1
UNITED
STATES
UNITED
STATES
DEPARTMENT
OF OF
LABOR
DEPARTMENT
LABOR
UNITED
UNITEDSTATES
STATES
DEPARTMENT
DEPARTMENTOFOFEDUCATION
EDUCATION
UNITED
UNITEDSTATES
STATES
DEPARTMENT
DEPARTMENTOFOFHEALTH
HEALTHAND
ANDHUMAN
HUMANSERVICES
SERVICES

Workforce Analyst
Employment & Training Administration (ETA)
U.S. Dept. of Labor

VR Program Specialist
Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA)
U.S. Department of Education
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UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Workforce Services Division Policy Unit
Manager
California Employment Development Department

Workforce Specialist
Michigan Talent Investment Agency

State Equal Opportunity Officer
Missouri Department of Economic Development
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UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
 Understand the guiding principles and
requirements surrounding American Job Center
(AJC) certification.
 Demonstrate how certification is applied by
states to its AJC network for effectiveness,
continuous improvement, and physical and
programmatic accessibility.
 Recognize how the certification process is an
important tool to help establish a seamless
customer-focused delivery system in the AJC
network.
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UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
 WIOA requires that the State Board establish
objective criteria and procedures for use by
Local Boards in order to be eligible to receive
infrastructure funding.
 WIOA outlines the criteria as the following:
 Effectiveness;
 Continuous Improvement; and
 Physical and Programmatic Accessibility.
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UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
 State Workforce Development Boards
(WDBs) establish objective criteria and
procedures on the certification process.
 Local Workforce Development Boards
(WDB) certify AJCs every three years based
on criteria established by the State WDB.
Local WDBs may establish additional
certification criteria.
 Both the State WDB and Local WDB must
review and update the AJC criteria every two
years as part of its State Plan modification.
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UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
 Evaluations of effectiveness examine the extent
to which the AJC integrates available services and
meets the needs of local employers and
participants.
 Effectiveness on “customer focused” program
standards could include:
 Streamlining intake forms across programs;
 Having current postings in AJC resource room;
 Providing available resources for all partner
programs; and
 Ensuring access to services outside business hours.
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UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
 Continuous Improvement requires the AJC
network to collect, analyze, and use multiple
data resources including the negotiated levels of
performance from its performance measures.
 Data to support continuous improvement could
stem from:
 Customer satisfaction surveys;
 Use of performance indicators to address
technical assistance needs; and
 Professional development opportunities made
available to staff to successfully apply latest
policies and procedures.
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UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
 Evaluations of physical and programmatic
accessibility must include how well the AJC
ensure equal opportunity for individuals with
disabilities to benefit from AJC services.
 The American with Disabilities Act and Section
188 of WIOA establish guiding standards.
Examples include:




