Located in:
- III. Operational Planning Elements
The Unified or Combined State Plan must include an Operational Planning Elements section that supports the State’s strategy and the system-wide vision described in Section II(c) above. Unless otherwise noted, all Operational Planning Elements apply to Combined State Plan partner programs included in the plan as well as to core programs. This section must include—
- b. State Operating Systems and Policies
The Unified or Combined State Plan must include a description of the State operating systems and policies that will support the implementation of the State strategy described in section II Strategic Elements. This includes—
- b. State Operating Systems and Policies
III. b. 4. A. Assessment of Core Programs
Describe how the core programs will be assessed each year based on State performance accountability measures described in section 116(b) of WIOA. This State assessment must include the quality, effectiveness, and improvement of programs broken down by local area or provider. Such state assessments should take into account local and regional planning goals.
Current Narrative:
The State will assess its core programs through on-going continuous improvement strategies including:
• State and local level fiscal and programmatic monitoring (on-site and/or desk reviews) of all programs within our combined plan
• Customer Satisfaction Surveys (for both the jobseeker and employer) are conducted annually
• State and local level data validation of all programs within our combined plan
• The Program and Performance Evaluation Committee, a subcommittee of Arkansas Workforce Development Board, will meet quarterly to make recommendations on performance standards for the forthcoming year and to review actual outcomes across programs, make recommendation for improvement and/or corrective action to ensure attainment of performance standards for all partners
• As a state agency, there are annual audits of programs conducted and specific, as needed, audits conducted by a third party
The state also ensures that local workforce development areas meet performance accountability measures and will provide technical assistance when needed. ADWS plans to issue a policy on system assessment to ensure that the current actions are being coordinated in a way that allows core partners to review relevant information and take action to improve the system.
Each agency will be responsible for conducting an evaluation of their programs and reporting results to the PPE Committee of the State Board.
WIOA System Evaluation
The Arkansas Workforce Development Board commissioned the University of Arkansas' Center for Business and Economic Research to complete a comprehensive WIOA Systems Evaluation, Skills Gap Analysis, and Customer Service Surveys. This evaluation was completed and presented to the Board in July 2021.
This evaluation identified a number of areas for improvement as well as recommendations designed to improve the effectiveness of the WIOA Programs' service delivery.
It is expected that the Board's Program and Performance Evaluation Committee will take the lead in developing a framework that provides a consistent snapshot of individual program results, despite the distinct variations in services, activities, and populations served. For example, many workforce development programs assist job seekers in obtaining basic literacy skills that are needed to obtain further credentials and move towards gainful employment. The success of this program may be measured by referrals to other workforce development programs and continuation in education and training programs, as well as employment.