1. Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act 7/22/2014
WIOA
Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act
7/22/2014

2. Core Programs Amends/reauthorizes 4 programs
Workforce Investment Act of 1998
Adult Education and Family Literacy Act
Wagner-Peyser Act of 1933
Rehabilitation Act of 1973

3. Key Changes Alignment across partners including : Performance
Increased focus on employers
Increased focus on People who have disabilities
Increased focus on career paths

4. WIOA funding
While WIOA allows for many exciting changes, and requires others, it comes without any additional funding. State VR agencies have to decide how to allocate funds to serve the largest number of eligible consumers.
CT- Order of Selection presently open and will likely change in the next 12 months. MSD.

5. Transition
Places significant emphasis on serving students and youth with disabilities by increasing opportunities to practice and improve workplace skills, including internships and apprenticeships.
Promotes participation in postsecondary education in high demand jobs and careers, including STEM.
Requires 15% set aside of Federal VR funds to provide pre-employment transition
Adds pre-employment transition services (PETS)
Strengthens coordination between VR and LEAs for services provided under IDEA and PETS

6. Transition – in CT
10 BRS Level Up Counselors assigned to HS students only (10 less adult service counselors, -14%)
Contracts for new pre-employment transition services for HS students

7. Pre-employment Transition Services
job exploration counseling;
work-based learning experiences (including internships);
counseling;
work readiness;
instruction in self-advocacy, including peer mentoring
Funds cannot be used for administrative costs.

8. Supported Employment
Individuals age 24 or younger may not begin work paying subminimum wage unless the individual has completed, and produces documentation indicating completion of each of the following:
Received PETS or transition services under IDEA, and
Applied for VR services and found ineligible for services, or
Eligible for VR services but has not been successful and has been provided career counseling, I&R to other appropriate resources

9. Implications for Consumers
Sub Minimum Wage – Individuals will have access to VR Services where they didn’t before because they wouldn’t have been referred to BRS by others partners.
All people who earn subminimum wage will have annual career counseling to encourage them to move into competitive , integrated employment.
Supported Employment & Extended Services – Supports and services may be available for a longer period of time.
50 % of SE funds are allocated to youth may impact available funds for other consumers.
Some states have ended subminimum wage employment
Priority to consumers who are employed and at risk of losing job.

10. Dual Customer
VR required to use real-time Labor Market Information with consumers in career counseling
Required to meet local employers’ workforce needs

11. Questions?
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