The passage of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) in July 2014 had the potential of significantly improve jobseekers’ access to education, training, and support services so that they can be successful in their careers. All states are required to submit their WIOA State Plans to US Department of Labor (DOL) by April 1, 2016, after incorporating any public comment following releases of draft Plans. Once submitted to the DOL, the Plan is considered final 90 days thereafter - unless the DOL asks for changes. These lengthy and complex documents will cover States’ workforce systems for four years.
At present New Jersey is the only state which has yet to release its draft WIOA State Plan for public comment. Some states publicized their Plans as early as last November. Most states released their Plans by late February. Stakeholders in other states have had at the very least 30 days to submit comments. New Jersey stakeholders will have 8 days or less, an unreasonably short time, to review and submit public comment before the April 1st deadline.
We are requesting the immediate release of New Jersey’s draft WIOA Plan. Because the Final Plan will drive New Jersey Regional and Local Plans later this year, we want our voices to be heard at the outset of the Plan’s existence – before it begins to take on a life of its own. We are also concerned that there will be very little or virtually no time for submitted comments from stakeholders to be carefully considered and potentially incorporated into the Plan before April 1st.
Thank you for your time and attention to this urgent matter.
Board of Directors New Jersey Association of People Supporting EmploymentFirst (APSE)
Updates
March 28, 2016
The administration has taken note of this momentum and we are currently arranging a briefing with Department of Labor officials to address the timeline. We are finalizing our formal written testimony to ensure all concerns are documented before the state plan submission.
Reached 100 supporters
March 28, 2016
25 Comments
I am embarrassed and disappointed that NJ has so far been unable to get our WIOA plan signed and out to the public yet. I feel it is an embarrassment to our state and is a statement from our state government officials that employment for ALL people is not a priority, no matter what proclamations have been made in the past.
The delay in releasing the WIOA State Plan for public comment is unconscionable. Those affected by the plan must have time to speak to its provisions. We all do better when we work together and consumers have a valuable perspective on matters that affect them.
As the mother of an unemployed adult with autism, this is a critical issue for us.
Work is the single most important aspect in the lives of our disabled adult children. We need a voice in helping them achieve workforce independence. NJ is lagging in its transparency, attention to detail and concern about providing real jobs to disabled adults. The public has a right to carefully consider all aspects of the Plan
By allowing as little time as 8 days or less before the Federal deadline for stakeholders to review and submit comments on this groundbreaking Act, New Jersey has shown a complete disregard for stakeholders' opinions. New Jersey is dead last among all states to allow public comment on WIOA.
Our students are counting on you!
What's the hold up NJ? After all we are a Work First State. Shouldn't we be doing everything to make this all successful?
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The passage of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) in July 2014 had the potential of significantly improve jobseekers’ access to education, training, and support services so that they can be successful in their careers. All states are required to submit their WIOA State Plans to US Department of Labor (DOL) by April 1, 2016, after incorporating any public comment following releases of draft Plans. Once submitted to the DOL, the Plan is considered final 90 days thereafter - unless the DOL asks for changes. These lengthy and complex documents will cover States’ workforce systems for four years.
At present New Jersey is the only state which has yet to release its draft WIOA State Plan for public comment. Some states publicized their Plans as early as last November. Most states released their Plans by late February. Stakeholders in other states have had at the very least 30 days to submit comments. New Jersey stakeholders will have 8 days or less, an unreasonably short time, to review and submit public comment before the April 1st deadline.
We are requesting the immediate release of New Jersey’s draft WIOA Plan. Because the Final Plan will drive New Jersey Regional and Local Plans later this year, we want our voices to be heard at the outset of the Plan’s existence – before it begins to take on a life of its own. We are also concerned that there will be very little or virtually no time for submitted comments from stakeholders to be carefully considered and potentially incorporated into the Plan before April 1st.
Thank you for your time and attention to this urgent matter.
Board of Directors New Jersey Association of People Supporting EmploymentFirst (APSE)
Updates
March 28, 2016
The administration has taken note of this momentum and we are currently arranging a briefing with Department of Labor officials to address the timeline. We are finalizing our formal written testimony to ensure all concerns are documented before the state plan submission.
Reached 100 supporters
March 28, 2016
25 Comments
I am surprised and disheartened to hear this. After attending the APSE conference on Friday, it sounded like employment for all was a priority for NJ.
I am embarrassed and disappointed that NJ has so far been unable to get our WIOA plan signed and out to the public yet. I feel it is an embarrassment to our state and is a statement from our state government officials that employment for ALL people is not a priority, no matter what proclamations have been made in the past.
The delay in releasing the WIOA State Plan for public comment is unconscionable. Those affected by the plan must have time to speak to its provisions. We all do better when we work together and consumers have a valuable perspective on matters that affect them.
As the mother of an unemployed adult with autism, this is a critical issue for us.
Work is the single most important aspect in the lives of our disabled adult children. We need a voice in helping them achieve workforce independence. NJ is lagging in its transparency, attention to detail and concern about providing real jobs to disabled adults. The public has a right to carefully consider all aspects of the Plan
By allowing as little time as 8 days or less before the Federal deadline for stakeholders to review and submit comments on this groundbreaking Act, New Jersey has shown a complete disregard for stakeholders' opinions. New Jersey is dead last among all states to allow public comment on WIOA.
Our students are counting on you!
What's the hold up NJ? After all we are a Work First State. Shouldn't we be doing everything to make this all successful?
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I am surprised and disheartened to hear this. After attending the APSE conference on Friday, it sounded like employment for all was a priority for NJ.