Narrative: c. 1.

WIOA and the Uniform Guidance establish administrative requirements, procurement standards and methods of procurement ofr WIOA Title I-B Youth programs. Minnesota requires Local Workforce Development boards to award grants through a competitive procurement process in accordance with local procurement procedures which must be in complinace with the provisions of applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations. Awards are based on recommendations from the local Youth Committee and the Local Boards provide oversight of the youth service providers. Contracts are award to providers with demonstrated:

• Ability to deliver services to targeted populations in accordance with locally established guidelines;
• Past Performance, including both program and fiscal integrity;
• Understanding of and commitment to continuous improvement methods.

All policies supporting Minnesota’s WIOA young adult program can be found at: https://mn.gov/deed/programs-services/office-youth-development/youth-programs/wioa-youth.jsp

The following criteria are used to measure the ability of youth service providers to meet primary indicators of performance. Request for Proposals (RFPs) issued by Workforce Development Boards (WDBs) reflect the need to provide a connection to the WIOA indicators of youth program performance.

Adult Support, Structure and Expectations (State WIOA youth policy Chapter 11 can be found at: https://mn.gov/deed/assets/wioa-chapter11_tcm1045-283528.docx)

• Services that connect young people with adults who are willing to advocate and broker on their behalf, and connect them to the broader institutions of society and who have the training and skills to help them develop and grow.

• Services that stress coherence and structure, offer challenging content and give youth responsibilities that develop civic responsibility, self-worth and leadership skills while establishing rules and setting practical limits.

• Committed/skilled adults who mentor youth and set clear, high and yet attainable expectations over an extended period of time.

Connection to primary indicators of performance: These services promote youth attainment of industry recognized credentials leading to placement in high-growth jobs important to the regional economies. With adult support/mentoring, youth will be able to overcome barriers; they will attain credentials, enter employment and reach educational goals.

Introduction to Career Pathways (State WIOA youth policy Chapter 9 can be found at: https://mn.gov/deed/assets/wioa-chapter9_tcm1045-134291.docx and Chapter 13 can be found at: https://mn.gov/deed/assets/wioa-chapter13_tcm1045-284385.docx )

• Services incorporate basic and high-level skills that align with the skill needs of industries in regional economies and prepare youth to meet secondary and postsecondary education goals, including pre-apprenticeships as appropriate.

• Services that emphasize experiential learning and work-based learning as tools to create an effective learning environment for youth.

• Counseling to support achieving the individual youth’s educational and career goals.

• Services that result in the acquisition of industry recognized credentials.

• Access to academic programs that are grounded in standards, clear performance expectations, and graduation exit options based on meaningful, accurate, and relevant indicators of student learning and skills.

Connection to primary indicators of performance: These services promote youth employment in high growth jobs with wage increase potential. Youth learn necessary skills and develop expertise in specific occupational/industrial areas. A career pathways model leads to program retention as youth participants clearly see the relevance of what they are doing to overall labor market demands.

A Combination of Guidance and Connections to the Workplace (State WIOA youth policy Chapter 11 can be found at: https://mn.gov/deed/assets/wioa-chapter11_tcm1045-283528.docx )

• Use of readily accessible and understood Labor Market Information (LMI) to assess employment opportunities in high-growth industries and in-demand occupations.

• Activities that support and demonstrate strong employer engagement, involvement of the business community.

• Opportunities to learn how to work, stimulate growth as a result of work experience.

• Activities that can show the correlation between work and learning.

• Support that extends beyond the initial job placement; interpersonal involvement with adults who assist youth in retaining employment and meeting educational goals.

Connection to primary indicators of performance: These services facilitate the development of a path for youth to become economically and socially self-sufficient. Youth acquire credentials and develop skills and abilities to meet the demands of the local labor market.

Support and Follow-Up (State WIOA youth policy Chapter 11 can be found at: https://mn.gov/deed/assets/wioa-chapter11_tcm1045-283528.docx )

• Services that establish trust, particularly for disconnected youth who have weak institutional ties and lack positive adult and peer relationships.

• Activities with strong built-in follow-up mechanisms to support strong participant outcomes.

• Effective case management skills that provide comprehensive guidance, counseling and referrals to coordinate a progression of services and activities.

• Policies that stress the quality of individual initiatives and the richness of the youth support network.

• Activities that engage parents, families, and other caring adults who are involved in the young person's life and can support their ability to achieve independence and self-sufficiency.

Connection to primary indicators of performance: These services lead to employment retention as youth understand that they have support following program exit. Problems on the job can be resolved working through the follow-up components, the employer, and the youth. These services will also lead to increased employer satisfaction with the youth programs leading to increased participation by the private sector.

Youth as a Resource (State WIOA youth policy Chapters 10 can be found here: https://mn.gov/deed/assets/wioa-chapter10_tcm1045-271796.docx and Chapter 11 can be found here: https://mn.gov/deed/assets/wioa-chapter11_tcm1045-283528.docx )

• Initiatives that build skills in self-advocacy and conflict resolution and recognize young people are an important resource in improving their own lives.

• Activities that empower youth to contribute to their community's growth.

• Activities that promote youth leadership and peer support.

Connection to primary indicators of performance: With the acquisition of self-advocacy skills by participants, youth will be more valuable assets to employers leading to greater program satisfaction by both employers and participants.

Implementation Quality: (State WIOA youth policy Chapter 10 can be found at: https://mn.gov/deed/assets/wioa-chapter10_tcm1045-271796.docx)

• Well thought out implementation strategies followed and tracked through a continuous improvement process.

• Flexible services that address regional needs and proven methodologies.

• Services that incorporate evaluation components that include customer input and satisfaction.

Connection to primary indicators of performance: These criteria support the WIOA Youth performance accountability measures. DEED’s Youth Services Team provides customized training to all WDAs to support a continuous improvement process. The individualized WDA-level training on WIOA Youth performance and use of WorkForce One, serves as the first step in the local planning process and preparing the WDA to negotiate local performance goals. Minnesota’s WDAs serve high numbers of at-risk youth, including homeless youth, youth with disabilities and youth on public assistance. These target groups must be taken into consideration as WDAs work with DEED’s Youth Services Team to negotiate the following local WIOA Youth performance goals:

• Education and Employment Rate- 2nd Quarter after Exit

• Education and Employment Rate- 4th quarter after exit

• Credential attainment