Narrative: III. b. 2.

Co-enrollment – WIOA Title I Adult, Dislocated Worker, and Youth programs

The Workforce Investment Council governs the Louisiana Workforce Commission. It is comprised of members from stakeholder groups, which are business and industry, organized labor, state and local government and community organizations. Together they serve as the rule making authority for LWC, oversee agency functions, and develop agency policy. 

Policies that support the implementation of LWC strategies and programs related to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) are available on LWC’s Portal.

These policies outline the governance on implementation of WIOA Core Programs and other associated services.  The chart below presents an overview of the state’s policies designed to support effective implementation of WIOA and the One-Stop delivery system:

Core Program Activities to Implement the State’s Strategy

Pay-for-Performance Contracts

LWC and Boards maintain performance-based contracts when applicable. However, LWC and Boards will also consider developing WIOA pay-for-performance contracting strategy for Title I programs, as defined in WIOA §3(47).

The development of a performance-based contract is contingent on the pay-for-performance contract strategy, which establishes specific deliverables that must be achieved for the contractor to receive payment. WIOA calls for the deliverables to be tied to the prime indicators of performance and adjustments thereof related to economic conditions and the population demographics. LWC will maintain the latitude provided for in WIOA to consider the development of a pay-for- performance contract strategy as guidance is issued.

One-Stop Partner Programs' Contributions

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 (WIOA) requires that all mandated partners (as defined in TEGL 17-16) provide access to service in at least one Comprehensive American Job Center in each of Louisiana's fifteen Workforce Development Areas. WIOA also requires that each mandated partner contribute to infrastructure funding of the Comprehensive American Job Centers in each of Louisiana fifteen Workforce Development Areas and any Affiliate American Job Centers through which individual partner entities provide access to services.

Funding contributions for infrastructure costs and additional costs, such as shared costs and shared services which may be in the form cash, non-cash, third-party in-kind contributions, funding from philanthropic organizations, other private entities, or other alternative financing options, as described in WIOA sec. 121(c)(2)(A)(ii) and 20 CFR 678.715, 34 CFR 361.715 and 34 CFR 463.715

Determination of Funds Provided for Infrastructure Costs

LWC provides policy and procedural guidance to Boards regarding the requirements for funding infrastructure costs in the OWD 1117-04 Infrastructure Funding Agreement Policy. The guide states that Boards, with the agreement of Chief Elected Officials, must develop and enter into MOUs with statutorily required one-stop partners for the operation and funding of a one-stop delivery system in the local workforce development area (workforce area). Boards may also enter into MOUs with other optional partners, as described by WIOA. Among several required provisions, the MOU must include a final plan, or an interim plan if needed, on how the infrastructure costs of the one-stop centers will be funded.

As described in WIOA §121(c)(1) and 20 CFR §678.500(b)(2)(i), each Board and its workforce partners must establish within each MOU an infrastructure funding agreement (IFA) that describes how the Board and partner programs will fund the infrastructure costs of the Workforce Solutions Offices that are part of the workforce area. Boards and workforce partners must fund infrastructure costs through either the Local Funding Mechanism (LFM) or the State Funding Mechanism (SFM). The LFM provides Boards, CEOs, and workforce partners with the flexibility to design and locally agree on the methods to fund infrastructure costs. However, if a Board fails to reach consensus with all the required workforce partners operating within its workforce area regarding the amount each partner will contribute to the local workforce system’s infrastructure costs, the statute replaces local flexibility for determining how to fund infrastructure costs with the SFM. Under the SFM, LWC (on behalf of the governor) is charged with allocating infrastructure costs and determining each partner’s proportionate share of costs for Boards that did not reach consensus on the LFM. The LFM and SFM apply only to the funding of infrastructure costs.

WIOA defines infrastructure costs of Comprehensive and Affiliate American Job Centers to be non-personnel costs that are necessary for the general operation of the American Job Center:

• Non-personnel costs that are necessary for the general operation of the One-Stop Center include but are not limited to:
  • Rental costs of facilities
  • Costs of utilities and maintenance
  • Equipment , including assessment related products
  • Assistive technology for individuals with disabilities
  • Supplies
  • Telecommunications

Infrastructure Agreement Development

Negotiating sessions with mandated partners are held as frequently as possible to meet the deadline for developing Infrastructure Agreements and submitting MOUs. Not all mandated partners are able to attend in person infrastructure funding negotiation meetings. In these instances, provisions are made to communicate these partners via teleconference or other means. The steps in determining infrastructure costs are as follows:

