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—
- 6. Program Data
- A. Data Alignment and Integration
Describe the plans of the lead State agencies with responsibility for the administration of the core programs, along with the State Board, to align and integrate available workforce and education data systems for the core programs, unemployment insurance programs, and education through postsecondary education, and to the extent possible, the Combined State Plan partner programs included in this plan. The description of the State’s plan for integrating data systems should include the State’s goals for achieving integration and any progress to date.
Describe data-collection and reporting processes used for all programs and activities, including the State’s process to collect and report data on co-enrollment, and for those present in the one-stop centers.
- A. Data Alignment and Integration
- 6. Program Data
- b. State Operating Systems and Policies
III. b. 6. A. i. Describe the State’s plans to make the management information systems for the core programs interoperable to maximize the efficient exchange of common data elements to support assessment and evaluation
Current Narrative:
Colorado recognizes the opportunities that exist to streamline and enhance services and reporting procedures through data sharing, and we continue to explore how we can share data securely, effectively, and efficiently within the parameters of laws, regulations, and privacy considerations. This has been highlighted as a priority in multiple recent state-level reports including the 2023 Talent Pipeline Report and the 1215 Task Force Report.
Currently, there are three case management systems utilized across the six core programs. The Connecting Colorado system covers Adult, Youth, Dislocated Worker, and Wagner-Peyser. It is currently capable of receiving exported data from the Adult Education system, Laces, and the Vocational Rehabilitation System, Aware, so that data can be matched for reporting on co-enrollments and consolidated performance metrics.
Connections have also been established to share data between the Connecting Colorado system and the Colorado Benefits Management System (CBMS). This is used to track the Colorado Works and SNAP programs. This allows Colorado Department of Human Services customers to receive credit for services received in the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, Connecting Colorado system. The services are sent to the Human Services system, Colorado Benefits Management System (CBMS). This prevents any need for double data entry between these systems. The data sharing between CDLE, E & T and CDHS will continue in the modernized Connecting Colorado system.
The Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL) is administered through a partnership between the Colorado Department of Labor & Employment (CDLE) and the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE). Training providers can apply for their listing and upload performance information through a secure online system at ColoradoETPL.org. For consumers, companion access to Colorado’s Eligible Training Provider List has been added to the updated Program Finder in the My Colorado Journey platform. We are in the process of sunsetting COTrainingProviders.org. The ETPL consumer site not only highlights training providers whose performance qualifies them to receive WIOA funds to train adults and dislocated workers, it also lists approved training and education providers at the regional and statewide levels, all on an interactive, searchable website system. The incorporation of the ETPL into the updated Program Finder provides more than 20 new program description details and three additional filters allowing for a more comprehensive view to access detailed information efficiently. It also now aligns with Credential Engine's Credential Transparency Description Language (CTDL), and this alignment with standardized language allows both professional and individual users to glean clearer insights for easier comparisons.
During the implementation period of this four-year plan, systems will be modernized and connected to each other through APIs that will allow for real time data sharing. The system for Titles I and III is being redesigned in 2024 and the sytem for Title IV will be developed in 2024 and 2025. The modern approach to site develpoment allows for seamless integration.