HomeMy WebLinkAboutC03-183 Workforce Investment Act• WIA Partner MOU Fina14-O1-03 MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING For the Provision of Services under the Workforce Investment Act in the Rural Resort Workforce Region of the State of Colorado, a designated Sub-Region of the Colorado Rural Workforce Consortium This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), made on the 1st day of Jul,Y 2003, is an operational agreement entered into by the Rural Resort Region Workforce Investment Board (WFB), the Chief Local Elected Official (LEO) who represents the Workforce Region, and the Workforce Development Partner Organizations (Partners) listed in Section III below. WITNESSETH: WHEREAS, the United States Congress has established the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) (Public Law 105-220), which was signed into law July 7, 1998; and WHEREAS, the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) charged the State of Colorado with the establishment of local workforce regions; and WHEREAS, the Chief Local Elected Official represents Lake, Summit, Eagle, Garfield, and Pitkin counties which comprise the Rural Resort Workforce Region; and WHEREAS, the Workforce Region has been designated as aSub-region of the Colorado Rutal Workforce Consortium; WHEREAS, the Regional Workforce Investment Board and Local Elected Official oversee the implementation and administration of WIA within the region; and NOW THEREFORE, it is mutually agreed: I. Purpose of Agreement: 'The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding is to provide a framework for the delivery of comprehensive workforce development services to the job seeker and employer communities of the region. The local Workforce Investment system has been designed to promote collaborative employment & training strategies reflecting the particular needs of the region's local and regional economies. The system is built upon a framework of service delivery through the comprehensive Workforce Centers and a collaborative network of Partner Organizations. To ensure that these services are of the hi hest uali and meet the expressed needs of Workforce customers, the ~~.~~, ~ ~~ ~~ ` ~}~--------Board has established the following mission and guiding principles for Workforce Development services: Mission: The will provide quality customer driven employment and training services to employment seekers, the business community and other stakeholders, in order to support the economic vitality of the Consortium's fifty-two Colorado Counties. Guiding Principles The ~~~1ctira~itRii•aL~.Vnr~f~ir~~'~' Wlll: - Operate an innovative, adaptive, and customer driven organization through continuous improvement - Provide services to our customers based upon individual needs and choices - Provide services that are competitive and valued - Focus on outcomes that are measurable and results oriented Page 1 • WIA Partner MOU Final 4-O1-03 v - Respond to changing labor market conditions, customer profiles, and program regulations - Be fiscally responsible and accountable - Value our employees and their contributions to this organization - Provide a respectful, safe, and caring environment for internal and external customers - Develop/maintain working partnerships with other community and state organizations II. Duration of Agreement This MOU will commence on July 1, 2003 and shall remain in effect until Jane 30.2004. Unless the local Workforce Board determines otherwise, this Agreement will automatically renew for additional one-year increments, beginning July 1, 2004. III. Partner Organizations that are Parties to this Agreement A Partner is an entity which receives a grant or administers a human resource program for job seeker or employer participants of the Workforce Investment system, whether at a Workforce Center or at another location. Required Partners are entities designated by Section 121 of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 and by CFR§662.200. Additional Partners to this Agreement may be so designated by the Sub- region Workforce Board. Required Partner Organizations: Representing: Colorado Department of Labor & Programs authorized under WIA Title I serving Employment Adults &1or Dislocated Workers Colorado Department of Labor & Programs authorized under WIA Title I serving Employment Youth Job Corps Admissions Office Job Corps Programs N/A - no WIA Native American programs WIA Title I Native American programs are available in the Rural Resort Region N/A - no WIA Migrant/Seasonal Farm WIA Title I, Section 167 Migrant & Seasonal Farm Worker programs are available in the Rural worker programs Resort Re 'on N/A- WIA Veterans Workforce Investment WIA Section 121(b)(1)(B)(i) Veterans Workforce Program is not funded in the Rural Resort Programs Re ion Colorado Department of Labor & Wagner Peyser Act Programs Employment Colorado Mountain College; Lake County WIA Title II Adult Education & Literacy Programs School District R-1 Colorado Division of Vocational Title I, Rehabilitation Act Programs Rehabilitation Colorado Department of Labor & Welfare to Work Programs authorized by the Social Employment Security Act, section 403(a)(5) Page 2 • . WIA Partner MOU Final 4-O1-03 Experience Works; or U. S. Forest Service Senior Community Service Employment Activities of Title V of the Older Americans Act of 1965 Colorado Mountain College Postsecondary Vocational Ed. Activities of the Carl Perkins Vocational & Applied Technology Act Colorado Department of Labor & Trade Adjustment Assistance & NAFTA Employment Transitional Adjustment Assistance Activities of Title II of the Trade Act of 1974 Colorado Department of Labor & Veterans Employment Representative and Disabled Employment Veterans Outreach Activities authorized by Chapter 41, Title 38, United States Code N/A - no CSBG EmploymentJTraining Community Services Block Grant Employment & activities are provided in the Rural Resort Training Activities Re 'on N/A - no HUD Workforce System programs Department of Housing & Urban Development are provided in the Rural Resort Region Employment & Training Activities Colorado Department of Labor & State Unemployment Compensation Activities Employment Additional Partner Organizations: Renrecentinu~ Summit, Lake, Eagle, Garfield, and Pitkin County Departments of Social Services TANF Programs authorized by Title IV, Part A of the Social Security Act; Employment & Training & Work Programs of the Food Stamp Act, Sections 6d94 and6o. Colorado Department of Local Affairs Division of Local Government County Veterans' Service Officer County Veterans Office Legal Aid Legal Aid Page 3 IV. Workforce System & Services • WIA Partner MOU Fina14-O1-03 Workforce services are provided through a network of partner organizations and service providers. The region has comprehensive Workforce Centers located in Leadville, Frisco, Edwards, Glenwood Springs, and Rifle in order to minimize the distance customers must travel to receive services. Itinerant services are available to reduce the customer commute in remote locations. The Workforce Partners have designed a collaborative approach to the provision of awide-ranging array of services to customers, both within the Workforce Centers and through the use of referrals. Each Workforce Partner provides the human resource services listed in the chart on their signature page. Within the Workforce Centers, customers may avail themselves of self-directed services or be assisted by staff. The Partners agree to cross training to ensure that this delivery of services is seamless. To enhance this seamless service delivery, each Partner agrees that certain preliminary services maybe provided by the staff of any Partner agency upon completion of the cross training. These preliminary services are listed on the signature pages that follow and consist of initial services defined by each of the Partner organizations. V. Referral Process All customers receiving services either within the Workforce Centers or at any of the Partner organizations will have access to the full array of workforce development services. The parties have agreed to use referrals between Partners following the processes listed in the pazagraph below. Referrals within the Workforce system aze based on customer request or choice. A referral may carried out with a written form, telephone call, or E-mail, and will include the following elements: • The customer will be given information about a Partner or other organization and its services, eligibility information, name, address, and hours of operation; • To the extent possible and as requested, staff will assist the customer to make an appointment; • Staff will follow up with the customer or Partner organization to become awaze of the results of the referral and utilize the services of the Partner in managing services with the customer. VI. Data Access Records of common clients who receive services funded through Wagner-Peyser, WIA or other USDOL- funded employment programs, in addition to services from a Partner program, will be maintained in the JobLink system (Computer Systems Design Company). Partners who wish to obtain access to JobLink may do sounder the terms and conditions of this Memorandum of Understanding if the following conditions aze met: 1. The Partner is responsible for all costs associated with data access (e.g. hazdwaze and software, phone lines, monthly connection chazges, fees for usage). 2. The Paztner agrees to adhere to state and local policies governing confidentiality, data usage, and standards for data entry. 3. Each staff member who requires access will sign the attached data access forms prior to receiving access. VII. Confidentiality Each party to this Agreement warrants that it will comply with the provisions of the Workforce Investment Act and other applicable federal and state laws & regulations including but not limited to those relating to confidentiality of customer records. Page 4 • WIA Partner MOU Fina1401-03 Each party agrees to use and honor a Client Information Release Form as a means for exchanging information about each client. This form will remain private and confidential in the files of the agency serving the client. Vl~. Fending The parties agree to provide funding for the shared costs of the partnership in accordance with the Resource Sharing Plan. The Resource Sharing Plan is incorporated into this MOU by reference. The Partners assume full responsibility for their respective costs associated with their performance of the terms of this MOU. In no event, except as may be provided in a Supplemental Agreement, shall any partner be obligated to pay or reimburse any expense incurred by another partner under this MOU. It is expressly understood that this MOU does. not constitute a financial commitment, but rather intent to commit specific resources in the future as the partners' allocations and budgets are lmown and as the Workforce delivery system evolves. The contributions of each partner are intended to be in proportion to the contributions of the other partners. To the extent that the resources contributed become disproportionate, the parties agree to revisit and revise the Memorandum of Understanding. IX. General Terms & Conditions Entire Understanding: This Agreement sets forth the full and complete understanding of the parties, as of the date hereof, and relating to the subject matter hereof. It supersedes any and all other agreements, oral or written, made or dated prior thereto. Modification: This MOU may be modified, revised, or amended by mutual written consent of all the signatory parties based on legislative and system design changes, the addition or loss