Making Wisconsin Works Work

1. Making Wisconsin Works Work Secretary Roberta Gassman August 29, 2006

2. Outline of Presentation • Background & basics on W-2 • Importance of improved accountability & connections to economic self sufficiency • Challenges • Improvements to W-2 & new contracts • Statewide • Milwaukee • Update on W-2 & child welfare recommendations • Additional steps ahead

3. The Original Purpose of W-2 To assist participants in gaining employment that will enable them to support their families. W-2 accomplishes this through employment focused services, child care, transportation services & other supportive services.

4. Strengthened focus of W-2 • Prepare individuals for employment • Strengthen connections to employment • First job is not the last job • Strengthened commitment to training (15%-35% in Milwaukee) • Improve employment retention • Help to succeed at work • Cross system career ladders for participants (TANF, WIA, etc.,) • Assist vulnerable for SSI/SSDI eligibility • Strengthened accountability & oversight

5. W-2 Basics: Employment Ladder Placement Unsubsidized Employment Individuals who are employed or ready for regular employment Trial Jobs Individuals with basic work skills, ready for employment Employer is paid $300 per month subsidy Community Service Jobs Individuals with limited work skills Up to 30 hours work activities & 10 hours education activities $673 payment per month W-2 Transition Individuals with serious barriers to regular employment Up to 28 hours work activities & 12 hours education activities $628 payment per month

6. W-2 Basics: Work Activities • Unsubsidized employment • Work experience • Job search • Job readiness activities

7. W-2 Basics: Time Limited Services • 60 month lifetime limit in paid W-2 placement • 24 month limit to placement in W-2T, CSJ & Trial Job placements • Individual extensions to the time limits are based upon unique circumstances of the participant

8. Challenges • Identify skills needed for today’s jobs • Unique opportunity with future labor shortages • Broad need for qualified workers for quality jobs • Ensure support systems in place to retain employment • Quality child care • Housing • Transportation • Specialized training • Work experience • Connect to the workforce system after W-2 • Link to additional strategies for breaking cycle of poverty & underemployment

9. Better Connect to the Workforce System • Job Center • Must be welcoming to all workers & employers • Stronger connections to employers & skills needed • Regional cooperation, must include: • Early education, K-12, WTCS • Skills Enhancement, ongoing opportunities • Gain additional skills while working • Moving Job Service & WDBs to higher road • Business service teams & industry liaisons • Spending at least 35% on training • Identifying higher wage employers • Joyce Foundation “Shifting Gears” grant; “RISE” (Regional Industry Skills Education) opportunity submission

10. 2006-09 RFP Contract: Improvements • Outcomes measured for obtaining & retaining jobs • Connection to local employers • Short-term skills training added • Must work with child welfare & other providers

11. Statewide Contract Improvements-Administrative • Strict limits: • Promotional expenses • Telecommunications • Executive compensation • Legal services & retainers • Fidelity bonds for all private agencies • Increased oversight of governance: boards of directors, bylaws, training, maintenance of records, minutes • Use of penalties

12. Statewide Improvements-Programmatic • Strengthened & new performance standards • Wage at placement (new) • Employment within 60 days of skills training (new) • Job placement rate • Job retention rate, 30, 60 & 180 days • Financial incentives • 80% allocation upfront • Must earn remaining 20% by meeting standards • Improved training for W-2 agency staff • Labor shortages, LMI, wages, career ladders • SSI population & referral needs

13. Milwaukee Improvements • Separating out functions • Case Management • Addresses support systems of the individual • Conducts assessments of barriers & skills • Job Development & Placement • Connects with employers (specific job developers) • Matches clients with appropriate jobs • Retention specialists • Customized skills training plans for participants • Requiring spending on training • SSI/SSDI Advocacy • Help individuals more quickly access SSI • Preferred Provider Network

14. Other Milwaukee Improvements • Milwaukee Regional Office • Retained with reorganized W-2 oversight • Ombudsperson • Helping participants get services • JDPA networking • Job Centers-consolidating service points • DVR a key partner

15. Other Upcoming Changes & Improvements • Federal TANF required work participation rates • Require 50% participation rate for all families (Wisconsin at 67%) • Trial jobs • Child care • Quality Care for Quality Kids (need to ensure sound support systems for working families) • Continued linkages to overall workforce development system improvements & career ladders • Mystery shopper program • Continually strengthened monitoring regarding placements

16. Thank you!