Effective AJCCs: Findings from DOL’s National Study of AJCs

1. Effective AJCCs: Findings from DOL’s National Study of AJCs Meeting of the Minds, Monterey September 4, 2019 Kate Dunham & Jessie Oettinger Social Policy Research Associates

2. SPR’s Areas of Expertise

3. Quick Agenda

4. Background: Institutional Analysis of AJCs Study Funded by DOL; carried out by Mathematica Policy Research and Social Policy Research Associates Two to three-day visits to 40 comprehensive AJCs across 25 states in fall 2016 Interviews with 725 staff from WIOA core partner programs and other AJC partners, observed resource rooms Reports written in 2017; finalized and released in 2018 (all available on DOL ETA website)

5. Location of the 40 Study AJCs

6. Study and WIOA Timeline

7. Key Finding: Three WIOA Core Programs Dominated • Most AJCs we visited had little involvement by VR, Youth and Adult Ed • No cross-program supervision • No cross-AJC data • Limited cross-training • Siloed marketing/outreach • Operator was Title I or III (Wagner-Peyser) service provider • AJCs funded by Title I and Wagner-Peyser • Only Adult, Dislocated Worker, Wagner-Peyser co-located full-time

8. Principles of Effective AJCs Functional supervision Integrated intake Cross-AJC data Regular cross-training across ALL AJC partners Diverse funding sources Integrated marketing/outreach Operator role separated from service delivery Strong referral processes—co-location is not a magic bullet

9. Functional Supervision • 11 of 40 AJCs used a cross-program supervision model • Oversaw day-to-day activities • Assigned staff across programs as needed to take on intake/resource room duties • Allowed AJC manager to quickly deal with customer needs • Saved $ for partners as they did not need an on-site supervisor This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY

10. Integrated Intake

11. Data on AJC Operations • 11 of 40 AJCs collected data across all of their partners • Not usually collected via state-wide data systems—because not all partners use those systems (e.g., CalJOBS, AWARE, TOPSpro Enterprise, CCCCO MIS) • Used Access/Excel or WDB-purchased system to collect • Number of customers using the AJC and what service they were seeking • Number of employer contacts

12. Cross-training • Only two AJCs reported providing cross-training to all AJC staff • Group trainings • Documentation of partner services, eligibility, processes, point of contact for warm handoff • One-on-one job shadowing of partner staff • Visits to partner locations to meet more staff, see services

13. Diverse Funding • Organizations representing 29 of the 40 study AJCs pursued additional funding for the AJC • Based on analysis of funding data from 20 AJCs, study AJCs had on average 18 funding sources used by 10 partners • This allowed them to have additional staff/new projects • The state or local board took responsibility to obtain additional funding, usually through grants (not just from co-located partners)

14. Integrated Marketing/Outreach • WDBs, state workforce agencies, and AJCs partners worked together • Shared limited resources to prepare materials/branding, pay for marketing • Made sure that all AJC partner staff were delivering a consistent message

15. One-Stop Operators • Under WIOA (WIA), Operators don’t actually have to “operate” AJCs: • Law requires that they “coordinate the service delivery of required One-Stop partners and service providers.” WIOA Final Rule, 20 CFR 678.620 • Logistics of operating AJCs can be carried out by on-site AJC managers

16. One-Stop Operators • Most One-Stop Operators functioned as the service provider for WIOA Title I and/or Title III programs • Hard to focus on Operator role when most resources/time focused on service delivery • “Sometimes what is best for my programs not best for partnership, but my programs are what I am graded on.” • Easier to coordinate across partners when Operator is separated from service delivery • Challenge is lack of funding for Operator role

17. Co-location at AJCs

18. Co-Location at AJCs: Not the Magic Bullet • Co-location not required under WIA or WIOA—for good reason • Doesn’t work well in rural areas • No building is big enough • Just being in the same building doesn’t ensure effective collaboration • Clear, formal referral processes were more important • Cross-training, real-time electronic access meets WIOA’s requirement for “Direct Access”

19. Effective Referral Processes Documented, formal process Clear, updated information on partner programs (services, eligibility, intake process) Designated points of contact at each partner (kept updated) Documentation of referrals Warm hand-offs Follow-up on referrals

20. BRAINSTORM • How might your AJC implement these effective practices? • What other effective practices have you uncovered at your AJC? This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-ND This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-ND

21. SHARING OUT This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

22. Questions – Insights – Take Aways?

23. AJC Reports Available on USDOL’s Website • Study Highlights • https://wdr.doleta.gov/research/FullText_Documents/ETAOP_2018-03_StudyHighlights_AJCs_508_Compliant.pdf • Key Institutional Features of American Job Centers • https://wdr.doleta.gov/research/FullText_Documents/ETAOP_2018-03_KeyFeatures_AJCs_508_Compliant.pdf • One-Stop Operators of the AJC System • https://wdr.doleta.gov/research/FullText_Documents/ETAOP_2018-03_OneStopOperators_AJCs_508_Compliant.pdf • Resource Sharing Practices Among AJCs • https://wdr.doleta.gov/research/FullText_Documents/ETAOP_2018-03_ResourceSharing_AJCs_508_Compliant.pdf • AJC Service Delivery in Rural Areas • https://wdr.doleta.gov/research/FullText_Documents/ETAOP_2018-03_RuralServices_AJCs_508_Compliant.pdf

24. CONTACT INFORMATION 24 Kate Dunham Director of Workforce Development and Human Services Social Policy Research Associates 510-788-2475 Kate_Dunham@spra.com Jessie Oettinger Senior Associate Social Policy Research Associates 206-963-3297 Jessie_Oettinger@spra.com