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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20242164.tiffRESOLUTION RE: APPROVE 2024-2027 WELD COUNTY UPSTATE REGIONAL PLAN FOR WORKFORCE INNOVATION AND OPPORTUNITY ACT (WIOA), AND AUTHORIZE CHAIR, DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD TO SIGN WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado, pursuant to Colorado statute and the Weld County Home Rule Charter, is vested with the authority of administering the affairs of Weld County, Colorado, and WHEREAS, the Board has been presented with the 2024-2027 Weld County Upstate Regional Plan for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) from the County of Weld, State of Colorado, by and through the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, on behalf of the Department of Human Services and Workforce Development Board, to the Colorado Workforce Development Council, and the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, with further terms and conditions being as stated in said plan, and WHEREAS, after review, the Board deems it advisable to approve said plan, a copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado, that the 2024-2027 Weld County Upstate Regional Plan for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) from the County of Weld, State of Colorado, by and through the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, on behalf of the Department of Human Services and Workforce Development Board, to the Colorado Workforce Development Council, and the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, be, and hereby is, approved. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Board that the Chair, Karina Amaya-Ragland, Department of Human Services, and Matthew Hortt, Ph.D., Workforce Development Board, be, and hereby are, authorized to sign said plan. cc:IASD �t /o6/11 2024-2164 HR0096 2024-2027 WELD COUNTY UPSTATE REGIONAL PLAN FOR WORKFORCE INNOVATION AND OPPORTUNITY ACT (WIOA) PAGE 2 The above and foregoing Resolution was, on motion duly made and seconded, adopted by the following vote on the 14th day of August, A.D., 2024. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WELD COJN-Y, COL-9RADO ATTEST: W vs C < y ;4, Weld County Clerk to the Board y, BY: Ciart6114 .GtrUL Deputy Clerk to the Board APED AS County Attorney Date of signature: S Ito D Ross, Chair Perry L. duck, Pro-Tem Mike 6reeman Scott K. James 29-1/4. on Saine 2024-2164 HR0096 ConAva C* 1.D ! 1i3C01(Q BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PASS -AROUND REVIEW PASS -AROUND TITLE: Employment Services of Weld County Workforce Development Board Upstate Regional Plan for Program Year 2024-2027 DEPARTMENT: Human Services DATE: August 8, 2024 PERSON REQUESTING: Jamie Ulrich, Director, Human Services Brief description of the problem/issue: Employment Services of Weld County (ESWC) is requesting approval to submit an updated four-year regional/local plan as required by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014. The Upstate Regional Plan, funding streams, programs, and activities are subject to the laws and regulations as set forth by WIOA. Within the document, ESWC addresses continuous initiatives which include, but are not limited to, Business Services, Re -Employment and Youth Services, Outreach Strategies, and the facilitation of WIOA. The Colorado Workforce Development Council (CWDC) approved this plan on June 28th, 2024. What options exist for the Board? • Approval of the ESWC Workforce Development Board Upstate Regional Plan for Program Year 2024- 2027. • Deny approval of the ESWC Workforce Development Board Upstate Regional Plan for Program Year 2024-2027 Consequences: The ESCW Workforce Development Board Upstate Regional Plan for Program Year 2024-2027wi11 not be approved. Impacts: Weld County will be out of compliance with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014 and funding for programs will not be approved. Costs (Current Fiscal Year / Ongoing or Subsequent Fiscal Years): • Term: Program Years 2024-2027. • Funded through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014. Pass -Around Memorandum; August 8, 2024 - CMS 8616 2024-2164 Recommendation: • Approval of the Employment Services of Weld County Workforce Development Board Upstate Regional Plan for Program Year 2024-2027 and authorize the Chair to sign. Support Recommendation Schedule Place on BOCC Agenda Work Session Other/Comments: Perry L. Buck, Pro -Tern Mike Freeman Scott K. James Kevin D. Ross, Chair Lori Saine Pass -Around Memorandum; August 8, 2024 - CMS 8616 anng Reg.ori: Upstate Local Areas Included in this Planning Region: Weld County PROGRAM YEARS: 2024 - 2027 a' • a t ea• 10 .: • aiAP r ••• � Seir WELD COUNTY, CO Contents Introduction Planning Region Upstate Analysis — Regional Economic Conditions Analysis — Knowledge and Skills Analysis — Workforce Region Development and Implementation of Sector Initiatives Career Pathways Other Strategies and Services Regional Service Strategies Cooperative Agreements Coordination of Transportation and Other Supportive Services Administrative Cost Arrangements Levels of Performance and Accountability Measures Integrated Technology Development of Regional Plan Public Comment Local Area Weld County Analysis — Workforce Development Activities Workforce Development Board's Strategic Vision and Goals Strategies and Services — Engaging In -Demand Industry`Sectors and Occupations Implementation of Initiatives Expanding Access to Employment, Training, Educations, and Supportive Services Aligning Resources with Mandated Partners Strengthening Linkages with Unemployment Insurance Coordinating Workforce and Economic Development Activities Delineation of the Workforce Development System One -Stop Delivery System Coordination of Education and Workforce Investment Activities Adult and Dislocated Worker Employment & Training Activities 4 6 7 11 16 25 26 29 31 39 41 42 42 43 44 46 47 48 51 54 57 64 65 66 68 70 72 84 86 2 Youth Workforce Investment Activities 87 Coordination of Activities with Mandated Partners 89 Coordination of Activities and Supportive Services 90 Strategies and Services — Wagner Peyser Act 93 Disbursement of Funding 95 Sub -Grants and Contracts 96 Levels of Performance and Accountability Measures 96 High -Performing Board Designation 98 Evidence -Based Decision -Making 99 Public Comment 101 Appendix A 103 3 Introduction The Weld County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), the Weld County Workforce Development Board (WCWDB), and Employment Services of Weld County (ESWC) have been an innovative engine in the development and implementation of employment and training programs since the late 1970's. Weld County was the first (September 9, 1975) and currently one (1) of only two (2) Colorado counties to adopt a Home Rule Charter. In 1979, employment and training programs were merged administratively, and this resulted in the Job Service and Work Incentive Programs being contracted by the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) to the Weld County Commissioners providing local control of the programs and allowing County personnel to operate the Job Service. During this time, Weld County was one (1) of only 15 sites nationally selected under the Employment Opportunities Pilot Project (EOPP) which was to test a specific model that had a goal to move welfare recipients into unsubsidized employment. Although not emphasized until the enactment of the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) in 1982, the Weld County Private Industry Council initiated relationships in 1979 with the chief local elected officials (BOCC) for the coordination of all federal, state, and local resources and joint policy making decisions regarding employment and training initiatives and programs. This involvement and coordination have continued in the present-day Workforce Development Board. In 1982, Weld was the only County in Colorado that opted to implement the state's Welfare Diversion Program. Through the course of this program, along with the Job Alternative Program, the Work Incentive Program (WIN), Community Work Experience Program, and the Colorado Jobs Demonstration Project, a variety of modifications and waivers were requested and implemented. There is a strong similarity of what was developed in those programs to the requirements that were established under the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 and the 4 Colorado Works Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program that is operated today. Weld County and the State of Colorado have been pioneers in establishing a locally integrated One -Stop system for job seekers and businesses, predating the intention of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998. In the mid 1990's ESWC responded to the states initiative to determine how best to structure and create a One -Stop Workforce system. Representatives from the Governor Romer administration visited numerous areas across the state to view and assess how programs and services were structured and provided. After visiting Weld County and viewing the numerous programs operated by ESWC, as well as the organizational structure, the Governor determined that all workforce areas across the state should have the flexibility to structure employment programs in a way that best met local needs while providing local structure and control like the Weld County model. Weld County's collaborative partnerships and the implementation of the aforementioned programs and those illustrated in Appendix A, led to the successful implementation of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014, signed into law on July 22, 2014. This landmark legislation requires the submission of new four-year local and regional plans beginning July 1, 2016, and every four years thereafter. It is the mission of the WCWDB and ESWC to keep the workforce system responsive to employers, employees, and job seekers. The combined Upstate Regional and Weld County Local Plans foster better alignment of employment and training programs, coordinating service delivery across programs ensuring our public workforce system connects individuals to high -quality and family -sustaining employment. By connecting people to meaningful careers, Weld County is building a brighter future for its economy and residents. 5 Planning Region: Upstate Local Areas Included in this Planning Region: Weld County Program Years: 2024 - 2027 6 Analysis - Regional Economic Conditions Provide an analysis of the regional economic conditions overall, as well as for each area included in this planning region, including: a. Existing and emerging in -demand industry sectors and occupations; and b. The employment needs of employers in those industry sectors and occupations. A comprehensive analysis of the Upstate Planning Region, its current labor force, and unemployment data informed the development of the Program Year 2024 - 2027 plan. The Upstate Planning Region consists of one (1) local area (Weld County), affording the analysis of the regional economic conditions to be concise. Located in the north central part of Colorado, the Upstate Planning Region (Weld County) is bordered on the north by Wyoming and Nebraska and on the south by the Denver Metropolitan area. Covering 4,016 square miles, the Upstate Planning Region is Colorado's third largest county. The Region's population is expected to increase by 11.5% between 2023 and 2028, adding 41,174 more persons. Key economic indicators for the Region include cost of living, gross regional product (GRP), imports and exports. Area Population (2023) Labor Force (Sep 2023 Econom I -w • A -le _) Jobs (2023) Cost of Living GRP Imports Exports Weld county Cdorado Percent Source: Lightcast 358.803 5.874,618 6.1% 172.950 3,253.072 r 5 ro 132.985 3,249.917 4 1% 104 5 $18 456.614 368 $27 362 441 282 $19 486 825.640 111.1 $481.875.096,107 $332. 993 689.800 $406.493.555,598 94.1% 3 8 n°0 4.8% Between 2014 and 2019 the Upstate Planning Region saw a 14.4% increase in jobs and 21.12% increase in establishments. As with all communities, the Region experienced a significant dip in jobs due to the coronavirus pandemic. Fortunately, the Upstate Planning Region made a quick recovery, with jobs almost reaching pre - pandemic levels; 121,491 (2019) and 120,111 (2023), respectively. 