities throughout the state. Policies provide guidance on local board membership and responsibilities, regional and local planning, one-stop certification, priority of service, program eligibility, and one-stop partner requirements for access in the system ensuring one-stop operators and all partners have a mutual understanding of what is required.

LWC, as the lead agency for the implementation of the WIOA Combined State Plan, has developed a foundational set of policies that provide guidance for LWDBs to implement WIOA Core Programs and other associated services.  The chart below presents an overview of the state’s policies designed to support effective implementation of WIOA and the One-Stop delivery system: