Narrative: III. b. 2.

Governor Murphy’s Economic Plan, State of Innovation: Building and Stronger and Fairer Economy in NJ and his Jobs NJ: Developing Talent to Grow Business in the Garden State (both described in Section II, Strategic Planning Elements, State Strategy, above) are the core documents guiding state workforce development policy. 

The following policies are in place, and will, as appropriate, be updated and/or revised as warranted as New Jersey’s workforce and partner systems move toward full alignment around the Governor’s vision for the state’s economy and people. 

• Policy on Industry-Valued Credentials (SETC Policy Resolution #2016-11) and update of an Industry-Valued Credential List, forthcoming in PY 2020, that will guide and support WIOA training that is in-demand, portable, stackable and leads to higher wages, career advancement and increased job security. The Industry-Valued Credential List will be cross-walked with the ETPL so users can easily access the information in making training decisions.  This strand of work will be continually improved based on intelligence gains from and actions taken as a result of New Jersey’s emerging Industry Partnerships and NJDOL will continue to support the attainment of industry-valued credentials, through analysis of labor market data, feedback from employers and stakeholders, and other available information. The original list is available on the New Jersey Career Services website at: https://www.nj.gov/labor/career-services/tools-support/industry-valued-credentials.  NJDOL is working with partners including Credential Engine to strengthen credential data collection and reporting, and with the New Jersey Council of Community Colleges to include high-value quality credentials in career pathway mapping initiatives with post-secondary education institutions around the state. NJDOL is currently seeking a technology solution that will enable its data collection to remain refreshed.
• Policy on the Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL) with increased expectations for training provider eligibility and performance and an improved Consumer Report Card.
• Local Workforce Development Board Certification policy (SETC #2018-02) that increases expectations on local boards on performance, governance, regional coordination and other elements of high-functioning WDBs leading strong local WIOA systems. Additional related policies to support the operation of local systems are in place regarding local WDB Budgeting (SETC #2016-03), One-Stop Roles and Responsibilities and One-Stop Certification (SETC #2016-14), each with expectations for effectiveness, efficiency, collaboration (both across programs and regionally) and high performance.
• One-Stop operating policies regarding utilization of the NJ Intake and Assessment Form to facilitate co-enrollment, particularly between, but not limited to, WIOA Titles I and III when appropriate. New Jersey’s One-Stop system partners all utilize the NJ Intake and Assessment Form and have access to a shared group of assessment tools to facilitate co-enrollment between and among programs when appropriate. This process will continue under this Plan.
• Regional Planning guidance providing expectations for regional Memoranda of Understanding to support regional collaboration.
• Local Area MOU and Service Delivery guidance: The Workforce Innovation Notice (WIN) WD-PY19-2 provides guidance on the One-Stop Partner Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and the One-Stop Operating Budget and Infrastructure Funding Agreement (IFA). Its purpose is to improve quality and efficiency in the creation of MOUs and IFAs by local workforce areas.  The WIN was released in October 2019 and was supported by three webinars, an in-person training, and technical assistance.  The WD-PY19-2 policy document is provided in Appendix 3 of this Plan.

NJDOL is intentionally working with its stakeholders to review and revise policies to strengthen the State’ workforce development system.  It is anticipated that certain of the policies listed above will be updated during the period of this Plan, and that others may be added.  Any such changes will be in alignment with the guiding vision of this Plan and will the full and appropriate input of all parties.

In addition, NJDOL has plans in place to update key policies in the near future, these include offering policies and resources that further clarify specific expectations and provide support around:

1. Local Workforce Development Board governance – Policies will highlight local WDB functions and the importance of ensuring the existence of firewalls between strategy/governance activities and operations.  The development of strategic plans, procurement of One-Stop Career operators and services, and fiscal and program monitoring and oversight are functions that must be conducted by local WDBs.
2. One-Stop Partnership development – Additional resources and supports around the creation of MOUs and IFAs will support the integration of services and partners to expand career and training service opportunities available through One-Stop Career Centers, better meet the needs of unique populations, and support greater outreach and access of jobseekers to One-Stop Career Centers. 
3. Title I Procurement and Monitoring – Additional resources around procurement and monitoring will support leveraging these functions to implement quality career services that drive impact for individuals and employers.
4. Expanding Title I eligibility to meet local needs – Policies around Priority of Service and youth Requiring Additional Assistance will allow for data-driven identification of specific populations for WIOA services, offering opportunities expand eligibility
5. Work-based learning – Additional resources will be developed to continue to build capacity around various work-based learning opportunities across our One-Stop Career Center network – including providing additional opportunities for unique populations and across adult, dislocated worker, and youth services. 

In addition to the development of policies and resources, the state strategy emphasizes support through technical assistance and monitoring to help local areas build capacity and develop new practices aligned with the expectations highlighted in these resources.  Policy, technical assistance, and monitoring teams work as a system of supports for working with local areas to implement opportunities and activities that align with the state’s vision and priorities highlighted across this plan.

