BILL REQ. #:  H-1246.1 

Read first time 02/08/2005.   Referred to Committee on Children & Family Services.

     AN ACT Relating to job training and placement services; amending RCW 74.08A.280; adding a new section to chapter 28C.18 RCW; and adding a new chapter to Title 43 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that assisting recipients of the WorkFirst program and other individuals who are seeking jobs with job training and job placement services is critical to supporting the self-sufficiency of families as well as the economic well-being of the state. Job training and placement services are currently offered through multiple agencies and programs, each with their own eligibility requirements and funding sources.
     The legislature intends to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of job training and placement services for recipients of the WorkFirst program and other individuals who are seeking jobs by integrating the delivery of those services in communities across the state.

Sec. 2   RCW 74.08A.280 and 1997 c 58 s 315 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The legislature finds that moving those eligible for assistance to self-sustaining employment is a goal of the WorkFirst program. It is the intent of WorkFirst to aid a participant's progress to self-sufficiency by allowing flexibility within the statewide program to reflect community resources, the local characteristics of the labor market, and the composition of the caseload. Program success will be enhanced through effective coordination at regional and local levels, involving employers, labor representatives, educators, community leaders, local governments, and social service providers.
     (2) The department, through its regional offices, shall collaborate with employers, recipients, frontline workers, educational institutions, labor, ((private industry councils)) local work force investment boards, the work force training and education coordinating board, community rehabilitation employment programs, employment and training agencies, local governments, the employment security department, and community action agencies to develop work programs that are effective and work in their communities. For planning purposes, the department shall collect and make accessible to regional offices successful work program models from around the United States, including the employment partnership program, apprenticeship programs, microcredit, microenterprise, self-employment, and W-2 Wisconsin works. Work programs shall incorporate local volunteer citizens in their planning and implementation phases to ensure community relevance and success.
     (3) To reduce administrative costs and to ensure equal statewide access to services, the department may develop contracts for statewide welfare-to-work services. These statewide contracts shall support regional flexibility and ensure that resources follow local labor market opportunities and recipients' needs.
     (4) The secretary shall establish WorkFirst service areas for purposes of planning WorkFirst programs and for distributing WorkFirst resources. Service areas shall reflect department regions.
     (5) By July 31st of each odd-numbered year, a plan for the WorkFirst program shall be developed for each region. The plan shall be prepared in consultation with local and regional sources, adapting the statewide WorkFirst program to achieve maximum effect for the participants and the communities within which they reside. Local consultation shall include to the greatest extent possible input from local and regional planning bodies for social services and work force development. The regional and local administrator shall consult with employers of various sizes, labor representatives, training and education providers, program participants, economic development organizations, community organizations, tribes, and local governments in the preparation of the service area plan.
     (6) Regional plans shall specify how the job training and placement services provided through the WorkFirst program and the job training and placement services under P.L. 105-220, or its successor, are to be integrated.
     (7) The secretary has final authority in plan approval or modification. Regional program implementation may deviate from the statewide program if specified in a service area plan, as approved by the secretary.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 28C.18 RCW to read as follows:
     The board shall include in its planning requirements for local work force investment boards a requirement that local work force investment boards specify how the job training and placement services under P.L. 105-220, or its successor, and the job training and placement services provided through the WorkFirst program are to be integrated.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   (1) An incentive program is established in the governor's office for integrating the delivery of job training and placement services for recipients of the WorkFirst program and other individuals who are seeking jobs.
     (2) Local work force investment boards may apply, in partnership with the WorkFirst program and other partners in the one-stop system, to receive funding under the incentive program. In applying for funding, the local work force investment boards shall clearly demonstrate the approach to integration of job training and placement services that they will undertake.
     (3) Funding awards under the incentive program shall be made to local work force investment boards for twelve-month periods. In making decisions concerning renewal of funding, which may include adjustments in the level of funding, consideration shall be given to the following criteria:
     (a) Implementation of the identified integration approach; and
     (b) Performance with respect to the following outcomes for the population served: Rate of employment; and level of earnings.
     (4) The governor shall provide funding for the incentive program from WorkFirst program funds and work force investment act funds.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   Sections 1 through 4 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 43 RCW.