7 125,000 120,000 115,000 110,000 105.000 100,000 95,000 Historical Trends, Jobs & Establishments Source: Lightcast 2O14 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 gobs—iEstablishments Description Jobs Establishments Wages, Salaries, Proprietor Earnings Employer -Paid Benefits Source: Ugntcast 2014 104,005 6,198 544,990 2015 107,242 6,656 10,000 9,000 8,000 7.000 6,000 5,000 4,000 3,000 2,000 1,000 0 2016 106,202 6,836 $70,000 560,000 $50,000 $40,000 530,000 $20,000 510,000 So Historical Trends, Salaries & Employer -Paid Benefits Source: Lightcast Historical Trends, Weld County 2017 111,943 7,304 2018 116,991 7,582 2O14 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 $12,000 $10,000 S8,000 S6,000 $4,000 S 2,000 $0 Wages, Salaries, Proprietor Earnings esEmployer-Paid Benefits 2019 121,491 7,857 2020 113,504 8,201 2021 113,323 O.Db1 $45,966 545,510 548,172 550.912 553,351 $55,402 557,102 561,477 563,340 3.5% S8,775 $8,745 $8,783 $9,197 $9,695 $9,928 510,146 $10,211 510,799 $11,122 2.4% 2022 2023 120,111 Annual Growth Rate 1.5% 9,140 9,487 4.3% There is a slight differentiation between data points from Lightcast as they also showed that from 2018 to 2023, jobs increased by 3.3% in Weld County from 128,738 to 132,985. This change fell short of the national growth rate of 3.6% by 0.3%. As the number of jobs increased, the labor force participation rate decreased from 70.0% to 62.7% between 2018 and 2023. In comparison to the Program Year 2020 — 2024 Regional/Local Plan, in -demand industries and sector occupations have shuffled in ranking. The table below shows projected growth by major industry sector through 2028. Note that the overall turnover rate in 2023 for all sectors in the region was 81.2%. This is the natural turnover rate of all workers by sector and speaks to recent efforts by the United States Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration to gauge the success of the Region's locally delivered Wagner-Peyser Business Services teams by retention with the same employer for a one-year period. A better measure would be continuity of earnings from the second quarter to the fourth quarter post -exit. 8 Projected Growth by Industry Sector, Weld County WAICS Description 2024 Jobs 2028 Jobs Charge Percent Change Payrolled Business Locations Employment Concentration Current Wages, Salaries, & Proprietor Earrings Current Supplements 2023 Fires 2023 1 2023 Separations Turnover Rate 90 Government 23 Construction 72 Accommodation and Food Services 62 Health Care and Social Assistance 81 Other Services (except Public Administration) 44 Retail Trade 31 Manufacturing 54 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 56 Administrative. Support. Waste Management and Remediation 21 Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction 48 Transportation and Warehousing 61 Educational Services 55 Management of Companies and Enterprises 42 Wholesale Trade 99 Unclassified Industry 11 Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting 53 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 22 Utilities 71 Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation 52 Finance and Insurance 51 Information 19,510 13,052 9,799 10,472 5.582 11,459 13,774 4,358 6,311 5,762. 4,137 1,224 1,851 4,465 166 4,801 1,476 502 1,021 3,075 518 20,846 14,018 10,503 11,149 6,231 12,101 642 14,349 4,925 6,652 6,031 1,336 966 704 677, 649 576 6.8% 7.4% 7.2% 6.5% 158 1,287 526 878 1.04 2.10 0.92 0.64 $51,994 $73,809 $23,869 $58,749 11.6% 691 1.07 $43,132 5.6% 690 4.2% 373 567 13.0% 1,372 341 5.4% 577 $12,033 $12,681 52,776 14,503 $11,134 10,890 8,398 11,8351 54,087 3,843 9,769 11,239 13,748 7,106 3,620 0.97 $43,853; $7,811 11,801 10,902 7,818 0.52 $103,274! $14,001 2,871 2,406 1.38 086 269 4.7% 263 12.96 4,341 204 1,375 1,961 4,535 151 111 70 4.9% 456 0.79 12.3% 6.0% 1.6% 127 114 558 0.41 0.93 0.96 $68,767 514,186 8,125 552.257 57,456 9,103 8,703 $127,250 $18,290 4,534 4,179 3,396 $34,306 $5,625 1,086 954 5137.147 $18,806 1,287 932 $88,759 $11,519 2,408 2,318 579,099 $16,018 3,206 236 70 42.1% 46 0.59 $61,109 $10,692 97 97 4,861 1,533 539 1,042 3,066 506 61 57 37 21 1.3% 3.8% 7.3% 2.0% (0 3%) 230 453 36 109 445 144 4.18 0.77 1.16 0.53 0.59 0.22 $49,588 $66,672 $123,665 533.695 $89,019 578.435 $12,228 $8,622 $42,408 $4,62.3 S12,630 514.489 5,556 1,049 128 1,971 1,268 .103 5,766 987 119 2,010 1,190 124 51.4% 89.0% 144.9% 69.5% 67.5% 97.3% 57.9% 58.3% 141.3% 74.0% 84.0% 82.0% 51.6% 52.5% 69.6% 120.7% 68.2% 24.6% 199.2% 38.6% 81.2% Totals 123,315 130,800 7,486 6.1% 9,533 $63337 $11,121 104,362 97,683 81.2% cnlllfie..41:cast The Weld County Workforce Development Board (WCWDB) adopts the top eleven (11) industries as in -demand and, as agriculture continues to be a driver of the economy, the WCWDB elects to deem this as an in -demand industry, as well. Weld County is an agricultural empire of 2.5 million acres of which 75% is devoted to farming and raising livestock. Weld County strives to protect farmers and ranchers by maintaining the Right to Farm ordinance and is also deemed a Significant Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker (MSFW) One -Stop Center by the United States Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. As Colorado's leading producer of beef cattle. grain, sugar beets, and dairy, Weld is the richest agricultural county in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains. There are over 3,000 farms in Weld County and over 20% of the farms have annual sales in excess of $100,000. It is pertinent to note that several of these farms are recognized under Colorado's Centennial Farms Program, which acknowledges families who have owned and operated their farm or ranch for 100 years or more. By reviewing projected growth by occupation family and occupations projected to add the most jobs, the Upstate Planning Region can quickly identify the employment needs of employers in the mentioned industry sectors. The top three (3) occupation families for 2024 are: Office and Administrative Support, Construction and Extraction, and Transportation and Material Moving. The greatest percentage change by 2028 however 9 are: Computer and Mathematical, Community and Social Service, and Protective Service. Unsurprisingly, the lowest median hourly earnings continue to be in the Food Preparation and Serving Related occupation family. 47 53 35 11 25 41 13 49 51 31 37 29 43 33 21 15 39 17 19 27 45 23 Projected Growth by Occupation Family, Weld County Description Construction and Extraction Transportation and Material Moving Food Preparation and Serving Related Management Educational Instruction and Library Sales and Related Business and Financial Operations Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Production Healthcare Support Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Office and Administrative Support Protective Service Community and Social Service Computer and Mathematical Personal Care and Service Architecture and Engineering Life, Physical, and Social Science Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Legal 2024 Jobs 12,408 11,525 12,290 765 6.6% 9,730 6,503 7,043 540 8.3% 7,925 477 6.4% $19.00 10,130 10,598 468 4.6% $14.40 $18.17 2028 Jobs Change 808 Percent Change 13,216 10,393 663 6.5% 6.8% 7,448 Pct 25 Hourly Earnings $20.69 $16.92 $21.76 S13.54 $36.17 $52.44 Median Hourly Earnings $24.27 $14.53 $23.32 7,153 7.607 454 6,001 6,424 423 10,537 10,906 369 3,419 3,734 315 4,121 4,272 4,578 306 13,117 292 2,717 3,000 283 3,811 309 12,825 2,401 2,662 1,918 2,134 2,382 2,539 1,821 1,937 1,276 1,118 1,183 3,080 512 1,196 3,041 473 262 216 156 116 81 66 38 38 6.3% $26.30 7.1% $21.46 $17.76 9.2% $15.38 8.1% $15.41 3.5% $34.91 $26.62 $21.26 $17.08 $17.66 7.2% $27.39 $37.84 2.3% $17.20 520.57 10.4% $16.26 $28.08 10.9% 11.3% 6.6% 6.4% 6.7% 5.9% 1.3% 8.0% $20.49 $31.33 $14.30 $30.71 $24.79 $19.05 $12.96 $29.22 $25.68 $41.84 $16.30 $39.18 $33.11 $26.70 $15.06 $42.70 2023 Hires 10,536 10,754 14,793 4,047 3,366 9,653 4,148 3,951 7,559 4,183 4,287 2,920 10,219 1,918 1,138 937 2,992 886 774 893 3,990 144 2023 Separations 10,007 10,226 14,025 2023 Turnover Rate 83.0% 91.2% 148.6% 3,477 55.2% 3,595 49.5% 9,025 90.9% 3,829 54.9% 3,638 62.4% 71.9% 3,253 98.3% 107.8% 1,512' 36.3% 78.9% 2,022 77.4% 45.6% 687 37.4% 125.7% 795 44.9% 64.8% 860 78.7% 137.9% 143 30.9% 7,447 3,978 9,990 1,055 2,913 755 4,173 Totals 122,832 130,276 7,444 6.1% 104,087 97,404 81.3% Source: Lightcast Fast Food and Counter Workers, Heavy and Tractor -Trailer Truck Drivers, and Retail Salespersons are projected to add the most jobs in 2024. By 2028, these three (3) will be overtaken by the need for Software Developers, Electricians, and Restaurant Cooks. SOC Occupations Projected to add the Most Jobs, Weld County Description 2024 Jobs 2028 Jobs Change Percent Change Pct 25 Median Hourly Hourly Earnings Earnings 2023 Hires 2023 Separations 2023 Turnover Rate 35-3023 31-1128 53-7065 11-1021 47-2111 41-2031 53-3032 37-2011 47-2061 35-2014 Fast Food and Counter Workers Home Health and Personal Care Aides Stockers and Order Fillers General and Operations Managers Electricians Retail Salespersons Heavy and Tractor -Trailer Truck Drivers Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners Construction Laborers Cooks, Restaurant 25-1099 Postsecondary Teachers 47-1011 First -Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers 53-7062 Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand 41-2011 Cashiers 49-9071 Maintenance and Repair Workers, General 47-2073 Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators 15-1252 Software Developers 13-2011 Accountants and Auditors 37-3011 Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers 35-1012 First -Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers Source: Lightcast 3,532 3.755 224 1,611 1,801 191 2,633 2,817 184 1,963 2,145 182 9.3% 1,194 1,362 168 2,688 2,844 155 5.8% 3,029 3,177 148 4.9% 1,496 1,638 142 9.5% 2,090 141 7.3% 1,017 1,144 128 12.6% 1,285 1,405 120 1,987' 2,104 117 5.9% 1,099 1,202 103 9.4% 2,199 2,302. 102 4.7% 1,130 1,221 91 1,328 1,409. 81 6.1% 414 495 80 19.4% 1,111: 1,191. 80! 7.2% 1,219 1,297 78 916 991 75 8.2% 6.3% $13.51 $14.06 11.8% $14.86 $15.60 7.0% 14.1 % 1,948 9.3% 8.0% 6.4% 10 $15.29 $37.66 $21.20 $13.92 $23.07 $19.53 $54.53 $28.29 $14.94 $24.98 S14.89 $16.87 $18.10 $20.32 $14.49 $17.30 $39.62 $29.57 $35.98 $17.93 $13.61 $14.07 $23.59 $23.33 $24.82 $4196 $57.23 $28.92 $37.50 $19.56 $16.86 $18.88 $28.72 $15.75 $19.01 $17.47 6,040 5,841 170.4% 1,678 1,513 97.9% 105.1% 1,267 1,074 56.8% 808 71.6% 2,950 2,702 102.8% 85.9% 1,563 1,430 99.2% 89.8% 1,318 1,139 117.1% 566 45.8% 1,511 1,454 75.2% 1,220 1,093 103.2% 3,204 3,081 143.4% 639 58.304 1,167 1,169 90.5% 118 30.7% 596 545 50.5% 115.3% 1,035 961 108.6% 2,903 2,693 893 2,547 2,547 1,854 1,694 510 692 221 1,427 1,365 The Weld County Workforce Development Board (WCWDB) has responded to the workforce needs within Construction, Accommodation and Food Services, Health Care and Social Assistance, Other Services (except Public Administration), and Manufacturing, by devoting staff resources to work on sector initiatives within each of these industries Within the construction, healthcare, and manufacturing industries, sector partnerships are clearly defined within the Northern Colorado region In recent years, sector partnerships have launched for hospitality and nonprofits As these two (2) partnerships continue to grow in members and establish actions, policies, and strategies for addressing talent shortages, the Upstate Planning Region will be readily available to support these industry lead initiatives Analysis — Knowledge and Skills Provide an analysis of the knowledge and skills needed to meet the employment needs of the employers in the region, as well as for each area included in this planning region, including employment needs in in -demand industry sectors and occupations. To determine knowledge and skills needed to meet the demand of employers in the regional and local area, the Upstate Planning Region has analyzed calendar year 2023 data The Region's One -Stop Center, specifically the Business Services Unit, analyzes this data to better assist employers with posting their jobs on the Statewide Management Information System as well as external sites of their choosing In 2023, employers in the Upstate Planning Region posted an average of 6,841 unique , jobs per month with the highest postings during the months of June and July The average posted wages through 2023 was $24 38 per hour with the highest wages between $25 00 and $25 20 11 Unique Jobs Posted and Advertised Wage Trends Weld County (2023) 9,000 8,000 7,000 6,000 5,000 4,000 3,000 2,000 1,000 0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul 2023 Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2023 2023 2023 2023 2023 2023 2023 2023 2023 2023 2023 Job Postings !Advertised Wage $25.20 $ 25.00 $24.80 $24.60 $24.40 $24.20 $ 24.00 $23.80 $23.60 $23.40 $23.20 The majority of unique job postings did not list an education requirement and 61 % did not list minimum experience. In line with the State of Colorado's Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) State Plan, Priority One (increase the affordability of career connected education and training for Coloradoans of all skill levels), the Weld County Workforce Development Board (WCWDB) shares the below data analysis to expand the awareness and adoption of skills -based hiring (Action Step C). Education and Experience Breakdown, Weld County Education Level Uni • ue Posti • s % of Total No Education Listed High school or GED Associate degree Bachelor's degree Master's degree Ph. D. or •rofessional de • ree Minimum Experience No Experience Listed 0 - 1 Years 2-3Years 4-6Years 7 - 9 Years 10+ Years Source: Lightcast 26, 977 14.106 4.064 8,759 2,229 811 52% 27% 8% 17% 4% 2% Uni • ue Postin. s % of Total 12 31,694 8,731 8,086 2,738 400 371 61% 17% 16% 5% 1% 1% The practice of skills -based approaches is not new; however, with the coronavirus pandemic reshaping trends in hiring and remote work, bringing forth innovative strategies such as micro- and stackable credentials and reintroducing technical assistance and communities of practice, may be appealing to employers now more than ever. Not unique to the Upstate Planning Region, Registered Nurses continued to be in high demand in 2023 (19,692 total postings). The demand was so high that Heavy and Tractor -Trailer Truck Drivers, the second most total postings, came in drastically less at 7,631. All top posted occupations were posted for 25 to 30 days, allowing ample opportunity for job seekers to submit applications. Occupation (SOC) Top Posted Occupations, Weld Count l Total Postings Unique Postings Median Posting (Jan 2023 - Dec (Jan 2023 - Dec 2023 2023 Duration Registered Nurses Heavy and Tractor -Trailer Truck Drivers Home Health and Personal Care Aides Retail Salespersons Maintenance and Repair Workers, General Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand First -Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers Sales Representatives. Wholesale and Manufacturing Customer Service Representatives Fast Food and Counter Workers Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics Driver/Sales Workers Managers, All Other Food Service Managers Janitors and Cleaners. Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners Nursing Assistants Stockers and Order Fillers Medical Assistants Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians Source: Lightcast 19.692 7,631 4.522 3,286 1.704 1,335 28 days 29 days 29 days 4,338 1,253 26 days 3.109 1,065 28 days 4,711 1,058 28 days 3,254 1.035 28 days 2,5041 885 29 days 856 28 days 3277 749 30 days 5,258 727 27 days 1078 654 27 days 1,794 622 26 days 1,840 604 29 days 563 28 days 1,550 499 28 days 3,119 484 27 days 1,449 480 28 days 1.725 476 25 days 1,597 471 29 days 2,865 1,871 The analysis of skills occurred in three (3) ways: specialized skills (also known as technical or hard skills), common skills (personal attributes and learned skills) and software skills (tool or programming component). 13 • Nursing was 5.6% of the Upstate Planning Region's total postings in 2023. Aligning with the occupations projected to add the most jobs by 2028, the specialized skill of restaurant operation has the highest growth, projected at 28%. • Communication and customer service continue to be a top priority with 24.9% and 23.2% of profiles listing these common skills. There is, however, a growing need for troubleshooting (problem solving) and multitasking (19% and 18%). • Although Google Workspace is being utilized by many entities, Microsoft continues to be the top software skills needed in the Upstate Planning Region. Further skills breakdowns are available in the three (3) charts listed below: Top Specialized Skills Posted in Weld County, 2023 %of Total Postin.s Skills Postings Profiles % of Total Projected Skill Growth Profiles Skill Growth Relative to Market Nursing Merchandising Warehousing Psychology Marketing Accounting Auditing Project Management General Mathematics Forklift Truck Restaurant Operation Data Entry Housekeeping Billing Cash Register Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Oil And Gas Food Safety And Sanitation Effective Communication Machinery Source: Lightcast 2,921 5.6% 635 1.0% 20% Growing 2,536 4.9% 1,028 1.6% 15% Growing 2,431 4.7% 841 1.3% 13% Growing 1,779 3.4% 334 0.5% 7% Stable 3.868 5.9% 23% Rapidly Growing 1,586 3.0% 1.963 3.0% 24% Rapidly Growing 1,283 2.0% 22% Rapidly Growing 1,404 2.7% 4,227 6.4% 20% Growing 0 0.0% 15% Growing 1,331 2.6% 459 0.7% 6% Stable 1.329 488 0.7% 28% Rapidly Growing 1,317 2.5% 1,406 2.1% 3% Lagging 159 0.2% 13% Growing 1.265 2.4% 1,020 1.6% 20% Growing 2.4% 406 0.6% 21% Rapidly Growing 1,193 2.3% 266 0.4% 15% Growing 2.3% 1,055 1.6% 17% Growing 1,186 2.3% 415 0.6% 12% Growing 83 0.1% 0% Stable 1,172 2.3% 209 0.3% 8% Stable 1.753 3.4% 1.540 3.0% 1,338 2.6% 1.275 2.6% 2.5% 1, 228 1,193 1,178 2.3% 14 Skills Communication Customer Service Management Operations Sales Leadership Detail Oriented Problem Solving Lifting Ability Writing Planning Computer Literacy Coordinating Scheduling English Language Multitasking Teamwork Interpersonal Communications Troubleshooting (Problem Solving) Organizational Skills Source: Lightcast Top Common Skills Po Postings 12.969 12,070, 8,374 7,438 6,338 6,056 4.081 4.031 3.949 3.789 3,734 3393 2,978 2.845 2.673 2,560 2.529 2,508 2.504 2,418 % of Total Postin• s ted in Weld Count , 2023 24.9% 23.2% 16.1% 14.3% 12.2% 11.6% 7.8% 7.7% 7.6% 7.3% 7.2% 6.5% 5.7% 5.5% 5.1% 4.9% 4.9% 4.8% 4.8% 4.6% Profiles 3,294 11.223 7.164 4,554 8,367 6,032 402 1,073 19 1, 025 1.560 133 1.057 1,521 842 350 1,489 310 1,779 357 % of Total Profiles 5.0% 17.1% 10.9% 6.9% 12.7% 9.2% 0.6% 1.6% 0.0% 1.6% 2.4% Top Software Skills Posted in Weld County, 2023 % of Total Profiles % of Total Projected Skill Growth Posti •s Profiles Skill Growth Relative to Market Skills Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Word SAP Applications Spreadsheets Microsoft Windows Operating Systems Geographic Information Systems Medical Software Inventory Management System Microsoft Access Application Programming Interface (API) Epic EMR Inventory Control Systems Software Systems QuickBooks (Accounting Software) Project Management Software SQL (Programming Language) Source: Lightcast Postings 2.401 2,274 1.732 988 861 681 676 265 264 211 208 204 181 181 171 170 154 150 147 142 0.2% 1.6% 2.3%1 1.3% 0.5% 2.3% 0.5% 2.7% 0.5% Projected Skill Growth Skill Growth Relative to Market 40/0 5% 5% Lagging Stable Stable 8% Stable 8% Stable 8% 7% 11% Stable Stable Growing 11% Growing 12% Growing Growing 3% Lagging 15% Growing 16% Growing 15% Growing 18% Growing 16% Growing 13% 19% Growing 14% Growing 11% Growing 4.6% 4.4% 3.3% 1.9% 1.7% 1.3% 1.3% 0.5% 0.5% 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 4.917 6,159 1.370 3,113 3,922 498 360 68 307 285 16 54 460 144 155 36 50 518 93 545 7.5% 9.4% 2.1% 4.7% 6.0% 0.8% 0.5% 0.1% 0.5% 0.4% 0.0% 0.1% 0.7% 0.2% 0.2% 0.1% 0.1% 0.8% 0.1% 0.8% 18% 19% Growing Growing 25% Rapidly Growing 26% Rapidly Growing 7% Stable 22% Rapidly Growing Rapidly Growing 3% Lagging Rapidly Growing 11% Growing 15% Growing 12% Growing 4% Lagging 9% Growing Growing 15% Growing Growing 11% Growing 8% Stable 6% Stable 22% 23% 16% 12% The Upstate Planning Region's top five (5) qualifications/credentials in demand, include the need of a valid driver's license, registered nurse (RN), basic life support (BLS) certification, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification, and commercial driver's license (CDL). 15 Top Qualifications Posted in Weld County, 2023 Qualification Postings with Qualification Valid Driver's License Registered Nurse (RN) Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification Commercial Driver's License (CDL) CDL Class A License Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) American Red Cross (ARC) Certification CPR/AED For The Professional Rescuer Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Certification First Aid Certification Teaching Certificate Nurse Practitioner (APRN-CNP) Board Certified/Board Eligible CDL Class B License Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Certification Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Certification Certified Pharmacy Technician Source L;ghtcast Analysis - Workforce Region 6.908 3,715 2.635 1,477 1.272 1,014 965 896 802 766 662 648 601 353 305 283 260 247 223 218 Provide an analysis of the workforce in the region, as well as for each area included in this planning region, including current labor force employment and unemployment data, and information on labor market trends, and the educational and skill levels of the workforce in the region, including individuals with barriers to employment, New Americans (defined as Coloradans who arrived in the U.S. as immigrants or their children) and veterans. Not only is Upstate Planning Region (Weld County) unique in its size, the diversity in its population makeup and the mix of its industry sectors make it distinct from other Colorado counties and regions. Labor market trends, educational and skill levels as well as barriers to employment are just a few of the items the Upstate Planning Region takes into consideration when implementing employment & training programs. According to the United States Census American Community Survey, the population in the Upstate Planning Region (Weld County) has not been growing fast enough to produce enough workers to fill all the new jobs being created through economic growth. 16 The below bar graphs illustrate the growing structural deficit in labor supply in Weld County: • The percent of the population 65 and older moved from 9.1% in 2010 to 12.4% in 2022. • The prime working age population 25 to 64 years old moved from 51.8% in 2010 to 52.6% in 2022, a gain of 4/5 of a percentage point. • Most significantly, the population aged 0 to 19 years fell from 39.0% in 2010 to 31.5% in 2022. This is a 7.5% drop in the number of people who will be entering the labor force over the next decade. • The median age (years) in Weld County moved from 32.7 in 2010 to 35.0 in 2022. Population by Age, Weld County, 2010 Source: U.S. Census American Community Survey 85 years and over 75 to 84 years 65 to 74 years 60 to 64 years 55 to 59 years 45 to 54 years 35 to 44 years 25 to 34 years 20 to 24 years 15 to 19 years 10 to 14 years 5 to 9 years Under 5 years 3.0% 5.2% 4.3% 5.7°0 13.7% 14.0% 14.1% 85 years and over 75 to 84 years 65 to 74 years 60 to 64 years 55 to 59 years 45 to 54 years 35 to 44 years 25 to 34 years 20 to 24 years 15 to 19 years 10 to 14 years 5 to 9 years Under 5 years 7.5% 7.8% 6.8% 8.6°0 8.3% Population by Age, Weld County, 2022 Source: U.S. Census American Community Survey 1.3% 3.3% 7.8% 5.6% 5.5% 12.O% 14.4% 15.1% 6.31% 7.3% 7.5% 7.1% 6.9% 17 Conversely, the Colorado State Demographer's projections through 2030 give a bright outlook to Weld County's population estimates by age. Additionally, net migration from 2021 to 2022 was an increase of 32.66% and birth rates were up by 4.04%, higher than all but two of our bordering counties (Logan and Morgan). And, according to Lightcast, as of 2023, the region's population increased by 13.8% since 2018, growing by 43,443. Population is expected to increase by 11.5% between 2023 and 2028, adding 41,174. So, this conflicting information begs the question, will there be structural scarcity of labor? The Upstate Planning Region does not think so. The below data was pulled to support this claim reemphasizing the importance of One -Stop Centers and how they are uniquely positioned to increase labor force participation. The Upstate Planning Region's One -Stop is helping Veterans, individuals with disabilities, New Americans, etc., surmount their barriers using braided funding strategies to provide supportive services, and reskilling, upskilling and next skilling participants so they can successfully engage in work. This vital role played by workforce centers and their partners can make a critical difference in maintaining the competitiveness of Colorado employers in a global economy. Select County. (Weld County Population Estimates by Age Single Year of Age Lockup Ages Number. 2021 Number, 2022 2030 Forecast Total 339,864 350.207 423,212 0 to 17 89.562 91 427 14.990 18 to 24 33 516 34 503 38 800 25 to 44 96.685 100 311 122.283 45 to 64 76 599 78 137 93 546 65 + 43 502 45 329 63 593 Births, Deaths, and Migration Components of Change Lookup Component Number. 2021 Number, 2022 Change Births 4.435 4 614 4.04% Deaths 2.269 2 599 14.54% Net Migration 6 276 8 326 32.66% 18 Populations With Barriers, Weld County Po • ulation Population in households Total households Average household size Single parents with children under 18 Civilian Veterans Individuals with a disability Age 18 - 64 Under 18 65 and older Low Income Households Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Cash Public Assistance SNAP With Public Healthcare Coverage (Medicaid) Households spending 35% or more of gross income on rent Less than High School or GED Completed 9th grade or less No broadband subscription Population over 5 who speak English less than 'very well' New Americans (entered U.S. 2010 or later) Individuals 21 or older with criminal records (estimate)* Homeless individuals (estimate)" Number 325,323 115,536 2.8 6,552 17,469 36,929 19,500 3,196 14,233 13,197 3,938 3,139 9,035 105,752 11,607 25,141 12,571 10,193 21,517 1,725 19,727 508 Sources: U.S. Census American Community Survey Data Profiles. *Number of individuals over 21 with criminal records estimated using information from Shannon, Sarah et al, Felon History and Change in U.S. Employment Rates, Social Science Research, Vol. 103, March 2022. 