Narrative: II. c. 2.

Strategy 4 - Leadership from Core Partners to Move Forward on Missouri Goals

Missouri provides progressive leadership at the state level to effect change. In order to align the core programs, Missouri set the stage by creating committees at the state level where each of the core partners were represented. The committees were to establish policy at the state level as well as provide guidance to the local partners to carry out the WIOA state vision.

Missouri has a Statewide WIOA steering committee, comprised of all core partners. VR is represented on all WIOA subcommittees at the state and local levels. The WIOA subcommittees are co-chaired by partner staff to ensure alignment with all core programs. VR brings a role of focused expertise regarding working with youth and adults with disabilities to overcome employment barriers.

Adult Education co-chairs the partner Service Design and Delivery committee for Missouri. This workgroup is charged with working with core, combined, and required partners on issues vital to successful WIOA implementation. Examples of topics covered in the workgroup are quality referrals, finding best-practices in local partnerships, and implementing Missouri’s Hub Model.

In October 2015, FSD hosted a WIOA convening in which partners from all regions came to hear about the different programs as well as participate in breakout sessions to find out who the partners are, develop a vision, analyze strengths and weaknesses, and develop next steps. FSD and DWD leadership worked together to create a SkillUP partnership, and the WDBs are speaking at initial meetings on the importance of career pathways and sector strategies. FSD leadership is also focusing on performance outcomes across programs.

Strategy 5 - Create Environments that Foster Local Partnerships

Missouri continues to create opportunities where representatives from all available partners can meet, discuss their services and needs, and design new ways to partner motivated by new goal requirements. This has proven to be one of Missouri’s most effective strategies to create alignment across agencies. Missouri’s combined partners have committed to creating multiple opportunities to create an environment of partnership. Focusing on the five state goals, multiple meetings are being held for local partners to meet, learn about available services, and foster partnering opportunities.

VR brings to the table expertise regarding working with youth and adults with disabilities to overcome their barriers. VR serves on all local WDB boards. VR staff leads the disability subcommittees established by the local WDBs. VR has been engaged with local sector strategies planning as well.

Missouri’s Title II has set increasingly high goals for local Adult Education providers which necessitate them getting assistance from partner agencies. For example, the Adult Education state office has set employment and post-secondary goals for local Adult Education providers which require partnering with Title I providers in order to meet them.

FSD is aligning MWA with WIOA outcomes, updating contracts to complywith WIOA, and partnering with DWD on SkillUP.

CSBG: The contracts for CSBG will include language on complying with the requirements of WIOA. In addition, new state leadership will work closer with the CAAs to encourage local involvement. CAAs already communicate and develop partner plans.

MWA: The new MWA contracts that will be finalized in FFY18 require WIOA coordination including: MWA administering the same initial assessment tool as DWD; encouraging physical co-location with WIOA partners; focusing on career pathways, sector strategies, stackable credentials, short-term training and apprenticeships; and aligning the regions with WIOA regions. The contracts will also focus on the participant and allow participation in activities that move toward self-sufficiency, increases supportive services to continually assist participants, and requires contractors to assist all clients (including those not required to participate and who have jobs). Performance incentives are based on meeting employment outcomes.

In addition, MWA staff serve on WDBs and the activity that MWA clients complete on jobs.mo.gov count toward their participation hours.

SkillUP: All SkillUP providers transitioned to DWD’s case management system, called MOJobs, which increased functionality including generating reports for all providers, requiring a consistent intake process and interfacing to send information previously sent manually. As new providers are on boarded, the WDBs share information on career pathways, sector strategies and LMI data.

The workforce agency has assisted by securing a consultant contract for Sector Strategies and played a role in coordinating the discussion and formation of the Steering Committee and all other working committees.

Strategy 6 - Devote and Reallocate Resources that Generate Partnerships

WIOA is a call to partner in new and better ways. Missouri’s strategy to meet this call is to show our resolve to partnership by committing resources to create new or enhance existing partnerships. Missouri committed to using resources to benefit our mutual customers and provide funding to encourage partners to work together. Missouri is committed to finding connections between core partners, mandatory partners, and partners in each region. Missouri’s core and mandatory partners are reallocating resources to create environments to foster partnering

Missouri VR has the purpose of helping individuals with disabilities in preparing for and obtaining employment. VR provides this same expertise in working with employers. Missouri VR is located under the Department of Education and has a strong partnership with local school districts including career and technical education centers and can contribute this knowledge to address this deficit area.

Title II will rededicate resources by piloting a new role in local Adult Education providers, called an “Advocate”, which will help Title II students connect with WIOA partner agencies for supportive service, employment, and post-secondary assistance. Title II will incorporate infrastructure payment requirements into the upcoming competitive bid process.

FSD contracted with Public Consulting Group to assist and provide guidance on cost infrastructure, provide research from other states, develop referral resources and assist with other facets of WIOA. This investment is an example of reallocation of resources enabled by TANF.

Alignment for all of these will be achieved through collaboration, staff support of committees and accountability to the State Workforce Board.