State Role and Resources: Lessons Learned

1. State Role and Resources: Lessons Learned • States’ Use of their 15% Recovery Act Youth set-aside Funds Stephanie A. Curtis 11/17/2009

2. State Role and Resources: Lessons Learned • Introduction of Panel Members • Use of the “Parking Lot” for Issues Stephanie A. Curtis 11/17/2009

3. State Role and Resources: Lessons Learned • Section 128 of the Act reads in part: • “Regardless of whether the reserved amounts were allotted under section 127(b)(1)(C), or under paragraph (1)(B) or 2(B) of section 132(b), the Governor may use the reserved amounts to carry out statewide youth activitiesdescribed in section 129(b) or statewide employment and training activities, for adults or for dislocated workers, described in paragraph (2)(B) or (3) of section 134(a).” Stephanie A. Curtis 11/17/2009

4. State Role and Resources: Lessons Learned Section 667.130(b)(1) of the WIA Regulations reads in part: • “Funds reserved under this paragraph may be combinedand spent on Statewide employment and training activities, for adults and dislocated workers, and Statewide youth activities, as described in 20CFR 665.2000 and 665.210, without regard to the funding source of the reserved funds.” Stephanie A. Curtis 11/17/2009

5. State Role and Resources: Lessons Learned The importance of local flexibility is echoed in the Preamble to the WIA Regulations • “States and localities have increased flexibility, with significant authority reserved for the Governor and chief elected officials, to build on existing reforms in order to implement innovative and comprehensive workforce investment systems tailored to meet the particular needs of local and regional labor markets.” Stephanie A. Curtis 11/17/2009

6. State Role and Resources: Lessons Learned Under the Recovery Act, Congress and ETA encouraged states and local areas to: • Use as much of these funds as possible to operate expanded summer youth employment opportunities during the summer of 2009 • Develop work experiences and other activities that expose youth to opportunities in “green” educational and career pathways. Stephanie A. Curtis 11/17/2009

7. State Role and Resources: Lessons Learned • In guidance provided by ETA, States and local workforce investment areas (LWIA) were told they had program design flexibility to determine which program elements they provided with Recovery Act funds. Stephanie A. Curtis 11/17/2009

8. State Role and Resources: Lessons Learned • “How did the states chose to spend the 15% Recovery Act statewide youth discretionary funds?” • State Survey—40 Responses from States and other jurisdictions Stephanie A. Curtis 11/17/2009

9. State Role and Resources: Lessons Learned • Broad Range of Approaches and Strategies • In some cases, these discretionary funds are unspent awaiting states’ decisions on priorities • Some states combined all the discretionary funds (adult, youth and dislocated worker) into a single pool which was used to fund a broad range of projects, including youth activities and administration. Stephanie A. Curtis 11/17/2009

10. State Role and Resources: Lessons Learned • Some states established youth priorities, spending funds for youth employment and/or year-round youth projects. • Some states targeted a portion of these funds for youth activities, and combined the remainder with adult and dislocated worker discretionary funds. • Other states chose new and innovative approaches. Stephanie A. Curtis 11/17/2009

11. State Role and Resources: Lessons Learned Distribution Methodologies • RFP—Grants/Contracts for Projects • Allocations/ MOUs with State agencies • Allocations to WIBs • Combination of Grants and Allocations Stephanie A. Curtis 11/17/2009

12. State Role and Resources: Lessons Learned Preliminary Conclusions: Lessons Learned • Importance of: • Flexibility in Design • Early Establishment of Priorities • Leadership/Support from Top State Officials • Early Planning • Robust Web Site Resources Stephanie A. Curtis 11/17/2009