Narrative: II. a. 2. C.

North Dakota’s capacity to provide workforce development activities is strong. The ND Workforce Leadership Team has been in existence for over four years and spent many hours assessing the state of North Dakota’s education and training system to come up with a Strategic Plan. The Team includes representation from Department of Commerce, Career and Technical Education, Vocational Rehabilitation, Job Service ND, Adult Education, Higher Education and Workforce Training.

The agencies responsible for the WIOA core and required program in North Dakota include: • Job Service ND (which has responsibility for the majority of the WIOA core and required programs, such as WIOA Title I, Wagner Peyser, Local Veterans’ Employment Representatives and Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program, Trade Adjustment Assistance Programs and Unemployment Compensation Programs including RESEA• The Department of Human services (which has responsibility for Vocational Rehabilitation, SCSEP, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) • The Department of Commerce (Community Services Block Grant) • The Department of Public Instruction (Adult Education), and • Motivation, Education and Training (National Farmworker Jobs Program)

Job Service ND oversees the nine American Job Centers in the state. This number is down from sixteen in January 2016 when budget constraints resulted in seven office closings. The current Job Service AJC’s are staffed by 75 staff funded by WIOA Title I and Title III, JVSG, TANF E & T, TANF discretionary and SNAP E & T. AJC Management staff worked and continue to work to outreach to these mostly rural areas. Partnerships were made with libraries, economic development and city halls to offer serve as their citizens. AJC staff have provided training on workforce training programs and online labor exchange on jobsnd.com. The Job Service ND website allows for self-service job search 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, from anywhere internet access is available. Jobsnd.com links to the online labor exchange system for individual job search and employer job posting activities. Job seekers can use jobsnd.com to create résumés and conduct automated job searches. Additionally, job seekers can become aware of education and training programs available and view labor market information such as high-demand occupations, current wages and training required. Job seekers can also explore career options, find direction to veteran services, and access community resources.

Each Job Service AJC has a resource area with computers available for individual self-service. Resource area staff promote tools to assist individuals in making career choices such as the RUReadyND.com, resume writing software, myskillsmyfuture.org, and mynextmove.org. The resource areas also offer a wide variety of printed materials. Resource area staff is available for assist those who lack computer skills to conduct their job search or to file an unemployment insurance claim. Job Service AJC staff assist customers with complex online job applications.

Job Service AJC staff provide the WIOA career services and enroll into training. Resource room staff and case managers are knowledgeable of the services available from the core program partners. Local partner program staff have been collaborating for many years under WIA and continue with stronger purpose under WIOA.

Customers can improve their computer skills by using Microsoft Digital Literacy (www.microsoft.comdigitalliteracy), offered as part of the Microsoft Digital Alliance with North Dakota. Whether customers are new to computers or seasoned users, there is a wealth of information that may be beneficial. Topics include computer basics, the internet and world-wide-web, productivity programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access), and computer security and privacy.

NDVR operates as a division housed in the state’s Department of Human Service (DHS). The North Dakota Department of Human Services operates eight regional human service centers (HSC). Each serves a designated multi-county area, with programs and services to include adult services, developmental disability services, child welfare services, children’s mental health services, serious mental health care coordination, acute clinical services, substance abuse services, and crisis and emergency response services. NDVR rehabilitation counselor offices are located in each of the eight HSC. Supervision and direction of the rehabilitation staff is provided by staff located in NDVR’s State Office. NDVR has developed working arrangements with 18 CRPs and monitors their performance through monthly reports submitted for each individual served and through VR counselor comments and observations of CRP performance and training needs.

Vocational Rehabilitation services in North Dakota are provided through a single Combined VR agency serving individuals with disabilities including consumers that experience a significant visual impairment. NDVR serves individuals with disabilities that constitute or result in substantial barriers to employment. Individuals present with either a single or multiplicity of disabilities that include, but are not limited to alcohol dependency, mental health disorders, learning disabilities, diabetes, deafness, amputation, and traumatic brain injury. NDVR provides services such as counseling and guidance, assessment, vocational training, post-secondary education, transportation, personal assistance services, and job placement. Through customer informed choice and in partnership with their VR counselor, individuals with disabilities are able to create an individualized plan for employment, maximize their potential, and reach the goal of competitive integrated employment. Service identification is determined through a comprehensive assessment of the individual needs and interests based upon vocational goal selection. Comparable benefits are sought prior to the expenditure of program funds for nonexempt services.

The VR agency also provides more specialized services to individuals with significant targeted to their specific populations. For example, the NDVR provides a myriad of educational and training programs such as the Blindness Skills Training, Assistive Technology Training, and Low Vision Services to individuals that experience significant vision loss. Specialized technical assistance and training support is provided to provide Supported Employment to individuals with the most significant disabilities that result in competitive and integrated employment. DVR takes very seriously its responsibility to provide high quality services to all individuals with a disability. DVR has forged a strong relationship with agencies such as the North Dakota Vision Services/School for the Visually Impaired and Community Rehabilitation Programs that provide service to individuals with Intellectual Disabilities.

Forty-two full time VR counselors are employed by the division with their offices located in the eight larger communities in the state. These VR counselors work closely with staff from JSND and the Adult Education Programs located in these same communities. Staff and fiscal resources are leveraged by all three agencies to provide workforce service to the business community, individuals with disabilities, populations receiving state economic assistance to include TANF and New Americans. NDVR is currently operating in an approved Order of Selection with all categories open. Increased operating and cost to provide case service will result in the agency potential to close up to two categories during the life of the Unified Plan.

The state Adult Education unit is part of the ND Department of Public Instruction. Adult Education receives federal and state funds to provide academic and career related skills to students over the age of 16 who are not enrolled in high school and lack a high school equivalent, career skills. Additionally, the adult education system offers the same services to students who are unable to speak, read, write or comprehend the English language and have a barrier to employment, community participation and family literacy.

Under WIOA, ND Adult Education held a formal competition for local programs in December 2016; upon completion of the RFP process in accordance with guidance from OCTAE, eight (8) regional adult learning centers and three satellite programs were awarded funding to provide services. The ND Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation applied for and was awarded funding under WIOA to provide services within correctional education. The Fargo Adult Learning Center applied for and was awarded funding to provide Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education (IELCE) under separate WIOA funding. With partners, Adult Education provide the WIOA career services and refer for training enrollment when eligible, as all staff have been provided information and knowledge of the services available from core program partners. Local partner program staff have been collaborating for many years under WIA and continue with stronger purpose under WIOA.

Students/participants can improve their computer skills by using Microsoft Digital Literacy (www.microsoft.comdigitalliteracy), offered as part of the Microsoft Digital Alliance with North Dakota. Topics include computer basics, the internet and world wide web, productivity programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access), as well as essential digital literacy skills necessary for success in the workplace and college.

Performance is validated through onsite monitoring of local programs, data audits through the statewide student management system — LACES, OCTAE negotiated performance measures, and also through GED Analytics, a product of GEDTS.