of parties to the Agreement, Workforce Board direction, or other reasons as agreed to by the parties. The modification will be effective upon the issuance of a written amendment, signed and dated by the parties. Update of Parlner Services: Partners may update the services they provide under this MOU based upon changes in funding, legislation, or system design. Without modifying the entire MOU, a Partner may bring up to date and sign a modification to its service matrix, which is included as its MOU signature page. Disputes: If disputes arise related to the terms of this MOU, the parties agree to first attempt to come to agreement among themselves. If dispute resolution fails, the parties agree that a decision of the Colorado Rural Workforce Board Executive Committee will be final. Termination: Any Partner to this MOU may withdraw from the Agreement with 60 days' prior written notice, showing reasons, to all other parties to the Agreement. By withdrawing from this MOU, the Partner will also automatically be withdrawn from membership on the local Workforce Board. In such case, termination by one or more of the parties does not alter the terms or obligations of any other party to the Agreement. Responsibility for Bmnlovees: All employees providing services through the Workforce Investment system remain under the supervision and direction of their respective employing entity. Ifwork-related issues arise, the incident will be reported to the appropriate Partner program supervisor for resolution. Adherence to Applicable Laws: At all times during the term & performance of this MOU, the parties shall comply with all applicable Federal and State laws, regulations, rules or procedures, as these provisions currently exist, or may hereafter be amended, all of which are incorporated herein by reference and made a part of the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Included by reference, but not limited to, in this section Page 5 WIA Partaer MOU Final 401-03 aze the various Equal Employment Opportunity laws and provisions, the Fair Labor Standards Act, Child Labor Laws and the Occupational Safety and Health Act. Responsibility for Employment and Other Related Benefits and Deductions: Each party, with respect to its officers and employees, shall be exclusively responsible for providing for employment-related benefits and deductions that are required by law, including but not limited to federal and state income taxes, workers' compensation coverage, and unemployment insurance coverage. No Third Party Beneficiaries: The parties signing this Agreement are the only parties to the Agreement and are the only parties entitled to enforce its terms. Nothing in this Agreement gives, is intended to give, or shall be construed to give or provide any benefit or right, whether directly, indirectly or otherwise, to third persons unless such third persons are individually identified by name herein and expressly described as intended beneficiaries of the terms of this Agreement. Supplemental Agreements to MOU: The Partners understand and agree that all of the terms and conditions of this Memorandum of Understanding are binding upon any subsequent Supplemental Agreement between the Partners. The Partners further agree that such Supplemental Agreements (for example, Parer updates as referenced above) shall be in fiu-therance of and complementary to this Agreement. Copies of any such supplemental agreements shall be provided to all other Partners. Assignments: If a party to this Agreement assigns any or all duties and responsibilities under this MOU to another entity, the assignor shall require the assignee to abide by the terms of the agreement if they are applicable to that assignee's new duties and responsibilities under the assignment. The undersigned Partners bind themselves to the faithful performance of this Agreement. It is mutually understood that this Agreement shall not become effective until approved by all Partners involved. Page 6 . ~ WIA Parlaer MOU Final 401-03 X. Workforce Board & Local Elected Official Signatures The individuals signing this agreement have the authority to commit the party they represent to the terms of this MOU, and do so by signing. Mazgazet Kral, Chair Rural Resort Region Workforce Board Bill Wallace Summit County Commissioner Rural Resort Region Chief Local Elected Official APPROVAL: Charles Steigerwalt, Chair Colorado Rural Workforce Consortium Board Bill Wallace Summit County Commissioner Colorado Rural Workforce Consortium Chief Local Elected Official Date Date Date Date Page 7 . ~ WIA Partner MOU Final 401-03 XI. Signatur of Partne s: The indivi is signing this agreement have the authority to co party th y r ent t terms of thi OU, and do so by signing. o~ oo~ v 2 rq °! Cha a e County Board Co ners at .. nI If this is a Partner update, so note, giving date & reason: Name of Organization: Type of Program: __ Health & Human Services Address, City, State, Zip Code: P.O. Box 660, Eas?le CO 81631 Telephone Number: 970-328-8840 Fax Number: 970-328-8829 Web Site www.ea le-coon .com E-Mail: forinash(as`a$le-county,com Workforce Development System Services Check the services your agency provides, either directly or by referral to another Workforce Partner. Enter an "x" if you provide the services dtrectly, and enter an "R" for the services you access for your clients by referral. Some boxes may have both an `~" and an "R." Enter Workforce services that vour vroaram provides that are not listed here in the blanks at the bottom of the chark Prelif~tinary Services Services Requiring Eligibility Training Services Employer Services Public Information N Enrollment or Registration Financial Assistance for X Job Listing R A R Training R Outreach, Recruitment R Diagnostic Assessment R Occupational Skills Training R Candidate Screening R Determination