Availability of transportation to the AJC;
Flexibility with adjustable work stations;
Providing reasonable accommodations; and
Administering programs in the most integrated
setting appropriate.
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UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
 The Departments give States discretion and
flexibility in determining how to establish and
operationalize its AJC certification process.
 The Departments will not issue further requirements
for certification beyond what has been provided in
existing guidance and will not issue a single
national certification checklist.
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UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Marissa Clark
Workforce Services Division Policy Unit Manager
Employment Development Department
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UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
 The State Board (in consultation with state-level partners and Local
Board representatives) developed certification criteria based around
the three focus areas outlined in the WIOA Joint Final Rule:
 Effectiveness of the AJC;
 Physical and programmatic accessibility for individuals with
disabilities; and
 Continuous improvement
 The goal is to establish a statewide standard that ensures all of
California’s customers receive a consistent and high-quality level of
services.
 In California, the American Job Center brand is America’s Job
Center’s of California (AJCC).
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UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
 Federal Guidance
 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Statute
 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Final Rules
 Training Employment and Guidance Letters
 State Guidance
 California WIOA Unified Strategic Plan
 Other State’s Certification Policies
 AJCC Certification Workgroup
 Local Workforce Development Boards
 State Level WIOA Core Partners
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UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
 Two levels of certification
 Baseline AJCC Certification
 Hallmarks of Excellence AJCC Certification.
 Baseline AJCC Certification is meant to ensure
that the AJCC is in compliance with key WIOA
statutory and regulatory requirements.
 Hallmarks of Excellence AJCC Certification is
meant to encourage continuous improvement by
identifying areas where Local Boards may be
exceeding quality expectations as well as areas in
which improvement is needed.
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UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
 The AJCC is implementing a signed Memorandum of
Understanding.
 The AJCC is implementing the Local Board defined roles and
responsibilities of the Operator and Career Services Provider.
 The AJCC meets all regulatory requirements to be a
comprehensive AJCC as identified in WIOA Joint Final Rule
Section 678.305.
 The AJCC ensures equal opportunity for individuals with
disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state
guidance.
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UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
1. The AJCC physical location enhances the customer
experience.
2. The AJCC ensures universal access, with an
emphasis on individuals with barriers to employment.
3. The AJCC actively supports the one-stop system
through effective partnerships.
4. The AJCC provides integrated, customer-centered
services.
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UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
5. The AJCC is an on-ramp for skill development and the attainment
of industry-recognized credentials which meet the needs of
targeted regional sectors and pathways.
6. The AJCC actively engages industry and labor and supports
regional sector strategies through an integrated business service
strategy that focuses on quality jobs.
7. The AJCC has high-quality, well-informed, and cross-trained
staffing.
8. The AJCC achieves business results through data-driven
continuous improvement.
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UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Each individual Hallmark of Excellence is ranked on a scale of 1 to 5:
1. No progress on the hallmark at this time.
2. Have started progress on the hallmark but not yet satisfactory.
3. Have a satisfactory amount of the hallmark in place the majority of
the time.
4. Significantly meeting the hallmark with room for improvement.
5. Achieving and excelling at the hallmark.
 In order to receive Hallmarks of Excellence AJCC Certification, an
AJCC must have met Baseline AJCC Certification and must also
receive a ranking of at least a “3” for each Hallmark of Excellence.
 Must submit a continuous improvement plan for each AJCC outlining
how the AJCC will either improve each Hallmark of Excellence or
maintain any rankings where they received a “5.”
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UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Successes
 In alignment with State Plan and other policies.
 Encourages continuous improvement, not just a one-time
activity.
 Empowers Local Boards to drive the process and make
decisions.
Barriers
 Ensuring an objective and independent evaluation.
 Process used as a comparison tool rather than a selfimprovement tool.
 Workload associated with certifying all AJCCs throughout the
state.
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UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Marissa Clark
916-654-6552
[email protected]
Please feel free to
contact me if you have
questions or need
additional information
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UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Sue Ann Searles, Workforce Specialist
Michigan Talent Investment Agency
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UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
 The structure of the Michigan American Job
Center network is organized as follow:
 16 Local Workforce Development Areas
 71 Comprehensive American Job Centers
 28 Affiliate American Job Centers
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UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
 2001: Self-certified with minimum standards
 Emphasis on brick and mortar; accessibility; quality Resource
Rooms; customer service; integrated services
 2006: Minimum standards converted to policy
 New policy included self-assessment and on-site reviews
 2015: Michigan updated policy
 Focused on certification criteria for Michigan Works! Service
Centers (Policy Issuance 15-30)
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UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
 Current assurance, certification, and monitoring
developments include the following:
 All 16 Local Workforce Development Assurance Forms
received state level. All 71 comprehensive American
Job Centers are certified.
 On-site Monitoring: 5 of 71 comprehensive American
Job Service Centers visited (2 of the 16 local areas
completed).
 On-site monitoring reviews to be completed by
December 2018.
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UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
 Several important steps occurred in planning this
work:
 Researched other states on how they applied the
criteria;
 Incorporated additional requirements of effectiveness,
continuous improvement and accessibility;
 Great Resources - Vision for the One-Stop Delivery
System Under WIOA (TEGL 4-15) and One-Stop
Operations Guidance for the American Job Center
Network (TEGL 16-16); and
 Feedback and approval by State Workforce Board.
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UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
 Monitoring of the certification process includes
the following steps:
 Self-attestation/assurances with list of
comprehensive and affiliate sites;
 Desk review;
 On-site review with check list review guide;
 Discussion with Service Center staff;
 Tour of facility;
 Exit interview with leadership; and
 Follow-up report
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UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Strengths
 Assurance follow-up with on-site
monitoring reviews
Challenges
 On-site monitoring reviews are very
labor intensive
 Differences in local areas
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UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Sue Ann Searles
517-335-9825
[email protected]
Please feel free to
contact me if you have
questions or need
additional information
28
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Danielle Smith, State Equal Opportunity Officer
Department of Economic Development
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UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
 The structure of the Missouri American Job
Center network is organized as follow:
 14 Local Workforce Development Areas
 31 Comprehensive American Job Centers
 13 Affiliate American Job Centers
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UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
 Resources, tools, and partnerships included the following:
 Promising Practices in Achieving Universal Access and
Equal Opportunity: Section 188 Disability Reference
Guide (See Resource Page for link)
 Developed and strengthened partnerships with
Leadership for the Advancement of People with
Disabilities (LEAD) and Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)
 Webinar and recorded training
 Great reviews / stories of impact
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UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
 Equal and effective access to:
Programs, Services and Activities
 American Job Centers need effective policies,
practices and procedures surrounding
programmatic access.
 Outreach is key to people with disabilities and
underserved communities.
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UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
 Modifications of the physical aspects of your
location including:


