Narrative: III. a. 2. B.

(B) Alignment with Activities Outside the Plan

Activities identified in Section A are aligned with programs and activities provided by required one-stop partners, not covered by this plan, to avoid duplication. These activities are described below.

Enhancing Partner Collaboration
A unified plan approach was selected for the first plan and two-year modification submitted under   WIOA. These plans included required core partners: CareerSource Florida, DEO, the Department of Education, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, the Division of Blind Services and Career and Adult Education. Florida has built on the collaboration of the WIOA Core Leader Team and smaller workgroups by involving other programs such as the Florida College System, DCF, the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, Senior Community Service Employment Program, DEO, Community Services Block Grant Program, and other organizations and stakeholders as needed

Improved communication, regular workforce system updates and identifying greater opportunities for partnerships has helped align WIOA core and required partners around the concept of a flexible and streamlined state and local-driven system of workforce development services and programs that enhance service delivery, leverage available resources to help job seekers overcome barriers, and achieve economic self-sufficiency and mobility. Enhanced partner collaboration has laid the foundation for combined or closer planning with all partners.

SNAP and TANF Program Administration
DEO has a longstanding relationship with DCF, in the administration of the SNAP E&T and TANF/WT programs. DCF refers SNAP and TANF recipients to DEO to comply with work activity requirements and to receive services provided by the workforce system. Services include access to job preparation, training, and other support services designed to assist customers with obtaining employment. Employment and training services, including WIOA and other core partner services, are available to TANF and SNAP recipients in local career centers.

DCF and DEO collaborate on the development of the SNAP E&T state plan and the TANF state plan to ensure the appropriate inclusion in, and coordination with, the state’s workforce development system regarding service provision to SNAP and TANF recipients.  Additionally, as discussed later in this plan, DEO is working closely with DCF regarding the migration of SNAP E&T and TANF/WT program case management into the state’s online labor exchange and case management system, Employ Florida.

Career Ladder Identifier and Financial Forecaster Dashboard
CareerSource Florida partnered with the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta to develop a Florida-specific Career Ladder Identifier and Financial Forecaster (CLIFF) Dashboard (www.floridacliffdashboard.com) that provides information to help users understand their potential earnings from paid employment while also mapping the timing and size of reductions in public assistance needed as individuals progress along in-demand career pathways toward self-sufficiency. The CLIFF Dashboard has been developed and nine Fs are participating in a pilot to assess the usability of the dashboard in a case management and career advising setting in career centers. The primary objective of the pilot is to collect information that will support broader implementation of the tool throughout the state.  Pilot regions are encouraged to partner with community organizations to identify financial supports and promote collaborative case management efforts.  An early example includes partnerships with Early Learning Coalition and CareerSource Suncoast, who are addressing the loss of childcare subsidies as individuals advance in healthcare professions. 

Based on the experience and evidence provided by the pilot cohorts, a plan for the use of this tool statewide will be developed and evidence of best practice partnerships will be shared.  CareerSource Florida is partnering with Department of Children and Families to engage DCF staff in the use of the CLIFF Dashboard.

Community Services Block Grant Program
The Community Services Block Grant Program (CSBG) is administratively housed in the Florida    Department of Economic Opportunity but is not included in Florida’s WIOA Unified Plan. CSBG operates under a consolidated plan pursuant to federal requirements. This consolidated plan provides the framework for a planning process to identify housing, homeless, community and economic development needs, and resources for meeting those needs. The plan process provides an opportunity for citizens, nonprofit organizations or other interested parties to help define priorities for addressing local and statewide community needs and to tailor a strategic plan for meeting identified needs. The Consolidated Plan describes needs, goals and objectives of the agencies responsible for the administration of certain federally funded programs administered by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The consolidated plan process allows core partners and stakeholders to exchange information on goals and objectives relating to housing, community development and social services and facilities a consolidated approach to meeting those needs. Each affected agency and other interested parties gain insight into the structure and activities of several federally funded programs that have a direct benefit on local communities and the state.

CSBG provides federal funds to designated local governments and non-profit agencies called Community Action Agencies (CAA) to assist eligible low-income households in attaining the skills, knowledge and motivation necessary to achieve self-sufficiency. Local Community Action Agencies partner with LWDBs for the provision of services. These partnerships and alignment of resources are addressed via MOUs and IFAs locally. The agencies may provide a variety of anti-poverty services such as emergency health, food, housing, day care, transportation assistance; housing counseling; financial management assistance; nutrition programs including federal surplus food distribution, community gardening projects, food banks, job counseling, placement and training services, and homeless prevention programs.

The goals of the Community Services Block Grant program align with WIOA goals to:

• Increase access to education, training and employment—particularly for customers with barriers to employment
• Create a comprehensive, high-quality workforce by aligning workforce investment, education and economic development
• Improve the quality and labor market relevance of workforce investment, education and economic development efforts
• Promote improvements in the structure and delivery of services
• Increase the prosperity of workers and employers
• Reduce welfare dependency, increase economic self-sufficiency, meet employer needs and enhance the productivity and competitiveness of the state

Since the beginning of 2020, representatives of the Community Services Block Grant Program are invited to monthly WIOA Core Partner Leadership Meetings.

