FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Common Measures

When did common measures become effective? Common measures became effective for W-P on 7/1/05

What is the final policy? It is located in TEGL dated 2/17/06. It is located in TEGL dated 2/17/06. This TEGL rescinds 28-04, 7-99, 6-00 and 6-00 Change 1 This TEGL rescinds 28-04, 7-99, 6-00 and 6-00 Change 1 Applies to DOL funded programs only Applies to DOL funded programs only

What are common measures? What are common measures? Common performance measures are a management tool. The value of implementing a set of common performance measures is the ability to describe in a similar manner the core purposes of the workforce system—how many people found jobs; did they keep their jobs; and what were their earnings. Key attributes include: Common performance measures are a management tool. The value of implementing a set of common performance measures is the ability to describe in a similar manner the core purposes of the workforce system—how many people found jobs; did they keep their jobs; and what were their earnings. Key attributes include: Universal language for measuring performance. Universal language for measuring performance. Employment-focused measures for adult programs, and skill attainment measures for youth programs. Employment-focused measures for adult programs, and skill attainment measures for youth programs. Designed in partnership with other federal employment and training agencies. (August 2005) Designed in partnership with other federal employment and training agencies. (August 2005)

Why do we need common measures? The common performance measures are an integral part of ETA’s performance accountability system, and ETA will continue to collect from grantees the data on program activities, participants, and outcomes that are necessary for program management and to convey full and accurate information on performance of workforce programs to policymakers and stakeholders. We see four key benefits from common measures: The common performance measures are an integral part of ETA’s performance accountability system, and ETA will continue to collect from grantees the data on program activities, participants, and outcomes that are necessary for program management and to convey full and accurate information on performance of workforce programs to policymakers and stakeholders. We see four key benefits from common measures: Focus on the core purposes of the workforce system; employment for adults and skill attainment for youth Focus on the core purposes of the workforce system; employment for adults and skill attainment for youth Break down barriers to integration resulting from different definitions, data and reports for each workforce program. Break down barriers to integration resulting from different definitions, data and reports for each workforce program. Resolve questions raised by GAO and other oversight agencies regarding consistency and reliability of data. Resolve questions raised by GAO and other oversight agencies regarding consistency and reliability of data. Reduce confusion among our customers and stakeholders who want to know about results. (August 2005) Reduce confusion among our customers and stakeholders who want to know about results. (August 2005)

How will the common measures be implemented by the Department of Labor? ETA will collect outcome information on the common performance measures through revised reporting requirements. ing/. In other words, through the revised reporting requirements, grantees will report the data necessary to calculate the common measures. ETA will collect outcome information on the common performance measures through revised reporting requirements. ing/. In other words, through the revised reporting requirements, grantees will report the data necessary to calculate the common measures.

How will those currently enrolled in WIA, Wagner-Peyser/VETS and TAA programs be transitioned into the new Common Measures? Individuals currently enrolled in these programs do not become part of the common measure outcomes until they have exited. Individuals currently enrolled in these programs do not become part of the common measure outcomes until they have exited. Wagner-Peyser/VETS: The participant and exit cohorts that are required to be included in the November 2005 quarterly report for Wagner-Peyser/VETS can be found in the ET Handbook No. 406 at Wagner-Peyser/VETS: The participant and exit cohorts that are required to be included in the November 2005 quarterly report for Wagner-Peyser/VETS can be found in the ET Handbook No. 406 at

Will the common measures be the only information collected on ETA programs? No. Measurement of performance, and management and oversight of programs will continue to require the collection of information that is relevant and important to each discrete program. No. Measurement of performance, and management and oversight of programs will continue to require the collection of information that is relevant and important to each discrete program.

PROGRAM PARTICIPATION AND EXIT

Who is a program participant? The term “participant” is defined as an individual who is determined eligible to participate in the program and receives a service funded by the program in a physical location (e.g., a One-Stop career center) or remotely through electronic technology. The term “participant” is defined as an individual who is determined eligible to participate in the program and receives a service funded by the program in a physical location (e.g., a One-Stop career center) or remotely through electronic technology.

OPERATIONAL PARAMETERS The criteria that are used to determine whether an individual is eligible to participate will be based on the guidelines for the program. The criteria that are used to determine whether an individual is eligible to participate will be based on the guidelines for the program. The term “service” does not include a determination of eligibility to participate in the program, services and activities specifically provided as follow-up services or regular contact with the participant or employer to only obtain information regarding his/her employment status, educational progress, need for additional services, or income support payments (except for trade readjustment allowances and other needs-related payments funded through the TAA program or National Emergency Grants (NEGs)). The term “service” does not include a determination of eligibility to participate in the program, services and activities specifically provided as follow-up services or regular contact with the participant or employer to only obtain information regarding his/her employment status, educational progress, need for additional services, or income support payments (except for trade readjustment allowances and other needs-related payments funded through the TAA program or National Emergency Grants (NEGs)). Individuals who visit a physical location for reasons other than its intended purpose (e.g., use of restrooms or asking staff for directions) are not participants. Individuals who visit a physical location for reasons other than its intended purpose (e.g., use of restrooms or asking staff for directions) are not participants.