102649. ^Homeless estimates derived from Colorado State of Homelessness Report 2022, Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. The United States Census American Community Survey also shows that Weld County is home to 30,154 individuals (9.1% of the population) who were foreign -born. Of the population five (5) years old and over, 59,331 (19.2%) speak a language other than English. Of these, 21,517 (7.0%) speak English less than `very well.' Primary languages include Spanish (16.7%), other Indo-European (1%), Asian/Pacific Islander (1%), and other languages (0.5%). The below pie chart shows the regions of origin for foreign -born individuals in Weld County. 19 Region of Birth, Foreign Born Individuals Residing in Weld County Source: U.S. Census American Community Survey Latin America 77% Oceania 0% Northern America 1% Europe 6% Asia 10% Africa 6% Inflation is a common concern for everyone, regardless of background. Wages have not kept up with inflation, so workers find they are spending more money for less product across the board. While the inflation rate has gone down, it is important to realize how to read the below graph correctly. Prices in November 2023 were 3.1 % higher than they were the previous November 2022. If we go back to November 2020, we find that prices have actually gone up 17%. 43.0% 1.0% GOY 40% 3.0% 10% 10% O.0% Inflation, All items, Percent Change from Prior Year, United States Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics I 9 9 r d, 20 The high costs of insuring and repairing motor vehicles is also a concern, which is one reason hybrid and remote work schedules have become more appealing to job seekers since the coronavirus pandemic. Inflation Rate, Motor Vehicle Insurance, Percent Change from Same Month Prior Year, United States Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics 25.0% 20.0% 15.0% 10.0% C' s i I • 41, C, ti3 ti> C \Cr 5.U`ib 0.0`X, 15.0% Inflation, Motor Vehicle Repair, Percent Change from Same Month, Prior Year, United States 19.5% 23.1% 17.7% Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics 17.4% 19.7% fieb 14.9% ce (P*•L''i �osti� Rent also remains high. According to the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey, 11,607 (43.30%) of the renters in Weld County are paying 35% or more of their gross rent as a percentage of household income. 21 Inflation, Rent of Primary Residence, Percent Change from Prior Year, United States Source: US Bureau Labcr Statistics Figures from the below table are from Lightcast and the 2022 Colorado Childcare Market Rate Study, which is required for each state every two (2) years. For example, a housekeeper with an infant may be paying over half of their gross income for childcare. If they are also paying 35% for rent, this leaves only 15% of their entire gross to pay for everything else they need. SOC Childcare Costs as a Percent of Median Wage by Occupation Famil , Weld County Description 11 Management 13 Business and Financial Operations 15 Computer and Mathematical 17 Architecture and Engineering 19 Life, Physical, and Social Science 21 Community and Social Service 23 Legal 25 Educational Instruction and Library 27 Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media 29 Healthcare Practitioners and Technical 31 Healthcare Support 33 Protective Service 35 Food Preparation and Serving Related 37 Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance 39 Personal Care and Service 41 Sales and Related 43 Office and Administrative Support 45 Farming, Fishing, and Forestry 47 Construction and Extraction 49 Installation, Maintenance, and Repair 51 Production 53 Transportation and Material Movin Totals 2023 Jobs Median Annual Earnirgs 6,503 7,153 1,918 1,821 1,196 2,401 473 7,448 1,118 4,272 3,419 2,717 9,730 3,811 2,382 10,130 12,825 3,041 12,408 6,001 10,537 11,525 122,832 $139,065 $72,604 $37,036 $ 31,498 558,859 $53,406 $38,814 $48,497 $55,533 $78,704 $35,516 $58,408 $30,215 $36,731 $33,912 $37,787 $42,792 $31,316 $50,472 $55,377 $44,226 $45,257 Childcare Center Annual Cost as Percent of Median Earnings Infant, Toddler, Childcare Center Infant, Child Care Home Toddler, Child Care Home 16.6% 25.0% 20.8% 22.3% 26.3% 13.9% 20.8% 17.4% 18.5% 22.0% 10.8% 16.3% 13.6% 14.5% 17.2% 10.2% 15.3% 12.7% 13.6% 16.1% 34.0% 28.3% 22.1% 20.8% 20.4% 37.4% 32.7% 23.1% 51.1% 17.0% 31.2% 27.2% 19.2% 42.6% 13.3% 24.4% 21.3% 15.0% 33.3% 12.5% 22.9% 20.0% 14.1% 31.2% 31.1% 25.9% 20.2% 19.0% 60.0% 50.0% 39.1% 36.7% 49.4% 41.2% 32.2% 30.2% 53.5% 48.0%- 42.4% 44.6% 40.0% 35.3% 34.9% 31.3% 27.6% 32.7% 29.4% 25.9% 57.9% 48.3% 37.7% 35.4% 35.9% 29.9% 23.4% 22.0% 32.8% 27.3% 21.3% 20.0% 41.0% 34.2% 26.7% 25.1% 40.1% 33.4% 26.1% 24.5% 35.2% 29.4% 23.0% 21.6% Sources: Lightcast (Jobs & Earnings), Childcare Costs (Broderick Research & Consulting Childcare Market Rate Study Presented to Colorado Dept. Human Services, 2022) The following unemployment information was taken from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics Local Area Unemployment Data. Note that the labor force in the 22 Upstate Planning Region (Weld County) went up by 6,325 between January 2019 and December 2023, an increase of 3.8%. This reflects the entry into the labor force of a number of workers who lost jobs during the pandemic and were gradually reabsorbed over 2022. The One -Stop Center, Employment Services of Weld County, through a variety of employment & training programs, not just the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), has been steadily helping people with barriers to succeed in the labor market. Unemployment Rate, Weld County Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics 12.0% 10.0% 8.0% 6.0% 4.0% 2.0% 0.0% CO Cl 0 0 0 0 0 0 N N N N N N pn36co co W. C 2 2 z 23 r4 N N aS a CU '--� N O z N N N N N N I I I N N N N N N a v > Z m N m m m N N N m m N N cCU z Labor Force, Weld County Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics 175,000 170,000 165,000 160,000 155,000 150,000 01 as 01 eri S 01 e—$ Co 2 01 e1 O N O O N N } O N O N N 6. to Z e-1 N ri el cic N N e-4 N a) e-4 N 0 z N N I 03 N N N N 2 2 N N I N N to N N 0 z m N Iea m m N N m N I m m N O 'n z Additional takeaways from Lightcast regarding the Upstate Planning Region's population and labor force include the following data points: • Concerning educational attainment, 19.3% of Weld County residents possess a bachelor's degree (1.8% below the national average), and 9.5% hold an associate degree (0.6% above the national average). • Weld County has 80,804 millennials (ages 25-39). The national average for an area this size is 71,203. • Retirement risk is low in Weld County. The national average for an area this size is 104,941 people 55 or older, while there are 82,784 here. • Racial diversity is low in Weld County. The national average for an area this size is 144,007 racially diverse people, while there are 128,291 here. • Weld County has 17,041 veterans. The national average for an area this size is 17,840. • Weld County has 2.78 violent crimes per 1,000 people. The national rate is 2.41 per 1,000 people. • Weld County has 18.13 property crimes per 1,000 people. The national rate is 12.12 per 1,000 people. 24 Development and Implementation of Sector Initiatives Describe the development and implementation of sector initiatives for in -demand industry sectors or occupations for the planning region and explain how sector partnerships will be utilized to facilitate the engagement of employers, including small employers and employers in in -demand industry sectors and occupations, in workforce development programs. The development and implementation of sector initiatives in the Upstate Planning Region are directed by in -demand industry sectors and occupations. This information further informs the Sector Partnerships that are launched in the Northern Colorado region. In conjunction with Larimer County Economic and Workforce Development (LCEWD), a member of the Central Planning region, five (5) Sector Partnerships have been successfully launched in the last ten (10) to fifteen (15) years. These partnerships, Construction, Healthcare, Hospitality, Manufacturing, and Non -Profit, enhance the One - Stop Center's ability to engage with employers of all sizes ensuring the Workforce System is responsive to their needs when designing workforce development programs. Although Sector Partnerships are industry lead, the Upstate Planning Region is present at all partnerships and is readily available to support business in engaging in the development of career pathways and Work -Based Learning opportunities. Below are two (2) examples of workforce development and industry partners collaborating: Construction: In November 2021, the partnership launched its first annual NOCO Construction Day for Weld RE -4 Windsor/Severance high school students. Weld and Larimer County One -Stop Centers assisted with the planning and execution of the event. It was such a success that the event grew its reach in 2022 and is now known as Construction Con, drawing hundreds of high school students from the Northern Colorado region. Students learn about opportunities in the construction industry through engaging activity and informative pathway booths. A recap of the 2023 event can be found on the Northern Colorado Construction Sector Partnership website. Health Care and Social Assistance: In 2023 and 2024, the Upstate Planning Region's One -Stop supported the Northern Colorado Health Sector Partnership's 25 annual Northern Colorado Nurse Well Being Conference. The goal of the conference is to energize, inspire, and refresh care providers through speaking sessions, wellness activities and resources. In 2023, over 200 nurses attended the event held at the Aims Community College Welcome Center in Greeley, Colorado. As in -demand sectors evolve, there may be an opportunity for the Upstate Planning Region to bring forth opportunities to create additional Sector Partnerships or task groups for industries. Weld and Larimer County One -Stop Center staff are committed to convening thus ensuring the best outcome for industry and the Northern Colorado Region. None of the funding for the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) and Science Act has been awarded to Colorado's workforce development system, though it is uniquely positioned to enhance competitiveness in advanced manufacturing through traditional and Work -Based Learning strategies. In Weld County, there are 11 people in four (4) pay rolled business locations working in research and development for nanotechnology applications, so this is just another area being monitored by the Upstate Planning Region for the development and implementation of sector initiatives. Career Pathways Describe how career pathways will be used to meet the needs of employers and support work -based learning opportunities. Career Pathways are used to meet the needs of employers and support Work -Based Learning opportunities. The Upstate Planning Region's initiatives show great attention to high -quality education, training, and other services, aligning skills to the demands of the local economy. It is the goal of the Upstate Planning Region and its community partners to prepare individuals to be successful in their educational and career goals through individualized case management, mentoring, and counseling. When appropriate, education is concurrent with work -experience, pre -apprenticeship, 26 registered apprenticeship, or on-the-job training opportunities in the participant's desired career path. The overall intent of the Weld County Workforce Development Board (WCWDB) is to help individuals attain a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent, at least one (1) postsecondary credential, or enter or advance within a specific occupation at an accelerated pace, when practicable. The Upstate Planning Region actively incorporates the United States Department of Labor's six (6) career pathways system elements by: • building cross -agency partnerships and clarifying roles, • identifying industry sectors and engaging employers, • designing education and training programs, • identifying funding needs and sources, • aligning policies and programs, and • measuring system change and performance. An example of a cross -agency partnership is with Colorado Works (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families). The 2Gen employment program, Weld Works 4 Youth (WW4Y), provides 14- and 15 -year -olds the opportunity to build work ethic and work maturity through a worksite placement with local employers during the months of June and July. This initiative is an essential part of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Youth Employment & Training program. During Program Year 2022, the Weld County Workforce Development Board (WCWDB) reviewed and approved the One -Stop Center's recommendation to work with their Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) Liaison to update the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Title I Supportive Services policy, which touched several of USDOL elements. Prior to action, students enrolled at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC), specifically in the education and nursing programs, were required to participate in unpaid student teaching and clinical