Narrative: b. 3.

LWC is currently working on revising agency policy and ETPL manual to meet requirements of TEGL 8-19.  Those policies will be issued and all edits to the ETPL Manual will be incorporated and issued by May 30, 2020. The edited manual will be publicly available at http://www.laworks.net/Downloads/WFD/ETPLManual.pdf. Policies will be available through the LWC website at http://www.laworks.net.

LWC is responsible for facilitating the application process and for calculating the performance outcomes based on student level data submitted by training providers. In addition, LWC is required to disseminate the State’s list of eligible providers of training services, including eligible providers of non-traditional training services, performance information and program costs.

LWDBs are responsible for notifying providers in their area of the opportunity to apply for status as approved eligible training providers. At its own discretion, an LWDB may also solicit training providers from outside of their LWDA. Solicitation may be done through a combination of direct mailings, newspaper notices and other appropriate means. An LWDB is responsible for ensuring that training providers have access to the application for certification and a list of demand occupations for their LWDA. WIOA requires training funds be used for training job seekers for occupations on the demand occupation list. The list contains information for training providers regarding where training funds should be used.

Training providers that do not have data entry access to the HiRE (Helping Individuals Reach Employment) should contact LWC’s Office of Workforce Development at (225)342-7693 to obtain the necessary security access. Refer to the Eligible Training Provider Manual for additional information on the application process, at  http://www.laworks.net/Downloads/WFD/ETPLManual.pdf.

The statewide standardized system eliminates duplication and provides uniformity in the provider information gathered for the statewide list. Potential training providers must submit an application for each course of study or program being proposed, including cost information on each course or program. Each training provider must submit one (1) single application containing all required information on the training institution and one (1) on each program being proposed to receive WIOA training funds.

In addition to the application, each provider must submit required student data as outlined in chapter 7 of the Eligible Training Provider Manual. High school students, prisoners, and non-degreed individuals are excluded from the student data requirements. A non-degreed individual is defined as an individual who is enrolled for a single course without the intention of completing a program. The data submission must include the signed “Student Data Certification Statement” found in Appendix 1 — Form C.  As part of the certification process the state will verify a proprietary school’s licensure status through the Louisiana State Board of Regents, through the Louisiana State Board of Regents, a proprietary school’s licensure status. Applications will not be processed through the certification process until this verification has been made. Questions regarding licensure status should be directed to Carol Marabella at (225) 219-7150, (225) 342-4253 or at the following address:

Louisiana State Board of Regents Proprietary School Section P. O. Box 3677 Baton Rouge, LA 70821-3677

Initial Eligibility

• Providers must submit an application to the State for training program(s) it wishes to offer. In addition to any local requirements, providers must follow the process outlined in this policy and submit student and performance data as required by the State.
• Providers are eligible only for programs that qualify and are approved by the State and LWDBs.
• Providers must submit evidence of accreditation and/or licensure from the appropriate state or other governing body.
• Distance learning programs are eligible only when offered by institutions that are fully accredited by a recognized accrediting body.
• Initial eligibility is limited to a period of one (1) calendar year for each approved program.
• The provider must renew its eligibility and establish continued eligibility for each approved program to continue receiving WIOA funds after the program’s one-year period of eligibility ends.
• Providers must contact the State every two years to renew each program’s continued eligibility to receive WIOA funds.
• The State shall provide a written notice of determination of acceptance or rejection of an initial application in HiRE to an applying entity within thirty (30) calendar days of the receipt of the completed initial eligibility determination application.

Continued Eligibility

All training providers must apply annually to remain on the ETPL by submitting a completed application along with the required information. The State will review the application, make a determination of approval, and notify the applicant of the determination within 30 days of receiving the completed application. The State will notify the applicant of the final determination in writing in HiRE, including in the case of a denial, the reasons for the final determination and a statement that the provider may appeal the determination as provided in the ETP policy. The applicant may appeal the determination of the State using the appeals procedures outlined in the ETP policy. Any training provider that does not apply to remain on the ETPL pursuant to this policy shall be removed from the ETPL.

The following information is required for a continued eligibility determination:

1. A completed online application;
2. Performance reports for the past two years, as applicable;
3. Certification that the following have not changed from previous years:

•  the provider’s refund,
• equal employment opportunity and accessibility policies; and
• the class schedule. If changes have been made, new copies of the aforementioned shall be provided;

   4. Redetermination of licensure status by the Louisiana State Board of Regents; and

   5. Any additional information requested by the State.

A continued eligibility determination will be made for each training provider on a program-by-program basis and be based on the following criteria:

• A training provider’s prior eligibility status or status of existing programs.
• The performance of training providers on the performance accountability measures relating to the State Plan and the training provider’s individual performance measures established by the State.
• The availability of training services throughout the State.
• Information reported to State Agencies with respect to Federal and State programs involving training services, including adult education and vocational rehabilitation programs.
• The degree to which the program relates to in-demand industry sectors and occupations in the State.
• Compliance with State licensing requirements, where applicable.
• The ability of the training provider to offer quality programs that lead to postsecondary credentials.
• The ability of the training provider to provide training services to individuals who are unemployed, underemployed, incumbent workers and individuals with barriers to employment.
• Demonstrated ability of the training provider to submit timely and accurate performance reports.
• A training provider’s ability to meet the State Plan’s performance measures as required by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Apprenticeship

As stated in the State’s ETPL Manual (2018) Pp. 3-23, Under WIOA, Title I, Registered Apprenticeship program sponsors are automatically eligible for placement on the state-approved ETP list and will remain on the list as long as the program is registered or until the program sponsor notifies the State that it no longer wants to be included on the list. However, registered apprenticeship programs are given an opportunity to consent to inclusion on the ETPL before being placed on the list. Registered Apprenticeship programs are not subject to the same application and performance information requirements or to a period of initial or continued eligibility as other providers. In addition, LWDBs cannot establish additional criteria and information requirements or establish higher levels of performance for these entities to provide training services in the local areas.