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. 8. Addressing the Accessibility of the One-Stop Delivery System for Individuals with Disabilities
Describe how the one-stop delivery system (including one-stop center operators and the one-stop delivery system partners), will comply with section 188 of WIOA (if applicable) and applicable provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.) regarding the physical and programmatic accessibility of facilities, programs, services, technology, and materials for individuals with disabilities. This also must include a description of compliance through providing staff training and support for addressing the needs of individuals with disabilities. Describe the State’s one-stop center certification policy, particularly the accessibility criteria.
Current Narrative:
Recognizing the high unemployment rate among individuals with disabilities and the qualified employee shortage businesses are facing, the LWC is committed to providing reasonable accommodations and access to all programs, services and facilities. American Job Centers have incorporated practices to effectively serve persons with disabilities through required assistive technology and equipment.
Louisiana’s one-stop service delivery system complies with provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 with regard to the physical and programmatic accessibility of facilities, programs, services, technology and materials for individuals with disabilities. LWC’s Office of Workforce Development Monitoring Unit, Louisiana Rehabilitation Services and Ticket-to-Work staff, along with the Equal Opportunity & Compliance Division works in coordination to conduct on-site reviews of one-stop centers and administrative offices. These reviews are conducted to ensure physical accessibility for customers as well as employees. Reviews are conducted annually and use portions of the Section 188 checklist to ensure programmatic accessibility for customers. Results are included in monitoring reports to ensure Center operations and delivery system partners are in compliance with all applicable requirements in the provision and accessibility of services for individuals with disabilities. Any deficiencies noted are part of corrective actions.
In accordance with federal regulations, the WIC, in consultation with the Local Workforce Development Boards (LWDB) and Chief Elected Officials (CEO), establish criteria and procedures for the certification of comprehensive and affiliate one-stop centers/American Job Centers (AJC) for Louisiana. The WIC reviews and updates the criteria every two years as part of the modification of the State Plan. The LWDB must certify its AJCs and AJC network at least once every three years. The OWD provides guidance to LWDAs on the certification process as outlined in state policy. Certification of sites is evaluated by OWD to ensure accurate completion, adherence to service delivery requirements, accessibility requirements, and appropriate partner presence. OWD requires LWDAs to submit completed certification packets for all comprehensive and affiliate sites included in their local MOU. OWD maintains a list of certified sites. During annual monitoring, staff reviews the material to ensure all certification is up-to-date, and that recertification is conducted in accordance with the local MOU, state policy, and federal regulations.
Both monitors and EOOs ensure that the comprehensive one-stop certification and recertification criteria reflects the requirements outlined in section 188 of WIOA (if applicable) and applicable provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.). American Job Centers also use a one-stop disability access checklist to self-evaluate its current level of accessibility.
LWC continues to work with other state agencies, disability partners and advocacy groups in reviewing and revising monitoring tools and procedures, ensuring the incorporation of accessibility criteria as part of the One-Stop certification, and investments in staff training and technology to make certain AJC staff serve adult job-seekers with disabilities effectively.
LWC continuously re-evaluates service provision to individuals with disabilities within American Job Centers and Louisiana Rehabilitation Services offices. Outcomes from this evaluation is used in establishing stronger policy guidance and annual reviews for core and other partner programs serving this targeted customer group. The guidance includes staff training, integrated service delivery, accessibility, cost effectiveness, effective leadership, performance and responsiveness. Accessibility standards will ensure staff knowledge of and compliance with Section 188 of WIOA. Responsive service delivery is a critical element in American Job Center operations including Center location for accessibility to the communities it serves, whether hours of operation are responsive to all partners’, possessing adaptive technology, and being ADA compliance.