Narrative: III. b. 2.

The core and combined state plan partners developed an MOU committing to work together to provide high-quality workforce services. Partners continue to develop policies and service agreements to support collaboration in improving services. Partners cross train job center and other partner staff on programmatic requirements and processes. 

The partners require local providers, through policy and guidance, to utilize Missouri Economic Research and Information Center data or engage employers when placing clients in high-demand industry positions.

When partners provide job placement services, they have policies in place that require providers to create career pathways with clients. A more robust service structure allows the creation of better career pathways for customers; therefore, Missouri continues to explore a combined referral process leading to a unified intake system. 

Partners continue to learn about each service offered and use this information to align policy with Missouri’s vision and goals. Creating policies that support consistent messaging is vital to improving services to customers. Co-enrollment continues to be a focus for partners and will be an ongoing effort regarding referrals and tracking services. 

Each partner will continue to develop the ability to track referrals and complete follow up to create a uniform and consistent process. Office of Workforce Development (OWD) requires job center staff to document every referral including the method of referral and subsequent follow-up. Each referral must include an initial assessment (to the degree information can be shared), a listing of services already planned, and the services requested of the organization receiving the referrals.

Partners continue to develop policies to share and reallocate resources that lead to non-duplication of efforts and additional capacity. Partners continue to follow MOU and Infrastructure Funding Agreement guidelines, which encourage utilizing all resources including cash and in-kind contributions. This leads to the opportunity for increased and new partner collaboration.

To support the implementation of the state’s strategies the OWD has created a mandatory Co-Enrollment Requirement. Staff must present all customers of WIOA partners with the availability of services for which they are eligible or potentially eligible. Staff must actively engage and assist customers in co-enrolling in services they choose and that maximize informed consumer choice.  When WIOA partners co-enroll customers, we are better able to:

• Achieve the vision and goals laid out in WIOA;

• Improve participant outcomes by meeting the needs of employers and jobseekers;

• Improve WIOA partner outcomes by collaborating to achieve our performance goals; and

• Eliminate barriers to services and reduce the burden on customers to identify and access our services.

The mandatory Co-Enrollment Requirement states:

• All jobseekers receiving staff-assisted services in a job center (including Youth) must be enrolled in the Wagner-Peyser program.

• All Trade Adjustment Act (TAA) participants must be co-enrolled in the WIOA Dislocated Worker program, unless the enrollment is waived by the participant.

• All National Dislocated Worker Grant participants must be co-enrolled in the WIOA Dislocated Worker program if they meet the eligibility requirements.

In addition, OWD in conjunction with the partners, has developed a One-Stop Certification policy and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) policy. These policies address the guidelines for one-stop partner programs’ contributions and delivery of services.

The One-Stop Certification policy includes an evaluation that examines effectiveness (including customer satisfaction), physical and programmatic accessibility, and continuous improvement.

The On-Site Evaluation includes staff interviews to ensure they have knowledge of all programs and services, including WIOA required partner programs/services. 

The MOU sets the guidance for one-stop partner contributions and delivery of services. The MOU is developed between the local board and each required one-stop partner and must include:

• A description of the services to be provided, the method of service delivery, the location(s) at which the services will be provided, and the cost sharing of infrastructure and local workforce delivery system costs. The MOU must accurately reflect the way in which required partners will integrate services; and

• Be consistent with MOWDB’s current policy on MOUs and funding of local workforce delivery system operations in relation to negotiating costs and services.

All unemployment insurance (UI) claimants are required to report to a Job Center and data from the UI system is automatically transmitted to the OWD job centers to aid claimant registration in jobs.mo.gov. Additionally, UI claimants that use the DES UInteract online application receive information regarding potential job opportunities when the claimant files the initial claim and each certified week. In 2019, DES updated its Work Search policy for UI claimants to further define work search activities that fulfill the requirements for continued UI program eligibility. The policy encourages claimants to leverage local job center services to assist in their return to work. Participation in such services during the week can be credited toward meeting the work search requirement for the week.

In 2019, Missouri (MVR) changed its employee performance evaluation policy to align with program year priorities. These priorities reflect the agency’s performance with regard to the performance accountability measures under section 116 of WIOA. The priorities focus on individuals with disabilities achieving long-term retention and higher wages. MVR’s new employee evaluation policy instructs staff to set individual goals and strategies to operationalize the priorities. One of the priorities requires staff to create employment opportunities through strong community partnerships. District office policy promotes utilizing workforce partnerships to provide high-quality customer service.

MVR’s policy manual requires that any individual not eligible for the program must be referred to other workforce partners or programs for possible employment services. Individuals who meet eligibility requirements but are on a waiting list for services, are referred to designated job center staff for assistance with resources.

The MVR policy manual guides staff in vocational planning. Staff are to explore current labor market information when goal planning with individuals to ensure employment availability in desired areas. Staff are directed to enlist the aid of MVR business services specialists to assist with identifying industry sector positions within their local regions.

MVR has representation on all 13 workforce development boards. The collaboration between OWD and MVR staff members during local workforce board meetings promotes progress on the state’s workforce system goals. MVR staff also participates in board subcommittees such as disability committees. The value MVR leadership places on partnering is evident in its policy requiring local staff to work directly with local workforce boards and job centers. MVR has representation on the WIOA Steering committee and subcommittees. MVR chairs all but one of the six committees.

MVR is facilitating partner meetings to engage local offices with respective job centers and RSB to train and provide information on each other’s services. This includes instruction on how to braid services and make effective referrals. These meetings provide point of contact information for the purposes of continual collaboration and problem solving.

