An Overview of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Photo of people representing various occupations

What’s It All About? WIOA stands for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, which replaced the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) in 2014 WIOA is designed to more fully integrate the various components of the state-federal workforce system There are four core programs under WIOA as well as several other partner programs

WIOA Core Partners Title IB- Job training and placement programs serving youth, adult and dislocated workers (DCEO) Title II- Adult education and literacy programs (ICCB) Title III- Employment services under Wagner- Peyser Act (IDES) Title IV- Vocational rehabilitation services (DHS-DRS)

Partner Responsibilities WIOA envisions a system of one stop centers which provide all necessary employment services WIOA core programs must be present at each center, either in-person or through technology connection WIOA core partners have a defined minimum contribution for one stop infrastructure costs WIOA partners also have responsibility for shared costs of providing services

WIOA and Disability The state VR agency has responsibility for providing technical assistance to other partners on disability and accessibility issues Vocational rehabilitation continues its purpose as the primary employment program dedicated to people with disabilities People with disabilities can participate in other WIOA programs so long as they meet eligibility requirements

Services to Adults and Youth with Disabilities WIOA increases access to high quality workforce services for individuals with disabilities and prepares them for competitive, integrated employment One-Stop centers will be physically and programmatically accessible for individuals with disabilities Youth with disabilities will receive extensive pre- employment transition services so they can successfully obtain competitive, integrated employment

Changes to the VR Program Shift from “competitive employment” to “competitive integrated employment” terminology Elimination of non-vocational outcomes Extension of supported employment from 18 to 24 months Requirement that 15% of VR funds be spent on “pre-employment transition services” to students with disabilities Addition of customized employment as a VR service

Integrated Work Settings WIOA definition of competitive integrated employment includes work “that is at a location where the employee interacts with other persons who are not individuals with disabilities to the same extent that individuals who are not individuals with disabilities and who are in comparable positions interact with other persons”

Integrated Work Settings Implementation The Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) has developed proposed rules to clarify the definition of an integrated work setting The purpose of the rules is to provide guidance to state VR agencies as to what types of employment outcomes are acceptable and which are not VR agencies will not be able to pay community providers for outcomes that do not meet the definition of an integrated work setting

Supported Employment Supported employment is competitive integrated employment with supports Supported employment extended from 18 to 24 months At least 50% of state SE grant funds must be spent on extended services to youth with disabilities Incorporates customized employment within the definition of supported employment

Expanded Access for Youth At least 20% of local Youth formula funds must be used for work activities such as Summer jobs, Pre-apprenticeship, On- the-job training, and Internships Requires that at least 75 percent of available state-wide funds and 75 percent of funds available to local areas be spent on workforce investment services for out-of-school youth. Out- of-School Youth age for eligibility is now Youth must meet one additional condition such as school dropout Expands the In-School Youth eligibility to include low-income individuals ages 14 to 21 who are receiving a free or reduced price school lunch, or are English language learners or those who have a disability, Adds youth “living in a high-poverty area” to the low-income criterion for youth activities funding and services.

P.E.T.S. PETS = Pre-Employment Transition Services include: – Job exploration counseling – Work based learning experiences – Counseling on post-secondary education – Workplace readiness training including independent living skills and social skills – Instruction in self-advocacy including peer mentoring – Most of DRS PETS activities take place through existing STEP arrangements with school districts

Customized Employment Customized employment is competitive integrated employment based on individualized determination of strengths, needs and interests of the individual with a disability Uses flexible strategies in working with employers including customized job descriptions Emphasizes job exploration by the individual Is designed to meet the specific abilities of the individual with a significant disability and the business needs of the employer

Customized Employment Next Steps DRS currently has 2 customized employment pilot projects funded through BIP DRS is developing a rate methodology for customize employment for FY2017 DRS staff are receiving training on customized employment concepts and methods

Three changes to the VR programs 1.To strengthen the alignment of the VR program with other components of the workforce development 2.To emphasize the achievement of competitive integrated employment. 3.To heighten emphasis on the provision of services to students and youth with disabilities

WIOA Resources WIOA Factsheet Factsheet.pdf Factsheet.pdf WIOA Youth Program Factsheet uthProgram_FactSheet.pdf uthProgram_FactSheet.pdf WIOA Works Illinois