2016 – 2020 WIOA Local Plan

Local Board Policies

Supportive Services Policy – Page 2

On-the-Job Training (OJT) Reimbursement Policy – Page 7

Youth Incentives Policy – Page 9

Local Training Cap Policy – Page 12

Local definition for youth who “require additional assistance” – Page 15

Adult and Dislocation Worker Self-sufficiency definition(s) for training – Page 16

Workforce Development Dean E. Jones, Director   (864) 467‐3605   Dejones@greenvillecounty.org     

INSTRUCTION NOTICE #PY16‐02 

 TO:      WIOA Program Staff  FROM:     Dean E. Jones, WIOA Administrator  SUBJECT:    WIOA Supportive Services Policy  EFFECTIVE:    November 1, 2016  EXPIRATION DATE:  Indefinitely  PURPOSE To establish a policy  for providing supportive services to WIOA Adult and Dislocated Worker participants.  Youth program operators may expand upon this policy to include other allowable forms of supportive services, as approved by the Workforce Development Board.  REFERENCES AND BACKGROUND Ref: Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014 (Public Law 113‐128); WIOA Final Regulations § 680.900.  The Workforce  Innovation and Opportunity Act  (WIOA) allows  for  supportive  services  to be provided if it is determined to be necessary in order for participants to successfully participate in career and training activities.  The final regulations address supportive services at § 680.900.  For questions, please feel free to contact me. 

PY16‐02 Greenville County WIOA Supportive Service Policy 

  Page 1  Revised 10/31/2016 

 WIOA SUPPORTIVE SERVICES POLICY 

 PURPOSE: The  purpose  of  this  policy  is  to  address  the  issuance  of  supportive  services  available  to Greenville  County WIOA  Participants  and  to  provide  guidance  to WIOA  program  staff when assessing needs and providing  supportive  services  to  customers. The provision of any and all supportive services is contingent upon the availability of funding.   POLICIES AND PROCEDURES 

1. Supportive  services  may  be  provided  to  customers  enrolled  in  a  WIOA  when  it  is determined necessary to enable participation in such programs and when such services are not available through other resources (documented via SCWOS case notes).   

2. The Supportive Services Guide (Attachment A) lists the available supportive services but a waiver may be granted for the following situations:  The service is not on the Supportive Services Guide; or  The cost of the supportive service exceeds the maximum amount  indicated on the Guide 

 3. Supportive  service  payments  may  not  be  requested  for  services  provided  or  costs 

incurred prior to WIOA enrollment. Payments may not be requested for past due debts, i.e.,  late  service  charges,  penalties,  tickets,  and/or  fines  that  are  not  allowable  costs under the WIOA.  

4. To  the extent possible, payments are  to be made payable  to  the entity providing  the service. However, if a bill is not in the participants’ name but is a legitimate supportive service  request,  the  customer’s  self‐attestation  must  accompany  the  request.  (i.e., utility bill is in the participant’s or another documented household member’s name).  

5. This  policy  specifies  “one  time  only”  payments  (e.g.,  rent  and  utilities)  and  the participant’s  ability  to make  subsequent payments will be  factored  into  the  approval decision.  

6. When Supportive Services are approved and provided  to participants,  the appropriate activity code must be opened in SCWOS. The Supportive Service Activity Codes are: 

 

Adult/Dislocated Worker  Youth  

180 – Child/Dependent Care  181 – Transportation Assistance  182 – Medical 

184 – Temporary  Shelter 

185 – Other    

 

