The Southern 14 Workforce Investment Board is made up of members from fourteen (14) counties representing business, labor, education, economic development and other entities that have a keen interest in improving workforce development efforts in the region.
Vision Statement
The local vision and goal for WIA #26 and its governing board is to address the needs of the economically disadvantaged population and the employment sector, to comply with the Workforce Investment Act and to ensure job training programs and services are provided equitably to the substantial segments of the eligible population with at risk individuals receiving priority. To increase the self sufficiency of those individuals being served and to reduce their dependency on public assistance.
Chief Elected Officials
In single-county WIA areas the Chief Elected Official is the Chairman of the County Board. In multi-county areas, such as Area # 26, the term refers collectively to the Chairmen of the County Boards in each of the 14 counties. By law the Chief Elected Official is the Grant Recipient for WIA funds within the area designation, unless the Governor agrees to assume that position. In Illinois, the Governor did not agree to act in this role. Prior to initial Workforce Investment Board appointment and certification, the CEO's entered into an agreement, naming one of their number as Chairman. The CEO Consortium Chairman for Area #26 is Mr. Jim Taylor. This individual must sign-off on all WIA grant documents. The CEO makes all LWIB member appointments using procedures established in the CEO Agreement.
The CEO Agreement
The Act requires that the Chief Elected Official in a local area shall serve as the local grant recipient and shall be liable for any misuse of grant funds allocated to the area. The Act also makes allowance that in multi-county areas, the counties may enter into an agreement, signed by all county CEO's to designate an entity to be the local grant sub recipient and/or fiscal agent to assist in the administration of grant funds. This option was used by the Chief Elected Officials in the 14 counties of Area # 26. Such a designation does not relieve the Chief Elected Official of liability for fund misuse. The CEO Agreement also sets out requirements and methodology for appointments to the Local Workforce Investment Board. It describes, in general terms, the structure of the workforce system in the local area and mandates the areas where CEO approval and coordination must be obtained for action taken by the Local Workforce Investment Board. The agreement designates signatory authority for all WIA documents to one of its members, elected by a process contained in the agreement. The local grant sub recipient shall disburse funds for Workforce Investment activities at the direction of the Local Workforce Investment Board.
In Area #26, the CEO Agreement combined the functions of the Workforce Investment Board, Local Grant Sub recipient and Fiscal Office into a single entity, the Southern 14 Workforce Investment Board.
Download a copy of the CEO Agreement (pdf) here
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The Local Five Year Plan
The Local Five Year Plan is a narrative plan which describes how the WIA programs will be administered in Area # 26. It is divided into two parts, the youth portion and the adult / dislocated worker portion. The Plan contains a description of the competitive process used by the board to award grants and contracts, and a discussion of the employer and worker needs in the area along with projected employment opportunities. It describes the one-stop service delivery system and contains copies of the Memorandums of Understanding between the board and the local partners for the operation and funding of the one-stops. Other contents include a description of the type and availability of youth activities and identification of youth providers. Download a copy of the Five Year Plan (pdf) here
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Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO)
The Bureau of Workforce Development is committed to encouraging statewide economic development by cultivating a well-trained workforce. To accomplish this goal, the Bureau identifies youth, adults and dislocated workers who are eligible for assistance under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA); link to WIA site assesses their employability skills and provides training as appropriate for identified sectors of growing employment demand. Ideally, this will lead to the placement of these individuals in self-sufficient employment. The Bureau also provides follow-up services leading to employment retention in high-wage and high-skilled jobs. These services are provided statewide while maintaining focus on the economic needs of each region.
The Bureau of Workforce Development is committed to encouraging statewide economic development by cultivating a well-trained workforce. To accomplish this goal, the Bureau identifies youth, adults and dislocated workers who are eligible for assistance under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA); link to WIA site assesses their employability skills and provides training as appropriate for identified sectors of growing employment demand. Ideally, this will lead to the placement of these individuals in self-sufficient employment. The Bureau also provides follow-up services leading to employment retention in high-wage and high-skilled jobs. These services are provided statewide while maintaining focus on the economic needs of each region.
