Integrating Employment Service and WIA Services
Methods: Consultation, Training
Topics: Demand Driven, One Stops, Organizational Development, Workforce Boards
The workforce development community in Oklahoma continues to pursue comprehensive integration to transform multiple public programs into a true "one-stop" workforce development system. But beyond just integrating programs for improved and expanded service delivery, in Oklahoma the entire design and delivery of workforce services is being advanced to a new, leading-edge "skill-based" service paradigm.
A feature of their steady progress focuses on evolving and integrating two major federal programs: (1) Employment Service - which falls under state control; and (2) Workforce Investment Act Title 1 programs -- which are under local control. The consultation delivered by Greg Newton featured wide-ranging integration strategies and assistance at both the state and local levels.
Greg's work began with aligning integration plans with state council priorities, and creating linkages with economic development. This was complemented by creation of integration policies and technical guidelines, designed to fit with the new common measures covering all federal workforce programs. In addition, Greg assisted the state leadership team with planning for local implementation, and establishing criteria for local integration plan approval. At the practical level, state-level staffing was reorganized from separate program units to functional field units; and parameters were set for "functional" supervision of state staff at the local level, including clarification of roles and responsibilities.
At the local planning and operational level, Greg provided training and consultation to Workforce Investment Board Directors and Chairs. In addition to strategic planning assistance, topics included principles of true service integration, practical advice on the mechanics of implementation, and change management strategies for introducing integrated service delivery to frontline staff. To help "institute" these comprehensive changes, Greg developed alignment strategies that included upgrading the major system documentation: Memoranda of Understanding, One-Stop Operator Agreements, and WIB and One-Stop Chartering requirements.
"Greg has been invaluable to Oklahoma. His unique blend of practical ideas and applications combined with his witty and humorous presentations have made him a popular trainer even when the subject matter was not. He has helped move Oklahoma to a more collaborative and integrated state. Specifically he facilitated a partnership agreement that has been signed by the heads of eight state agencies and he has assisted in moving the employment service and WIA title I programs into a single integrated service delivery unit at both the state and local levels. Our thanks to Greg for what he is doing for us and for what he is doing for workforce and economic development efforts around the county. "
Terry Watson, Associate Director
Workforce Solutions Division
Oklahoma Department of Commerce
"We've used a variety of consultants over the years for technical assistance and training of State and local staff; none has proven more effective than Greg Newton. He brings an understanding of the law, research data, and our programs and customers that we haven't found elsewhere. Best of all, he has helped us identify specific action steps to help us achieve our goals.
"We have worked with Greg for almost a decade; we always get the highest evaluation ratings for his training and his consultation has allowed us to successfully implement a variety of initiatives including our latest to integrate ES/WIA services in local Workforce Centers."
Glen Robards, Deputy Director
Oklahoma Employment Security Commission
Contact: Glen Robards, Deputy Director, Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, 405-557-7134 Terry Watson, Associate Director, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, 405-815-5278
Lead Consultant: Greg Newton
NewtonGreg@aol.com
Related Training: Partnering for Economic Development: Creating the Workforce Advantage, How to Integrate WIA and ES Resources for Quality Service Delivery, Building the One Stop Center of the Future TODAY, Achieving Partnership and Performance with the Adult Common Measures