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:
West Virginia has an integrated data collection and performance management system (MACC) that covers the following programs:
- WIOA Adult, Dislocated Worker, Youth
- National Dislocated Worker Grants (NDWG)
- Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers
- Wagner-Peyser
- Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA)
- Jobs for Veterans State Grants
- Jobs & Hope WV
- West Virginia’s Unemployment Compensation MIS interfaces with MACC
Other partners have management information systems that are customized to meet the needs of their programs. WFWV, DRS, and Adult Education have each made the necessary changes to their systems to collect the required data elements. As previously mentioned in this plan, WV's WDS system collects data elements, develops research questions, and identifies additional metrics so proper studies and evaluations can be conducted to assess partner services and performance.
Front line staff and leadership partners, such as DoHS, can access information in real time. Employment and wage data are shared with partners to the extent allowed by the State Wage Interchange System (SWIS) agreement.
While each partner agency does have their own MIS, they are all interoperable and can send and retrieve data to and from each other in real time. All individuals served by the West Virginia WDS are assigned a unique identifier that is used across partner agencies for data sharing and reporting purposes (i.e., co-enrollment with other core programs).
The No Wrong Door Approach initiative creates a common application to make it easier for citizens to enroll in services across organizations. At this stage of planning, the state seeks a vendor solution incorporating a phased implementation approach, which enables the state to evaluate the effectiveness of the solution at each stage and validate intended outcomes and deliverables. Additionally, a phased approach enables the state to enact cost control measures. Phases are anticipated to consist of planning and account set up, data processing and preparation, application build, testing and iteration, rollout, and post-project work. WV also intends for staff working with customers to take more of a 'generalist' role in their day-to-day work so shared customers, and those who should be shared, are served the most coordinated, appropriate, and successful way possible. The generalist concept prevents a 'silo' approach from occurring, ultimately removing additional barriers placed on individuals and employers seeking services, preventing the provision of duplicated or unnecessary services, and avoiding missed opportunities.
Front-end users also benefit from shared data. For example, the DRS MIS, iECM (Internet-based Electronic Case Management System), has a link in each case for “WIOA Partner Data.” When a DRS counselor clicks this link, iECM sends a request for data (using the unique identifier) to the WFWV and Adult Education MIS. If available, the information is transmitted and displayed in real time. Information provided by partner agencies includes current and previous employment goals, services received, and assessment results, which is then used by DRS counselors to optimize service delivery with the goal of improving the participant’s employment outcome.