The Department would like to formalize the schedule for producing Market Penetration Rate Reports – for individual (job seekers) customers and business customers, and proposes the following schedule. Note that, the schedule is based on the availability of the data. In addition, the information will be reported for the two most recently completed calendar years. This will allow for prior year reports to be revised because labor force figures are revised annually, and will allow assessment of continuous improvement.
Thus, the Department recommends that Market Penetration Rates (for individuals and for businesses) be computed annually based as follows:
On April 30, 2006, local areas were required to submit Functional Alignment (FA) Plans as addendums to their Comprehensive Three-Year Plans. Each local area’s FA Plan was to be developed jointly between local WIA and Wagner-Peyser (W-P) leadership and made available for public comment prior to submission to the Department. Required Plan elements include: a narrative description of the FA plan; a timetable for implementation; single integrated customer flow chart; budget; and signatures from local chief elected officials as well as the WIA and W-P partner. Currently 30 plans have been accepted and three are pending resolution of issues. In follow-up to the development of FA plans, Deputy Commissioner Margaret Moree and WIA consultant Greg Newton delivered statewide regional technical assistance sessions that addressed functional alignment implementation.
Implementation of Functional Alignment/Service Integration requires substantial changes to the way the One-Stop Operating System or OSOS (the State’s case management system) is used, and the way data is entered into OSOS. These changes were communicated in Workforce Development System Technical Advisory (WDS-TA) #06-14, Interim Guidance – OSOS Modifications and Data Entry Procedures for Recording Participant Information and Services in OSOS Under Common Measures and Functional Alignment, (July 14, 2006). Key elements include:
This guidance was released as “interim” to allow time for staff review and comment, staff training, and completion of OSOS technical modifications. Final guidance will be communicated when the OSOS modifications, data entry procedures and automated nightly batch process are implemented (planned implementation date of September 22, 2006). As part of the implementation, NYSDOL staff provided Web-based technical assistance to front line staff further detailing the changes in WDS-TA #06-14. In August 2006, staff hosted four separate webinar sessions, where each session connected approximately 45 locations and 250 individuals participated.
It should also be noted that the guidance was developed based upon the current structure of OSOS, and serves to “bridge” the existing program modules, but does not fundamentally alter the OSOS application. NYSDOL and the OSOS Consortium are developing a more comprehensive re-design of OSOS that will establish a single point of data entry for services in OSOS while also making overall OSOS navigation/usage simpler, less time consuming, and more user-friendly. It is anticipated that this major redesign will be launched in PY 2007.
Classroom Training: In support of local functional alignment efforts, the Department, on behalf of the State Board, developed a catalog of over 40 general and technical skills courses available since late June to workforce professionals in the local workforce investment areas. Seven consultant organizations already under contract with the Department utilize their substantial skills as trainers and content experts to deliver a variety of courses in the context of functional alignment and managing change. To date, local WIB Directors have requested 37 classes that have been held both locally and regionally across the state; another dozen or so are in the process of being scheduled. Examples of courses offered include: Assessment Strategies; Case Management for Front-Line Workers; Leading Change; Aligning Performance Management; Creating an Aligned Business Plan; Service Alignment; Integrating Job Development and Job Placement Strategies; Improving Processes for Quality and Performance in Your One-Stop Center; Resource Room Skills; and Working Together to Deliver Quality Services. Evaluations from classes held thus far indicate positive response and the feedback helps to uncover issues of a local or statewide nature. The attached course catalog was recently updated and released to WIB Directors; it provides available classes from October to December and is available on the Workforce New York web site at: www.workforcenewyork.org/trngcatalog.doc.
Webinars: The Department continues to develop and expand the use of web-based training. Please refer to the web-based training provided on WDS-TA#06-14 (in item 2.a. above).
One-Stop Operator Leadership Group: Beginning with a kick-off meeting at the Annual Fall Workforce New York Conference, a representative of each of the one-stop operators from the 33 local areas will meet approximately every six weeks to discuss common issues, receive technical assistance and training, and share best practices related to operational issues and functional alignment. Similar to structured meetings of the local WIB Directors, Operator meetings will be facilitated by WIA expert Greg Newton and co-facilitated by a DOL management level representative.
Department field staff conducted on-site quality standards monitoring through announced visits during the summer months at one-stop centers in each of the 33 local areas. SIT members may recall that standards for one-stop centers were developed in the categories of: Facilities and Environmental Management; Process Management; and Customer Focus and Satisfaction. Staff reported very few issues identified as needing corrective action with regard to meeting the standards set forth. A feedback report was provided to each local area discussing the results. Lori Strumpf conducted a debriefing conference call with monitoring staff and agreed to several improvements to the review instrument and customer satisfaction survey form. The one-stop center quality standards are being incorporated into the staff Monitoring Guide and center standards visits will become part of routine monitoring duties. In addition, we will be working with Lori Strumpf to draft statewide customer service standards that will be presented to the SIT for review and approval.
In May 2006, the Department of Labor’s Division of Research and Statistics, in cooperation with the Workforce Development and Training Division, solicited nominations from the Local WIBs for membership on the LMI Advisory Committee. There were five nominations, one of which withdrew, leaving four; they included: Dan Gentile, Capital District; Eugene Faber, Long Island; Sue McNamara, Western New York; and Donnovan Beckford, Hudson Valley. In August, the group was sent guidance from the USDOL Employment and Training Administration (ETA) outlining the One-Stop LMI Grant application process for Program Year (PY) 2006, as well as a copy of the PY 2005 work plan. A conference call was held on August 31 with the Advisory Group along with staff from Research and Workforce; as a result, a work plan was drafted. The draft plan was shared with Deputy Commissioner Maggie Moree for review by SWIB Chair Richard Calo and Labor Commissioner Linda Angello. Following their review and approval the Grant application package will be sent to ETA.
Attachment: Draft 2006 Workforce Information Grant Plan