Can an individual be a participant in more than one program? Yes and, in fact, that is the essence of the One-Stop service delivery model. Individuals can be a participant in several different programs, either sequentially or concurrently based on their specific needs and service plans. Yes and, in fact, that is the essence of the One-Stop service delivery model. Individuals can be a participant in several different programs, either sequentially or concurrently based on their specific needs and service plans. An individual is a participant in every program that funds the services received by the individual. When an individual is a participant in more than one One-Stop partner program, that individual is “co-enrolled.” An individual is a participant in every program that funds the services received by the individual. When an individual is a participant in more than one One-Stop partner program, that individual is “co-enrolled.” Clearly, co-enrolling participants is a means to leverage limited resources while expanding service options. Clearly, co-enrolling participants is a means to leverage limited resources while expanding service options. The outcomes for individuals who are in more than one program are attributed to each program in which the individual is served. The outcomes for individuals who are in more than one program are attributed to each program in which the individual is served.

Are individuals who access services through the Internet considered to be participants? Yes Yes

Can an individual be counted as a participant more than once during a program year? Yes. Under the revised reporting requirements, a participant will exit after 90 days of not receiving services. If the job seeker comes back into the system (e.g. they exit the system and then return for additional service beyond the 90 day window), the job seeker is then considered a new participant. Yes. Under the revised reporting requirements, a participant will exit after 90 days of not receiving services. If the job seeker comes back into the system (e.g. they exit the system and then return for additional service beyond the 90 day window), the job seeker is then considered a new participant. A job seeker can be counted as a participant multiple times during the program year. Outcome data must be tracked for each participant's record; thus, the same individual can be “counted” in performance calculations more than once. A job seeker can be counted as a participant multiple times during the program year. Outcome data must be tracked for each participant's record; thus, the same individual can be “counted” in performance calculations more than once.

What is the definition of program exit? The term “program exit” means a participant does not receive a service funded by the program or funded by a partner program for 90 consecutive calendar days and is not scheduled for future services. The term “program exit” means a participant does not receive a service funded by the program or funded by a partner program for 90 consecutive calendar days and is not scheduled for future services.

Operational Parameters The term “service” does not include a determination of eligibility to participate in the program, services and activities specifically provided as follow-up services or regular contact with the participant or employer to only obtain information regarding his/her employment status, educational progress, need for additional services or income support payments (except for trade readjustment allowances and other needs-related payments funded through the TAA program or NEGs). The term “service” does not include a determination of eligibility to participate in the program, services and activities specifically provided as follow-up services or regular contact with the participant or employer to only obtain information regarding his/her employment status, educational progress, need for additional services or income support payments (except for trade readjustment allowances and other needs-related payments funded through the TAA program or NEGs). Grantees that use services provided by partner programs to extend the point of exit must have the capacity to track program participants until the individual exits all services funded by the program or the partner program. Grantees that use services provided by partner programs to extend the point of exit must have the capacity to track program participants until the individual exits all services funded by the program or the partner program. The phrase “and is not scheduled for future services” does not apply to participants who voluntarily withdraw or drop out from the program. In these circumstances, once a participant has not received any services funded by the program or a partner program for 90 consecutive calendar days and has no planned gap in service, the date of exit is applied retroactively to the last day on which the individual received a service funded by the program or a partner program. The phrase “and is not scheduled for future services” does not apply to participants who voluntarily withdraw or drop out from the program. In these circumstances, once a participant has not received any services funded by the program or a partner program for 90 consecutive calendar days and has no planned gap in service, the date of exit is applied retroactively to the last day on which the individual received a service funded by the program or a partner program.

Will there always be a common exit date if states use services provided by partner programs to extend the point of exit? The point of exit will occur based on the last service funded by any of the partner programs that the state can track. The point of exit will occur based on the last service funded by any of the partner programs that the state can track.

Will States continue to report using the rolling-four quarter methodology? YES. States will provide reports using the rolling-four quarter methodology. For instance, the November 14, 2005 quarterly report contained four quarters of data for participants (total count) and exiters (total count of exiters plus the exit-based performance measures of entered employment rate, employment retention rate, and six months earnings increase). YES. States will provide reports using the rolling-four quarter methodology. For instance, the November 14, 2005 quarterly report contained four quarters of data for participants (total count) and exiters (total count of exiters plus the exit-based performance measures of entered employment rate, employment retention rate, and six months earnings increase). For Wagner-Peyser/VETS, a complete reporting schedule for PY 2005, PY 2006, and PY 2007 can be found in the ET Handbook No. 406, which is available at oyment-Training-406-Handbook pdf. For Wagner-Peyser/VETS, a complete reporting schedule for PY 2005, PY 2006, and PY 2007 can be found in the ET Handbook No. 406, which is available at oyment-Training-406-Handbook pdf. oyment-Training-406-Handbook pdf oyment-Training-406-Handbook pdf

Rolling-four Quarter Methodology con’t In order for the report which was due 11/14/05, to represent four quarters of services and outcomes, states are expected to “reach back” and re-calculate the number of participants, the number of exiters, and outcome data for entered employment, retention and earnings increase back to 7/1/03. In order for the report which was due 11/14/05, to represent four quarters of services and outcomes, states are expected to “reach back” and re-calculate the number of participants, the number of exiters, and outcome data for entered employment, retention and earnings increase back to 7/1/03. Because of time lags inherent to reporting and wage-records cross-match, each outcome measure is dependent on a different participant and exiter cohort. Because of time lags inherent to reporting and wage-records cross-match, each outcome measure is dependent on a different participant and exiter cohort.

Will supplemental sources of information continue to be collected and reported by states and grantees? Florida has chosen not to report supplemental sources of information. Florida has chosen not to report supplemental sources of information.

Questions or Additional Information DEO Website Joan Losiewicz (850) Joan Losiewicz (850) Ken McDonald (850) Ken McDonald (850)