Located in:
- Program-specific Requirements for Adult, Dislocated Worker, and Youth Activities under Title I-B
The Unified or Combined State Plan must include the following with respect to activities carried out under subtitle B—
a. 1. B. Describe the process used for designating local areas, including procedures for determining whether the local area met the criteria for “performed successfully” and “sustained fiscal integrity” in accordance with 106(b)(2) and (3) of WIOA. Describe the process used for identifying regions and planning regions under section 106(a) of WIOA. This must include a description of how the State consulted with the local boards and chief elected officials in identifying the regions
Current Narrative:
Initial Designation of Local Areas
The local workforce development areas were selected based on infrastructure already in place under the previous federal law (Workforce Investment Act) and the alignment those areas have with local economic development planning districts. Each of the previous ten local workforce investment areas had sustained fiscal integrity as defined by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, and while only one of the ten local areas had met 100 percent of all nine performance targets two years in a row, the local areas did meet performance within 80 percent of targets, which is the measure of success for the State as a whole.
At the June 5, 2015 meeting of the Arkansas Workforce Development Board meeting, the Governor's plan for the initial designation of Local Workforce Areas was discussed by the Board. The criteria used by the Governor was explained, which included:
- Reviewing each Local Areas' sustained fiscal integrity under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA).
- Reviewing each Local Areas' performance under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA).
- Reviewing each Local Areas' alignment with the State's existing economic development districts.
- Reviewing each Local Areas' existing infrastructure.
- The existence of workforce centers already established and operational on July 1, 2015.
- The existence of contracts already in place to continue operations and the provision of services on July 1, 2015.
- All multi-county local workforce development areas are considered to be regions for the purposes of Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act planning. Any local workforce development area that is smaller than two counties will be part of a region for WIOA planning purposes with the local workforce development area(s) that closely aligns with the region’s economic development planning district or metropolitan statistical area.
Local boards and chief elected officials were consulted during the formation of both the local workforce development areas and regions. The opportunity for public comment was also provided and many chief elected officials provided positive comments in support of the structure.
After discussion, the Board voted to approve the Governor's recommendation.
On August 3, 2015, the Governor's Executive Order 15-20 was signed, certifying the ten (10) Local Workforce Development Boards in Arkansas.
Subsequent Designation
Subsequent local area designation is addressed in Arkansas Annotated § 15-4-3708(d) After the period for which a local workforce development area is initially designated under this section, the Governor shall approve a request for subsequent designation as a local workforce development area from the local workforce development area, if the local workforce development area:
1. Performed successfully;
2. Sustained fiscal integrity; and
3. In the case of a local workforce development area in a planning region described in § 15-4-3714, met the requirements of § 15-4-3714.