The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) 1

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The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

(WIOA)

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WIOA signed by President Obama: July 22, 2014

Amendments made by Title IV of WIOA generally take effect on date of enactment

WIOA and the President’s commitment to job-driven training

No new funding

WIOA Overview

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Federal oversight now provided by the Independent Living Administration (ILA) within the Administration for Community Living (ACL) within the United States Department of Health and Human Services

State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) developed by State Independent Living Council (SILC) chairperson and the directors of the Independent Living Centers (ILCs)

SPIL must be signed by 51% of ILC Directors ILCs must provide 5th core service focusing on youth

transition and preventing institutionalization

Independent Living (IL)

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DOR must reserve at least 15% of federal Vocational Rehabilitation Services grant to provide Pre-Employment Transition Services (PETS) to students with disabilities.

5 Required Services: Job exploration counseling; Work-based learning experiences; Counseling related to post-secondary opportunities; Workplace readiness training; and Self-advocacy training.

9 Optional Services Each student’s Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) must

identify specific transition services and supports

Services to Youth

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Pre-Employment Transition Coordination: DOR must attend individualized education

program (IEP) meetings for students with disabilities when invited

Each DOR office must work with local workforce development boards, one-stop centers, and employers to develop work opportunities for students with disabilities

Each DOR office must work with schools to coordinate provision of transition services

Services to Youth

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SE is defined as customized employment in integrated competitive employment SE services may be provided up to 24 months

Extended services to youth for up to 4 years DOR must spend half of SE grant on youth DOR may use SE grant to provide extended

services to youth DOR may not use more than 2.5% of SE grant

for administrative costs

Supported Employment (SE)

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Series of steps must be completed before an individual age 24 or younger may be placed in a SW setting: Receipt of pre-employment transition services; Application for vocational rehabilitation services and either

been found ineligible or, if eligible, has not achieved success working towards employment outcomes specified in the IEP within a reasonable amount of time despite having appropriate supports and services, and the vocational rehabilitation case is closed; and

Receipt of career counseling, and understands and consents to work for the employer at a SW, giving informed consent after receiving information and referrals to resources that include non-subminimum wage employment opportunities.

Subminimum Wage (SW)

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Allows continued placement in SW if currently employed in SW setting through July 22, 2016

Prohibits schools from contracting with subminimum wage providers.

Subminimum Wage (SW)

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VR agencies remain mandated one-stop partners and a member of local workforce boards and the state workforce board

Payment for one-stop infrastructure and other costs will be determined at the local board level

If agreement cannot be reached, Governor will develop payment arrangements, which will include staggered increases of VR funds

Local workforce development boards must perform assessments of the physical and programmatic accessibility of one-stop centers and the one-stop delivery system

One-Stops

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VR counselors must hold a minimum of a baccalaureate degree in a field of study reasonably related to vocational rehabilitation

DOR will maintain its educational requirements for counselors to hold a masters degree in VR counseling or a related field

VR Counselor Requirements

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Needs of consumers paramount Conversation and input with consumers,

partners, stakeholders, advisory bodies, and employees

Innovative approach to resource management

DOR Guiding Principles

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Legal Analysis Creation of workgroups Public meetings Engagement with partners, employees, and

advisory bodies

DOR Process