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2 Year Modification

Plan: Colorado PYs 2022-2023 (Mod)
Combined Plan C

Section: WIOA State Plan Common Elements

Narrative: III. b. 8.

Published
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—

III. b. 8. Addressing the Accessibility of the One-Stop Delivery System for Individuals with Disabilities

Describe how the one-stop delivery system (including one-stop center operators and the one-stop delivery system partners), will comply with  section 188 of WIOA (if applicable) and applicable provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.) with regard to the physical and programmatic accessibility of facilities, programs, services, technology, and materials for individuals with disabilities.  This also must include a description of compliance through providing staff training and support for addressing the needs of individuals with disabilities.  Describe the State’s one-stop center certification policy, particularly the accessibility criteria. 

View corresponding narrative from PYs 2020-2023

Current Narrative:

Colorado has a rich history of going above and beyond the compliance requirements of Section 188 of the Workforce Investment Act (which are now incorporated in Section 188 of WIOA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Over the life of the Workforce Investment Act, Colorado’s one-stop system was governed by a comprehensive set of state policies regarding non-discrimination and accessibility that are in the process of being updated with the most current requirements. These policies include a robust system of monitoring to ensure that onestop center programs practice non-discrimination and that centers accommodate the needs of those with disabilities. In addition, Colorado served as a lead state in the national Disability Navigator initiative between 2002 and 2009, providing technical assistance to other states and participating in the national evaluation process. During that time, the one-stop system partnered with Assistive Technology Partners, who worked with staff on the purchase of assistive technology and trained staff in its use. 

Colorado builds upon its past successes by strengthening its partnership with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, which became part of the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment as of July 1, 2016. As the leases for local DVR offices come up for renewal, there will be an effort to co-locate with one-stop centers. DVR staff is also preparing to provide ongoing training to their one-stop colleagues within the core programs and assist with the procurement and installation of more current assistive technology. Colorado’s one-stop certification policy includes the following criteria related to accessibility: 

Physical and programmatic accessibility - ADA Guidelines:  In compliance as shown by an inspection, audit, or review within last 3 years 

Colorado applied for and received a $2.25 million Disability Employment Initiative grant from USDOL that was implemented during 2018 and provides increased access to one-stop career and training services. WIOA Title I funds are leveraged with grant funds to ensure increased training and employment opportunities for the disabled population. 

The Disability Employment Initiative (DEI) Grant is a capacity building, systems-change initiative with strategies to assist state agencies and Workforce areas to provide effective and integrated Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) services and improve programmatic and physical access to adults with disabilities.  

The three strategic approaches were to  

  1. Increase access to and the participation of individuals with disabilities in WIOA funded employment and training services, particularly those related to career pathways, in partnership with Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) programs; community colleges and other education entities; human service agencies; and business partners;  
  2. Improve training and employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities and support businesses;   
  3. Increase the number of workforce entities functioning as Employment Networks (EN). An EN is an entity that enters into an agreement with the Social Security Administration 

(SSA) to either provide or coordinate the delivery of services to SSA disability beneficiaries. 

The grant began on October 01, 2017 and ended on March 31, 2021.

Partners and members of the DEI Grant State Leadership Team:  

  • Colorado Workforce Development Council (Education & Training Committee) 
  • Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation 
  • Colorado Department of Education, Adult Education Initiatives 
  • Colorado Department of Human Services, Office of Behavioral Health, Recovery Services 
  • Emily Griffith Technical College 
  • Arapahoe/Douglas Works! 
  • City and County of Denver, Office of Economic Development, Workforce Services 
  • Pikes Peak Workforce Center 
  • Broomfield Workforce Center 

Outcomes: by September 2020 DEI partner Workforce areas enrolled a total of 216 (or greater) adults with disabilities into WIOA Adult and Dislocated Worker programs, provide increased outreach to businesses and provide seamless services to workforce center customers with disabilities.