480 – Child/Dependent Care 

481 – Transportation Assistance 

482 – Medical  

483 – Temporary  Shelter 

484 – Incentives/Bonuses  

485 – Other         

PY16‐02 Greenville County WIOA Supportive Service Policy 

  Page 2  Revised 10/31/2016 

TYPES OF SUPPORTIVE SERVICES  A. Transportation Transportation assistance may be provided to WIOA registered individuals with the approval of the WIOA Supervisor. Transportation assistance may be  in the form of gas cards (primary), bus tickets, and van or transportation provider services. Case managers should attempt to use the most  cost‐efficient  means  of  providing  such  assistance.  See  the  Supportive  Service  Guide (Attachment A) to determine the level of transportation assistance.   When  issuing  transportation  vouchers  in  support of  training, employment, or  job  search,  the case manager must  open  a  ‘181’  Activity  in  SCWOS  for  Adults/Dislocated Workers  or  ‘481’ Activity  in SCWOS for Youth. For non‐learning  lab sites, documentation must be maintained  in the  customer  file.  Such  documentation  may  include  Internet  travel  mileage  information (MapQuest, Yahoo Maps, etc.) and documentation of activity on Job Search log.  For participants in classroom training,  timesheets must be used to document  travel to and  from training sites.  Timesheets more  than  two weeks old may not be  redeemed  for gas vouchers.   Should  there ever be an exception to this, a waiver must be submitted clearly  identifying the reason for the delay in submitting timesheets.    B. Childcare and Dependent Care Assistance Childcare or dependent care assistance may be provided to WIOA registered individuals with the approval of  the WIOA  Supervisor.  The WIOA participant must be  actively participating  in  job search and/or training services  in order to receive such assistance. Childcare assistance applies to dependent children ages 11 or under. Dependent care applies  to  family members who are physically or mentally incapable of caring for themselves. Acceptable proof of a dependent care family member includes a doctor’s statement or another official document or certification.   C. Other Other  supportive  services may  be  provided  as  determined  necessary  and  as  outlined  on  the Supportive Service Guide (Attachment A).  Supportive Service Forms and attachments: 

1. SS  Attachment  A:  Supportive  Services  Guide.  This  is  to  be  used  to  determine  the appropriate amount of support per approved service. 

2. SS Attachment B: Supportive Services Request Form. This form is to be completed and submitted with the appropriate documentation to the WIOA supervisor for approval of payment. 

 Note:   This policy  is to be used  internally by Greenville County Workforce Development office WIOA program staff.  Outside contractors should develop their own supportive services policies in compliance with  the WIOA and submit  it  to  the Greenville County Workforce Development Board for approval prior to expenditure of funds.  

PY16‐02 Greenville County WIOA Supportive Service Policy  FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY Attachment A 

    Revised 10/31/2016 

Supportive Services Guide  

1. Employment/Training Related Supportive Services 

May include work attire, driver’s license/identification card, printout, LiveScan, CDL 

Test, and/or legal aid services (see State Instruction 16‐05)  

Payments may not exceed $500 (lifetime max) 

 

2. Auto/Transportation Related Supportive Services 

May include payments for auto insurance (liability only), repairs, tires, bus tokens, 

handicap assistance, or gas vouchers 

Only one (1) form of auto/transportation supportive service will be allowed 

Payment may not exceed $250 (lifetime max) 

 

3. Family Care Related Supportive Services 

May include child or dependent care assistance 

Total amount may not exceed $250 (lifetime max) 

 

4. Housing Related Supportive Services 

May include rent or utility payments 

One‐time payment only 

Payment may not exceed $600 (lifetime max) 

 

5. Medical Related Supportive Services 

May include emergency dental care or eye care 

One‐time payment only 

Payment may not exceed $250 (lifetime max) 

 

 

PY16‐02 Greenville County WIOA Supportive Service Policy Attachment B 

Revised 10/31/2016

Supportive Services Request Form  

To be completed by the case manager requesting supportive services Participant Name: 

           

State ID#:

           Program (Adult, DW, NEG, etc.).: 

           

WIOA Registration Date:

           

 TYPE OF SUPPORTIVE SERVICE REQUESTED 

  Employment/Training Related    Housing Related 

  Auto/Transportation Related    Medical Related 

  Family Care  

Additional Detail on the Supportive Service Request: 

                   

  Total Amount of This Request (PAYABLE AMOUNT) 

$           

Total Amount Requested Since Program Registration (including current request)

$           Supportive Service Projected Start Date: 

           

Supportive Service Projected End Date:

           

 MAKE CHECK PAYABLE TO (W‐9 Attached if applicable): Name: 

           

Address:

           City: 

           

State:

           

Zip:

           

Vendor Number: 

             

I verify that this service is needed in order to enable participant to achieve program success and there  is no other source available  in the Greenville area for the supportive service requested:   

   Yes          No  Case Manager Signature:  ___________________________________ Date: __________  Supervisor Signature: _______________________________________ Date: __________ 

 Workforce Development   Dean E. Jones, Director   (864) 467‐3605   Dejones@greenvillecounty.org   

  

LLOOCCAALL  WWIIOOAA  IINNSSTTRRUUCCTTIIOONN  NNOOTTIICCEE  ##  1155‐‐11   TO:      WIOA Staff and Contractors  FROM:     Dean E. Jones, Director  RE:      WIOA On‐the‐Job Training (OJT) Wage Reimbursement Rate Policy  EFFECTIVE DATE:  July 9, 2015 

