CTWS Integrated Plan FY2000-2004

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SERVICES TO JOB SEEKERS

FUNCTIONAL INTEGRATION QUESTIONS 20 - 47

Services to Job Seekers-Outreach

Guidelines Pages 54-55

22. Describe the methods used by the Board to monitor outreach activities to job seekers in the local workforce area and to ensure that outreach efforts are successful.

The Central Texas Workforce Board system of evaluation if provided using contracted services provided through a procured program and financial expert consultant/agency. As described in Question #8, the Central Texas monitoring contract requires review of all funds and program requirements administered through the Central Texas Workforce Board and its contractors. Categories of review include compliance, program performance, and managerial monitoring. Results and recommendations of and responses to all monitoring reviews are presented and addressed through the Central Texas Workforce Board's Planning and Evaluation Committee. Specific monitoring requirements are documented in the Central Texas Workforce Board's Monitoring Policy.
The Central Texas Workforce Board also evaluates the success of outreach efforts during the Board's monthly business meetings. Examples of success used by the Board include, program-specific performance reports and written acknowledgements from local customers and/or local newspaper coverage.

Services to Job Seekers-Intake & Eligibility

Guidelines Pages 55 - 56 23. Describe how Center partners coordinate the intake and eligibility determination of participants for workforce activities and services. Include in your discussion:
a. How Center partners coordinate and collaborate to eliminate duplicative efforts in the intake and eligibility determination of participants.
b. Other entities with which the Centers coordinate and how this process is achieved.
c. How intake procedures reflect the Board's policy for priority of services.
d. How the concept of "customer choice" is conveyed to participants.
e. How the intake process helps to identify the range of services/assistance for which a participant is eligible.
f. How the requirement for administering a work test for the State unemployment compensation system is met.
g. The use of automated systems to facilitate the intake/eligibility process.
h. Examples of innovative practices the Center(s) employ in the intake/eligibility process.

To the extent possible, the TWIST system is used to document customer application data for eligibility determination as well as program-specific intensive, case management and training services. The TWIST system is then used to identify the range of services and assistance for which a local job seeker customer may be eligible. For programs that have not yet been incorporated into the TWIST eligibility system, staff use eligibility determination forms as well as customer employment and needs assessments to identify programs for which customers are eligible and which are appropriate to meet customer needs and any applicable participation requirements. For universal, self-service functions and Wagner Peyser employment services the State's TWIST system, TcoB, JSMS, and Texas Hires are used for documentation and to identify the need for referral to other services available within Central Texas Workforce Centers.
As a method of quality assurance, Central Texas Workforce System eligibility specialists confirm the initial eligibility determination made by frontline staff. Workforce System staff and partners are also cross-trained in program-specific service opportunities and general eligibility requirements. The cross-training approach promotes appropriate referrals to Workforce program specialists who then confirm eligibility for specific program services and potential co-enrollment in multiple programs.
Within the limitations of program-specific requirements customer eligibility, enrollment, and employment assistance is driven by customers' expressed needs and expectations. Customer choice is promoted through staff assisted assessment and referrals, service menus and customer-driven case management.
Additionally, in support of Workforce Board policy, training resource limitations require priority of service to low income individuals including individuals receive in public assistance and targeted populations with poor work histories and/or deficient skills. Priority of services also includes individuals in need of additional assistance to complete and education program or who have appropriately used Central Texas Workforce Center services and are unable to obtain employment of self-sufficiency.
The work test is administered through electronic coordination with Unemployment Insurance Call Centers, register for employment services using ES511, inform failure to comply with Unemployment Insurance work requirements using the State JSMS system, use worker profiling promote employment and assist in job search.

Services to Job Seekers-Intake & Eligibility

Guidelines Pages 55 - 56 24. Discuss plans the Board has for improving the intake/eligibility function over the next five years. How do these plans relate to the goals and objectives described in the Strategic Section of the local plan?