internships to complete their degree. Most of the students were unable to work in paid 27 labor opportunities on top of their internships and studies, which results in accruing additional debt. By utilizing Colorado House Bill 21-1264 Reskill, Upskill, Next -Skill (RUN) funding, the One -Stop Center was able to circumvent this issue and provide the students with an educational award. With approval from USDOL and CDLE, the WCWDB's Supportive Service policy now authorizes the use of WIOA funding to meet the above intentions; however, the parameters are strict: To graduate from a post -secondary institution, schools may require students to participate in an unpaid hands-on learning component. Post -secondary institutions and worksites have long-standing agreements for a set amount of unpaid hands-on learning based on the industry, so to circumvent additional barriers, WIOA-eligible students may receive an educational scholarship. The scholarship is 110% of the Colorado minimum wage for no more than 280 hours of unpaid hands-on learning. Not all WIOA-eligible students will utilize all 280 hours due to varying requirements set by the institution's program. Additionally, a comprehensive assessment is required to determine the WIOA-eligible student's monthly income and expenses to support the need for this supportive service. WIOA-eligible students must be: 1. referred by a Northern Colorado post -secondary institution; 2. enrolled in an educational component related to Healthcare and Social Assistance (NAICS 62), Educational Services (NAICS 61), or Public Administration, specifically Justice, Public Order, and Safety Activities (92- 21); 3. on track to graduate within twelve (12) months, which must be documented by grade reports or transcripts; and 4. willing to attest that they are currently unemployed or unable to work full- time due to their post -secondary education. Attestation occurs at the signing of the initial application, individual service strategy, or comprehensive assessment/individual employment plan. 28 To receive the educational scholarship, the WIOA-eligible student, worksite, or institution must provide verification of completed hours bi-weekly or monthly. The use of this supportive service requires written approval from the Workforce Director. Measuring system change and performance such as the educational scholarship is a top priority of the WCWDB and aligns with Priority Two of the Colorado WIOA State Plan which reinforces the necessity of building an evidence base to direct funding into programs that are successful and make a tangible impact for individuals. The WCWDB commits to regularly reviewing published return on investment data to guide Coloradoans towards informed choices about their career paths. An external resource the WCWDB leans into to clarify roles and actions in improving quality of jobs and career pathways is the Colorado Workforce Development Council Job Quality Framework. The resources reaffirm the definition of quality through a checklist of four categories, recruitment and hiring; wages and benefits; growth opportunities; and working conditions and belonging. These lists are designed to educate employers, workforce professionals, and workers, allowing the Workforce Center to implement them throughout the agency, not just within Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) programs. Other Strategies and Services Describe other strategies and services that will be used in the planning region to support a local workforce development system that meets the needs of businesses in the planning region. To meet the needs of businesses in the Upstate Planning Region (Weld County), it is critical that other strategies and services, beyond the core services available through every workforce center, are used to support the Workforce Development System. A successful outreach method is to send the Open Jobs List out weekly to over seventy- five (75) public partners, some of which include: Weld County School Districts, Aims 29 Community College, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), the High Plains Library District (HPLD), Jobs of Hope (a Reentry Program), and the local Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) Disabled Veterans Outreach Program Specialist. This tool provides up-to-date information about new and current job postings within the Upstate Planning Region as well as any upcoming events for business and job seekers. The email is also sent internally to Colorado Works (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) and Employment First (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) Case Managers, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Navigators, Wagner Peyer local -merit staff, and leadership to in -turn provide relevant job information to Weld County job seekers. Initiated in 2015, the use of on -site job fairs has been met with strong employer support. The conference room allows for 10 to 12 employers to setup booths on the first and third Wednesday of the month, meeting with Veterans for the first 30 minutes of the three (3) hour fair. Employers appreciate having the one-on-one interaction with job seekers and it is with their support that this model continues. Alternatively, leveraging the convenience and accessibility of offsite job fairs, hiring events, and virtual job fairs, allows ESWC to meet employers on their terms, making the most of the employer's already limited schedule. Another strategy the Upstate Planning Region utilizes in developing effective workforce practices is being seen as an instrument of change. The Upstate Planning Region regularly participates in pilot projects and various task forces. A strong example of this is participation in Unemployment Insurance Benefits (UIB) initiatives and the diligence in serving the UI population, ultimately impacting the needs of businesses in the Upstate Planning Region. Weld County has successfully administered the Extended Unemployment Compensation (EUC), LINKS to Re-employment and most recently, Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) programs. The One -Stop Operator's Business Services Team and leadership also monitor employment law updates and track legislation in progress so that if an employer 30 inquired, the team could provide a high-level overview while redirecting them to the appropriate State and Federal resources. The team has also worked closely with HRx Services, a member of the Workforce Development Board and a human resource consulting company, to provide employer seminars on legislation and compliance. The Business Services Team stands ready to assist, providing tailored solutions and ongoing support for whatever needs businesses bring forth. Regional Service Strategies Describe efforts that have taken place or anticipated efforts to assess the need for and establish regional service strategies, including the use of cooperative service delivery agreements. The Upstate Planning Region has a long-established history of using cooperative service delivery to assess the need for and establish regional service strategies. Current mandatory partners include Aims Community College (Carl Perkins); Colorado Department of Labor and Employment Division of Unemployment Insurance (UI), Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) and Jobs for Veterans State Grant (JVSG) Program; Community Educational Outreach (CEO) in conjunction with Intervention Community Corrections Services (ICCS); Service Employment Redevelopment (SER) — Jobs for Progress National, Inc.; Rocky Mountain SER; and Job Corps. These partners have signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) regarding the coordination of services under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Each partner is committed to the development and collaboration of services not only with the One -Stop Operator, but with one another. Additionally, the Weld County Workforce Development Board (WCWDB) has a signed MOU with Weld County's Chief Elected Official as the Governing Board offers the following programs through the Weld County Department of Human Services. It is the intent of each party to support continuous improvement for program delivery and high - quality services, maximizing efforts and efficiencies: 31 a. Community Service Block Grant Act (42 U.S.C. 9901 et seq) b. Department of Housing and Urban Development — Community Development Block Grant c. Part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), subject to subparagraph (C). d. Section 6(d)(4) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2015(d)(4)) e. Section 6(o) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2015(o)) f. Colorado Child Welfare System g. Colorado Child Care Assistance Program h. Weld County Youth Conservation Corps A community of practice for select front-line staff of the aforementioned partners meet quarterly to discuss programs and services, community needs and to take part in general networking. The meetings have increased awareness of partner services, collaboration, and co -enrollment of clients. In addition: a) Describe the strategies and services that will be used in the planning region to better coordinate workforce development programs and services with regional economic development services and providers. Upstate Colorado Economic Development is the lead public/private non-profit economic development corporation serving the Upstate Planning Region. The Weld County Workforce Development Board (WCWDB) and Upstate Colorado have a deep-rooted relationship, with the President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) representing Economic Development on the WDB. This collaborative partnership is strengthened year over year with initiatives such as the Sectors and H-1 B Technical Skills Training Grant and Sustainable Manufacturing Sector Initiative. Strategies and services to better coordinate workforce development programs and services include facilitating regional discussions with employers and other workforce partners, the exchange of customized analysis and labor profile statistics, and coordinating service delivery among partners. The One -Stop 32 Operator's Business Services Team consistently provides Upstate Colorado Economic Development with analysis and statistics specific to potential companies exploring Weld County for business location or expansion. The analysis includes labor markets, talent pool availability, hiring trends, and educational attainment statistics, to name a few. If the interested employer desires more detailed information such as wage rates in similar companies, shift differentials, commute times, etc., additional research is completed for the employer. This combined effort to respond to potential companies' requests has resulted in numerous large industries choosing Weld County; Owens Illinois, Leprino Foods, Vestas, Smucker's, and Intersand American Corp. are just a few that call Weld County home. Conversely, if a company is in a position of downsizing or closing, workforce and economic development representatives visit with the company to determine if there is a way to meet their needs (to eliminate the reduction or closure) or to determine which rapid response activities should take place for the affected employees and, if the jobs are moved oversees, if a Trade Adjustment Assistance petition has been filed. Regionally, Upstate Colorado Economic Development is a key partner in facilitating regional discussions. On May 15, 2019, the County Commissioners of Weld and Larimer Counties executed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) creating an official coalition titled Northern Colorado Regional Economic Development Initiative (NoCo REDI). Weld and Larimer Counties acknowledge that significant benefit can results from collaboration on economic development activities that promote the positive business attribute and amenities of Northern Colorado. Shared regional assets exist within the two (2) counties and, when marketed jointly, a stronger case can be made to businesses and talent within targeted industries and occupational sectors to stay and grow in Northern Colorado. A competitive advantage and economic strength lie in the collaboration of Upstate Colorado, Larimer County Economic and Workforce Development (LCEWD), along with 36 cities and towns. NoCo REDI highlights the fact that our economy is driven by smart talent and innovative business minds; our robust talent development pipeline is producing the workers we need today and tomorrow; our population, jobs, and industries are growing fast; and our unique strengths include 33 demonstrated regional cooperation and mobile talent. The One -Stop Center's participation in NoCo REDI and the Economic Development Council of Colorado's trainings and conferences, ensures a clarity of roles, relationships, and expectations between economic development and workforce. b) Describe how the planning region will strategically coordinate workforce investment activities with the provision of adult education and literacy activities under title IL Adult Education and Family Literacy (AEFLA) activities are an additional area that must be strategically coordinated. A non -financial Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is in place with Community Educational Outreach (CEO), a 2020 - 2024 AEFLA Grantee. CEO was established in 1991 and in Weld County is housed within Intervention Community Correction Services (ICCS), a private, non-profit community corrections agency. CEO is an appointed member of the Weld County Workforce Development Board (WCWDB), bringing valuable insight to coordinate services for individuals with criminal barriers to employment. The One -Stop Operator provides CEO/ICCS participants with resource room access, workshops, career information and counseling, program eligibility and, when eligible, work -based learning opportunities. Aims Community College, Carl D. Perkins recipient, appointed WDB member and former AEFLA grantee continues to offer adult education programs. The One -Stop Center Case Managers and Navigators assess which learning environment will work best for participants and, when warranted, refers participants to High School Equivalency (HSE) preparation, and English Language Learning (ELL) at Aims' Greeley campus. Students have the option to study in person in Aims' Adult Learning Lab, can participate remotely, or a combination of both. The programs are not traditional so students can work at their own pace and engage with instructors as needed. A financial MOU is in place with Aims, contributing to the infrastructure of the One -Stop. 34 c) Describe how the planning region will strategically coordinate workforce investment activities with the provision of vocational rehabilitation services under title IV. The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) is another member of the Weld County Workforce Development Board with a current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The Upstate Planning Region has had, and continues to have, an excellent working relationship with local DVR staff and regularly coordinates activities. In the last year, DVR began financially contributing to the infrastructure of the One -Stop Center, physically co -locating in the Greeley office. Referrals between the entities has increased two -fold as participants can have a warm hand off in -person. Furthermore, the statewide Disability Program Navigator (DPN) initiative has increased programmatic accessibility for individuals with disabilities and by serving as a liaison between DVR and the programs offered at the One -Stop Center, the DPN continued to reinforce the vital link between DVR and workforce. In addition to connecting job seekers with disabilities to resources and enrollment in programs, a deliverable Weld County committed to under the DPN program was providing technical assistance and training to workforce and DVR employees. This resulted in a five (5) part series on visual, auditory, speech, physical (or motor) and developmental disabilities. Building a comprehensive knowledge of types of disabilities has helped Workforce Center employees with ensuring accessibility and utilizing assistive technology, based on individual's needs. To further support workforce investment activities in relation to vocational rehabilitation and individuals with disabilities, the One -Stop Operator's Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator engages employees, partners such as DVR, and persons with disabilities in completing a programmatic accessibility self -evaluation. This practice advances the knowledge of not only the One -Stop Center and its partners, but that of County personnel, as well. d) Describe the strategies and services that will be used in the planning region to strengthen linkages between the one -stop delivery system and unemployment insurance programs. 35 The Upstate Planning Region has extensive experience in serving Unemployment Insurance (UI) claimants. As previously mentioned, the One -Stop Operator, Employment Services of Weld County, has administered several UI initiatives to address the individual employment needs of claimants and reduce the amount of time benefits are received. Through the Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) program, UI claimants are required to participate in the creation of an individual reemployment plan, designed to uncover strategies for re-employment to in - demand occupations and, when necessary, be referred to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Dislocated Worker program. Additional services for UI claimants that Wagner-Peyser employees and others throughout the One -Stop provide include, one-on-one staff assistance, interview and resume workshops, individualized resources for human services benefits, Pell grants, etc., and access and assistance with applying for UI. It is relevant to note that during the coronavirus pandemic, the linkage between the Upstate Planning Region's One -Stop Operator and Unemployment Insurance was one of the strongest in Colorado as the local area closed its physical location (to the public) for less than two (2) months. This is one example of the Wagner Peyser local -merit staffing model working to the betterment of job seekers. A non- financial Memorandum of Understanding is in place with the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) Division of Unemployment Insurance, further outlining the scope of services and delivery between the Workforce Center and UI. e) Describe the strategies and services that will be used in the planning region to better coordinate workforce development programs and services with community -based organizations, including, where applicable, refugee resettlement agencies that serve priority populations, including individuals with barriers and New Americans. The Upstate Planning Region has a time-honored relationship with the Immigrant and Refugee Center of Northern Colorado (IRCNoCo), formerly Right to Read and the Global Refugee Center. Prior to their Executive Director's departure, the ED served on the Weld County Workforce Development Board (WCWDB) for several years. Through 36 that relationship, in 2021, IRCNoCo recruited the Upstate Planning Region's Workforce Center to assist with the development of a Workforce Toolkit to support the New Americans Initiative through The Office of New Americans. The toolkit included operational support based on information gathered from workforce audiences and best practices. A few key topics include equitable access, digital literacy, education, and sustainability. Two (2) training opportunities on the New American Toolkit were held in 2021. The first was at the Workforce Center and included public partners such as the High Plains Library District (HPLD), and representatives from surrounding Workforce Centers. The second opportunity was through a special Colorado Workforce Forum in December in which 125 attendees from various workforce agencies across Colorado attended. In February of 2022, the toolkit was presented at the Literacy Coalition of Colorado training. The presentation not only solidified the importance of serving New Americans, but also the benefits of partnering with the Workforce Center in each local area. In the last year, IRCNoCo has joined Sunrise Community Health, and although they are not active participants on the WCWDB, the relationship has continued as all entities recognize the importance of serving this population. In addition to a partnership with IRCNoCo, Lutheran Family Services (LFS) in Greeley provides refugee and asylee programs, immigration legal services, and serves as the conduit for eligible refugees receiving Colorado Works (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) benefits. Their Program Director is an appointed member of the WCWDB and a previous employee of the Workforce Center. Both linkages are of the utmost importance as the Upstate Planning Region strives to meet the Priority Three of the Colorado Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) State Plan, to increase equitable economic opportunity for individuals who experience barriers based on race, ethnicity, gender, ability, age, zip -code, and socioeconomic status. At the One -Stop Center, services are tracked through data and case notes captured in Connecting Colorado and, if they are participating in Employment First (EF), the work component of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or Colorado Works (CW), through the Colorado Benefits Management System (CBMS). By running reports 37 like Adult Priority or Client Query in Connecting Colorado, the Center can identify individuals who self -report as New Americans. This allows for further analysis of metrics such as the WIOA Core Performance Indicators and services received. The upcoming modernization of Connecting Colorado promises enhanced reporting features that will further improve data collection for all populations. Inversely, the WCWDB is fortunate to have immediate feedback as the Lutheran Family Services Program Director serves on the Board allowing for seamless discussion regarding the needs of the New American population, and if the One -Stop Center's methods are efficient and impactful. f) Provide a description of how the local board will coordinate workforce investment activities carried out in the local area with statewide rapid response activities, as described in section 134(a)(2)(A). The Upstate Planning Region Workforce Center has one (1) person dedicated to the implementation and coordination of rapid response activities. The local rapid response team also includes a member of the Business Services Unit and Navigators from the Adult Employment & Training Programs that serve Dislocated Workers and Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) customers. Before explaining how the Upstate Planning Region will coordinate workforce investment activities, it is important to note that the State Rapid Response team, for the most part, takes the lead if a layoff impacts 50 or more workers. The aforementioned team is readily available to assist in those situations should the State request support. Once the State (or Workforce Center) is notified of a current or projected permanent closure, a mass layoff or dislocation because of a disaster, whether that is through the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) or other means, the Local Area Rapid Response Coordinator (LARRC) takes immediate action. The LARCC is in constant contact with the employer, representatives of the affected workers, and the local community, which also includes an assessment of the layoff plans and schedule of the employer; potential for averting the layoff(s) in consultation with Upstate Colorado Economic Development or the State economic development agencies, including private 38 sector economic development entities; the background and probable assistance need of the affected workers; reemployment prospects for workers in the local community to include working with other businesses to participate in a job fair to specifically hire these workers; and other available resources. The Employment & Training Navigators speak to services available to Dislocated Workers as well as to those services available to any potential trade affected workers. The rapid response workshop is available in both English and Spanish to best accommodate the needs of the employer and the affected workers and technology can easily be deployed to any part of the County at any time that is convenient for the employer and the affected workers if in -person, on -site services, cannot be made possible. Cooperative Agreements Provide a description of the replicated cooperative agreements (as defined in section 107(d)(11)) between the local board or other local entities described in section 101(a)(11)(B) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 721(a)(11)(B)) and the local office of a designated State agency or designated State unit administering programs carried out under title I of such Act (29 U.S.C. 720 et seq.) (other than section 112 or part C of that title (29 U.S.C. 732, 741) and subject to section 121(t)) in accordance with section 101(a)(11) of such Act (29 U.S.C. 721(a)(11)) with respect to efforts that will enhance the provision of services to individuals with disabilities and to other individuals, such as cross training of staff, technical assistance, use and sharing of information, cooperative efforts with employers, and other efforts at cooperation, collaboration, and coordination. The Weld County Workforce Development Board (WCWDB) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) in relation to cross training staff; technical assistance and the sharing of information between partners; and cooperative efforts with educators and employers when assisting individuals with disabilities. 