Utilizing The Workforce Investment Act

Laura Goldring & Brad Williams

Eligible youth will be: Low-income Ages 14 through 21 Facing challenge(s) to successful workforce entry:

▪ (1) basic literacy skills deficiency▪ (2) school dropout▪ (3) homeless, runaway, or foster child▪ (4) pregnant or a parent▪ (5) an offender▪ (6) need help completing an educational program or

securing and holding a job

Prepare youth for college, training, or employment

Link academic and occupational learning

Strong ties to employers

Local Area Process Application Interview (Mutual Suitability) Eligibility Determination - 95% of applicants must be Low

Income▪ Receives / Family receives Federal, State, or local

income-based public assistance program cash payments ▪ Total family income does not exceed the poverty line▪ Receives / Eligible to receive Food Stamps within past 6

months▪ Homeless Individual ▪ Foster Child currently in the system▪ Individual with a disability

100% of applicants must face at least one of the following challenges to entering the workforce: Basic Skills Deficient School Dropout Homeless, runaway, or foster child Pregnant or parenting Offender Requires additional assistance to complete an educational

program, or to secure and hold employment (including youth with a disability)*

*5% over income youth may have additional criterion according to local area definition

Any individual under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian present to sign all documentation Proof of Age: birth certificate, drivers license, etc… Citizenship: SS card, birth certificate, etc… Selective Service Registration (Males Only) Family Income and Size: pay stubs, letter from employer

OR Public Assistance Verification: TW-3 from Dept of Human

Services, SSI, TANF Special Categories Documentation

Following eligibility determination and approval, an Individual Service Strategy (ISS) is developed with the participant to determine which services would best accommodate the participant’s needs and develop the skills which are currently needed in the workforce

1 – 1.5 hour process including: Career Research (OKCIS or Career Clusters Survey) An Inventory Form (self assessment) Work History Supportive Services Needs Checklist Customer Budget ISS Planning Worksheets Employment Plan TABE (Test for Adult Basic Education)

Element Services

1. TutoringStudy Skills TrainingTutoring

2. Alternative Secondary School Offerings Alternative Secondary School Offerings

3. Summer Employment Opportunities Summer Employment Opportunities

4. Work Experience

InternshipsJob ShadowingWork Experience

5. Occupational Skills TrainingOccupational Skills TrainingOn The Job Training

6. Leadership Development Opportunities

Community & Service Learning ProjectsExposure to Postsecondary Educational OpportunitiesLife Skills TrainingOrganizational & Team Work TrainingPeer-Centered ActivitiesPre - Employment SkillsTraining in Decision Making

Element Services

7. Supportive Services

Child Care AssistanceEmergency or Short Term Housing AssistanceGeneral Transportation AssistanceWork Clothing, Equipment, Tools

8. Adult Mentoring Services Adult Mentoring

9. Follow Up Services Follow-Up Services

10. Comprehensive Guidance & Counseling Comprehensive Guidance & Counseling

Program Design

Career PlanningIndividual Service StrategyObjective Assessment

Non-Countable Services Case Management

TANF

TANF Academic EnrichmentTANF Individual Services Strategy (TANF ISS)TANF Work Experience

Individualized based on participant’s needs

Takes place through a variety of approaches

Program Duration▪ Average time = 1 year▪ Determined by number of needed services

Tutoring Computer based – KeyTrain Modules Paper Worksheets Subject specific – homework assistance,

facilitating placement in tutoring group, etc…Alternative Secondary School Offerings

Facilitating placement in local GED classes Facilitating placement in alternative school

setting (if available)

Summer Employment Opportunities Pre-employment skills orientation 8 – 10 week placement at local worksite Continued pre-employment skills training, life

skills training, and academic enrichmentWork Experience

520 hours maximum paid work experience (varies in length based on needs of individual)

Unpaid internships and job shadowing

Occupational Skills Training Advising youth of potential classes that align

with their career goal Facilitating co-enrollment at local tech centers

for high school students Facilitating enrollment at local tech centers for

out of school youth On the job training

Leadership Development Opportunities Community / Service Learning: continual

volunteering, assisting with annual fundraisers, adopting a project, etc..

Exposure to Post Secondary Education: tours of college campuses, assistance with FAFSA paperwork, etc…

Life Skills Training: workshop attendance, completing MyPlace, one on one sessions relating to setting up a bank account, etc…

Leadership Development Opps Cont.. Organizational and Teamwork Training: team

building activities, workshop attendance, etc… Peer Centered Activities: peer leadership &

mentoring, peer guided discussion groups Pre-Employment Skills: workshop &

symposium attendance, guest speakers, facilitating enrollment in high school related classes/groups, etc…

Leadership Development Opps Cont.. Training in Decision Making: case management,

addressing individual choices & guiding youth through projected outcomes, workshop attendance, etc…

Supportive Services Facilitating or paying for child care assistance Facilitating or paying for emergency / short term

housing Facilitating or paying for transportation: bus tickets,

taxi fare, gas money, etc…

Supportive Services Cont… Paying for work attire, uniforms, work related

tools, and work related equipment Paying for tuition, books, and fees Paying for energy bills Paying for testing / certification fees Paying for background checks / drug tests for

employment Other general supportive services

Adult Mentoring Services Facilitating a 12 month mentorship between adults

and youth Follow Up Services

Maintaining contact and support for youth who have exited the program for 12 months

Comprehensive Guidance and Counseling Provided by licensed counselors only Includes general counseling, drug/alcohol counseling,

and drug/alcohol assessment if needed

Program Design Services Career Planning – completing interest and skills

assessments, researching required skills and education levels of desired career, researching demand / pay level for desired career, etc…

Individual Service Strategy Objective Assessments – includes TABE, WorkKeys,

etc… Case Management – anything relating to the youth

that does not directly tie back to a service

In most local areas: Limited number of slots available for 14 – 15

year olds due to the higher number of resources available to the in school, younger youth population

Limited number of slots available overall due to grant funding availability

WIA Philosophy can differ slightly from area to area

Invite us to provide presentations about the workforce, gaining employment, interviewing, and resume writing at your local school

Refer youth who are at risk of dropping out to the youth program – share as much information about the youth as you can to help us determine which services would be most beneficial

Laura Goldring Youth Services Coordinator Association of South Central

Oklahoma Governments Telephone: (580) 252-0595 Toll free: (800) 658-1466 Mobile: (580) 512-8374 Email: [email protected] Website:

www.clubemerge.org

Bradley Williams Regional Director Arbor Education and Training Telephone: (918) 796-1232 Mobile: (918) 845-7462 Email: [email protected] Website: www.arboret.com