Narrative: II. a. 2. A.

Workforce Development Activities

Four years ago, the State launched an initiative to balance the emphasis on services between employers (creating job opportunities in demand occupations) and job seekers (recruiting and/or training a highly qualified workforce). This initiative was strategic in nature and is operated out of the State’s Business and Career Solutions Centers, with the purpose of increasing the “value” of services that the State provides both to employers and job seekers. Integral to this system is an understanding of and allowance for needed services to individuals with “significant barriers to employment” and the requirement for “priority of service” under the appropriate laws, regulations, and statutes.

Each One-Stop Center that is also a Comprehensive One-Stop Center (includes the presence of all partners) offers an extensive array of services which include for job seekers:

• Outreach, common intake and assessment, orientation to services, informational services, and referral to other services as necessary based on assessment.

• Initial and Comprehensive assessment of skills, aptitudes, interests and abilities, both in a self-service and staff assisted service context, based on the specific needs of the job seeker.

• Career Counseling, job search and placement assistance.

• Provision of Labor Market Information by location, region, and national areas - job vacancy listings, information on skills relating to local occupations in demand and the earnings and skill requirements for those occupations.

• Provision of performance information and program cost information on eligible training providers. Provision of information relating to the availability of supportive services such as child care and transportation.

  For employers, Comprehensive One-Stop Centers offer:

• Efficient and effective screening and referral of qualified job candidates.

• Active outreach and assistance in developing effective recruiting job orders.

• Assisting with searching the State’s “talent bank”.

• Job fairs and recruitment events.

• Connection with community service organizations and tax credit opportunities.

• Training for Incumbent Workers.

• Connections to Registered Apprenticeship programs.

• Provision of information regarding the availability of On-the-Job Training (OJT) and Customized Training, including referral of employers to sources of funding for worker training.

• Coordination with economic development and other programs that assist business.

• Assistance with layoff aversion programs and services.

  Adult, Dislocated Worker and Youth

  LWC has formally eliminated the sequence of service provision in Title I programs through development of a new service delivery model. The new model connects all partners to clients at any entry point where assessment occurs. The process is further driven by co-enrollment across all active Partner Programs. The former sequence of service provision required participants to receive career services prior to training services.

  LWC, under WIOA codification, and through its policy guidance, clarifies to all partners that participants are not required to pass through multiple layers of services before entering into training. The state service delivery model has effectively combined core and intensive services into career services, giving all partner staff in One-Stop Centers the flexibility to provide access to training based on assessed need. The redefined service model:

• Provides more flexible training delivery options to meet the needs of low-income individuals.

• Allows Local Workforce Development Boards (LWDBs) to contract directly with colleges or eligible training providers to supply training for high-demand occupations and/or industry sectors.

• Expands reliance beyond Individual Training Accounts and increases flexibility to help local boards use WIOA funds to a better scale.

• LWDBs continue to develop and refine innovative and effective models for obtaining industry-recognized credentials, including:

• Integrated education and training approaches; career pathways, industry or sector partnerships, including those pertaining to Registered Apprenticeship programs and opportunities.

• Cohort-based approaches.

• Evidence-based approaches that reflect best practices including Registered Apprenticeship programs.

• Development of interim credentials for longer-term Registered Apprenticeship programs, which Louisiana can do as an “SAA State” (State Apprenticeship Agency).

  In addition, LWDBs may use a portion of local funds to fund pay-for-performance contracts as a form of training delivery under Title I, with continuous evaluation of how target populations are chosen, to fairly serve individuals who face barriers to employment and economic success.

  LWDBs may consider the full cost of participating in training services, including expenses related to dependent care, transportation and other essential needs for individuals who need additional assistance.

  Louisiana uses a broad range of training programs as part of its workforce development strategy. These programs involve collaborating with local boards, companies and education/training providers to improve training.

  LWC requires:

• Local boards and/or One-Stop operators to specifically report on expenditures for career and training services and on the number of participants who received career and training services. This requirement is specifically designed to make planning and funding decisions more transparent, and to provide better opportunities for public oversight.

