Narrative: III. a. 1.

The Missouri Workforce Development Board (MoWDB) assists the Governor in carrying out its functions by providing the “table” of leadership among business, labor, and workforce partners to convene regular and ad hoc meetings as necessary. The MoWDB is committed to aligningand streamlining Missouri’s workforce development system. For example, the MoWDB ensures that meetings include presentations and discussions with officials representing each of the four WIOA titles in addition to partner organizations.

The State Plan development and modification process was launched by the State Board. The State Board Planning Committee led the overview and endorsement of the draft State Plan and State Plan Modification narrative. Ultimately, the State Board approved the State Plan and the State Plan Modifications.

Members of the State Board are united in furthering the implementation of systemic changes in WIOA concerning the identification of barriers to employment; development, endorsement and implementing strategies to eliminate employment barriers. Currently, the solidification and unification of a multifaceted career pathways model is also an objective and an implementation priority. Statewide outreach and communication for the workforce system has been significantly expanded under WIOA including, extensive updates to the public website, a new system for mass email outreach to all workforce customers, expansion of social media presence, the development and implementation of system-wide logos, and posters for all partners to help drive additional traffic to job centers. Outreach continues to adapt to the changing media landscape and over the next planning period will include the addition of prerecorded video and audio PSA’s for job centers and partners.

A core focus of the State Board objectives includes ensuring that the workforce system utilizes sector strategy based service delivery models. Missouri’s Sector Strategy Initiative was launched October 2015. The Board endorsed an employer engagement model that is implemented by local workforce boards to identify and promote key industry and business sectors within each region. Local Boards continue to advance sector strategies and build sector partnerships with key stakeholders in their regions. Those local partnerships contribute to the overall state strategy and provide guidance on approaches to better implement sector strategies.

The State Board will also lead continuous improvement, quality management and oversight within the system. This will include state training and crosstraining of staff that is being incorporated into the state performance accountability system.

The State Board will utilize operational structures and decision-making processes that contribute to successful implementation of its functions under 101(d). Operational structures of the Board provide that the purposes and powers of the board shall be consistent with WIOA P.L 113-128 and Section 620.511 et seq., RSMO. Consequently, the State Workforce Development Board is comprised of businesses, workforce and government officials who represent key industries and programs that provide informed recommendations towards building strong regional economies and improved performance accountability of programs. The operational structure of the Missouri Workforce Development Board and its meetings allows it to serve as a convener of state, regional, and local workforce system partners. Workforce Development Board meetings are held four times each year and subcommittees are authorized to assist with policy and programmatic issues as necessary comply with WIOA section 101. Agenda topics at board meetings typically center on items that ensures successful implementation of all six core WIOA programs and TANF. In addition, opportunity is provided at each meeting to hear from Local Workforce Development Boards, the public and others who may be attending.

The operational structure of the Board contributes to successful decision-making processes. The decision-making processes begin with ensuring that board meeting agendas are developed with input from the Chair, Vice Chair and key WIOA State Board officials. Each item discussed at board meetings is initially framed by a subject matter expert. The subject matter expert presents and discusses elements of the agenda item so that all Board members are sufficiently informed and able to confidently develop recommendations and actions for the appropriate state agency. Board members are updated on operational results of their recommendations and action items during meetings and subcommittee meetings as appropriate. This ensures Board members are able to provide additional recommendations as needed to fulfill their obligations under section WIOA section 101(d).