The National Skills Coalition (NSC) presented this webinar on September 15, 2015 in partnership with the Commission on Adult Basic Education (COABE). The webinar addressed the current WIOA landscape and discussed opportunities for adult educators to weigh in on implementation issues in their states and localities.

The Office of Family Assistance hosted a Webinar on Providing Mental Health Services for TANF and Other Low-Income Participants on Wednesday, June 15, 2016 from 12:30-2:00 p.m. ET. In this facilitated webinar, presenters provided an overview of the challenges programs face in providing mental health services; progress made in states since welfare reform in 1996; and newer implications and opportunities for collaboration in the context of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Presenters provided examples from programs that have taken different approaches to addressing the mental health needs of TANF and other low-income participants, through work opportunities coupled with supportive services, partnerships with outside mental health services, and connection to Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Presenters included: Dr. Mary Spooner, Senior Manager, ICF International; Miranda Gray, Reach Up Administrator, Economic Services Division, Vermont Department for Children and Families; and Timothy Cantrell, Assistant Deputy Commissioner for Rehabilitative Services, Human Resources Administration, New York City Department of Social Services.

This presentation from the Heartland Alliance provides an overview of WIOA and how the legislation can open doors to employment for homeless jobseekers and other youth and adults that face barriers to employment.

These slides are from a webinar hosted by the Corporation for Supportive Housing that featured the National Initiatives team, the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, CLASP, and Workforce Solutions Texas. The webinar gave an overview of WIOA, identified strategies for collaborating with local workforce investment boards, and discussed how the WIOA legislation presents opportunities for homeless service providers to increase employment outcomes for homeless jobseekers.

This Q&A from the Office of Family Assistance covers topics related to submitting a WIOA state plan, making amendments to the plan, renewing a TANF plan, approving a WIOA plan, and governor opt-out. It also highlights resources for additional guidance from the Department of Labor.

This guidance letter, developed by the Employment and Training Administration of the U.S. Department of Labor, provides relevant information about Program Year 2016 for States and outlying areas.

To inform local stakeholders of implementation strategies of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) in Colorado, The Colorado Workforce Development Council held a regional meeting in Alamosa on June 16, 2015. Handouts from the meeting are available by visiting this website.

This overview of WIOA from the National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB) provides an introduction to the law, including a cross-comparison of WIA and WIOA and descriptions of the core programs.

As states near the final stages of WIOA planning, many in the field are asking what final steps they can take to impact their state plans. National Skills Coalition’s (NSC) partners at Chicago Jobs Council (CJC) are organizing activities that provide examples for other policy advocates and service providers.

This brief from the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) provides an overview of the WIOA legislation and a justification for why the new provisions were needed. It also outlines the specific provisions within the legislation that create opportunities for economic and career success for low-income workers.