of Program R Individual Self-Sufficiency or X On-the-Job Training R Candidate Testing Appropriateness for Customer Employment Plans Orientation Counseling: Group or Individual X Skills Upgrading R Job Referrals R R Resource Center R Case Management X Re-Training R Space for Job Interviews N A Initial Assessment R Basic Education, Literacy R Entrepreneurial Training R Labor Market Information R Training, GED Training Workshops R English as a Second Language R Apprenticeship Training R Local Economic R Training Development Information Career Infom~ation R Computer Literacy Training R Customized or Workplace R Employer Incentives R Training Labor Market Information R Job Readiness Training R Work Experience, Internship R Employer Seminars R (including Sunvner Jobs) Job Seazch Skills & R Life Skills Training X Job Fairs R Information Job Referrals R Supportive Services X Services to Laid Off Worker; R Labor Mazket Information R Post Employment or Job R Outplacement Services R Retention Services Follow-Up Tutoring, Study Skills Training X Job Analysis R R Eligibility Determination R Leadership Development R Focus Groups R Activities Mentoring X Alternative Secondary School R Page 8 WIA Partner MOU Fina14-O1-03 The parties to this Agreement have agreed to use common definitions for terms related to the provision of services and shared funding. Through the use of common definitions, all parties achieve consistency in the provision of similar services to customers. These terms are defined below: Preliminary Services: • Public Information: Facts about a Partner's services distributed to the public. • Outreach, Recruitment: Information about a Partner's services circulated to potential customers for the purpose of attracting customers to the program. • Determination of Program Appropriateness for Customer: A decision about whether the Partner provides services suitable for the customer. • Orientation: Explanation of the Partner's services and requirements, to customers. • Resource Center: A library of workforce, career and supportive service information, open to the public. Information maybe accessed through a variety of means including electronic and hard copy. • Initial Assessment: Interviewing and asking questions that would assist customer to consider his/her resources, skills, abilities, and service needs as related to a plan of action. • Workshops: Short-term instruction to groups of customers to impart knowledge or skills related to workforce or related issues, for example, how to complete a resume. • Career Information: Facts and figures about occupational duties, requirements, demand in the labor market, working conditions, and pay, given to customers to aid them in choosing a plan for employment. • Labor Market Information: Facts and figures about demand for workers by occupation, skill level, or geographic area. • Job Search Skills & Information: The preparation of individuals or groups of individuals to plan and execute an efficient investigation of employment opportunities and the effective marketing of their skills and abilities. Covers areas of skill identification, understanding where potential jobs can be found, organizing a job search, interviewing, applications and resumes. • Job Referrals: Reviewing employer job requirements, determining qualifications and referring job seekers to employers for consideration. • Follow-Un: Contacting a customer after services have been provided in order to assess satisfaction & review needs. • Eligibility Determination: Collection of information and documents to make a decision whether an individual can access eligibility-based services. Services Requiring Eligibility: • Enrollment or Registration: Completion and recording of eligibility determination data required before individuals can receive services. • Diagnostic Assessment: The use of valid and reliable formal tests to analyze customer skills, aptitudes and interests, together with a review of customer resources, barriers, health issues, legal issues, service needs and other matters that will lead to a plan for self-sufficiency, employment, or related goal. • Individual Self-Sufficiency or Employment Planninrr: A written action plan, signed by the customer and staff, that includes steps the customer must take and services the agency must provide, in order to achieve a goal, usually for long-term self-sufficient employment. • Case Mana eg ment: Long term guidance and support through the process of finding and using a variety of services leading to economic self-sufficiency. • Basic Education, Literacy Training, GED Training: Training in reading, math, and related topics to enable a customer to read and write English language. GED Training is given in order to assist a customer in obtaining their General Education Development certificate. • English as a Second Language Training: English language training given to customers who speak and/or are literate in another language from birth. • Computer Literac~Training: Basic instruction to assist customers with accessing, creating, and saving documents and retrieving information from computers. Page 9 WIA Partner MOU Final 4-01-03 • Job Readiness Training: Instruction in job seeking and job keeping skills. • Life Skills Training: Instruction in money management, time management, dealing with institutions, and other skills needed for successful everyday functioning. • Supportive Services: Goods or services purchased or provided to address the barriers or basic needs that prevent a customer from successful completion of a plan of action. Examples are childcare assistance, work tools, work clothing, housing, and transportation assistance. • Post Employment or Job Retention Services: Counseling and supportive services to eliminate barriers targeted at allowing employed individuals to continue employment. • Tutoring