ATTACHMENT III

ABBREVIATED PLANNING REQUIREMENTS FOR STRATEGIC FIVE-YEAR PLANS FOR WIA TITLE I YOUTH ACTIVITIES

OVERVIEW

The Department expects that States that select Option 3, to access funds early, for program operations during the transition period, of April 1 through June 30, will shift their strategy from serving youth under a JTPA focus to a more comprehensive strategy in accordance with WIA. Local service providers are expected to offer eligible youth a comprehensive array of services for youth, incorporating all of the ten required program elements, including follow-up services for a minimum of 12 months. The focus of summer employment opportunities for youth should shift from a stand alone effort to one of ten required program elements which must be made available through local program operators. In addition, summer employment opportunities must be directly linked to academic and occupational learning. We also expect that each eligible youth served with these funds will be provided an objective assessment of academic, basic and occupational skill levels in identifying service strategies for participation. In establishing youth activities under WIA, service providers are also expected to link programs more closely with local labor market needs, provide a stronger connection between academic and occupational learning, and establish programs which prepare youth for postsecondary education of unsubsidized employment opportunities as appropriate.

States are expected to provide a description of how they will meet the Act's provisions regarding youth program design and should assure that provisions have been undertaken to see that local

program operators consider WIA eligibility criteria for enrolling youth in their programs with these funds.

ALLOCATIONS:

This Option, to submit an abbreviated Plan for Youth Activities under WIA, is being offered under the Secretary's transition authority. Under this Option, States that can meet the WIA youth activities requirements but still need more time to transition their JTPA systems to a WIA environment, are afforded the opportunity to do so. In choosing this option, States will be accorded the opportunity to operate youth activities with a portion of WIA PY 2000 funds while still transitioning their systems.

Subsequently, States will receive funds commensurate with the length of the transition period, e.g., States that choose to take advantage of the full three month transition period of April 1, 2000 to June 30, 2000 will receive 25 percent of their allotment. States must submit a full Plan to receive the balance of their allotment.

States must address how they will meet the Act's provisions regarding youth program design and must advise local service deliverers to adopt the WIA eligibility guidelines when enrolling youth in their programs, as well as providing assistance to local workforce investment boards for establishing the local youth councils, youth connections with One-Stop delivery, and performance accountability for the transition period between April 1 and June 30, 2000. Specific planning requirements for States that choose the abbreviated Transition Plan for Youth Activities are outlined below.

PLANNING REQUIREMENTS :

III. ASSESSMENT

B.1.d.i     Describe the methods and factors (including weights assigned to each factor) your State will use to distribute funds to local areas for youth funds pursuant to Sections 128(b)(3)(B). Describe how the allocation methods and factors help ensure that youth funds are distributed equitably throughout your State and that there will be no significant shifts in funding levels to a local areas on a year-to-year basis. (Sec. 112(b)(12)(A)(B), 128(b)(3)(B), 133(b)(3)(B).)

B.1.e.     Describe the competitive and non-competitive processes that will be used at the State level to award grants and contracts for Youth Activities under Title I of WIA, including how potential bidders are being made aware of the availability of grants and contracts. (Sec. 112(b)(16).)

B.1.f.     Identify the criteria to be used by Local Boards in awarding grants for youth activities including criteria used by the Governors and Local Boards to identify effective and ineffective youth activities and providers. (Sec. 112(b)(18)(B).)

B1.g.     If you did not delegate this responsibility to Local Boards, provide your State's definition regarding the sixth youth eligibility criterion at Section 101(13)(C)(vi).)

IV. STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVEMENT

B.14.     Describe your State's strategy for providing comprehensive services to eligible youth, including any coordination with foster care, education, welfare and other relevant resources. Include any State requirements and activities to assist youth who have special needs or barriers to employment, including those who are pregnant, parenting, or have disabilities. Describe how coordination with Job Corps, youth opportunity grants, and other youth programs will occur. (Sec. 112(b)(18).)

B.15.     Describe how your State will, in general, meet the Act's provisions regarding youth program design. In particular discuss the following:

- preparation for postsecondary educational opportunities;
- strong linkages between academic and occupational learning;
- preparation for unsubsidized employment opportunities;
- effective linkages with intermediaries with strong employer connections;
- alternative secondary school services;
- summer employment opportunities;
- paid and unpaid work experiences;
- occupational skill training;
- leadership development opportunities;
- comprehensive guidance and counseling;
- supportive services; and
- follow-up services. (Sec. 112(b)(18), 129(c).)

VI. ASSURANCES

1.     The State assures that it will establish, in accordance with section 184 of WIA, fiscal control and fund accounting procedures that may be necessary to ensure the proper disbursement of, and accounting for, funds paid to the State through the allotments made under sections 127 and 132. (Sec. 112(b)(11).)

3.     The State assures that the youth funds received under WIA will be distributed equitably throughout the State, and that no local areas will suffer significant shifts in funding from year to year during the period covered by this plan.( Sec.112(b)(12)(B).)

6.     The State assures that it will comply with the confidentiality requirements of section 136(f)(3).

7.     The State assures that no funds received under WIA will be used to assist, promote, or deter union organizing. (Sec. 181(b)(7).)

8.     The State assures that it will comply with the nondiscrimination provisions of Section 188, including an assurance that a Methods of Administration has been developed and implemented. (Sec. 188.)

9.     The State assures that it will collect and maintain data necessary to show compliance with the nondiscrimination provisions of section 188. (Sec. 185.)

10.     The State assures that it will comply with the grant procedures prescribed by the grant procedures prescribed by the Secretary (pursuant to the authority at Section 189(c) of the Act) which are necessary to enter into grant agreements for the allocation and payment of funds under the Act. The procedures and agreements will be provided to the State by the ETA Office of Grants and Contracts Management and will specify the required terms and conditions and assurances and certifications, including but not limited to, the following:

o     General Administrative Requirements

29CFR part 97 - Uniform Administrative Requirements for State and Local Governments (as amended by the Act).

29 CFR part 96 (as amended by OMB Circular A-133) Single Audit Act.

OMB Circular A-87- Cost Principles (as amended by the Act)

o     Assurances and Certifications:

SF 424 B- Assurances for Nonconstruction Programs.

29 CFR part 31, 32 - Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity Assurance (and regulation).

CFR part 93 - Certification Regarding Lobbying (and regulation).

29 CFR - part 98- Drug Free Workplace and Debarment and Suspension Certifications (and regulation).

Special Clauses/Provisions:

Other special assurances or provisions as may be required under Federal law policy, including specific appropriations legislation, the Workforce Investment Act, or subsequent Executive or Congressional mandates.

16.     The State has developed this Plan in consultation with local elected officials, local workforce boards, the business community, labor organizations and other partners.

17.      The State assures that it will comply with section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 USC 794) and the American's with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 USC 12101 et seq.).

18.     The State assures that funds will be spent in accordance with the Workforce Investment Act and the Wagner-Peyser Act legislation, regulations, written Department of Labor Guidance, and all other applicable Federal and State laws.