  PURPOSE To establish a wage reimbursement rate policy for employers receiving On‐the‐Job Training (OJT) funded under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).   REFERENCES Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014 (Public Law 113‐128); Section 134 (c)(3)(H).   BACKGROUND The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (Public Law 113‐128) allows the local board to increase the amount of the reimbursement described in Section 3(44) to an amount of up to 75 percent of the wage rate of a participant for a program carried out under Title I of the WIOA, Section 134(c)(3)(H). Local boards must consider factors such as characteristics of the participants, size  of  the  employer,  and  the  quality  of  employer‐provided  training  and  advancement opportunities.  LOCAL POLICY The  Greenville  County Workforce  Development  Board  has  established  a WIOA  OJT Wage Reimbursement Rate Policy.  Please see attachment.    QUESTIONS Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. 

Greenville County Workforce Development Board Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) On‐the‐Job Training (OJT) Reimbursement Policy 

Effective July 9, 2015  The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (Public Law 113‐128) allows the local board to increase 

the amount of the reimbursement described  in Section 3(44) to an amount of up to 75 percent of the 

wage rate of a participant for a program carried out under Title I of the WIOA, Section 134(c)(3)(H).  Local 

boards must consider  factors such as characteristics of the participants, size of the employer, and the 

quality of employer‐provided training and advancement opportunities.   

Based on  the  above described  section,  the Greenville County Workforce Development Board hereby 

approves increasing OJT wage reimbursements up to 75%.  Workforce Development staff will determine 

OJT wage reimbursements based on employer size as follows:  

Small employers (49 employees or fewer): up to 75% wage reimbursement 

Medium employers (50‐249 employees): up to 60% wage reimbursement 

Large employers (250 or more employees): up to 50% wage reimbursement 

 

 

                                                                                               

Workforce Development Dean E. Jones, Director (864) 467-3605 Dejones@greenvillecounty.org

INSTRUCTION NOTICE #PY16-01

TO: Greenville County WIOA Youth Service Providers FROM: Dean E. Jones, WIOA Administrator SUBJECT: Greenville County WIOA Youth Incentive Policy EFFECTIVE: November 1, 2016 EXPIRATION DATE: Indefinitely PURPOSE To establish a policy for allowing youth incentive payments. REFERENCES Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014 (Public Law 113-128). WIOA Final Regulations § 681.640. BACKGROUND The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) permits incentive payments to be made to youth for recognition and achievement directly tied to training activities and work experiences. In accordance with WIOA Final Regulations § 681.640, incentive payments must be: (a) tied to the goals of the specific program; (b) outlined in writing before the commencement of the program that may provide incentive payments; (c) aligned with the local program’s organizational policies; and (d) in accordance with the requirements contained in 2 CFR part 200. LOCAL POLICY In order to recognize and rewards active youth success while participating in WIOA youth services, youth funds may be used to provide incentives for achieving program goals provided that it is made part of the participant’s individual assessment and service strategy. Incentives can be in the form of gift cards and/or checks payable to the youth when it is deemed appropriate. NOTE: Incentives may be provided to youth while they are receiving active follow-up services if it would assist with completion towards program goals.

- Incentives are NOT permitted for achievements completed prior to WIOA enrollment - Incentives may NOT include entertainment, such as movie or sporting event tickets or gift

cards to movie theaters or other venues whose sole purpose is entertainment (2CFR Part 200).

Documentation Required

Case note/file documentation for incentives should include the following:

a) The type of the achievement that is being awarded b) The type of and amount of the incentive award c) Supporting documentation (i.e, copy of grades, credentials, evaluations, attendance

records, etc.) d) Incentive activity code (484 Supportive Service – Incentives/Bonuses) keyed in to SC

Works.

