Narrative: c. 2.

The State is implementing a WIOA common intake and reporting system, VOS, which will capture common participant information for core programs. The system will align resources and generate automatic referrals among the core programs as applicable to the individual’s needs.

As it specifically pertains to out-of-school youth, individual service plans will identify the participants’ needs and interest and seek to coordinate the optimum blend of services and funding to achieve the participant’s goals for success. This success plan can include but is not limited to indication of a work experience opportunity, career pathways program of study, and any of the other 14 program elements. This model is an integrated compilation of programs and services intended to develop basic, technical and employability skills; provide continuous education and training; and work supports that lead to high-demand jobs in targeted sectors. The combined efforts of all of the aforementioned items can contribute to the improved outcomes for the growing number of out-of-school youth participants.

As it pertains to leveraging and aligning with core and partner programs, the expanded partnerships with the Youth Development Centers (YDCs) (under the Department of Children Services) and school districts (under the Department of Education) across the state will allow local areas to have direct access with potential out-of-school youth are involved in the juvenile justice system and/or at risk of dropping out of secondary education. Local staff serves as facilitators for onsite training sessions in their local YDCs and provide information on job readiness, establishing educational and career goals, exploration of demand occupations and identification of potential training needs. Due to the variance in each potential participant’s permanent residence across the state, staff has developed “release resource packets” to include workforce services staff contact information, checklists for paperwork and partner programs that can assist the juvenile offender with successful transition into their community. This comprehensive information sharing helps mitigate barriers and increases the chances a participant will accomplish their goals for success as initially outlined in their individual service strategy.

In the same regard, local area staff members are encouraged to maintain working relationships with the local school districts and education providers to assure that youth participants have the necessary resources for career exploration (vi Jobs4TN), career readiness and job skills training. These resources are especially helpful for youth participants who are engaged in education program or other formal partner programs, however, new challenges are presented when disconnected youth are included in the target service population. In hopes of eventually mitigating these issues, TDLWD and TDOE staff along with several community stakeholders seek to develop legislation regarding the sharing of student drop-out records. Such sharing, with the appropriate provisions in place, can improve outreach efforts for AJC staff and other workforce system partners as they seek to quickly re-engage disconnected youth and connect to beneficial training and supportive services. While there is no proven effectiveness of these potential strategies, they can increase the accurate leveraging of partner program resources and services to improved outcome for out-of-school youth.