39 Additionally, the WCWDB adopted a Programmatic Accessibility (Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II Requirements) local policy to enhance the provision of services to individuals with disabilities. The Center is required to conduct a programmatic accessibility self -evaluation assuming some conditions have changed, e.g., construction/modification of an existing facility, moving to a new facility, or adding new technology to improve programmatic accessibility. A reasonable time between evaluations is three (3) years and an opportunity must be provided to interested people, people with disabilities, and organizations that represent people with disabilities, to take part in the evaluation process. Issues identified are addressed through a transition plan identifying architectural barriers, describing in detail methods that will be used to make the facility and programs accessible, specifies the schedule to achieve compliance, indicates the official responsible for the implementation and may include costs and budgetary considerations. The WCWDB recommends utilizing the toolkit developed for CDLE and the Disability Employment Initiative. The local Programmatic Accessibility policy further outlines several policies and procedures to include: a. Notice of Compliance (§35.106) b. Non -Discrimination Eligibility Criteria (§35.130(b)(8)) c. Grievance Procedure (§35.107(b)) d. Contractors, Licensing, and Certification Policy (§35.130(b)) e. Reasonable Modification Program Policy (§35.130(b)(7)) f. Service Animal Policy (§35.136) g. Powered Mobility Policy (§35.137) h. Equal Employment Policy (§35.140) i. Reasonable Accommodation Employment Policy (§1630.9) j. Effective Communication Policy (§35.160) k. Transportation Access Policy (§37.5) I. Emergency Management Plan Development Policy m. Maintenance of Accessible Features Policy (§35.133) 40 Should a partner, mandated or non -mandated, request technical assistance in any of the above areas, the One Stop Operator's Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator and leadership would connect with subject matter experts such as the Employers Council or Rocky Mountain ADA personnel to assist in the education of these partners. Coordination of Transportation and Other Supportive Services If determined appropriate by the planning region, describe the coordination of transportation and other supportive services or discuss why these are not appropriate for the planning region at this time. Transit continues to be an integral part of the growth occurring in Northern Colorado. As such, the Upstate Planning Region is invested in the coordination of transportation and other supportive services. At a local level, employment & training programs coordinate transportation assistance with participants through a pre -paid PEX card or bus pass. The funds the Navigator loads to the participants card are only eligible for use at a gas pump, if they try to utilize it anywhere else, even inside the gas station, it will be declined. The bus pass provides access to Greeley -Evans transit, which also has a route to Windsor and Fort Collins. If a participant does not have a vehicle and cannot access the bus route, the team will offer virtual appointments and/or will drive to the participant to meet at a public location. The Upstate Planning Region also has a Workforce Center in Fort Lupton and can utilize an additional Weld County campus, southwest of Greeley, should either of those be more accessible to participants. Regionally, in 2015, the Fix North 1-25 Alliance and the North 1-25 Coalition set a lofty goal of expanding the interstate from two (2) lanes to three (3) by 2025. The Weld County Commissioners understood that improving 1-25, which runs primarily through Larimer County, was absolutely vital if we wanted to continue to support the economic success of Northern Colorado. In partnership with municipalities in the region, the North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization (NFRMPO), and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), Weld County has provided financial support and 41 applied for funding to aid in the completion of this project. Construction of the multimodal corridor project began in 2018 and not only included the addition of express lanes but also the reconstruction of interchanges, bridges, and multimodal hubs for transit facilities. In December of 2023, Governor Jared Polis and other state officials attended a ribbon cutting officially opening three (3) of the segments. The community continues to rally to ensure funding is secured to finish the remaining segment. In addition to the great work already being done, partner agencies, stakeholders, and the general public of the Upstate Planning Region, contributed to the creation of the NFRMPO 2050 Regional Transportation Plan. NoCo Works, an initiative between Weld and Larimer Counties, is also tackling transportation through its External Barriers sub- committee, which was created for advocacy and policy reform to address transportation, childcare, and housing which affect access to job opportunities and limit how people can thrive in the community. Employees of the Workforce Center and members of the Weld County Workforce Development Board support the NoCo Works Steering Committee and its sub -committees. Administrative Cost Arrangements If determined appropriate by the planning region, describe how administrative cost arrangements have been coordinated, including the pooling of funds for administrative costs or discuss why these are not appropriate for the planning region at this time. With Weld County as the only local area in the Upstate Planning Region, administrative cost agreements are unnecessary. Levels of Performance and Accountability Measures The establishment of an agreement concerning how the planning region will collectively negotiate and reach agreement with the Governor on local levels of performance for, and report on, the performance accountability measures described in WIOA sec. 116(c) for local areas or the planning region. 42 With Weld County as the only local area in the Upstate Planning Region, an agreement concerning how the planning region will collectively negotiate and reach agreement with the Governor on local levels of performance for, and report on, the performance accountability measures is unnecessary. The Upstate Planning Region's One -Stop Operator will participate in the Statistical Adjustment Model as described in the Local Plan. Integrated Technology Provide a description of how one -stop centers are implementing and transitioning to an integrated, technology -enabled intake and case management information system for programs carried out under this Act and programs carried out by one - stop partners. Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, Employment Services of Weld County (ESWC), One -Stop Operator of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Title I Adult, Dislocated Worker, and Youth programs, Title III Wagner-Peyser Act, Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA), the Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker (MSFVV) program, Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) grant, and several discretionary grants, utilized both paper and electronic forms for participant intake/enrollment into Connecting Colorado the Statewide management information system. Since that time, ESWC has implemented and fully transitioned to an integrated, technology -enabled intake and case management system. All documents, whether printed and signed or electronically signed, are uploaded to Connecting Colorado in predetermined categories, application/eligibility, basic career services, individualized career services, supportive services, training, and education services, other/local, and follow-up/post program. By uploading these, programs such as Colorado Works (Temporary Assistances for Needy Families) and Employment First (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) work programs, also operated by ESWC, can easily review Initial Applications, Comprehensive Assessments, Individual Employment Plans, etc., to reduce duplication of services when co -enrolling participants. 43 Unfortunately, the Colorado Benefits Management System (CBMS), used by Colorado Works and Employment First, is not directly accessible to WIOA and Wagner-Peyser staff. Efforts have been underway by the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) to form a bridge between the two (2) systems. As additional agreements between the WIOA Core Partners take place, particularly at the state level, additional means to cross share intake and case management information will take place. In the interim, partners continue to share information in person, over the phone, through video meetings, emails (when necessary, encrypted) or Google Drive. Development of Regional Plan Briefly describe the activities and steps taken to develop this regional plan. The development of the Upstate Regional Plan began with a review of the Colorado Workforce Development Council's (CWDC's) Proposed 2024-2027 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Combined State Plan and the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) Policy Guidance Letter (PGL) WIOA- 2024-01, PY24-27 WIOA Regional and Local Plan Updates. Combined with the framework of the Upstate Planning Region's Program Year 2020 - 2023 Regional/Local Plan, the Weld County Workforce Development Board (WCWDB) collaborated with Employment Services of Weld County leadership (the One -Stop Operator); Larimer County Economic and Workforce Development (LCEWD) leadership; and the LCEWD Workforce Development Board to inform the regional plan. Twice a year, the Workforce Development Boards from Weld and Larimer Counties meet to address regional issues and areas of collaboration, while respecting the differences of two (2) very distinct counties. On February 14, 2024, the agenda for the joint meeting included a presentation from CWDC on the four (4) priorities of the WIOA State Plan, affordability, quality, equity, and access. As part of a facilitated activity, roundtable discussions ensued with Workforce Center staff in relation to one (1) specific subject area discussing the following questions, what currently exists in Northern Colorado relating to this theme, what assets are already in place, what questions do you 44 have for us, and what progress would you like to see in this area by our next joint meeting in August. Workforce Center staff, a facilitator from one county and a notetaker from the other county, then rotated every ten (10) minutes to ensure all attendees had the opportunity to answer the previously mentioned questions in relation to the below priority definitions: Priority One: INCREASE AFFORDABILITY OF CAREER CONNECTED EDUCATION AND TRAINING for Coloradans of all skill levels who have completed or left the K-12 education system. Priority Two: INCREASE THE QUALITY OF UPSKILLING OPPORTUNITIES, JOBS, AND CAREER PATHWAYS Priority Three: INCREASE EQUITABLE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO EXPERIENCE BARRIERS BASED ON RACE, ETHNICITY, GENDER, ABILITY, AGE, ZIP CODE, AND SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS Priority Four: ENHANCE ACCESS TO PROGRAMMING BY CREATING MORE SEAMLESS CONNECTIONS BETWEEN HIGH SCHOOL, POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION, AND THE WORKFORCE On March 6, 2024, select members of each WDB and Workforce Center staff from Weld and Larimer Counties gathered to review the collective results from this exercise to utilize in the creation of the regional and local plans. On March 12, 2024, the WCWDB hosted its regularly scheduled General Membership meeting, recapping the joint meeting and work session, as well as steps moving forward to ensure timely creation of the plan for public comment, incorporating input thereafter, and final approval to take place at the May 14th meeting. 45 Public Comment Describe the process used by the local boards in this planning region to provide an opportunity for public comment, including comment by representatives of businesses and comment by representatives of labor organizations, and input into the development of the plan prior to its submission. An opportunity for public comment is provided to representatives of businesses, labor organizations, community -based organizations, and citizens, through a 30 -day public comment period. This notification is published in the local newspaper, The Greeley Tribune, and on the Colorado Workforce Development Council's website (the newspaper publisher's affidavit is available upon request). Both notifications direct readers to the Weld County Workforce Development Board (WCWDB) web page to view and download the combined draft plan. Opportunities for input during the public comment period include submitting comments to the Workforce Deputy Director via email and through discussion at the March and May WCWDB meetings. After the 30 -day deadline for commentary, responses received are taken into consideration and, if significant changes need to be made, the WCWDB Executive Committee convenes. The public comment period for the combined PY24 — 27 Upstate Regional/Weld County Local Plan began on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, and was available for comment through Friday, May 3, 2024, at 11:59 pm. The Workforce Deputy Director did not receive any public comments. Internal recommendations were made to incorporate an Introduction and to update and include the PY20 — 24 Regional/Local Plan Appendix A. These significant changes were approved by the WCWDB Executive Committee. The final plan was approved for submission during the May 14, 2024, WCWDB meeting. 