The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Stakeholder Consultation Series: Strengthening the Indian and Native American Employment and Training Programs 9-15-14

Agenda Purpose and Session Flow Overview of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Provisions Related to Strengthening the Indian and Native American Employment and Training Programs Discussion Questions Technical Assistance Tools and Resources Stakeholder Engagement – Webinar Series Schedule

Purpose This series of stakeholder consultation webinars is aimed to: Gather input from Indian and Native American workforce practitioners, tribal leaders, workforce system partners, customers, and other stakeholders on key implementation topics; Inform development of regulations; and Inform technical assistance strategies to support implementation. Please note that ETA is also planning to conduct a series of Town Halls this Fall to gather input from the field, and that you are always welcome to send comments and questions to DOL.WIOA@dol.gov Our Federal Partners (ED and HHS) are also collecting input, and we are working closely together on implementing the new legislation.

Session Flow The Department of Labor is in a “listening” mode. Submit your responses and input to the discussion questions through the chat feature. Responses will be reviewed and analyzed as we are developing draft regulations and planning future guidance issuance and technical assistance.

Overview of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act President Barack Obama signed WIOA into law on July 22, 2014. Passed by Congress with wide bipartisan majority (The Senate voted 93-5 and the House of Representatives voted 415-6). Reaffirms ongoing role of American Job Centers. Promotes program coordination and alignment of key employment, education, and training programs at the Federal, State, local, and regional levels. Builds on proven practices such as sector strategies, career pathways, regional economic approaches, work-based training. Complements and supports the President’s Job-Driven Workforce Vision.

Programs under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Supersedes the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 and retains and amends the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act, the Wagner-Peyser Act, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Identifies “core programs”: Adults, Dislocated Workers, and Youth formula programs and Wagner-Peyser employment services administered by the Department of Labor; and Adult education and literacy programs and Vocational Rehabilitation state grant programs that assist individuals with disabilities in obtaining employment administered by the Department of Education. Authorizes the Job Corps, YouthBuild, Indian and Native Americans, and Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker programs, and evaluation and research activities conducted by DOL.

Highlights of Reforms to the Public Workforce System under the Act Requires states to strategically align workforce development programs to support job seekers and employers. Promotes accountability and transparency of programs. Fosters regional collaboration to meet the needs of regional economies. Streamlines and strengthens the strategic roles of workforce development boards. Enhances services provided to job seekers and employers through the American Job Center system. Improves services to employers and promotes work-based training.

Highlights of Reforms to the Public Workforce System under the Act Provides access to high quality training Enhances workforce services for the unemployed and other job seekers. Improves services to individuals with disabilities. Makes key investments in serving disconnected youth and other vulnerable populations, including Native Americans and Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers. Increases the performance and quality of the Job Corps program. Reinforces connections with Registered Apprenticeship.

Provisions Related to Indian and Native American Section, 166 Programs WIOA increases the quality and accessibility of services that job seekers and employers receive at their local AJCs. States will establish criteria to certify AJCs at least every three years to ensure continuous improvement, access (including physical and programmatic accessibility for individuals with disabilities) to in-person and virtual services and integrated service delivery for job seekers and employers. Key partners and services will be available at AJCs through the co-location of the Wagner-Peyser Employment Service and the addition of the TANF program as a mandatory partner. The workforce system will have a common identifier so workers that need employment or training services and employers that need qualified workers can easily find their local AJC.

Provisions Related to Indian and Native American, Section 166 Programs WIOA now provides that UI services to be provided through the one-stop delivery system include both information and assistance in claims filing.  The Secretary of Labor, with input from a new advisory council, other Federal agencies, and states will develop and implement plans to improve the national workforce and labor market information system and help job seekers make informed career choices. The Secretary of Labor also has a Native American Employment and Training Council that provides recommendations to the U.S. Department of Labor States and local areas are encouraged to improve customer service and program management by integrating intake, case management, and reporting systems. AJC partner programs will dedicate funding for infrastructure and other shared costs.

Discussion Questions The Indian and Native American Programs under WIOA remains a partner in the one- stop system to increase participants access to employment and training services from one-stop centers. What are the opportunities and challenges to improve access to quality services through one-stop centers that the Department should consider in developing guidance? More broadly, what opportunities do you see for the Indian and Native American Programs under WIOA? What challenges does the Indian and Native American Programs face in implementing WIOA? What are your ideas for the Department to consider in developing guidance for the program? What is working well in the regulations now? What is not working well in the regulations now? How would you like to change them, keeping in mind the WIOA changes?

Discussion Questions  Is there anything else you want us to share with us today?

Technical Assistance Tools and Resources Department of Labor WIOA Resource Page (www.doleta.gov/WIOA) WIOA Dedicated Email (DOL.WIOA@dol.gov) Department of Education Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education’s WIOA Resource Page (http://www.ed.gov/AEFLA) Rehabilitation Services Administration’s WIOA Resource Page (http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/rsa/wioa- reauthorization.html)

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