State-Level Memoranda of Understanding

Further, several Memoranda of Understanding between State agencies also provide key policy guidance that supports New Jersey in fully realizing the goals set out Jobs NJ and State of Innovation.  These, too, may be updated and/or expanded should the need arise, and new MOUs added.

• MOU between New Jersey Department of Human Services (NJDHS) and NJDOL guiding the WorkFirst New Jersey program and its coordination with the WIOA system.
• MOU between the NJDOL Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services and the NJDHS, Division of Developmental Disabilities, Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired guiding the division of labor, coordination and collaboration between these two entities for delivery of Vocational Rehabilitation services.
• MOU between NJDOL and the Department of Human Services Division of Developmental Disabilities in support of the above MOU.
• MOU among NJDOL, the Juvenile Justice Commission and State Parole Board on coordination of services for juvenile ex-offenders/re-entering individuals.
• MOU between the SETC Council on Gender Parity in Labor and Education and Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, School of Management and Labor Relations – Center for Women and Work to provide a gender and pay equity lens on industry data and occupations, and explore ways to strengthen career pathways, and credentials within industries.
• MOU among NJDOL, the Department of Education, Office of the Secretary of Higher Education, Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, and Heldrich Center for Workforce Development at Rutgers University  to create the New Jersey Education to Earnings Data System (NJEEDS), a statewide longitudinal data system to include Pre-school to grade 12 “P-12” education, higher education and labor/workforce data intended to enhance the ability of the State of New Jersey to efficiently and accurately manage, analyze, and use education, higher education and employment and workforce data. NJEEDS is designed to help the State of New Jersey, districts, schools, participating postsecondary institutions, educators, workforce development professionals and other stakeholders make data-informed decisions to improve student learning and workforce outcomes, as well as to facilitate research to increase student achievement and positive labor market outcomes.

As articulated above, NJDOL is intentionally working with its stakeholders to strengthen the State’ workforce development system. As opportunities arise for greater collaboration, those agreements will be codified via additional Memoranda of Understanding as appropriate, either through revision of an existing MOU or the negotiation of a new MOU.  Any such changes or additions will be in alignment with the guiding vision of this Plan and will the full and appropriate input of all parties.

Specific State Performance Measures

To reflect the strategic priorities of the State, the NJDOL adopted an additional set of performance measures and applied these measures, and those required by the WIOA to a broader number of programs. The State adopted these additional measures to address gaps in the existing data and to provide more timely information to stakeholders on the characteristics of the workforce development system’s participants. The additional performance measures are as follows:

Measures for WIOA Title I and WIOA Title II

• Number of program participants served by the program.
• Number of program participants exited from the program.
• Percentage of program participants served with barriers to employment as follows:
  • Disability;
  • Ex-offender;
  • No high school diploma;
  • Previously or currently in foster care;
  • Homeless;
  • Limited English Proficiency or Low-Level Literacy;
  • Long‐Term Unemployed (continuously unemployed for at least 12 consecutive months; and
  • Public Assistance customer.
• Percentage of program participants responding to survey who are satisfied with their training/counseling after exiting from the program.

With regard to these measures for WIOA Titles I and II, the state continues to collect data in an effort to examine yearly changes and make comparisons across program years. For WorkFirst New Jersey (WFNJ) customers, NJDOL needs to initiate talks with NJ Department of Human Services (NJDHS) to explore ways for further data collection in support of performance measurement, either through NJDHS joining the state longitudinal data system or through a bilateral data sharing agreement.

NJDOL and the SETC are developing new materials and guidance related to the development of Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) and Infrastructure and Funding Agreements (IFAs) that will be released in Fall 2022.  These tools are being designed to ensure that all required partners are included in partner and cost-sharing agreements, emphasizing the importance of coordinated outreach plans, service integration, capacity building, and cost sharing.  These new materials will incorporate information from (1) WD-PY19-2, (2) prior MOU/IFA policies issued by the state, including NJWIN 7-17 and NJWIN 17-16, as well as (3) the SETC’s policy offering a State Funding Mechanism for Local Infrastructure Costs, SETC #2017-03. 

In addition to consolidating and updating state tools, NJDOL and SETC have also been exploring practices in other states – through a review of tools, as well as through specific presentations.  Missouri and Connecticut presented on respective co-enrollment efforts through the SETC’s Performance Committee, offering insights and considerations for strengthening co-enrollment and partnering opportunities NJ. NJDOL staff also participated in USDOL training’s exploring practices in Maryland, Massachusetts, and California.  This information is helping to inform New Jersey’s process and tool revisions.

The intent to offer comprehensive guidance that will offer a stronger roadmap for NJ’s LWDBs in developing meaningful agreements that ensure the integration and contribution of a broad range of partners, including required One Stop partners, as well as state workforce programs.  These policies and tools will emphasize the opportunities for service integration and cost sharing that is not solely based on co-location.  These resources will encourage and emphasize the opportunities for virtual services, delivering services through cross-training, and determining resource sharing based on benefits to customers.