Narrative: a. 2. B.

Use of Governor’s Set Aside Funding: Colorado expects to utilize 5% of the Title I set aside funds for the administrative purposes allowed under Sections 128 and 133 of WIOA, and the remaining portion of the set aside for both the required statewide activities, as well as the allowed statewide activities that support the strategic goals set forth in this four–year Combined Plan, as follows:

• Expand regionally–focused sector partnerships that are championed by business and industry to drive career pathways
• Develop and implement a full spectrum of work–based learning opportunities to be deployed broadly across sectors.
• Collaborate with business and industry to understand and promote the value of stackable industry recognized credentials.
• Enhance the alignment of business services across all partner programs.
• Adopt LEAN principles for the implementation of cross–partner strategies/services to increase efficiency, accessibility, and coordination of customers’ services.
• Develop and implement a technology solution or other methods for data coordination and information sharing across program partners.
• Implement continuous professional development for staff from all partner programs to elevate internal expertise and professionalism and to equip them with the tools necessary to operate a comprehensive, holistic approach to talent development.
• Create opportunities for staff at all levels to engage in continuous improvement efforts, leveraging their first–hand experience and unique perspectives to inform the processes.
• Establish a brand for the Colorado workforce development system that represents the vision and strategies of the WIOA combined partners.
• Define the key messages and brand promise for target audiences.
• Explore ways to capture the Return on Investment (ROI) of the workforce system in order to promote the value of the system and all programs within it.
• Create and adopt universal output and outcome metrics to depict accurate descriptions of the workforce system, which will be used for planning and implementation of system services.
• Utilize partner relationships to implement meaningful pilot programs that foster an environment of innovation.

Use of Rapid Response Funds: The State Rapid Response Team uses a variety of approaches and strategies to avert and respond to layoffs. These include the early identification of at–risk industries and companies through utilization of a variety of data including labor market analyses, layoff trends, and policy analysis including the impact of federal, state and local policies and regulations on businesses and industries. State unemployment insurance company layoff data is used to identify layoff trends and specific companies that are approaching WARN levels. These data are used to conduct outreach activities to businesses whose employees might benefit from Rapid Response services.

The State Rapid Response Team has formed collaborative partnerships to identify and design appropriate interventions. Partnerships include Colorado’s local workforce areas and Workforce Development Boards, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Trade Adjustment Assistance program for firms, Chambers of Commerce, Small Business Development Centers, State agencies such as the Office of Economic Development and International Trade, the Public Health Department, and Vocational Rehabilitation, community–based organizations and quasi–governmental organizations such as Connect for Health Colorado (Colorado’s healthcare exchange). Rapid Response early interventions may include a variety of services tailored to the needs of the company and its employees and may include onsite or virtual workshops, onsite registrations, orientations and intakes for WIOA and TAA, and onsite “reverse” hiring events at which dislocated workers are connected with companies hiring for similar positions.