Study Skills Training: Individual, classroom, Teaming lab, or other instruction given to customers to encourage school or training completion and dropout prevention. • Leadership Development Activities: The encouragement of responsibility and other positive social behaviors such as communication skills, decision-making, teamwork, money management, time organization, resourcefulness, parenting, citizenship and service to community. • Mentoring: Providing a positive role model to guide and coach a customer in personal and decision-making skills needed to become a successful member of a community or a work place. • Alternative Secondary School: Any locally recognized educational program offering school credit and graduation, established for students having difficulty completing their education in a traditional secondary school setting. Training Services: • Financial Assistance for Training: Information and access to grants, loans, and scholarships, including WIA tuition assistance, Pell Grants, State Scholarships and Grants, Child Care Grants, Perkins Loans, Work Study, Veterans Assistance Benefits, Bureau of Indian Affairs assistance, Indian Scholarship Program, and Foundation Scholarships. • Occupational Skills Training: Specific programs or opportunities that allow an individual to gain occupational skills and may lead to a certificate or credential. • On-the-Job Training: Training provided by an employer to an employee, with or without subsidy. On-the-Job Training occurs while the customer is engaged in productive work and provides knowledge and skills essential to the performance of the job. • Skills Upgr ding: Instruction designed to improve or update basic or occupational skills. • Re-Training: Instruction in a new set of skills for customers whose occupational skills have become obsolete or are no longer needed in the local labor market. • Entrepreneurial Training: Instruction designed to assist customers who are interested in opening a business. Training includes instruction in marketing, business, and financial plans as well as legal requirements for opening a business. • Apprenticeship Training: A program of instruction delivered to individuals while working on the job at a beginning level and graduating skill levels and pay until journeyman level is achieved. • Customized or Workplace Training: Training conducted with a commitment by an employer or group of employers to employ individuals upon successful completion. Training is specific to the skill needs of the employer or group of employers. • Work Experience, Internship: Short term paid or unpaid work activity which provides an individual the opportunity to acquire the skill and knowledge necessary to perform a job. Under the guidance of a supervisor, Work Experience or Internship customers develop appropriate work habits and behaviors while learning various aspects of an occupation. Eira~loyer Services: • Job Listing: Information on current job vacancies, including required skills, knowledge and abilities, wage and hours, benefits, and location of work. Available on a local, state and national level. • Candidate Screening: Comparing job seeker skills to the requirements of the job listing. • Candidate Testing: Administration of specialized testing as requested by employers to help identify preferred candidates. May include achievement, proficiency, or any other validated measure. Page 10 WlA Partner MOU Final 4=01-03 • Job Referrals: Reviewing employer job requirements, determining qualifications and referring job seekers to employers for consideration. • mace for Job Interviews: Providing appropriate space for an employer to use to test and/or interview applicants. This service may include access to TVNCR, telephone, fax, copier, computer, and Internet. • Labor Market Information: Information about labor supply and demand, population, growth and characteristics, trends in industrial and occupational structure, technological developments, shifts in consumer demands, wage levels, trade disputes; recruitment practices; conditions of employment; and training opportunities. • Local Economic Development Information: Information about aspects of a community's infrastructure, climate, recreational opportunities, housing conditions, educational opportunities, and other information designed to attract new or relocating employers. • Employer Incentives: Tax credits, training subsidies, or other inducements offered to an employer in return for locating in a community or hiring & training workers. • Employer Seminars: Workshops providing employers with information that will help them hire and retain workers. Examples include training in fair employment practices as well as information about employment laws and payroll withholding, workers' compensation, and Unemployment Insurance tax requirements. • Job Fairs: Open forums for the recruitment of applicants by several or many employers. • Services to Laid Off Workers: Workshops and individual services initiated when significant numbers of employers/employees in a community experience downsizing or plant closure. Several Workforce Partners may combine efforts with employers to give information and support in the areas of community services, Unemployment Compensation, retraining services, and strategies for reemployment. • Outplacement Services: Finding employment of an employee outside his/her current employer. • Job Analysis: A detailed description of an occupation highlighting significant factors such as duties, successful worker traits, equipment, qualifications, training, physical demands, environmental conditions, and other employment factors. Comparison may be made to other jobs/careers. • Focus Groups: Groups of employers coming together to discuss and guide Workforce Centers and Partners in employment issues from the employer perspective. Page 11