Program Management



Career Planning / Case Management
Career Planning / Case Management is the coordination of services on behalf of an individual.

All participants must have an objective comprehensive assessment, not just basic skills of their academic levels, skill levels, and service needs.  The purpose of the assessment is to help individuals and career planners make decisions about appropriate employment goals and develop effective service strategies for reaching those goals.  An effective assessment shall include a review of basic skills, occupational skills, prior work experience, employability, interests, aptitudes, supportive service needs, and developmental needs of such participant.  Note a TABE test as a stand-alone assessment is not appropriate.

Adult and Dislocated Worker participants should have an Individual Career Plan (noted as an Individual Employment Plan in title I of WIOA) developed jointly by the participant and the career planner.  The Career Plan is an ongoing strategy that sets a series of objectives such as the participant's education and employment goals, the appropriate achievement objectives, and the appropriate combination of services that address barriers (see WIOA Adult and Dislocated Worker Services) for the participant to be successful.

Every Youth participant must have an Individual Service Strategy (ISS).  The ISS is a specific ongoing plan based on the objective assessment and shall identify career pathways that include education and employment goals.  Appropriate achievement objectives and appropriate services (see WIOA Youth Services) for the youth directly linked to one or more of the indicators of performance described here must also be included in the ISS.

During effective case management, career planners conduct periodic reviews of actual activities in relation to participant plans to determine if progress towards successful completion is still on track following the guidance provided in the Service Delivery chapter in the WIOA ePolicy.  Any related problems that may arise must be recorded in case notes.  If obstacles are identified, note how each barrier or need will be addressed and by whom.  Some obstacles may be addressed by providing applicable WIOA supportive services if allowable by the funding opportunity; however, grantees are encouraged to seek out one-stop partners and other entities that may be able to provide these services.

Applicants other than Local Workforce Innovation Areas (LWIAs) and their active WIOA operators and providers must work with their designated LWIA(s) to create a viable approach for complying with WIOA client eligibility, reporting, and performance requirements. Such applicants must develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with an LWIA and any other qualified organization that details roles and responsibilities related to recruitment, eligibility determination, enrollment, performance requirements, and strategies. Additionally, the LWIA and the applicant must include in the MOU the LWIA's commitment to the project and that it aligns with the Regional and Local Plans.  The MOU must contain signatures of all parties mentioned in the agreement. Applicants must identify staff that is qualified to certify and document eligibility in the Illinois Workforce Development System for WIOA customers and Incumbent Worker Tracking System for incumbent worker trainees. Grantees are expected to meet all WIOA case management requirements and must agree to provide or coordinate follow up services with program participants (as appropriate).


Federal Guidance
The U.S. Department of Labor issues Training and Employment Guidance Letters (TEGLs) to provide operating guidance beyond the law and regulations for WIOA programs. Here are the TEGLs related to Adults and Dislocated Workers.

TEGL for Adult and Dislocated Workers 

  • TEGL 19-16 provides guidance to the workforce system on delivering services under the Adult and Dislocated Worker programs under WIOA Title I.

TEGLs for Youth 

  • TEGL 08-15 provides guidance and planning information to states, local workforce areas, and other recipients of WIOA Title I youth formula funds on the activities associated with the implementation of WIOA.
  • TEGL 21-16 provides guidance and planning information to states, local workforce areas, and other recipients of WIOA Title I youth formula funds on the activities associated with the implementation of WIOA.

