1. Roles of Elected Officials and Board Chairs in Strategic Regional Planning

2. Strategic Boards Toolkit
This presentation is part of the strategic boards toolkit which can be found on Workforce GPS at
The resources are intended to assist WDB’s in becoming more strategic and effective. The resources will help boards at the early stages of planning, as well as those that have already implemented important WIOA-related changes and are seeking to adapt specific promising practices.
All of the material is adapted from promising practices from workforce boards in the field.
The toolkit was guided by an ETA task force of national and regional workforce system stakeholders.

3. The regional workforce system, in alignment with the state workforce system, engages and convenes all core and mandatory one- stop partners and supports the development and implementation of local one-stop policies and processes, service delivery design, infrastructure, and certification criteria.

4. Advancing Vision/Creating Strategy
Boards Need to Take the Lead on Major Systemic Changes to develop and support a Regional Backbone*.
* “Regional Backbone” refers to an organization or group of organizations that serve as the keeper of a guiding vision, and engages funders, partners, employers, and community members around that vision. This includes:
Guiding partners’ collective vision and strategy
Acting strategically, as well as tactically
Championing major policy and aligning allocation of resources to the shared vision

5. Policy Implementation
System Builder, Partnerships and Leveraging Resources
One of the key principles of WIOA is a commitment to identify employer centric solutions through strategic partnerships and collaborative service – better aligned programs and services and complementary investment strategies across programs and agencies. This includes:
Convening stakeholders to advance common goals.
Aligning across partner programs, such as education and economic development.
Building the capacity of all partners in the system to deliver excellent workforce services that meet the needs of their communities.
Contracting for One-Stop, youth and other workforce related services.
Many Workforce Boards have embraced the role of system building. Boards must build their own capacity to fulfill this role and that of their partner agencies and stakeholders.

6. Outcomes and Sustaining Change
Grant Steward
The tactical work of the board operating in oversight of the system can be supported with strategic actions such as:
System planning with Partners (such as Customer Centered Design)
Reporting and seeking to improve program outcomes

8. Appointing, Developing & Sustaining a Strategic Board
Recruit the “right” members
Get buy in from local elected officials
Provide proper orientation & training
Engage them effectively

9. Board Chair’s Role
Lead the Board to develop a guiding Vision and Mission statement that aligns with Regional and State priorities
Act as the lead strategic convener to promote and broker effective relationships between CLEO’s and economic, education, and workforce partners in the local area
Work with Board members and Staff to Ensure Board meets WIOA Compliance Guidelines
Lead an Executive Committee to guide the work of the Board, and ensure that Committees or Task Forces have necessary leadership to perform the work of the Board
Lead the Agenda setting process for the year, and guide meetings to ensure both Tactical and Strategic work is completed in all meetings
Work with other Local Board Chairs to develop a Regional Plan and Strategy for Workforce Development with aligns local to state plans.

10. Local Elected Official’s Role
Ensure the appointment of a WIOA Compliant Local Board, consistent with the criteria established by the Governor and the State Board, for which members have “optimum policy making authority” as required
Ensure that Board membership connects all key resources and stakeholders
Work across local areas with other LEO’s to ensure the development of a Regional Plan for Workforce Development by the Local Boards

11. Board Functions Emphasized in WIOA
Conduct workforce research and regional labor market analysis
Career pathways development
Meet the needs of employers and workers with disabilities
Develop strategies for using technology to maximize the accessibility and effectiveness of the local workforce development system for employers, workers and jobseekers
Coordination with education providers

12. Planning Responsibilities
Conduct analysis of economic conditions and needed knowledge and skills in the region
Convene stakeholders and leverage resources
Ensure that activities meet the needs of employers and support economic growth in the region (develop industry and sector partnerships within identified Eco- Systems)
Support the development and implementation of career pathways
Ensure appropriate use of funds along with other program oversight responsibilities

13. Regional Coordination
Prepare a regional plan
Establish regional service strategies
Develop and implement Ecosystem / Sector strategies
Collect and analyze regional labor market data
Establish administrative cost arrangements
Negotiate and oversee regional performance goals
Coordinate transportation and support services
Coordinate with regional economic development

14. Thank you!
Maher & Maher completed this project with federal funds, under contract number DOLQ131A22098 DOL-ETA-14-U-00011, from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. The contents of this publication do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.