• Eligible training providers to report results for all of their students for common measures for each program of study, not just participants whose training costs were paid for through the use of WIOA funds, in order to improve transparency of results for programs and for disadvantaged persons.

  Adult

  The Louisiana Workforce Commission recognizes that for many low-skilled and disadvantaged youth and adults, improved economic opportunity depends on their ability to access education and training necessary to prepare them for college and career success. Evaluation of job training programs for adults finds that postsecondary education, in particular a degree or industry-recognized credential related to in-demand jobs, is the primary determinant of lifetime earnings. Education and training provides opportunities for increasing a family’s financial resources, helps parents stay employed and establishes a solid foundation for the next generation (youth). Incorporating Registered Apprenticeship into service design and delivery is one way LWC expects LWDBs to address the middle skill jobs that account for over half of Louisiana’s labor market as noted in an earlier section, and it likewise addresses the need to focus on in-demand occupations and recognized credentials. One way to accomplish this is by having Center staff involved and engaged in screening and assessment for current registered programs.

  LWC operates its Adult Training Program to identify workers who currently need or will need higher levels of education to fare better in the labor market to reduce the incidence and duration of unemployment while supporting higher earnings and job stability. Louisiana honors the Title I Priority of Service requirement by leveraging all available funding streams and partnerships, regardless of state or local funding availability, in providing priority access to higher-intensity career services and training to:

  • Public assistance recipients.

  • Other low-income individuals.

  • Individuals who are deficient in basic skills.

    In contrast to WIA, where LWDBs policies on priority of service varied widely, LWC in its implementation of WIOA requires LWDBs to:

  • Report the number of individuals with barriers to employment served by each core program, with specific breakdowns by subpopulation.

  • Report on the number of individuals with barriers to employment that are served by the Adult and Dislocated Worker program, with specific breakdowns by subpopulation, race, ethnicity, gender, and age.

    Dislocated Worker

    Layoffs are always challenging for workers and employers. LWC provides Rapid Response Services designed to help employers proceed in an orderly and legal way by guiding them through the process. LWC works with LWDBs and other partners (training and supportive-service providers) to help both.

    Direct services to workers facing a plant shutdown or large-scale lay-off, are focused on preparing them to find suitable new employment, and get them back to work as quickly as possible by helping them overcome such difficult barriers to employment as:

  • Transferring specialized skills to other occupations or industries.

  • A decline in the market demand for certain skills.

  • Age or length of work experience.

  • Need for formal training or education.

  • Lack of jobs with earnings at a level comparable to their previous positions.

    Dislocated worker services are custom-tailored to meet an individual worker's specific needs. Working one-on-one with a case manager, workers are guided through the process of developing an Individualized Employment Plan that includes as a minimum:

  • Career planning and counseling.

  • Job search and placement.

  • Approved training, which include Registered Apprenticeship programs.

  • Other needed support services.

    Youth

    Louisiana does not have a defined service delivery model for WIOA Youth Services. Each LWDB has the autonomy to develop their local youth service model. However, these models must support the implementation of Career Pathways that support postsecondary education, and address the needs of low-income in school youth as well as out of school youth, and support pre-apprenticeship to Registered Apprenticeship opportunities. LWC requires each LWDB to competitively procure and provide all fourteen of the program service elements. LWC has committed to assisting the LWDB’s through the One Stop partners, to develop and provide age and developmentally appropriate models for out of school youth.

    LWC will work with local areas to ensure they:

  • Will not require out-of-school youth in high-risk categories to prove low-income status to receive services.

  • Will provide services to individuals who have dropped out of high school, have not attended school for at least one calendar quarter of the most recent school year, or are subject to the juvenile or adult justice systems under the out-of-school youth program.

  • Will target and provide services to homeless individuals, runaways, current or former foster care youth and individuals who or are pregnant or parenting.

