Orange County
One-Stop Center
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What is WIOA?
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OVERVIEW
WIOA stands for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act which is designed to help job seekers access employment, education, training, and support services to succeed in the labor market. WIOA training funds are designed to serve dislocated workers, adults, and youth who are in need of training to enter or re-enter the labor market.
WIOA provides career services for adults and dislocated workers. There are three types of career services: basic career services, individualized career services, and follow-up services. Individualized career services must be based on the employment needs of the individual as determined jointly by the individual and the Workforce Case Manager and may be identified through an Individual Employment Plan.
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. During normal business hours our Workforce Solutions (formerly One-Stop) centers offer job seekers free access to computers, internet, telephones, fax machines, and admission to career readiness training.
Job seekers who need a little assistance with their job search may apply for enrollment in our WIOA Individualized Career Services for Adults or Dislocated Workers. Individualized career services must be provided to participants after the Workforce Case Manager determines that such services are required to retain or obtain employment. These services involve significant staff time and customization to an individual's needs. Individualized career services include services such as: specialized assessments, developing an individual employment plan, counseling, work experiences (including transitional jobs), etc. WIOA is not an entitlement program, job seekers who enroll in WIOA individualized career services are required to engage with their Workforce Case Manager to ensure their success in the program. Participants are expected to utilize information such as skills assessments, labor market information (conditions, industry trends, occupational data), career readiness training, and to take an active role in managing their employment future.
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. These services are designed to help individuals retain unsubsidized employment, advance within their occupation, or provide other post-placement related activities.
WIOA ADULT OR DISLOCATED WORKER
WIOA Adult is defined as anyone over the age of 18
WIOA Dislocated Worker is defined as an individual who—
A.
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has been terminated or laid off, or who has received a notice of termination or layoff, from employment, including separation notice from active military service (under other than dishonorable conditions);
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is eligible for or has exhausted entitlement to unemployment compensation; or
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has been employed for a duration sufficient to demonstrate, to the appropriate entity at a Workforce Solutions (formerly One-Stop) center, attachment to the workforce, but is not eligible for unemployment compensation due to insufficient earnings or having performed services for an employer that were not covered under a State unemployment compensation law; and
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is unlikely to return to a previous industry or occupation;
B.
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has been terminated or laid off, or has received a notice of termination or layoff, from employment as a result of any permanent closure of, or any substantial layoff at, a plant, facility, military installation or enterprise;
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is employed at a facility at which the employer has made a general announcement that such facility will close within 180 days; or
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for purposes of eligibility to receive services other than training services , career services or supportive services, is employed at a facility at which the employer has made a general announcement that such facility or military installation will close;
C.
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was self-employed (including employment as a farmer, a rancher, or a fisherman) but is unemployed as a result of general economic conditions in the community in which the individual resides or because of natural disasters;
D.
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is a displaced homemaker; or
E.
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is the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces on active duty (as defined in section 101(d)(1) of title 10, United States Code), and who has experienced a loss of employment as a direct result of relocation to accommodate a permanent change in duty station of such member; or
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is the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces on active duty and who meets the criteria
WIOA TRAINING SERVICES
Training services may be provided if the Workforce Case Manager determines after conducting an interview, an evaluation, or assessment, and career planning, that the job seeker 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 an approved Eligible Training Provider. ITA Training services are limited to individuals who are unable to obtain other grant assistance for services, including federal Pell grants.
WIOA SUPPORT SERVICES
Supportive services are provided to eligible WIOA Adults and Dislocated Workers when the supportive service will assist the participant with reaching his/her employment and training goals and if no other solutions, or resources are available. Supportive services are based on need and participants are not automatically entitled to supportive services.
WIOA ELIGIBILITY
WIOA Adult Eligibility - To be eligible to receive WIOA services as an adult in the adult program an individual must:
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be 18 years of age or older;
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be a citizen or noncitizen authorized to work in the US;
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meet Military Selective Service registration requirements (males only).
