This paper from the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) provides a framework for understanding the full scope of shared accountability and is intended to promote discussion of how WIOA performance accountability provisions could be aligned to integrate service delivery for low-income, lower-skilled individuals.

This memorandum describes the criteria and procedures the U.S. Department of Education (ED), Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE) will use when considering a State’s expected levels of performance and negotiating adjusted levels of performance for Program Year (PY) 2016-17 and PY 2017-18 for the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA) program. These levels are required under section 116(b)(3)(A)(iii) and (iv)(I) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

This fact sheet from the U.S. Department of Education highlights ways in which adult education systems can help Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) programs integrate technology as part of workforce preparation activities. The fact sheet includes information on allowable activities under WIOA, covers the scope of workforce preparation activities, explains what states must consider in funding adult education programs, and provides links to resources to help with the integration of technology.

The Office of Family Assistance held a webinar on “Creating Tribal TANF and WIOA Partnerships to Connect Tribal Families to Employment” on July 20, 2016, from 2:00-3:15 p.m. ET. This webinar provided an opportunity to hear about partnerships between Tribal TANF agencies and local Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) providers. Tribal employment and training agencies often face job placement challenges common to many remote and rural areas – namely, a small pool of employers, few job openings, and limited education and training opportunities in high demand labor areas. For these reasons, it is critical that Tribal TANF participants have the skills necessary to compete for jobs that already exist or are growing within the region. Local WIOA providers can help build the skills of Tribal TANF participants by providing job training and adult education services targeted to in-demand jobs in the region. Speakers from four organizations—Department of Labor, California Indian Manpower Consortium, Southern California Tribal Chairman’s Association, and Cankdeska Cikana Community College—discussed the innovative partnerships they have formed between Tribal TANF and WIOA to help move families toward self-sufficiency.

Speakers included:

• Athena Brown, Division Chief, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Division of Indian and Native American Programs
• Yvette Yazzie, Pala Site Manager, Southern California Tribal Chairmen’s Association
• Christina Arzate, CIMC Workforce Development Coordinator III, California Indian Manpower Consortium
• Larry D. Anderson, Job Development Specialist, Cankdeska Cikana Community College

The WIOA Peer Learning Groups (PLGs) from WorkforceGPS are collaborative learning communities that involve individuals working together in groups to discuss key WIOA implementation concepts, share promising practices and find solutions to challenges. WIOA PLGs will convene via telephone (or virtually if appropriate) for 4-5 one-hour long calls from May through September 2016. Each PLG will be led by a trained SME and facilitator and will highlight one or two expert practitioners.

This document from the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA) presents information in two columns to clearly identify differences between the statutory language of WIA and WIOA. It identifies provisions in WIA that were not included or repealed in WIOA, provisions that were added to WIOA that were not originally part of WIA, and areas where there are similarities between provisions in the two laws despite different statutory language.

This paper from the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) discusses the priority of service provision in the WIOA statute, briefly analyzes the recently released draft regulations, and makes six specific policy recommendations for the Department of Labor.

This paper from the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) summarizes several key priority topics in the proposed WIOA regulations to help state and local policymakers, advocates, and practitioners leverage opportunities.

As part of its WIOA Game Plan for Low-Income People, CLASP is providing a series of short, action-focused memos outlining how states, local areas, advocates, and service providers can leverage opportunities to serve low-income youth and adults through state and local plans, policies and guidance, and budget choices.