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2 Year Modification

Plan: Minnesota PYs 2018-2019
Combined Plan C

Section: WIOA State Plan Common Elements

Narrative: III. b. 2.

Published
Located in:
  • III. Operational Planning Elements
    The 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 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—

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, Describe the State’s Process for Developing Guidelines for State-administered One-stop Partner Programs’ Contributions to a One-stop Delivery System, Including Benchmarks, and Its Guidance to Assist Local Boards, Chief Elected Officials, and Local One-stop Partners in Determining Equitable and Stable Methods of Funding Infrastructure in Accordance with Sec. 121(h)(1)(b). Beginning with the State Plan Modification in 2018 and for Subsequent State Plans and State Plan Modifications, the State Must Also Include Such Guidelines.

View corresponding narrative from PYs 2016-2017

Current Narrative:

Under the Workforce Investment Act, DEED operated as the lead on writing, soliciting feedback, publishing, and enforcing policies. Under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, DEED will still perform many of these duties, but will engage partner state agencies to ensure continuity and shared awareness. The Governor’s Workforce Development Board will provide high-level consultation on new draft policies that touch multiple core programs.

DEED plans to publish policies that address cross-agency program co-enrollment. In practice, most core programs use Workforce One, the state’s client management information system, to encourage co-enrollment across programs. The allowable co-enrollment in this system serves as Minnesota’s policy. DEED staff will follow-up to publish formal guidance on program co-enrollment. Currently there is co-enrollment activity between several federal programs with state programs. A prime example of how co-enrollment is considered involves dislocated workers. Depending upon the scenario, a dislocated worker may have options for federal and state dislocated worker support, as well as TAA or a NEG special grant, depending upon the type and category of lay-off that has occurred.

Universal intake processes have some layers in Minnesota. While all individuals who access job seeker support services in the WorkForce Centers and through Minnesota’s Job Bank are accessing programs funded through Wagner-Peyser, many of them seek deeper services with counselors that require program enrollment. In those cases, the majority of WIOA enrolled customers were also Wagner-Peyser customers, but the opposite is not true. Service providers in Minnesota will continue to work to make the program enrollment process as seamless as possible to the customer.

In addition to these policies and practices, the State will support aspect of the operations of the one-stop system related to infrastructure cost allocations and selection of the One-Stop Operator. Minnesota implemented a cost allocation policy in 2010 to address audit findings by the Rehabilitation Administration Services. This policy addressed the need for proportionate benefit analysis and distribution of shared costs at the one-stop facilities. In partnership with the core programs, this policy has been evaluated on an annual basis and updated to policy to improve on proportionate allocation of the approach based on data analysis and practices of the core programs. WIOA’s requirement for an MOU that addresses financial contributions to the one-stop system is in alignment with Minnesota’s current policy, with the addition of all required WIOA partners, which focuses on the delivery of basic career services, individualized career services and training activities. These requirements have been added to the MOU and are reflected in the "Additional Costs" attachment.

The State will also support the process for the selection of the One-Stop Operator, which is required to be in place by July 1, 2017. WIOA states that the selection process must be competitive and that it is the responsibility of the local workforce development boards to conduct this selection process. The process in each local area will be reviewed by the GWDB for conflict of interest issues. Minnesota currently operates 48 one-stop centers with the majority of them being operated by a consortium of the local program operators, which is allowable under WIOA. This has proven to be a cost effective approach as there are no dedicated system resources for this role and it is provided for by local program managers with reimbursements, allowed under the cost allocation policy, from co-located programs.

The law requires the local boards to consider the type of operator, the degree of services provided by the operator and how the operator will be funded. The law allows for a range of options on all three categories and the State will provide additional guidance and support with the issuance of the final regulations.