Plans to improve the intake/eligibility function of Central Texas Workforce Centers focuses on working with the Texas Workforce Commission to facilitate inclusion of additional programs, such as Wagner Peyser Employment Services, Child Care eligibility, and other workforce system programs, as appropriate, in the common intake/eligibility and tracking systems of TWIST. Additionally, the Central Texas Workforce System will continue to ensure that hardware and software resources are available to appropriate Workforce Center staff thereby supporting automated application and download using the TWIST system.
Improvement of Workforce Center functions are supported in the strategic section of the Central Texas Workforce Integrated plan through Workforce Development objective 1d and through the Central Texas Workforce objective: to continuously seek ways to improve the local workforce system and the quality of services we offer.

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Services to Job Seekers-Intake & Eligibility
Guidelines Pages 55 - 56	23. Describe how Center partners coordinate the intake and eligibility determination of participants for workforce activities and services. Include in your discussion: a. How Center partners coordinate and collaborate to eliminate duplicative efforts in the intake and eligibility determination of participants. b. Other entities with which the Centers coordinate and how this process is achieved. c. How intake procedures reflect the Board's policy for priority of services. d. How the concept of "customer choice" is conveyed to participants. e. How the intake process helps to identify the range of services/assistance for which a participant is eligible. f. How the requirement for administering a work test for the State unemployment compensation system is met. g. The use of automated systems to facilitate the intake/eligibility process. h. Examples of innovative practices the Center(s) employ in the intake/eligibility process.
To the extent possible, the TWIST system is used to document customer application data for eligibility determination as well as program-specific intensive, case management and training services. The TWIST system is then used to identify the range of services and assistance for which a local job seeker customer may be eligible. For programs that have not yet been incorporated into the TWIST eligibility system, staff use eligibility determination forms as well as customer employment and needs assessments to identify programs for which customers are eligible and which are appropriate to meet customer needs and any applicable participation requirements. For universal, self-service functions and Wagner Peyser employment services the State's TWIST system, TcoB, JSMS, and Texas Hires are used for documentation and to identify the need for referral to other services available within Central Texas Workforce Centers. As a method of quality assurance, Central Texas Workforce System eligibility specialists confirm the initial eligibility determination made by frontline staff. Workforce System staff and partners are also cross-trained in program-specific service opportunities and general eligibility requirements. The cross-training approach promotes appropriate referrals to Workforce program specialists who then confirm eligibility for specific program services and potential co-enrollment in multiple programs. Within the limitations of program-specific requirements customer eligibility, enrollment, and employment assistance is driven by customers' expressed needs and expectations. Customer choice is promoted through staff assisted assessment and referrals, service menus and customer-driven case management. Additionally, in support of Workforce Board policy, training resource limitations require priority of service to low income individuals including individuals receive in public assistance and targeted populations with poor work histories and/or deficient skills. Priority of services also includes individuals in need of additional assistance to complete and education program or who have appropriately used Central Texas Workforce Center services and are unable to obtain employment of self-sufficiency. The work test is administered through electronic coordination with Unemployment Insurance Call Centers, register for employment services using ES511, inform failure to comply with Unemployment Insurance work requirements using the State JSMS system, use worker profiling promote employment and assist in job search.

Services to Job Seekers-Intake & Eligibility
Guidelines Pages 55 - 56	24. Discuss plans the Board has for improving the intake/eligibility function over the next five years. How do these plans relate to the goals and objectives described in the Strategic Section of the local plan?
Plans to improve the intake/eligibility function of Central Texas Workforce Centers focuses on working with the Texas Workforce Commission to facilitate inclusion of additional programs, such as Wagner Peyser Employment Services, Child Care eligibility, and other workforce system programs, as appropriate, in the common intake/eligibility and tracking systems of TWIST. Additionally, the Central Texas Workforce System will continue to ensure that hardware and software resources are available to appropriate Workforce Center staff thereby supporting automated application and download using the TWIST system. Improvement of Workforce Center functions are supported in the strategic section of the Central Texas Workforce Integrated plan through Workforce Development objective 1d and through the Central Texas Workforce objective: to continuously seek ways to improve the local workforce system and the quality of services we offer.