Preparing The Emerging Workforce

4th Annual Oklahoma Transition Institute 2009

Preparing the Emerging Workforce

Workforce Investment Act Youth Program Opportunities

Laura Goldring & Brad Williams


Workforce Investment Act of 1998

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

entry: (1) school dropout (2) basic literacy skills deficiency (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.


Program Design Prepare youth for college, training, or

employment Link academic and occupational learning Strong ties to employers Should include tutoring & study skills

training; alternative school services; mentoring; work experience; occupational skills training; leadership development; appropriate supportive services; guidance & counseling; and follow-up services for at least one year, as appropriate.


Program Design Cont… Programs must provide summer

employment opportunities linked to academic and occupational learning. The mix of year-round and summer activities is left to local discretion.


How does the process begin? 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 / Received Food Stamps within past 6 months Homeless Individual Foster Child currently in the system Individual with a disability


Eligibility Determination Cont… 100% of applications 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 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

Eligibility Documentation


What’s the next step in the process? 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


Individual Service Strategy (ISS)

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 Worksheet Potential Skill Goals Worksheet Services and Training Worksheet OSL Employment Plan


ISS Cont…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


ISS Cont…

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

ARRA Services

ARRA Extended Work ExperienceARRA Individual Services Strategy (ARRA ISS)ARRA Summer Employment


Service Delivery Individualized based on participant’s needs

Environments Group Setting

Classroom Workshop Activities

Individual setting Computer based learning Academic enrichment activities

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


Performance Measures


Partnering Information In most local areas:

Recruitment Focus = 30 – 50% Out of School Youth

Limited number of slots available for 14 – 16 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


Partnering Suggestions Contact your local Workforce

Investment Board (WIB) and ask about local area youth initiatives

Request a position on your local WIB Youth Council

Refer the youth on your program to the local area youth program and request that they do the same whenever you have a good referral fit i.e. program requirements match up


Local Workforce Investment Areas

Documents

Preparing The Emerging Workforce