WIOA Adult and Dislocated Worker Services
Career Services

  • WIOA authorizes career services for adults and dislocated workers. There are three types of career services: basic career services, individualized career services, and follow-up services. The provision of individualized career services must be based on the employment needs of the individual as determined jointly by the individual and the career planner (case manager) and may be identified through an Individual Career Plan (noted as an Individual Employment Plan in title I of WIOA).
  • Basic career services generally involve less staff time and involvement and include services such as: eligibility determinations, initial skill assessments, labor exchange services, provision of information on programs and services, and program referrals. 
  • Individualized career services must be provided to participants after staff determine that such services are required to retain or obtain employment, consistent with any applicable statutory priorities. These services involve significant staff time and customization to an individual's need. Individualized career services include services such as: specialized assessments, developing an individual employment plan, counseling, work experiences (including transitional jobs), etc.
  • Follow-up services must be provided for adults and dislocated worker participants who are placed in unsubsidized employment, for up to 12 months after the first day of employment.  One type of follow-up service highlighted in WIOA is to provide individuals counseling about the work place. Follow-up services do not extend the date of exit from the program.

Training Services

  • Training services may be provided if the grantee staff, including partner programs' staff, determines after conducting an interview, an evaluation, or assessment, and career planning, that the individual needs training services to obtain or retain employment. 
  • Types of training services that may be provided include, but are not limited to: occupations skills training, on-the-job training, incumbent worker training, programs that combine workplace training with related instruction such as pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship, and customized training.
  • Training services, when determined appropriate, must be provided either through an Individual Training Account (ITA) or through a training contract discussed in Section 8 of TEGL 19-16. 
  • Except in certain instances listed in WIOA sec. 122(h) and 20 CFR sec. 680.320, training services must be provided by an Eligible Training Provider (ETP) in accordance with WIOA sec. 122(d).

WIOA Youth Services
​There are 14 WIOA youth program elements. 20 CFR § 681.460 lists all of the program elements and provides further explanation of some of the elements, but not all of them. Additionally, there is overlap between portions of some program elements. The discussion found in TEGL 21-16 further clarifies the 14 program elements and explains the services to be reported under each specific program element. In addition, the table below provides an overview and easy reference for finding applicable program element citations and identifies which program elements relate to one another. 

WIOA Youth Program Element Section 129(c)(2)
Is the element further described in Final Rule? If so, applicable citations​Relates to or overlaps with other program elements​
​1. Tutoring, study skills training, instruction, and dropout prevention
No​
Program elements 2 and 4​
​2. Alternative secondary school services or dropout recovery services
​No
Program element 1​
3. Paid and unpaid work experience​
Yes, 681.600, 681.590, 681.480​
​4. Occupational skills training

​Yes, 681.540, 681.550 

​Program element 1

​5. Education offered concurrently with workforce preparation and training for a specific occupation

​Yes, 681.630 

Program elements 2, 3, and 4

​6. Leadership development opportunities

​Yes, 681.520, 681.530 

​7. Supportive services

​Yes, 681.570 

​8. Adult mentoring

​Yes, 681.490 

​9. Follow-up services

​Yes, 681.490 

​Program elements 7, 8, 11, 13, and 14

​10. Comprehensive guidance and counseling

​Yes, 681.510 

​11. Financial literacy education

​Yes, 681.500 

​12. Entrepreneurial skills training

​Yes, 681.560 

​13. Services that provide labor market information

​Yes, 651.10 

​14. Postsecondary preparation and transition activities
​No


Grantee staff must offer follow-up services to youth participants for no less than 12 months after the completion of participation.

Resources
Youth Program Reference Tool- The WIOA Reference Tool covers all aspects of youth program operation including governance, program management, service delivery, and the 14 program elements. Additional features address the youth services structure, funding, performance accountability and service providers for the WIOA youth program. 

Work-Based Learning Desk Reference- This desk reference provides an overview of the different types of Work-Based Learning opportunities available with the Adult, Dislocated Worker, and Youth programs under WIOA. Information provided includes general descriptions of each type of Work-Based Learning as well as the target populations for each.

Supportive Service Desk Reference- Desk reference on the available Supportive Services for adults, dislocated workers, and youth participants of programs under WIOA.

Incumbent Worker Desk Reference- This desk reference is for state and local boards and staff and provides information on the requirements for providing Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) under WIOA.