The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) provides community service and job    training to Florida’s older Americans. The Florida Department of Elder Affairs is responsible for state-level administration of SCSEP and contracts with local entities such as AARP Foundation. The National Caucus & Center on Black Aged (NCBA) and National Urban League receive direct funding from USDOL for the provision of employment and training services for older Americans. These entities partner with the LWDBs through MOUs and IFAs to ensure SCSEP’s presence in the workforce system and at local career centers.

Since the beginning of 2020, representatives of the Department of Elder Affairs, SCSEP are invited to monthly WIOA Core Partner Leadership Meetings.

Reimagining Education and Career Help (REACH) Act
On June 24, 2021, the Governor signed landmark legislation titled the Reimaging Education and Career Help (REACH) Act. This legislation created section 14.36, Florida Statutes.  The stated purpose was “to address the evolving needs of Florida's economy by increasing the level collaboration and cooperation among state businesses and education communities while improving training within and equity and access to a more integrated workforce and education system for all Floridians.”

This legislation established a new unit in the Executive Office of the Governor, the Office of Reimagining Education and Career Help, who purpose is to facilitate alignment and coordination of entities responsible for the state’s workforce development system. The head of the office is the Director of the Office of Reimagining Education and Career Help and is appointed by the Governor.

The REACH office has the following duties, as outlined in statute:

• Serve as the advisor to the Governor on matters related to the state’s workforce development system.
• Establish criteria and goals for workforce development and diversification in the state’s workforce development system.
• Provide strategies to align and improve efficiency in the state’s workforce development system and the delivery of workforce related programs.
• Coordinate state and federal workforce related programs, plans, resources, and activities provided by CareerSource Florida, Inc., the Department of Economic Opportunity, and the Department of Education.
• Oversee the Workforce Development Information System described in s. 1008.40 to verify the validity of data collected and monitor compliance of workforce related programs and education and training programs with applicable federal and state requirements as authorized by federal and state law.
• Serve on the Credentials Review Committee established in s. 445.004 to identify nondegree and degree credentials of value and facilitate the collection of data necessary to conduct committee work.
• Coordinate and facilitate a memorandum of understanding for data sharing agreements of the state’s workforce performance data among state agencies and align, to the greatest extent possible, performance measures adopted under ss. 445.004 and 1008.43.
• Develop the criteria for assigning a letter grade for each local workforce development board under s. 445.004.
• Streamline the clinical placement process and increase clinical placement opportunities for students, hospitals, and other clinical sites by administering, directly or through a contract, a web-based centralized clinical placement system for use by all nursing education programs subject to the requirements in s. 464.019.
• Direct the objectives of the Talent Development Council established in s. 1004.015.

Partnering with State Colleges
The Florida College System (FCS) supports, strengthens and expands efforts by its post-secondary institutions to deepen the region’s talent pool in targeted sectors. 

FCS consists of 28 state colleges focused on serving a diverse population of students, including 60 percent minority and 63 percent female. Through the dedication of trained faculty and college personnel, students from all backgrounds can have access to receive specialized assistance and support to reach their academic and life goals.

The FCS provides open access to an affordable, high-quality education, fulfilling the promise of American democracy that promotes equal opportunity, leading to upward social and economic mobility. It is also an expectation established by the Florida Legislature that each college provide outreach to underserved populations, a key component of access. FCS is committed to employing a number of strategies that ensure students are prepared for college, leading to a four-year degree or employment whether still in high school, first-time enrolled, returning adult, military, non-credit or transfer student.

Dual enrollment, distance learning courses, degrees and specialized support programs offer students flexible access to higher education, providing students with multiple options. Additionally, FCS is the primary point of access to higher education for Floridians who seek to upskill their trade or profession through certified training programs and apprenticeships. Such commitment to open access continues to be an important reason that Florida’s students choose FCS institutions to pursue academics and training for successful careers.

The mission of the Office of Articulation is to facilitate the effective and efficient progression and transfer of students through Florida’s K-20 education system. Through the work of the Articulation Coordinating Committee (ACC), a K-20 advisory body appointed by the Commissioner of Education, the office coordinates ways to help students move easily from institution to institution and from one level of education to the next.

Partnering with Florida Universities and Others
VR supports participants attending Inclusive Postsecondary Education (IPSE) for individuals with unique abilities. VR has dedicated IPSE Liaisons located throughout the state to participate in IPSE student selection committees and program development.

A common theme throughout Florida’s WIOA implementation strategy is the continued alignment with potential combined planning partners and optional one-stop career center partners. Through the WIOA established interagency teams, increased coordination with these organizations and agencies is sought.

The Florida State University’s (FSU) Visual Disabilities Program began offering coursework designed to prepare general and special educators who are, or would like to be, working with students in Florida who have visual impairments. FSU offers this certificate program in two (2) segments through online content delivery and field experiences that will include hands-on practice working with students who have visual impairments. The Division presents programs & current projects to FSU students - creating collaboration and an opportunity for internships with FDBS, LEAs, and our service providers.

FDBS maintains cooperative agreements with Community Rehabilitation Providers and other entities not carrying out activities under the Workforce Investment System. FDBS has a long-standing contractual relationship with its statewide CRPs and values the services they provide to clients. For FDBS, CRPs are private, non-profit programs that provide specialized rehabilitation services to individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Specialized services include education, independent life skills, job training and job placement services to clients and their families who are participating in the VR program.