Located in:
- Program-Specific Requirements for Wagner-Peyser Program (Employment Services)
All Program-Specific Requirements provided for the WIOA core programs in this section must be addressed for either a Unified or Combined State Plan.
e. 6. C. Data Assessment
Review the previous four years Wagner-Peyser data reports on performance. Note whether the State has been meeting its goals to provide MSFWs quantitatively proportionate services as compared to non-MSFWs. If it has not met these goals, explain why the State believes such goals were not met and how the State intends to improve its provision of services in order to meet such goals.
Current Narrative:
Based upon the information provided by our USDOL Regional Monitor, our statewide MSFW Service Level Indicators report for the for the period of July 1, 2020 through September 30, 2023 showed MSFWs received services equitable to those provided to non-MSFWs:
- Received Basic Career Services - Non-MSFW = 97.9%, MSFW = 98.4%
- Received Individual Career Services - Non-MSFW = 36.9%, MSFW = 42.2%
- Received Staff Assisted Career Guidance Services – Non-MSFW = 0.7%, MSFW = 1.4%
- Received Staff Assisted Job Search Activities - Non-MSFW = 11.6%, MSFW = 11.3%
- Received UI Claim Assistance – Non-MSFW = 45.0%, MSFW = 44.0%
- Referred to Employment - Non-MSFW = 16.0%, MSFW = 21.3%
- Referred to Federal Training – Non-MSFW = 5.2%, MSFW = 4.9%
- Referred to Other Fed/State Assistance – Non-MSFW = 0.0%, MSFW = 0.0%
While Arkansas Division of Workforce Services did not meet all the Equity Ratio Indicators, the margins were small and MSFWs are receiving services in an equitable manner. The indicators and Minimum Service Level Indicators were not met due to staff turnover and shortages. Arkansas has mitigated these issues and now has a State Monitor Advocate and full-time MSFW Outreach Specialist. The SMA has and will continue to visit local offices to train staff, discuss challenges and explore opportunities to increase engagement with the MSFWs and the community. The MSFW Outreach Specialist meets with employers as well as workers while conducting outreach. In addition to providing handouts and explaining available services, ADWS has secured a dedicated mobile unit with full capabilities to provide those services. Arkansas is also increasing engagement with partner agencies such as the National Farmworker Jobs Program. The SMA is also coordinating with the Regional Monitor Advocate to establish proper procedures for monitoring the Significant MSFW One-Stop Centers in Forrest City and West Memphis. Arkansas has also entered into a contract with a vendor to provide translation services for all One-Stop centers statewide.