The MVR policy manual requires staff to consider the availability of comparable services through other partners to maximize resources. An online self-referral system is in development as a future option for program access. In addition, MVR is adding links to workforce partners’ websites including access to their self-referral systems and program information.

RSB’s Job Development unit provides services, information, and resources to local job centers and local businesses including education about employer benefits for hiring individuals with disabilities. 

RSB works with the State Workforce Development Board, local WDBs, and the Missouri Economic Research Information Center (MERIC) to determine key economic and industry indicators to help increase career opportunities for RSB clients.

RSB develops partnerships with the job centers’ business services teams. This has allowed RSB to expand employer outreach and to attain local job market trends. RSB has partnered with MVR to have informational meetings with all job centers across the state on services offered and how to partner for common clients. 

RSB staff participates in the local WDB meetings. RSB executive staff is involved with multiple WIOA committees and has a representative on the Missouri Association for Workforce Development Board. 

RSB’s policy manual provides guidance to staff to ensure collaboration with workforce partners for various situations such as RSB Chapter 9 for Information and Referral Services, RSB Chapter 16 for Pre-Employment Transition Coordination with workforce partners, and also RSB Chapter 22, which details guidance should an order of selection occur. This includes referral to federal and state programs (other than the vocational rehabilitation program), including other components of the statewide workforce development system and the Client Assistance Program. 

DSS implemented the DSS Learning Labs to share DSS program and partner program information to anyone through live and recorded trainings. These trainings have allowed consistent messages to be delivered to any partner and provide staff development training that is required under the State of Missouri Leadership Development Rule for managers to receive 40 hours per year.

CSBG offers individuals in the community an opportunity for resources not covered by other funding sources. This supports the combination of braiding of resources from different agencies, partners, and funding sources.

Adult Education and Literacy service providers must provide information on WIOA partner services to all students during intake. Further, programs must collect demographics and evaluate barriers to employment to determine appropriate partner referrals. The AEL Information for Bidders states this requirement. Potential providers must address their intake process, partner referrals, and coordination with local workforce development boards (WDB) in the grant application.

 Specifically, applicants are evaluated on the degree to which they would be responsive to

1. Regional needs as identified in the local workforce development plan; and
2. Serving individuals in the community who were identified in such plan as most in need of adult education and literacy activities, including individuals who

• have low levels of literacy skills or
• are English language learners

3. The ability of the applicant to serve eligible individuals with disabilities, including eligible individuals with learning disabilities;
4. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates alignment between proposed activities and services and the strategy and goals of the local plan, as well as the activities and services of the one-stop partners.

 In the grant application, potential service providers must also describe

1. Whether the applicant coordinates with other available education, training, and social service resources in the community, such as by establishing strong links with elementary schools and secondary schools, postsecondary educational institutions, institutions of higher education, Local WDBs, one-stop centers, job training programs, and social service agencies, business, industry, labor organizations, community-based organizations, nonprofit organizations, and intermediaries, in the development of career pathways;
2. Whether the applicant's activities offer the flexible schedules and coordination with Federal, State, and local support services (such as child care, transportation, mental health services, and career planning) that are necessary to enable individuals, including individuals with disabilities or other special needs, to attend and complete programs; and
3. Whether the local area in which the eligible provider is located has a demonstrated need for additional English language acquisition programs and civics education programs.

To support co-location and the One-Stop system, the MPwS allows its local programs to spend AEFLA funds on One-Stop infrastructure costs. Unless through a WIOA-required Infrastructure Funding Agreement, DESE expects host agencies to provide infrastructure for local service providers.

In addition to tracking referrals in the statewide student data management system, AEL monitors the following policies published in the statewide Policy and Procedure Guide. These policies are also stated in the Information for Bidders before the grant competition.

AEL Outreach and Community Partnerships Guidelines for Local Service Providers

AEL local programs must coordinate activities with other available resources in the community and establish strong links with elementary and secondary schools, postsecondary educational institutions, job centers, job training programs, nonprofit organizations, and social service agencies. Coordination with other available resources in the community must, at a minimum, meet the description of such activities in the local program’s grant/contract with the MPWS.

• Local programs should maintain updated contact and program details with other agencies, programs, and organizations for referral purposes.
• The host agency should support the local program beyond state funding including in-kind, infrastructure, and/or monetary funding.
• Local programs should inform students about the availability of additional academic or occupational training.
• Local programs should develop the collaborations and partnerships identified in their most recent grant application.
• Local programs should have a plan for informing adults of services provided and the times and locations of classes.

 AEL Guidelines to Connect Students with Title I Services

• Local programs must provide Information regarding Missouri Job Center services to all students during orientation.
• Local programs must refer students to Missouri Job Centers when appropriate.
• Refer students needing supportive services to overcome barriers to attendance to Missouri Job Centers. The Job Center will determine eligibility and assist in finding available supportive services.
• Refer students who are unemployed/underemployed to a local Job Center. Employment concerns may impact student attendance.
• Refer students approaching completion of AEL services to Missouri Job Centers for career services including postsecondary training or employment.
• The local program must enter all referrals to a Job Center into LACES and give a referral form to the student (example form provided to local programs).
• An AEL (Title II) participant (pre-tested with 12+ hours) who also enrolls in Title I at a Missouri Job Center during the reporting period is considered co-enrolled (a MoJobs account is not Title I enrollment).

Local programs must refer all AEL students to a Missouri Job Center when appropriate for co-enrollment in Title I. AEL staff monitor this requirement with data matching.