1. Local boards and chief elected officials of Louisiana's fifteen workforce development areas finalize the list of One-Stop delivery system partners who are required to provide access to services within the Comprehensive American Job Centers in their respective areas. Documentation must be kept relative to any mandated partner(s) who are not located in an area and are unable to provide access to services.
2. Local boards, chief elected-officials, and partners determine the services to be provided through the one-stop delivery system and the method through which access to services will be provided for each mandated partner.
3. Local boards, chief elected-officials, and partners develop an operating budget listing line item cost objects listing infrastructure and other costs.
4. Local boards, chief elected-officials, and partners determine the cost base to be used to allocate each of the cost objects within the operating budget. It is recommended that the parties involved concentrate and reach an agreement on infrastructure costs first. In determining the cost base, the parties involved will consider each partner's proportionate use of the system and the relative benefit received from each line item cost object.
5. Local boards, chief elected-officials, and partners determine the method by which partners will contribute their allocated share of infrastructure costs.
6. Local boards, chief elected-officials, and partners will determine the point at which the operational infrastructure budget will be reconciled. It will be Louisiana's policy to require that reconciliation of infrastructure budgets occur no less than once per quarter. A monthly reconciliation is recommended.
7. The local boards, chief elected-officials, and partner entities will enter into an MOU no later than December 1, 2017 that includes an Infrastructure Funding Agreement.

Co-enrollment – WIOA Title I Adult, Dislocated Worker, and Youth programs

The Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC) is the state agency responsible for the administration of WIOA Titles I, III, and IV programs. LWC and the 15 Local Workforce Development Boards have aligned strategies that mirror WIOA vision for the workforce system.  All partner providers, programs, and other entities are jointly responsible for the collaboration of the workforce, economic develop, educational, and other human resource programs to create a seamless, customer-focused one-stop delivery system that integrates service delivery across all programs and enhances access to all services and support of participant outcomes.

LWC ensures the provision of workforce development services in coordination with the Local Workforce Development Boards, core WIOA partners, and other required partners and the one-stop center operator to help workers find and keep in-demand jobs and help employers hire skilled workers needed to grow their businesses.  LWC’s workforce partners include community colleges, adult basic education providers, local independent school districts, economic development groups, community action agencies, non-profit organizations, businesses, and other state agencies. Collaboration and coordination among these partners plays a critical role in the success of the Louisiana Workforce system.

LWC continues to cultivate emerging industries, support existing business, and enhance the skills development of the Louisiana Workforce, taking advantage of strategic opportunities provided by economic change. LWC is dedicated to leading a market-driven workforce system that meets the needs of employers and workers and enables Louisianans to prosper. 

Louisiana prioritizes efficiencies on providing services to employers, job seekers, and special populations groups, including low-income and basic skills-deficient individuals and veterans, by co-locating core programs. Theses efficiencies include the following:

• Ensure meaningful assistance to all customers
• Include both virtual and center-based service delivery
• Provision of comprehensive and seamless workforce and supportive services
• Elimination of duplicative efforts and the effective management of program funds
• Established robust partnerships
• Co-location and integration of workforces services 
• Systemic approach to providing guidance and technical assistance consistently across programs
• Organize and integrate services by function rather than by program
• Using labor market information to inform targeted business development, explore industry and economic trends, and research and track emerging and evolving occupations in Louisiana
• Develop and implement operational policies that reflect and integrated system

Trade Adjustment Assistance Co-enrollment

 LWC requires Boards to co-enroll trade-affected workers in WIOA Dislocated Worker (DW) services whenever eligible. WIOA requires that all mandated partners provide access to services in each of Louisiana's Comprehensive American Job Centers. Further information about LWC’s co-enrollment efforts for trade-affected workers can be found in OWD 2-27.1 IEP and LMI policy for Trade Affected Workers.

Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) Program Co-enrollment

UI claimants who are determined eligible for the RESEA program are encouraged to co-enroll in Wagner Peyser and WIOA programs upon initial program intake. This allows Boards to leverage support services in a way that increases positive employment outcomes. LWC has developed an expedited eligibility process for RESEA claimants to enroll in the Wagner Peyser and WIOA dislocated worker program.

Title II Adult Education and Literacy Co-enrollment

LWC had developed and implemented processes for co-enrollment that mirrors and facilitates career pathways for movement and co-enrollment across programs. For Instance, moving from a Title I to Title II program, and subsequently to a community college. LWC’s policies outlines the various transitions that occur and possible exits/entrances of programs and services. The state partners will support at the state, regional and local level implementation of co-enrollment strategies. This will include support on how to use data systems to track co-enrolled participants, braiding of programs/resources, and other technical assistance as issues arise.