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

Indoor Walkways
Cubicle settings and Computer Work Stations
Alarm systems and Signage
Parking and Access by Public Transportation
Common Areas used by Customers
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UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
 Key take-away and lessons learned include the
following:









Empower the Role of the State and Local EO Officer;
Communication;
Contracts & Agreements;
Universal Access;
Compliance with 504 Disability Requirements;
Data Collection;
Monitor For Compliance;
Complaint Process; and
Corrective Action & Sanctions.
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UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Danielle Smith
573-751-2428
[email protected]
Please feel free to contact
me if you have questions
or need additional
information
35
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Enter your questions
in the Chat window
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UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
 WIOA: Section 121(g) Certification And Continuous
Improvement of One-Stop Centers
 Joint Rule: 20 CFR 678.800, 34 CFR 361.800, and
34 CFR 463.800
 Joint Guidance: Vision for the One-Stop Delivery
System Under WIOA (TEGL 4-15) and One-Stop
Operations Guidance for the American Job Center
Network (TEGL 16-16)
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UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Michigan- Certification
Criteria for Michigan Works!
Service Centers
(Policy Issuance: 15-30)
(DWD Issuance 02-2016)
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/wda/
15-30_MWSC_509237_7.pdf
Washington- One-Stop
Evaluation and Certification
Policy
(Policy Number 5612)
http://www.wa.gov/esd/1stop/policies/doc
uments/wioa_title1/5612_OneStopEvaluationandCertification_Final.pdf
38
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Missouri- One-Stop Job
Center Certification
Evaluation and Criteria
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
https://jobs.mo.gov/sites/jobs/files/dw
dissuance02-2016_100716.pdf
California- Certification
Process for Comprehensive
AJCCs
Not yet released; Posting will
soon be housed at following site:
http://www.edd.ca.gov/Jobs_and_Train
ing/Active_Directives.htm
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Evaluating the Accessibility of American Job Centers for People
with Disabilities
U.S. DOL final report issued January 13, 2017, measuring the accessibility of
American Job Centers.
 https://www.dol.gov/asp/evaluation/completed-studies/AJC-AccessibilityStudy.pdf
Promising Practices in Achieving Universal Access and Equal
Opportunity: A Section 188 Disability Reference Guide
Information and technical assistance to public workforce system in meeting
their nondiscrimination and universal access obligations for individuals with
disabilities.
 https://www.dol.gov/oasam/programs/crc/Section188Guide.pdf
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UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Discussion on:
MOU Part I: Overview & Development
April 26, 2017 – 3:00pm EST
 Discussion of different types of MOUs and
key elements
 Showcase a sample MOU document
Increasing Opportunity for Shared
Customers: Integrated Service Delivery
through the American Job Center
Network
May 17, 2017 – 3:00pm EST
 Characteristics of Integrated Service
Delivery
 Benefits of participating in the AJC Network
 Voices from “the field” w/examples and
recommendations
To register for these events, go to https://ion.workforcegps.org/events
40
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Discussion on:
MOU Part II: Local vs. State
Funding Mechanism
May 31, 2017 – 3:00pm EST
 Walk-through of State and Local funding
mechanism options
 Examples of both funding mechanism
options
Competitive Selection of OneStop Operators: “Deep Dive”
Date TBD
 In-depth dialogue re: competitive
procurement process; essential contract
elements; avoiding conflicts of interest;
transition, implementation and monitoring
To register for these events, go to https://ion.workforcegps.org/events
41
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Thank you for
joining us!
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UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES