I.Purpose

To ensure all individuals have access to services and stay engaged in the workforce system during limited funds status.

II.Effective Date

Immediately

III.Background

Section 134(d)(4)(E) of the Workforce Investment Act states that in the event funds allocated to a local area for adult employment and training activities under paragraph (2)(A) or (3) of section 133(b) are limited, priority shall be directed to recipients of public assistance and other low-income individuals for intensive services and training services.

Due to the continued reduction in federal funding allocations, WIA funding for adult services is generally limited. However, the limitation of funds should not adversely affect individuals needing services. Local workforce investment areas provide universal, core services that keep all individuals engaged in the workforce system and connect individuals to employment. These universal, core services prevent local areas from turning away individuals during times of limited funds status.

IV.Requirements

Plan for Limited Funds Status

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) must approve all local workforce investment areas' criteria for determining priority of service. Local workforce investment areas are required to submit a plan for limited funds status and how they will successfully serve individuals in their workforce areas when they are in limited funds status. ODJFS will provide a template for the plan; however, the plan shall include the following elements:

• Criteria for determining limited funds status
• Criteria for priority of service and serving the eligible adult population, with due consideration for Veterans' Priority of Service*
• Process for establishing and maintaining waiting lists for services
• Process for maintaining access to universal, core services for all individuals including the types of services individuals will receive while local areas are in limited funds status

*As with existing policy at the federal level through the Jobs for Veterans Act, with all things being equal, veterans receive priority over non-veterans for access to any and all program services.

Plans for limited funds status must be submitted to ODJFS no later than six months after release of this policy, and contain signatures from the local Workforce Investment Board (WIB) Chair and Director. Plans must be submitted to: WIAQNA@JFS.OHIO.GOV. "Plan for Limited Funds Status" should be in the subject line of the email. The Office of Workforce Development will review the plans and provide a determination within 30 business days of receipt of the submission.

Approved local plans for limited funds status will be maintained on file and serve as the plans for the local areas. If modifications to any element of the plan are needed, local areas must submit a new plan, which will be reviewed and approved within 30 business days of receipt of the submission.

Once local plans for limited funds status are approved, local areas must develop local policies for limited funds status and priority of service that align with the approved plans.

Declaration of Limited Funds Status

Once local areas are in limited funds status, they must notify ODJFS' Office of Workforce Development that limited funds status is in effect. Declaration of limited funds status must be submitted to: WIAQNA@JFS.OHIO.GOV. "Declaration of Limited Funds Status" should be in the subject line of the email.

Local workforce investment areas must administer consistent processes when documenting limited funds status and applying priority of services to individuals. This policy and all procedures and processes contained within will be subject to regular monitoring by ODJFS.

V.Technical Assistance

For additional information, you may send your questions to: WIAQNA@JFS.OHIO.GOV.

VI.Reference

Section 134(d)(4)(E)

Final Rule 20 CFR Part 652; Part 660 et. al.

20 CFR Part 663 Subparts A, B, and F

Jobs for Veterans Act - Public Law 107-288

Rescission: WIAGL 2-2000