  • Will provide services to youth who are not attending school, hold a secondary credential, and are either basic-skills deficient or an English language learner.

  • Will consider youth living in a high-poverty area to meet the low-income criterion for youth activities funding and services.

    The state will monitor and guide local boards such that at least 75 percent of available statewide funds and 75 percent of funds available to local areas are spent on workforce investment services for out-of-school youth.

    Adult Education

    In 2010, The Louisiana Legislature finalized the transference of responsibility of Louisiana’s adult education delivery system from Department of Education (DOE) to Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS). This effort was not simply about moving a program’s administration from one agency to another. It was about reconsidering completely the goals, outcomes, and direction of adult basic education in Louisiana. LCTCS developed a new policy framework whose primary focus is putting Louisiana adults to work by providing high quality basic skills instruction, in addition to wrap- around student services that lead to a seamless transition to postsecondary enrollment, technical skill training, credentialing and sustainable employment.

    The LCTCS, Moving Adult Education Forward: A Pro Forma Business Plan was a milestone in re-defining the vision for adult education, focusing on new performance goals—including high school equivalency diplomas, postsecondary enrollments, postsecondary completers, and placement in sustainable employment at family-supporting wages. As a symbol of the new vision the Louisiana Adult Education Program was renamed, “WorkReadyU.” Since the 2010 renewed set of expectations and vastly different philosophy in Louisiana with regards to adult education, adult education programs have progressively adjusted educational service and delivery and are well-positioned to provide/deliver/coordinate the required activities under Title II-WIOA.

    Adult Education connects into the One-Stop system through the intake and assessment process to identify adults with limited basic skills, and then to use innovative instructional models as necessary to prepare adult learners for postsecondary education within the context of serving learners at the lowest skill levels. The LCTCS Adult Education and Family Literacy Program (WorkReadyU), administers and provides program performance oversight to eligible local entities that provide of adult education services. These services include academic instruction and education services that increase the individual’s ability to:

  • read, write, and speak English and perform mathematics or other activities necessary for the attainment of a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent;

  • transition to postsecondary education and training; and

  • obtain employment.

    The LCTCS is currently in the process of providing all 15 of Louisiana’s Comprehensive One-Stop Centers with a technological linkage that will provide customers with more accessibility to Adult Education services and information.

    Wagner-Peyser

    Louisiana already meets a major requirement of WIOA - the co-location of Wagner-Peyser Employment Services in Louisiana’s Comprehensive One-Stop Centers as well as some affiliate one-stop centers. The intent is to ensure that unemployment insurance claimants receive the same services as all other job-seekers, including job training, labor exchange, career counseling and labor market intelligence. The UI claimant/job- seeker will also receive eligibility assessments and referrals to an array of education resources and training through the Wagner-Peyser Employment Service program.

    Vocational Rehabilitation Services

    Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS) provides access to services in all Comprehensive One-Stop centers and in affiliate locations as necessary to assure effective service to individuals with disabilities through participant’s skills training which enhances participant ability to obtain employment in their desired field, in particular “high demand jobs”. LRS consistently exceeds 70% successful placement in high demand jobs.

    The LRS Program Coordinator for rehabilitation technology provides consultation to Comprehensive One-Stop Center staff and affiliate locations to improve knowledge regarding assistive technology and address other accessibility issues. In addition, the agency’s Rehabilitation Employment Development Specialists (REDS) serve as LRS liaisons for all Comprehensive One-Stop centers and affiliate locations within their region, providing public awareness and services to consumers such as building job-seeking skills and employment development. The State is committed to the success of individuals with disabilities and leads the collaboration effort across all Partner Programs.

    LRS continues to renew and revise existing local cooperative agreements, as applicable, with the 70 school districts and 146 charter schools in Louisiana. LRS collaborates with Department of Education (DOE), the Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities (OCDD), Work Incentive Planning Program, the Office of Community Services, and the Office of Youth Development in an effort to network, share information and utilize comparable benefits to enhance Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services to transitioning students. The primary focus of LRS’ collaboration is to identify and address barriers (e.g. policies, eligibility process, resource allocation), assure effective service provision through support of local interagency core teams, provide cross-agency training, outreach, engage in capacity building of young adults and family outreach efforts, provide continued support of innovative models and practices related to transition and provide information and technical assistance.

    Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

    The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is committed to providing cash assistance and supportive services to needy families meeting specific financial criteria and to provide services necessary to accomplish the goals and purposes of Section 401 of the Social Security Act (42 USC 601) in order to:

    • Provide assistance to needy families so that children may be cared for in their own homes or in the homes of relatives.

    • End dependence of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work and marriage.

    • Prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancy.

    • Encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families.

    In January 2014, the Department of Children and Family Services partnered with the LWC to help Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients develop high demand job skills and move toward self- sufficiency. This partnership builds and expands on the previous partnership between DCFS and LWC, and Local Workforce Investment Boards (LWDBs) and One -Stop operators to deliver workforce services to TANF families engaged in the Strategies to Empower People (STEP) program and the SNAP Louisiana Job Employment Training (LaJET) program.

    STEP

    The goal of the Strategies to Empower People (STEP) Program is to provide opportunities for work-eligible families of FITAP to receive job training, employment and supportive services to enable them to become self-sufficient. STEP is the result of personal Responsibility and Universal Engagement Act of 2003 passed by the Louisiana Legislature.

    All work-eligible Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP) applicants/recipients of the FITAP must participate in the STEP Program. Work-eligible recipients are defined as FITAP adults under age 60 and FITAP teen heads of household, excluding those FITAP adults and teen heads of household who are disabled or caring for a member who is disabled.

    LaJET

    The LaJET Program is the cooperative employment and training services initiative of three entities, the Local Parish Offices of DCFS, State SNAP Office, and Louisiana workforce Commission.

    The LaJET program previously only targeted SNAP recipients classified as a mandatory work registrants living in four metropolitan statistical areas. The expanded partnership supports the registration of all working-age SNAP recipients to enroll with LWC and providing access to job postings, job trainings and all other services of LWC.

    To this end the Department of Children and Family Services has committed to entering into agreements with public agencies, non-profit organizations or for-profit organizations to provide intervention services including crisis intervention, counseling, mentoring, support services and prenatal care information, in addition to information and referrals regarding healthy childbirth, adoption and parenting to help ensure healthy and full-term pregnancies as an alternative to abortion. Local boards and One-stop operators shall facilitate and operate as appropriate under the specifics of these agreements.

    The Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA)

    The state continues to administer the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program, which is available to workers who lose their jobs or experience reduced hours or income as a result of increased foreign trade activity. Local boards in areas where TAA petitions exist will actively reach out to affected workers to provide TAA-funded training with the same goals as provided under the dislocated worker program.

    Trade services are considered an integral part of the One-Stop Center’s service delivery and may involve any and all partners based on the particular needs of individual clients. As such, trade- affected workers may be eligible for:

    • Training services.

    • Job-search allowances.

    • Relocation allowances.

    • Re-employment services.

    • Funded training.

    • On-the-job training,

  Like the dislocated worker program, TAA-funded training helps trade-impacted workers obtain the skills necessary to gain suitable employment. TAA will pay tuition, course fees, books and required supplies and equipment, transportation and other items or services deemed necessary for completion of an approved occupational skills training program, including Registered Apprenticeship programs.

