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—
- b. State Operating Systems and Policies
III. b. 4. A. Assessment of Core and One-Stop Program Partner Programs.
Describe how the core programs will be assessed each year based on State performance accountability measures described in section 116(b) of WIOA. Describe how other one-stop delivery system partner program services and Combined State Plan partner programs included in the plan will be assessed each year. This State assessment must include the quality, effectiveness, and improvement of programs broken down by local area or provider. Such state assessments should take into account local and regional planning goals.
Current Narrative:
(A) ASSESSMENT AND EVALATUATION OF CORE AND ONE-STOP PROGRAM PARTNERS
Washington has been evaluating workforce training programs for many years, and was gratified that many of the approaches used were adopted by WIOA. The state will continue to evaluate performance by provider and by area (as required for Title I programs) based on its current practices – as described below.
The broadest and most regularly occurring program performance effort is the annual state Workforce Training Results (WTR) process. The WTR assesses performance of eleven public workforce programs, using measures of employment, employment and/or further training, earnings, credentials, industry of employment, hours worked, and hourly wage. These measures can be calculated for sub-state areas. For training providers, the state annually updates performance data on over three thousand public and private training programs for its Eligible Training Program List for use by Title I Adult and Dislocated Worker programs and some state programs. The measures used include: completion rate, employment rate, and median earnings. This information is also used for the “consumer report” function of the award-winning career information website, CareerBridge.wa.gov.
Employment, earnings, industry worked in, and hours worked measures are based on wage records collected by the state unemployment insurance (UI) system for employer payroll taxes. Washington’s federal and state measures use UI wage records from the Employment Security Department (ESD). In addition, Washington participates in the State Wage Interchange System (SWIS), which provides UI wage records from 49 other states and the District of Columbia.
Further training information is provided by the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges in addition to the information in the PIRL.
Washington state has successfully developed a Data Explorer’s Dashboard that tracks the participant profile and labor market outcomes for the state’s largest workforce development programs. The programs included account for the majority of the federal and state dollars spent on our state’s workforce development system. The Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board is Washington’s workforce system performance accountability agent, working on behalf of the state’s citizens and employers. Among the Board’s Duties spelled out in RCW 28C.18.060 we have that the Board must:
“(10) Every two years administer scientifically based outcome evaluations of the state training system, including, but not limited to, surveys of program participants, surveys of employers of program participants, and matches with employment security department payroll and wage files. Every five years administer scientifically based net-impact and cost-benefit evaluations of the state training system; …”
One example of a combined evaluation approach is the WorkFirst Program. The program is jointly operated and administered by the state’s Commerce, DSHS, and ESD Departments. It is part of our WTR annual evaluation as well as our intermittent Net Impact Study.
The partner programs will be assessed each year in a more comprehensive manner by gathering outcomes data as noted above, convening partners to discuss any issues of concern and best practices as noted by monitoring.
LWDBs are the local leaders, conveners, and managers of the WorkSource system through which WIOA and non WIOA-funded programs are accessed. They are the strategic visionaries for local implementation of WIOA funds. There are 12 LWDBs in Washington, and each is private industry led and locally focused. Council members are appointed by Chief Elected Officials (CEOs), and councils are certified by the Governor. CEOs are the local area WIOA Title I grant recipients. CEOs direct their WDC’s staff to administer the funds and oversee the area’s workforce development system to most effectively respond to the local economy and the needs of local citizens. LWDBs convene with regional partners and stakeholders to assess skill gaps, identify emerging and future employment possibilities, and collaborate with economic developers and other partners to develop and implement the region’s workforce development plan. LWDBs are the system’s portal into the business community and are responsible for facilitating multiple interagency projects and programs. Moving forward, Washington state will convene an annual state meeting specifically to support promotion of LWDB’s stated goals with program targets.
6/7 Section in Correction Updates Follows:
All partner programs receiving federal or state funding are monitored for compliance per the requirements of their program. For instance, WIOA Titles I & III follow the parameters of 2 CFR 200 and 20 CFR for fiscal and programmatic compliance annually both at the local and state level. In addition, Department of Education sponsored programs have their own oversight mechanisms in place. Outcomes and reports are shared widely within the system and amongst agency partners.
Also, Department of Labor and Department of Education and Department of Health and Human Services at the national level provide guidance and technical assistance.