Service providers are to have internal controls to safeguard any cash/gift cards/certificates that may be purchased. Incentives should be purchased and awarded within the same program year. Service providers should avoid bulk purchases of incentive items that are not intended to be used in a timely manner. Supporting documentation should include sign-in sheets during the activity and signature sheets verifying receipt of hand-delivered incentives. Service providers are responsible for submitting their incentive plan to the Greenville County WDB for how incentives will be used and should consider how the program budget will be impacted. It is not recommended that incentives be awarded on a regular basis for simply attending a stand-alone activity. Activities that merit incentives should require an expected level of participation/engagement. Standard Incentives The below incentives have been approved for the WIOA Youth program. It is not required to award all of them if attained. However, service providers are encouraged to use a combination of them to encourage successful completion as funding permits. The list is not all-inclusive. Service providers must submit a plan to the Greenville County WDB for how they will be used if the incentive(s) is not listed below:

o Frequent contact/attendance with case manager/career advisor (must include at least 1 face-to-face contact)

o Completion of pre-assessments

o Retesting as scheduled towards goal attainment

o Increasing Educational Functioning Level by anniversary date

o Completion of credential (high school diploma/equivalent, completion of training and awarded recognized certificate/credential/diploma/degree)

o Obtained employment after enrollment (max of two incentives)

o Completion of Career Readiness Certificate or another approved standardized/industry recognized certificate

o Successful completion of a work experience or internship with satisfactory evaluation

o Other forms of incentives as approved by the Greenville County WDB

Workforce Development Dean E. Jones, Director   (864) 467‐3605   Dejones@greenvillecounty.org   

McAlister Square � 225 S. Pleasantburg Drive � Suite C‐11 � Greenville, SC 29607 � Fax (864) 467‐3603

www.greenvillewib.com 

 

INSTRUCTION NOTICE #PY10‐07 Change 1 

 TO:      WIOA Staff & Contractors  FROM:     Dean E. Jones, WIOA Administrator  DATE:      November 6, 2015  SUBJECT:    Local Instruction Notice #PY10‐07 Change 1 ‐ ITA & WIOA Training 

Targeted Industry/Occupation Policy (Replaces Local Instruction Notice #PY10‐7) 

 EFFECTIVE:    Immediately  EXPIRATION DATE:  Indefinitely  In accordance with the State Workforce Development Board recommendations, the  local ITA policy has been revised to include the targeted industries/occupations for which WIOA training may be provided within the local area.  The goal is to ensure that WIOA training provided is only provided for high demand/high growth industries.  Adults (including dislocated workers) and Youth approved for WIOA training services may receive Individual  Training Account  (ITA) Vouchers  to pay  the  cost  for  tuition, books,  and  supplies, provided that the training programs/courses fall within the targeted industries.  The policy also describes the process for ensuring that the training is the most cost effective.  Please review and comply with the attached revised ITA policy.  Thanks for your cooperation and let me know if you have any questions or concerns.      

WWIIOOAA  TTrraaiinniinngg  SSeerrvviicceess  IInnddiivviidduuaall  TTrraaiinniinngg  AAccccoouunntt  ((IITTAA))  aanndd  TTaarrggeetteedd  IInndduussttrryy  

PPoolliiccyy  Revised 11/5/15 

 Section I.  Greenville County WIOA Training Voucher Policy   Adults and dislocated workers approved  for WIOA training services may receive up to $8,000 lifetime maximum  to pay  the  costs  for  tuition, books,  and  supplies.   Additionally,  the WIOA Administrator may, based upon available funds, waive the lifetime maximum cost limitation for highly specialized training programs (i.e., airline pilot training) that exceed the cost of $8,000.  Priority  should  be  given  to  training  providers  who  offer  program/courses  that  will  lead  to employment within  the  targeted high growth/demand occupations.    It  is anticipated  that  the training will  last one year or  less  to  the extent practical; however,  training durations may be extended  past  1‐year  for  situations  where  a  sequential  training  program  is  determined  to require more time to complete.  Individuals who seek training services (other than continuing education programs/courses) at higher  education  institutions  (i.e.,  technical  colleges,  public/independent  two‐year institutions) are required to apply for other funding sources in order to leverage costs paid by WIOA/Trade  Act.        Other  funding  sources  include  Pell  Grant,  Lottery  Tuition  Assistance Programs, FSEOG, and SC Need Based grants.  The WIOA training voucher lifetime maximum benefits will be leveraged against other funding sources received per semester until training completion.  Section II.  Targeted Industries for WIOA Participant Training  Below are employment statistics by  industry  in Greenville County,  reported  in Q1 of 2015 by the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce.  They are ranked by number of individuals  employed  in  the  given  industry,  and  the  table  lists  the  top  15  industries  for Greenville County.    