  Jobs for Veterans State Grant (JVSG)

  Louisiana provides employment, training and placement services to all veterans through a network of Comprehensive and some affiliated One-Stop Career Centers, with support through The LWC’s I.T. Helping Individuals Reach Employment (HiRE) Platform. JVSG provides services to veterans and eligible persons according to need, and significant barriers to employment. LWC Jobs for Veterans State Grant-funded activities are co-located within the state’s One-Stop Centers. JVSG staff referred to as Local veteran Employment Representative (LVER) and Disabled Veteran Outreach Program (DVOP) Specialist are essential parts of and fully integrated into the workforce development network

  Unemployment Insurance Programs- Louisiana Incumbent Worker Training Programs (IWTP)

  The Louisiana Employment Security Administration Fund, is also, known as the Incumbent Worker Training Account. Amounts from this account are pledged and dedicated exclusively to fund training for businesses operating in Louisiana that incur a state unemployment insurance tax liability. The purpose of this program is to upgrade job skills through training on preventing job loss caused by obsolete skills, technological change, or national or global competition; retaining jobs; and creating jobs in labor demand occupations. The IWTP is a partnership between the LWC, business and industry, and training providers. The IWTP is designed to benefit business and industry by assisting in the skill development of existing employees and thereby increasing employee productivity and the growth of the company. These improvements are expected to result in the creation of new jobs, the retention of jobs that otherwise may have been eliminated, and an increase in wages for trained workers.

  The Louisiana Incumbent Worker Training Account funds are dedicated to support the following types of training:

  • Customized Training - Designed to meet the special need and skill requirements of business and industry. Customized training programs may include specialized curriculums, instructional materials, training delivery methods, and training locations. Customized training may also include standardized courses.

  • Small Business Employee Training - This type of training is individual standardized (off-the-shelf) training and is available to businesses having fifty or fewer employees.

  • Pre-employment Training - This type of training is provided for non-incumbent workers for expanding businesses. This training may include screening, skills assessment, testing, remediation, and occupational and technical training.

  Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)

  Currently the Louisiana Senior Community Service Employment Program is operated by both the state and national non-profit organizations. The program serves low-income persons who are 55 years of age and older who have poor employment prospects by placing them in part-time community service positions and by assisting them to transition to unsubsidized employment. Collectively these programs serve 700 program participants annually. This does not include individuals who are seeking employment and are not eligible for program services. The organizations operating in Louisiana are: Governor’s Office of Elderly Affairs, Baton Rouge; Jefferson Council on Aging Inc., Metairie; National Association of Hispanic Elderly, Statewide; Capital Area Agency on Aging, Baton Rouge; and St. James Area on Aging, Vacherie.

  Louisiana is committed to bringing together diverse stakeholders (including local boards and One-Stop operators) to develop and expand employment and training opportunities for the state’s senior citizens. The goal of the planning process is to design a long-term strategic view of the senior citizen employment opportunities, inclusive of SCSEP and to measurable strategies to achieve the defined goals.

  Job Corps

  Job Corps has three sites in Louisiana: a training center in Carville, a technical school in Shreveport and a learning center in New Orleans. Under WIOA, Job Corps is linked to the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (Title II), the State Vocational and Rehabilitation Programs.

  The state is committed to partnering with Job Corps to assist eligible youth to connect to the labor force by providing them with:

  • Intensive social, academic, career and technical education and service-learning opportunities.

  • Obtaining secondary school diplomas or recognized post-secondary credentials leading to successful careers in in-demand industry sectors or occupations.

  • Achieving economic self-sufficiency and opportunities for advancement, or enrollment in post-secondary education, including an apprenticeship program.

  • Becoming responsible citizens.

    Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)

    Louisiana is committed to providing resources and fostering partnerships in low-income communities that enable low-income individuals to achieve self-sufficiency enhance family stability and revitalize their community. This commitment is the charge of CSBG unit of the Office of Workforce Development, within the LWC. As partner in the Louisiana Combined Plan, the CSBG unit and Louisiana’s forty-two (42) Community Action Agencies (CAAs) carry out locally designed programs providing a range of services and activities that have measurable impacts on the causes and effects of poverty, and support self-sufficiency. The CSBG Community Action programs assists low income populations with transportation, clothing, health services, food, shelter, job preparedness, education and housing assistance. As partners in the Louisiana workforce system continuum of services, CAA services target vulnerable populations and other least job-ready customers by focusing on reduction of the barriers to employment.