Illinois Dept. Of Commerce & Economic Opportunity
Bureau of Workforce Development
620 E. Adams, 5th Floor
Springfield, Illinois 62701
Phone: 217/785-6006
Fax: 217/558-2444
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Funding - Where it Comes From
Funding for the programs under the Workforce Investment Act is authorized by Congress and administered through the Department of Labor. These funds are made available to the states based on a formula which incorporates population, poverty numbers, unemployment levels, etc. In Illinois, the Governor chose the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to administer the funds to the 26 Local Workforce Investment Areas. Of the funding which comes to Illinois, the Governor retains 15 % for statewide projects and allocates the remaining 85% to the 26 LWIA's. Each county in Illinois is allocated a specific amount of dollars, by program (Adult, Dislocated Worker and Youth) based on formulas similar to the one used at the federal level. The funds which are available to Area #26 is a compilation of the funds allocated to all of the 14 counties in Area #26.
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How are the Funds Accessed
WIA funds are ordered through the State Comptroller's office by computer. They are direct deposited into the local bank used by the board and checks are written on these accounts to cover obligations. Money can be ordered from the state on Wednesdays and Fridays. The LWIB office receives written requests from the Title - 1 service providers stating the amount needed. The office orders the money from the state and when received, writes checks to the service providers. Each check has two signatures; that of the Executive Coordinator and one of the officers of the board. The state requests that cash on hand be limited to one to two days operating capital. This is not always possible, but funds on hand are kept to a minimum.
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Administrative Funds vs. Programmatic Funds
Funds under the Workforce Investment Act are allocated to the local areas with 10% of the funds for administrative purposes and 90% for programmatic services. Costs classified as programmatic may be paid for with administrative funds; however, costs classified as administrative may not be paid out of programmatic funds. Under the JTPA program which preceded WIA, certain operational costs of the service providers were classified administrative. The Workforce Investment Act considers all costs at the service provider level to be programmatic. Administrative funds under WIA are reserved to pay the Title - 1 portion of the universal accessibility costs of operating a one-stop center and to pay expenses related to the Workforce Board and staff. Programmatic funds are contracted out to three agencies that were selected by the Workforce Investment Board to provide Title - 1 services in Area # 26. Administrative funds, in amounts negotiated in the Memorandums of Understanding as required to pay the Title - 1 one-stop operational costs are also contracted to the Title - 1 service providers.
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Contracts
Wabash Area Development, Inc., Mid - 5 Employment and Training, Inc. and Shawnee Development Council, Inc. were named as Adult and Dislocated Worker Title - 1 Service Providers in the Local Five Year Plan. Youth services are competitively awarded on a yearly basis. All services are contracted between the Southern 14 Workforce Investment Board and the three service providers. Each service provider in turn sub-contracts a portion of their youth funds for youth activities directed toward in-school youth. Contracts issued by the Southern 14 Workforce Board contain standard state issued contract boiler plate terminology and assurances. Contracts are issued for one program year and are modified at such times during the year as appropriate; change in funding from the state, award of incentive funds, etc. Budgets and supportive client data are included in each contract. Changes in these attachments are brought to the board for approval before modifying the contracts.
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Incentive Funds
These funds are funds reserved at the state level and distributed once a year as a bonus to the WIA Areas in Illinois who have met the criteria set by the state for performance. In order to qualify for incentive funds an area must either meet or exceed all 17 performance standards. Areas which fail to meet one or more of the standards are disqualified from sharing in any incentive funds. The amount each area receives is the sum of the amounts received for each individual standard exceeded. The greater the number of areas who exceed a particular standard reduces each individual area's share for that standard. Incentive funds may be used for either programmatic or administrative purposes and don't affect the 10% administrative limit.
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Cost Allocation Within the Memorandum of Understanding
The Workforce Investment Act requires that each partner contribute their fair share of the operating costs for each one-stop location in which they participate. The Memorandums of Understanding covering the specific one-stop sites include a determination of the costs necessary to support the universal accessibility portion of the facility; resource room, reception area, common areas, etc. Also included in the MOU is the methodology for making a fair determination or allocation of the listed costs between local partners. This contribution may be in-kind or cash. All partners must agree to the methodology and to the amount(s) allocated for their program(s) before the MOU can go into effect. At this time the allocation of costs between partners is a local call provided all partners agree to the results.
The Workforce Investment Act requires that each partner contribute their fair share of the operating costs for each one-stop location in which they participate. The Memorandums of Understanding covering the specific one-stop sites include a determination of the costs necessary to support the universal accessibility portion of the facility; resource room, reception area, common areas, etc. Also included in the MOU is the methodology for making a fair determination or allocation of the listed costs between local partners. This contribution may be in-kind or cash. All partners must agree to the methodology and to the amount(s) allocated for their program(s) before the MOU can go into effect. At this time the allocation of costs between partners is a local call provided all partners agree to the results.
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