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. ii. Describe the State’s plans to integrate data systems to facilitate streamlined intake and service delivery to track participation across all programs included in this plan
Current Narrative:
NMDWS has established a standardized agreement process for external entities seeking to meet WIOA compliance. NMDWS strongly encourages program providers to utilize the Workforce Connection Online System to support case management where appropriate. NMDWS adjusts the system configuration to accommodate this expanded use and provides direct user access for these entities to serve their participants. For entities that have established case management systems, NMDWS provides a mechanism to request and receive wage data electronically within the constraint of existing rules and regulations.
NMDWS has modified the base data set available within the system to produce the Eligible Training Provider List more effectively. NMDWS has expanded its relationships with several educational institutions to create a tie to educational program data and enable these institutions to perform the necessary advanced analytics to determine more advanced program outcome tracking.
NMDWS has worked with several state agencies to standardize eligibility verification as it relates to employment or wage confirmation. The Department is working directly with the State’s Human Services Department to establish an integrated workforce system that will provide for real time secured data sharing for both internal staff program support and individual participant servicing.
While recognizing the need for appropriate privacy safeguards, data sharing has been established among the partner agencies to enable more efficient use of all resources being applied to the benefit of each customer. NMDWS and the State Workforce Development Board continue to coordinate agreements with its partner agencies to establish a more integrated system and accounting process to enable tracking of services provided to all individuals receiving career services so that actual performance outcomes can be correlated to the investments being made in this area. These efforts allow the State Board to determine where opportunities for improvement exist and identify which practices and programs are yielding the best outcomes. The existing agreements have been refined and implemented in order to facilitate this activity while maintaining compliance with existing regulations established to safeguard the privacy of the individual customer. Unfortunately, New Mexico is not a recipient of key federal funding used to support the longitudinal database. Although there is a strong desire to integrate functions across systems, including a comprehensive case management system across the core programs, there are limitations. Aside from residing in different state agencies, each of the core programs are also required to adhere to federal reporting requirements that do not all align. Local workforce development boards worked tirelessly over the last four years to address the potential of a common data base, common case management system and referral system, but were limited due to several challenges associated with limited funding and capacity. To date, core programs are committed to working closely together to assure consistent referral strategies that enhance care coordination and reduce duplication of efforts on behalf of job seekers and businesses at the local level. New Mexico’s infrastructure and data systems may not be integrated; however, commitment is high. The Higher Education Department recently submitted a grant application to fund a longitudinal data system that has been awarded. The longitudinal data system is being developed. Additionally, NMDWS will continue to research for available funding.
LOCAL LEVEL EFFORTS. Local board grant agreements require the local boards to continue to seek strategies for using technology to maximize the accessibility and effectiveness of the local workforce development system for employers, and workers and jobseekers through the following:
- facilitating connections among the intake and case management information systems of the one-stop partner programs to support a comprehensive workforce development system in the local area;
- facilitating access to services provided through the one-stop delivery system, including access in remote areas;
- identifying strategies for better meeting the needs of individuals with barriers to employment, including strategies that augment traditional service delivery, and increase access to services and programs of the one-stop delivery system, such as improving digital literacy skills; and
- leveraging resources and capacity within the local workforce development system, particularly for individuals with barriers to employment.
WIOA identifies the one-stop system as the service delivery system for programs funded under the Act and its partner programs. Workforce Connection Centers have been designated as New Mexico’s one-stop delivery system. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) must be developed with the agreement of the chief elected officials of the local workforce development region and entered into between the local board areas and the workforce system partners in the Workforce Connection Centers, to establish a process to govern and maintain the operation of each of the comprehensive and affiliate workforce connection center.