Industry  Employed in Greenville County 

NAICS 

1  Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services 

34,279  56 

2  Health Care and Social Assistance  33,537  62 

3  Manufacturing  28,775  31‐33 

4  Retail Trade  27,582  44‐45 

5  Accommodation and Food Services  22,209  72 

6  Educational Services  16,540  61 

7  Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services  14,856  54 

8  Wholesale Trade  13,663  42 

9  Construction  10,907  23 

10  Finance and Insurance  9,049  52 

11  Transportation and Warehousing  7,962  48‐49 

12  Public Administration  7,272  92 

13  Information  6,360  51 

WIOA Training Services ITA and Targeted Industries Policy 1

14  Other Services (except Public Administration)  5,666  81 

15  Management of Companies and Enterprises  4,586  55 

 In  an  update  to  Local  Instruction  Notice  #PY10‐07  ITA  &  WIA  Training  Targeted Industry/Occupation  Policy,  the  GCWDB  hereby  establishes  6  high  growth  or  high  demand industries/occupations  in which WIOA will  target.    The  targeted  industries were determined based  on  number  of  individuals  employed  in  each  industry,  as  well  as  the  labor  market projections  and  Greenville  County’s  economic  development  targets.    The  targeted  industry policy applies to adults (including dislocated workers) and youth:  

Industry  NAICS 

1. Manufacturing (includes Advanced Manufacturing )  31 – 33 

2. Health Care and Social Assistance  62 

3. Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services  54 

4. Construction  23 

5. Transportation and Warehousing  48‐49 

6. Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services 

56 

 * The first 2‐digits of the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)  identify the industry.   WIOA participant  training, once  successfully  completed, must  reasonably ensure that  the  individual will be qualified  to  seek employment within one or more of  the above targeted industries.  Section III.  Reasonable Cost Considerations  Background  Reasonable  costs  for  participant  training  is  addressed  for  the  Trade  Act  program  at  20  CFR 617.22(a)(6)  and  states  that  training  be,  among  other  things,  at  a  reasonable  cost.  Further, approval  requires  that  the  training be  "at  the  lowest  reasonable cost"  (20 CFR 617.22(b)).  In particular,  training  at  a  facility outside  the worker's normal  commuting  area,  as determined under the state law (20 CFR 617.3(k)), that involves transportation (or subsistence) costs which add  substantially  to  the  total  costs  of  training must  not  be  approved  if  other  appropriate training  is available at a  lower cost within  the commuting area. When  training, substantially similar  in quality, content and  results,  is offered at more  than one  training provider within the  local/commuting  area,  only  the  lowest  cost  training  may  be  approved  (20  CFR 617.22(a)(6)(iii)  (b)).  A  state  must  disapprove  a  training  program  if  the  training  is  in  an occupational area which requires an extraordinarily high skill level and for which the total costs of the training are substantially higher than the costs of other training which is suitable for the worker (20 CFR 617.22(b)).  Action Required  Effective  immediately,  the GCWDB  requires WIOA  participant  training  for  adults,  dislocated workers,  and  youth  be  based  upon  the  same  reasonable  costs  factors  as  described  and referenced above in 20 CFR 617.  

WIOA Training Services ITA and Targeted Industries Policy 2

WIOA Youth Locally Defined Characteristic - PY15 09/10/15

WIOA YOUTH REQUIRES ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE

An individual who requires additional assistance to enter or complete an educational program or to secure and hold employment definition must be low-income and meet one or more of the following categories with appropriate documentation.

In-school Youth

In-school youth possessing one or more of the following characteristics:

a) A youth who was attending an educational/vocational training program at the time of eligibility and is not making a passing grade(s) for the evaluation time period (semester/quarter/term) or who has an overall cumulative GPA less than 3.0 based upon a 4.0 grading scale;

b) A youth who has poor attendance at an educational/vocational training program based upon the training provider’s attendance policy/requirements;

c) A youth who has been retained for one or more grade levels (and is older than the customary age for the grade level);

d) A youth of an incarcerated parent(s).

Out-of-School Youth

Out-of-school youth possessing one or more of the following characteristics:

a) A youth who is a college/advance training program dropout and/or who has not attended the most recent quarter, semester, or term of college;

b) A youth who lacks work readiness skills as documented on an approved pre-test;

c) A youth who was fired from a job within the recent 6 months;

d) A youth who lacks work experience, meaning that the individual has not worked a full-time job (30+ hours a week) for four (4) or more consecutive months;

e) A youth of an incarcerated parent(s).