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—
- a. State Strategy Implementation
The Unified or Combined State Plan must include–
- 2. Implementation of State Strategy
Describe how the lead State agency with responsibility for the administration of each core program or a Combined Plan partner program included in this plan will implement the State’s Strategies identified in Section II(c). above. This must include a description of—
- 2. Implementation of State Strategy
- a. State Strategy Implementation
III. a. 2. C. Coordination, Alignment and Provision of Services to Individuals
Describe how the entities carrying out the respective core programs, Combined State Plan partner programs included in this plan, and required and optional one-stop partner programs will coordinate activities and resources to provide comprehensive, high-quality, customer-centered services, including supportive services (e.g. transportation), to individuals, including those populations identified in section II(a)(1)(B), and individuals in remote areas. The activities described shall conform to the statutory requirements of each program.
Current Narrative:
The Trade Adjustment Act (TAA) Program. The Arkansas TAA Program consists of 4 positions and delivers Program and Fiscal Services to clients virtually from the Central Office with Reporting responsibilities out-stationed. TAA works closely with the Local Offices, WIOA and other One Stop partners to provide reemployment/job search assistance, labor market information, relocation assistance and training services. All TAA clients are referred to area WIOA staff for assessment, allowing for co-enrollment with supportive services and coordination with OJT and RA training services. One-on-one assessments are provided to assist clients with review of employment opportunities. Quarterly meetings are held with WIOA Boards and staff to discuss and remove any barriers to co-enrollment and seek opportunities to encourage participation in the programs available to them. During this period of waiting for Program reauthorization, Trade staff conducts outreach to Trade eligible clients to remind and offer the life-time training eligibility.
Adult Education is the Department of Human Services (DHS) largest provider of the SNAP E&T program and has been providing employment and training services since 2017 and TANF services since 2020. Adult education providers work closely with the local Division of County Operations offices and One Stops to ensure that activities are coordinated to meet the needs of the clients. DHS funds two state Adult Education positions, a TANF and SNAP E&T Program Advisor, whose role is to oversee the TANF and SNAP E&T program across the state at local adult education programs. The Program Advisors train TANF and SNAP E&T Coordinators on policies, case management, and customer service.
Local adult education TANF and SNAP E&T Coordinators are required to earn a Career Service Provider (CSP) certificate within one year of hire. The CSP Course includes competencies in areas such as helping skills, labor market information, career assessment, employability skills, and program management to name a few. On the local level, the coordinators have been very instrumental in helping individuals with job search skills, resumes, mock interviews, identifying a career pathway, and enrolling in postsecondary education and training programs. In addition, coordinators help eligible individuals reduce barriers by providing supportive services such as childcare, assistance with transportation, and tuition and supplies. The adult education providers can provide individuals participating in adult education or work activities with gas cards and reimbursements with a receipt. The TANF funds have made significant impact in the lives of participants because barriers such as transportation and childcare, which often impede progress and success, can be reduced or eliminated. Participants who are co-enrolled in the TANF program and adult education often show improved outcomes such as higher employment, increased median earnings, and higher wages compared to those adult learners not participating in TANF.
Arkansas Rehabilitation Services is another core partner that adult education utilizes, especially for those individuals who may have a potential learning disability. Programs must begin the process of screening for learning disabilities during participant intake. The process, administered by trained personnel, includes the use of a validated learning disabilities screening tool, a follow-up interview to review the results of the screening tool and appropriate further steps for investigating diagnostic referrals as warranted by the screening process.
As an education entity, professional development is vital to the infrastructure of adult education. Since those with barriers to employment tend to be the most marginalized, it’s important to have an understanding about the population and provide excellent customer service to them. Adult education providers are required to participate in customer service training either virtually or in person annually. In addition, Bridges Out of Poverty and Generational Differences is provided to ensure that Career Service Providers, teachers, and other staff can appropriately interact with individuals from all walks of life and can handle various situations or conflicts if they arise.
Lastly, since Arkansas is a rural state, virtual case management along with distance learning, are options for those who are unable to come onsite to an adult education center. Adult education providers also hold evening and weekend classes to give those with barriers to employment an opportunity to access services. On a limited basis, participants are also able to check out laptops and Chromebooks to reduce interruption of educational services.
Similar to the WIOA Partners Roundtable model established on the state-level, each local workforce development area convenes quarterly meetings to discuss coordination, alignment, and service delivery. These quarterly meetings are led by one-stop-operators hired by the local boards charged with overseeing the coordination of services amongst partners. One best practice that Arkansas can highlight is during these meetings- partners often review data of those being served and identify areas with disparities, helping to establish goals for the upcoming quarters. This has proven to be effective in serving targeted populations from a unified perspective.
Arkansas Rehabilitation Services’ counselors come to the Adult Education programs to provide services to eligible students. Likewise, adult education providers have offered classes onsite at some of the Rehabilitation offices. This reduces transportation barriers and provides supports to clients to gain employments. Arkansas Rehabilitation Services and local workforce boards offer on-the-job training to clients who qualify. ARS informs clients about services provided by other core partners and refers as appropriate.
The Division of Services for the Blind works with participants to provide services in the manner that best benefits their success. Some participants receive services remotely or in their home, while others may attend overnight training or day training to accomplish their needs. DSB assists consumers with obtaining transportation to these services as necessary and works with vendors to ensure services are accessible across the state. DSB maintains a resource list of referral sources around the state to assist with removing barriers for individuals. DSB’s rate setting process takes into consideration the rural nature of the state and how that may be a barrier to service providers when defining rates for services to expand access to services to all 75 counties.
Arkansas continues to work with other required partners to align workforce development strategies including: JVSG, programs/services offered within American Job Centers; CSBG- partnerships through the Department of Human Services and Community Action Agencies; Job Corps, co-located in various Arkansas American Job Centers; Youth Build operated by the Little Rock Workforce Development Board; Native American programs offered through the American Indian Center of Arkansas; and Employment & Training activities carried out by the Department of Housing & Urban Development, offered through Arkansas Development Finance Authority (ADFA).