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Adults who are
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Unemployed
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Determined to need individualized career services or training services to obtain employment
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Adults who are:
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Employed
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Determined to need individualized career services or training to obtain or retain employment that leads to self-sufficiency
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Priority of Services Status
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This is established at the time of eligibility determination for WIOA Title I adult registrants and does not change during the period of participation
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Is in accordance with OCWDB priority of services status determination and self-sufficiency determination
WIOA Dislocated Worker Eligibility – To be eligible to receive WIOA services as a dislocated worker in the dislocated worker program and individual must:
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be 18 years of age or older;
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be a citizen or noncitizen authorized to work in the US;
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meet Military Selective Service registration requirements (males only)
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Must meet the definition of “dislocated worker” as defined.
WIOA Dislocated Worker is defined as an individual who—
A.
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has been terminated or laid off, or who has received a notice of termination or layoff, from employment, including separation notice from active military service (under other than dishonorable conditions);
-
is eligible for or has exhausted entitlement to unemployment compensation; or
-
has been employed for a duration sufficient to demonstrate, to the appropriate entity at a Workforce Solutions (formerly One-Stop) center, attachment to the workforce, but is not eligible for unemployment compensation due to insufficient earnings or having performed services for an employer that were not covered under a State unemployment compensation law; and
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is unlikely to return to a previous industry or occupation;
B.
-
has been terminated or laid off, or has received a notice of termination or layoff, from employment as a result of any permanent closure of, or any substantial layoff at, a plant, facility, military installation or enterprise;
-
is employed at a facility at which the employer has made a general announcement that such facility will close within 180 days; or
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for purposes of eligibility to receive services other than training services, career services or supportive services, is employed at a facility at which the employer has made a general announcement that such facility or military installation will close;
C.
-
was self-employed (including employment as a farmer, a rancher, or a fisherman) but is unemployed as a result of general economic conditions in the community in which the individual resides or because of natural disasters;
D.
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is a displaced homemaker; or
E.
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is the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces on active duty (as defined in section 101(d)(1) of title 10, United States Code), and who has experienced a loss of employment as a direct result of relocation to accommodate a permanent change in duty station of such member; or
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is the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces on active duty and who meets the criteria
ORANGE COUNTY ONE-STOP (AMERICAN JOB CENTER OF CALIFORNIA)
The Orange County Workforce Solutions (formerly One-Stop) centers are considered American Job Centers. They are a part of a nationwide system of American Job Centers and are connected to the American Job Centers of California (AJCC) workforce system. The centers provide training opportunities for people who need assistance with job search, have been laid off from their job, receiving public assistance, persons with disabilities who are ready to work, mature workers, Veterans, and individuals who want to secure their high school diploma.
The Orange County Workforce Solutions (formerly One-Stop) centers includes six core programs: WIAO Title I Adult, Dislocated Worker, and Youth programs; the WIOA Title II Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA) program; WIOA Title III Wagner-Peyser Act Employment Service program, WIOA Title IV Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program and a variety of community-based organizations.
Through the Orange County Workforce Solutions (formerly One-Stop) centers, these partner programs and their direct service providers ensure businesses and all job seekers have access to information and services that lead to positive educational and employment outcomes. Under WIOA, Orange County Workforce Solutions (formerly One-Stop) centers and partner staff strive to:
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Provide job seekers with the skills and credentials necessary to secure and advance in employment with wages that sustain themselves and their families;
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Provide access and opportunities to job seekers, including individuals with barriers to employment, such as individuals with disabilities, individuals who are English language learners, and individuals who have low levels of literacy, to prepare for, obtain, retain, and advance in high-quality jobs and high-demand careers;
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Enable businesses and employers to easily identify and hire skilled workers and access other human resource assistance, including education and training for their current workforce, which may include assistance with pre-screening applicants, writing job descriptions, offering rooms for interviewing, and consultation services on topics like succession planning and career ladder development, and other forms of assistance.
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Participate in rigorous evaluations that support continuous improvement of Orange County Workforce Solutions (formerly One-Stop) centers by identifying which strategies work better for different populations; and
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Ensure that high-quality integrated data inform decisions made by policymakers, employers, and job seekers
Equal Opportunity Training information for Service Provider staff and mandated partners can be accessed on the Orange County Workforce Development Board/Orange County Workforce & Economic Development Division page here.