Iowa Admin. Code r. 877-7.12

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 6, September 18, 2024

Rule 877-7.12 - Performance measures

The programs authorized in Title I are evaluated by measures established by the Act on a state and regional basis. In order for the state to qualify for incentive funds, it must meet performance standards set for these measures, in conjunction with successful performance by programs funded under the Carl Perkins Act and the Workforce Investment Act Title II.

(1) Standards for measurement for each region shall be established through negotiations between the department, the chief elected official board and each regional workforce investment board.

(2) Performance outcome measures. The overall mission of Iowa's workforce development center system is to increase the size of the skilled labor force and increase earned income among Iowa citizens. Each region's workforce development center system shall address its locally developed priorities in conjunction with the above goals. In addition to having the performance of the regional workforce development center system evaluated as a whole, all Title I programs shall be evaluated based on the following outcome measures:

a. Adult program outcome measures.

(1) Entry into unsubsidized employment;

(2) Retention in unsubsidized employment for six months after entry into employment;

(3) Earnings received in unsubsidized employment for six months after entry into employment; and

(4) Attainment of a recognized credential related to achievement of educational skills (such as a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent), or occupational skills, by participants who enter unsubsidized employment.

b. Dislocated worker program outcome measures.

(1) Entry into unsubsidized employment;

(2) Retention in unsubsidized employment for six months after entry into employment;

(3) Earnings received in unsubsidized employment for six months after entry into employment; and

c. Youth aged 19 to 21 outcome measures.

(1) Entry into unsubsidized employment;

(2) Retention in unsubsidized employment for six months after entry into employment;

(3) Earnings received in unsubsidized employment for six months after entry into employment; and

d. Youth aged 14 to18 outcome measures.

(1) Attainment of basic skills and, as appropriate, work readiness or occupational skills;

(2) Attainment of secondary school diplomas or their recognized equivalents; and

(3) Placement and retention in postsecondary education, advanced training, military service, employment, or qualified apprenticeships.

e. Customer satisfaction of participants.

f. Customer satisfaction of employers.

(3) Other measures. The following measures shall also be tracked and progress reported.

a. Entry by participants who have completed training services into unsubsidized employment related to the training received;

b. Wages at entry into employment (including rate of wage replacement for groups of participants, such as dislocated workers);

c. Cost of workforce investment activities relative to the effect of the activities on the performance of participants;

d. Retention and earnings received in unsubsidized employment 12 months after entry into the employment; and

e. Performance of recipients of public assistance, out-of-school youth, veterans, individuals with disabilities, displaced homemakers, and older individuals, as required by the Department of Labor.

(4) Retention in employment measures and wages earned measures will be calculated using data from the unemployment insurance wage record database with the assistance of the department.

(5) Regional performance standards shall be negotiated between the department, the regional workforce investment board and chief elected official board. Performance standards shall be negotiated for each region annually. The department, the regional workforce investment board and chief elected official board shall evaluate regional performance and the appropriateness of the negotiated standards each year. Formal negotiation shall be conducted for two-year periods and remain consistent with years in which needs assessment activities are conducted.

The department shall establish a minimum acceptable level of performance for each measure, based upon levels established through negotiation between the state and the Department of Labor and using historical data. Negotiation will focus on the adjusted level of performance, which will serve as the regional objective. Performance of a program within a region below the minimum acceptable levels shall be the basis for corrective action or sanctions. Performance above adjusted levels shall be the basis for incentive awards. In addition, regions may negotiate maximum levels of performance (level at which adjusted levels shall not be negotiated beyond during the first five years).

(6) Incentive awards. A portion of the state level funds shall be reserved from Title I programs to provide incentive awards to regions that demonstrate superior performance and to provide technical assistance to all regions. Incentive awards, which are granted during a program year, shall be distributed based upon performance from the previous program year. Actual distribution of the funds shall occur after the end of each program year when final performance standards are calculated. At that time, performance shall be compared against the region's adjusted levels to determine eligibility for, and the amount of, incentive awards.

Incentive awards shall be distributed to regional workforce investment boards when average performance across all measures exceeds the average adjusted levels for the percent achieved score for each measure. When the percent achieved score is greater than 100 percent, the region qualifies for a regional incentive award. There is no requirement for the number of individual measures that must be exceeded, but the customer and employer satisfaction measures must be exceeded for a region to qualify for an incentive award.

The regional workforce investment board must utilize the incentive funds to support Title I services, but it is possible for a region to purchase services that do not count toward performance measurement.

The determination of actual performance achievement on the 17 performance measures and any subsequent incentive awards shall be based on data contained in the integrated customer service (ICS) system. The initial determination of incentive awards shall be made no later than September 1 following the end of the program year. By that time, the chair of each regional workforce investment board shall be notified of its initial performance and incentive award determination. The regional workforce investment board, or its designee, shall be allowed two weeks in which to respond to these initial determinations. The response shall be limited to the calculation of the awards. Changes to the data shall not be permitted unless authorized by the department. A final determination and the awarding of incentive funds shall occur no later than October 1 following the end of the program year. The department reserves the authority to adjust the time lines for the awarding of incentive funds if circumstances warrant such an adjustment.

(7) If a region does not meet performance outcome requirements, the department shall provide technical assistance to the region to improve its performance. The following process shall be used:

a. Technical assistance shall be available to the Title I service providers through the department's staff. In situations where regional performance falls below the minimum acceptable level, the department will assist the regional workforce investment board, or its designee, with the development of a performance improvement plan.

b. If regional Title I programs do not meet the minimum acceptable level of performance for two consecutive years, the regional workforce investment board shall be required to develop a performance improvement plan. Technical assistance shall also be available to the regional workforce investment board and chief elected official board to adjust the regional customer service plan to facilitate the success of the region's performance improvement plan.

c. The performance improvement plan must be reviewed and approved by the chief elected official board prior to its submittal of the plan to the department.

(8) If a region falls below the minimum acceptable levels of performance agreed upon for the region's average composite percent achieved score in any of the program areas for two consecutive years, the governor, through the department, shall take corrective action. The critical measures that determine possible sanctions are:

1. Adult program measures average;

2. Dislocated worker program measures average;

3. Youth program measures average; and

4. Customer satisfaction measures average.

At a minimum, the corrective action shall include the development of a performance improvement plan and the possibility of a reorganization plan, under which the governor:

a. Requires the appointment and certification of a new regional workforce investment board;

b. Prohibits the use of particular service providers that have been identified as achieving poor levels of performance;

c. Requires the certification of a new coordinating service provider;

d. Requires the development of a new regional plan; or

e. Requires other appropriate measures designed to improve the performance of the region.

An appeal to sanctions may be made by following the process identified in 7.24(15). If a region is being sanctioned, it shall not qualify for an incentive award in the Title I category.

Iowa Admin. Code r. 877-7.12