Local Plan Modification FAQ

Local Plan Modification

• Section V.G.1.h requests information on how RWBs will administer the unemployment insurance work test and how feedback requirements for Unemployment Claimants are met. Can this be clarified?

  This section relates to the requirement that claimants must show that they have met the work test by demonstrating that they are able, available and actively seeking work. Thus, the RWB should describe how it will notify the office of unemployment compensation when claimants who either come into the One Stop for assistance or are directed to report to the One-Stop for reemployment services subsequently either refuse an acceptable job order or fail to report as directed for reemployment services. The RWB should further describe how it plans to serve claimants seeking to fulfill the weekly work search requirement by meeting with One-Stop Career Center staff.

• Section V.G.9 refers to FSET. Is this different from SNAP?

  The terms are used interchangeably: SNAP is the federal name for the program whereas FSET is the State-named program.

• Regarding Welfare Transition/TANF Standard Operating Procedures—Does an RWB have to submit all the WT Standard Operating Procedures (not just those referenced in the plan)?

  Yes, all such policies, procedures, and attachments (forms) must be submitted.

   

   

• In the 2009 Local Plan, there was a question relating to entrepreneurial training and small business development. Where should a RWB provide that information in this year’s Modification?

  The current Instructions did not specifically request information about these important issues. RWBs may provide such information in section V.G.16 (Business Services) or where they find it best suited to their Plan narrative.

   

• Could we have the Plan Modification Instructions in a format that allows additions, etc?

  An editable version of the Plan Modification Instructions has been sent to RWB Executive Directors. To obtain such a version, please contact Isabelle Potts at 850-921-3148 or isabelle.potts@deo.myflorida.com.

• Should the Local Plan reference AWI or the Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO)?

  Regional Workforce Board Local Plans should refer to the Department of Economic Opportunity.

   

• Section V.G.3.b.4 requests that Regional Workforce Boards provide targeted numbers of outreach contacts for each significant office. How should we address the following issues?

  • Do we report number of visits or number of hours?

    Number of hours, as stated at the top of the chart. However, both may be listed if an Regional Workforce Board so desires.

  • Are number of hours estimates?

    Yes.

  • Do the estimated outreach hours in a month have to be the sum of all the other hours listed for each component during a particular month or is that simply the number of hours staff will be outreaching?

    It would be a total of hours listed for that month for all activities. The annual total must equal or exceed 1,680 hours (210 days).

• Regarding Welfare Transition/TANF Standard Operating Procedures—Is it acceptable to attach Local Operating Policies as a “zip” file and submit electronically?

  Yes.

   

• Is there a summary of changes to the State Plan?

  No. Changes to the State Plan came about in response to Governor Scott’s priorities for the workforce system and changes in the Statewide Strategic Plan for Economic Development, the Roadmap to Florida’s Future. These documents, including an executive summary of the Strategic Plan, can be found at www.workforceflorida.com.

• How should an Regional Workforce Board address the situation where a Chief Elected Official’s signature can only be obtained after the submission date?

  In those situations, the Regional Workforce Board should contact Ms. Helen Jones at 850- 414-8295 or hjones@workforceflorida.com with specific information as to when the RWB will be able to obtain the signature.

   

• Do questions V.G.17 and V.G.19 both need to be answered as they seem to be duplicative?

  The questions are duplicative. Please answer either one and indicate in the other section, “please refer to [the other question].”

• How should a Regional Workforce Board (RWB) submit attachments that are large in size and, therefore, difficult to email?

  Large attachments should be placed on a CD/DVD and mailed to Ms. Helen Jones, Workforce Florida, Inc., 1580 Waldo Palmer Lane, Tallahassee, FL 32308. Other attachments should be sent via email.

• Section V.G.18.c.3 indicates that changes in the priority of services process, as well as deactivation or reactivation of priority of services, requires a modification of the local Plan. Is this a change to current policy regarding plan modifications?

  The local plan modification instructions do not supersede current guidance in AWI FG 00-015. The plan instructions only require that the change is made and noticed consistent with the local modification procedures developed by the RWB and copies of the changed pages be submitted to Workforce Florida, Inc. (WFI) for inclusion in its copy of the local plan.

• Section V.G.5.f refers to Section 236 of the Trade Act. What does that section refer to?

  Section 236 of the Trade Act describes the process for approving TAA training, different types of authorized trainings and coordination of funding. For more detailed guidance, please consult TEGL 11-02 and the State Training Manual for Providing Trade Adjustment Assistance, Reform Act of 2002. Note that the TAA program is primary. Therefore, RWBs need to abide by TAA requirements when serving eligible trade-affected workers.

   

• Does the Plan Modification require a 30-day comment period? If so, what should an Regional Workforce Board do if the comment period ends after the date of submission of the Modification?

  Yes. The Plan Modification requires a 30-day comment period. If the comment period ends after the date of submission of the Modification, the Regional Workforce Board should submit an updated response to question II.B and Required Attachment 6 upon completion of the comment period.

• Does a Regional Workforce Board (RWB) need to submit information for sections of the plan that have not changed since the last plan submission? Does a RWB need to submit a list of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) if that list has not changed?

  1. Yes. The RWB must complete a Plan Modification, stand-alone document. RWBs may copy information from their previous plan and insert it in the appropriate sections.

  2. Yes. The RWB must submit a list of MOUs (as well as other requested attachments).

• Section V.G.1.d requests that Regional Workforce Boards describe their procedures relating to the advertising of hard-to-fill job openings which pay over $50,000 per year. How would an Regional Workforce Board go about seeking such approval?

  Although Federal law does not require that Regional Workforce Boards obtain prior approval of advertisements of hard-to-fill job openings which pay over $50,000 per year, States are required to collect and report this information to the US Department of Labor. Therefore, it will suffice that Regional Workforce Boards provide the following information:

  • Circumstances that would justify advertising in the newspaper jobs that pay over $50,000 per year.
  • Procedures to report any such advertising, including the justification for the advertising, to DEO.