FAPL 70 (Wage Pathway Model)
Fiscal Administrative Procedure Letter No. 70
February 15, 2017
TO: Fiscal Administrative Procedure Manual Holders
FROM: Cynthia C. Dungey, Director
SUBJECT: Wage Pathway Model

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) is issuing Workforce Innovation Funds (WIF) to pilot the Wage Pathway Model (WPM). The intent of this model is to focus on entry and progression in the workforce for low-income, low-skill youth and young adults ages 16-24 rather than on educational attainment as prioritized under career pathway models.

ODJFS is awarding WPM funds to a select group of local workforce areas approved to pilot this project.

Pilot workforce areas may use WPM funds for the following expenses:

  • Incentive payments for participants that they can receive for achieving specific milestones related to employment, wage levels, and job retention;
  • Staff salary, benefits and overhead costs to implement the project and issue the incentive payments;
  • Identifiable supportive services for continuation of the WPM; and
  • Fiscal agent administrative costs that do not exceed ten percent of total WPM expenditures.

WPM participants must be eligible, active CCMEP participants with a priority focus on job ready participants who are able to work an average of 120 or more hours per month. Pilot areas are expected to provide the full array of CCMEP services to the WPM participants using existing CCMEP grant funds available to the local board or lead agency. Therefore, the following costs are not allowable using WPM funding:

  • Costs of framework activities;
  • Training or work experience wages;
  • Tutoring; or
  • Any other CCMEP program elements

This allocation is one-hundred percent federal funding. The Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number for this funding is 17.283. ODJFS will communicate the availability and liquidation period for this funding through the county finance information system (CFIS). Funds must be reported and liquidated by the end of the grant availability period.

ODJFS will issue coding for the allocation via a Bureau of County Finance and Technical Assistance (BCFTA) update.

For questions regarding the Wage Pathway Model program and allowable activities, please contact Steve Cole, Project Manager, at (614) 644-0027, Steven.Cole@jfs.ohio.gov. For fiscal questions please contact your ODJFS Fiscal Supervisor or the CFIS Helpdesk.