46 Local Area: Weld County American Job Center: Employment Services of Weld County Program Years: 2024 - 2027 47 Analysis — Workforce Development Activities Provide an analysis of the workforce development activities (including education and training) in the local area, including an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of such services, and the capacity to provide such services, to address the identified education and skill needs of the workforce and the employment needs of employers in the local area. The local area, Weld County, has a long-established history of focusing workforce development activities, including education and training, towards the existing in -demand and emerging industry sectors in the Northern Colorado region. Examples over the last twenty (20) years, some of which are still operating today, include: 2003 — Nuclear Radiology Technician Certification 48 A program to meet an identified need of the community's health care workers. Partners: Aims Community College (Aims), North Colorado Medical Center (NCMC), Poudre Valley Hospital, Weld County Workforce Investment Board (WI B) Funding: Workforce Investment Act (WIA), competitive grant from the Colorado Workforce Development Council (CWDC) 2004 — Expansion of Certified Nursing Assistance (CNA) Programs Aimed to increase the capacity to train entry level workers to meet identified needs/shortages and provide for opportunities for career advancement, which resulted in the expansion of available courses and eventually in the development and construction of the Allied Health Sciences building at Aims Community College. • Partners: Aims, Colorado Works (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) • Funding: Colorado Works 2007 — Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) Focused services and developed training specific to the needs of employers in the energy and sustainable energy sectors. Eventually led to the development of a prep academy and four (4) distinct credentials and an Associate degree in industrial manufacturing • Partners: Aims, Greeley -Evans School District 6, Weld RE -8 School District, Boulder and Adams County Workforce Regions, Brighton United Power, Energy Logic, Xcel Energy, Workforce Board of Metro Denver • Funding: WIRED Collaborative National Grant 2011 — H-1 B Focused services and training towards incumbent workers in the manufacturing and advanced manufacturing industry sectors. • Partners: Upstate Colorado Economic Development, Brighton Economic Development, multiple employers • Funding: H-1 B 49 2017 - Sterile Processing Technician Certification Program Providing the skills and certification required for Sterile Processing Technicians to clean, process, and sterilize surgical instrumentation and obtain a working knowledge of surgical instrumentation, infectious processes, and sterilization techniques. • Partners: Aims Community College Surgical Advisory Committee, Banner Health, Weld County • Funding: Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), Colorado Works, or Employment First (pending participant eligibility) 2021 — Technology Employment in Colorado Partnership 2.0 (TEC-P 2.0) Assists individuals to prepare for the workforce for middle -to high -skilled occupations within key sectors including Information Technology, Manufacturing, and Transportation. • Partners: Denver Economic Development and Opportunity • Funding: H-1 B One Workforce Grant 2021 — Peace Officer Academy Initiative Addressing Colorado's police shortages as officers are regularly departing due to alternative employment opportunities, law enforcement legislation, and retirement. • Partners: Aims • Funding: WIOA and Colorado HB21-1264 Reskill, Upskill, Next -Skill The local area's capacity to address identified education and skill needs is reliant on partnerships with post -secondary educational institutions, specifically those located in Weld County, Aims Community College, the University of Northern Colorado, and IBMC. Fort Morgan and Front Range Community Colleges as well as Colorado State University and the University of Colorado Boulder also play significant roles in providing such services. Although a participant can choose one of those locations for their education, to maximize participant choice, Employment & Training Navigators work 50 closely with participants to search the Colorado Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL) to locate a vetted training provider. Alternatively, utilization of the ETPL can also show participants the difference in program offerings and program cost, which they may share with others, ultimately aligning with the Colorado WIOA State Plan Priority One: INCREASE AFFORDABILITY OF CAREER CONNECTED EDUCATION AND TRAINING for Coloradans of all skill levels who have completed or left the K-12 education system. The Weld County Workforce Development Board (WCWDB) has built in capacities through its Individual Training Accounts for WIOA Title I Programs policy, which requires that Navigators send a training request through a committee, consisting of the One -Stop Center's leaders and Resource & Quality Generalist, to ensure the highest potential for employment success. The committee takes into consideration the participant's career goal, previous education/experience, current functioning levels and aptitudes, wage potential, and current financial situation, to name a few. After review of various criteria (data analysis of employment concentrations and economic impact) the WCWDB has developed a tiered approach to ITA cap amounts. Training in any of the in -demand industry sectors can be funded up to $5,500 and training outside of the targeted industries can be funded up to $3,500. If training exceeds the cap, a request for approval must be made to the Workforce Director. Exceptions to the training cap are considered on a case -by -case basis and require justification based on individual need and other financial resources available to the individual. Typically, exceptions will be granted for training in high -demand high -wage occupations. A comprehensive historical record of ESWC's Workforce Activities is provided in Appendix A. It is important to note that this list may not be all-inclusive. Workforce Development Board's Strategic Vision and Goals Describe the local board's strategic vision and goals for preparing an educated and skilled workforce (including youth, individuals with barriers to employment, 51 and New Americans), including goals relating to the performance accountability measures based on primary indicators of performance described in W/OA section 116(b)(2)(A) in order to support economic growth and economic self-sufficiency. Over the past few months, all local areas across the State of Colorado have engaged in strategic planning to ensure alignment with state, regional and local needs. As a workforce system, each local workforce development board continues to ensure that populations that have traditionally found barriers to education and employment are at the forefront of our efforts to ensure seamless service delivery. Over the last four (4) years, we have worked to incorporate newly identified strategic populations into models and will continue to do so as we move into the implementation of the 2024-2027 plans. The Weld County Workforce Development Board (WCWDB) is in the midst of updating its Strategic Plan and is committed to aligning with the four (4) pillars as identified by ETA Vision 2030, while still maintaining local identity of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). In August of 2023, the Board sent the One -Stop Center's Director and Deputy Director to the Employment and Training Administration's convening in San Diego. Both individuals felt that the pillars aligned greatly with the current Mission, to keep the workforce system responsive to employers, employees, and job seekers, and the current Vision, to direct the efforts of Employment Services of Weld County (the One - Stop Center) to operate an innovative, adaptive, and customer -driven workforce system which ensures: customer services are based upon individual needs and choices; services provided are competitive and valuable; outcomes are measurable and results oriented; responsiveness to changing labor market conditions, customer profiles, and program regulations; and services are fiscally responsible. The four (4) pillars are written word for word below; however, once incorporated into the WCWDB Strategic Plan, may take on a slightly different variation to incorporate local flavor as well as the Colorado WIOA State Plan priorities, also mentioned below. 52 1. Open Opportunities for Workers and Communities — ensure programs focus on workers and communities who have been left behind — from reentry, to rural, to opportunity youth. 2. Building a Better Care Economy — support good jobs and protections for care workers — nursing, early care, elder care, mental health, and more — with a focus on low -wage, diverse, young adult, and women workers. 3. New Industry Partnerships that Lead to Real, Good Jobs — broker and build partnerships with business, training providers, and workers — including new entrants and youth — to ensure all training leads to good jobs across sectors. 4. Action Today for the Future of Work — engage federal, state, and local leaders and the private sector now to prepare, support, and invest in workers and communities in preparation for jobs of the future and emerging industries. Priority One: INCREASE AFFORDABILITY OF CAREER CONNECTED EDUCATION AND TRAINING for Coloradans of all skill levels who have completed or left the K-12 education system. Priority Two: INCREASE THE QUALITY OF UPSKILLING OPPORTUNITIES, JOBS, AND CAREER PATHWAYS Priority Three: INCREASE EQUITABLE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO EXPERIENCE BARRIERS BASED ON RACE, ETHNICITY, GENDER, ABILITY, AGE, ZIP CODE, AND SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS Priority Four: ENHANCE ACCESS TO PROGRAMMING BY CREATING MORE SEAMLESS CONNECTIONS BETWEEN HIGH SCHOOL, POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION, AND THE WORKFORCE In addition to updating its strategic plan goals, the WCWDB remains committed to meeting or exceeding expectations for the Colorado Workforce Development Council's High Performing Local Workforce Development Board designation, which ensures the 53 local workforce development board is made up of diverse and knowledgeable community members who actively participate in board meetings and activities supporting the workforce system and who serve as liaisons between the community and the Workforce Center. The Board will accomplish its goals and strategic priorities through data -driven, business -led, meetings. Strategies and Services — Engaging In -Demand Industry Sectors and Occupations The Colorado Workforce Development System has strong Business Services Teams rooted in the ten local Workforce Development Areas and the eleven (11) core business services designed to engage and provide a framework for services. Additionally, each local area utilizes Labor Market Information (LMI) designed to ensure that services, engagement, and other activities with business, industry, and sectors are successful. This work is not able to be completed in a vacuum, and requires the collaboration with our partners, members of the Local Workforce Development Boards/Youth Committees, Sector Partners, and other thought leaders, as demonstrated below. Describe the strategies and services that will be utilized to facilitate engagement of employers, including small employers and employers in in -demand industry sectors and occupations, in workforce development programs. Specifically: a. What outreach activities are planned to increase business engagement in your local area? The One -Stop Operator's Business Services Unit (BSU) partners with Chambers throughout Weld County to strengthen our connections with key business individuals in the local communities. The team participates in meetings and events hosted by the following Chambers: Carbon Valley, Eaton, Erie, Evans, Fort Lupton, Greeley, Johnstown -Milliken, and the Southeast Chamber. Relationships have also been established with the Fort Collins and Loveland Chambers, located in Larimer County. Participating in the five (5) Sector Partnerships is another way the team has increased 54 business engagement. The partnership meetings have been a great way to maintain longstanding relationships, while cultivating new ones with businesses expanding into the area. Leveraging a Work -Based Learning Newsletter, and invitations to participate in the Weld County Workforce Development Board sub -committees and NoCo Works, a joint initiative with Larimer County, have been highly successful. Through NoCo Works, businesses are participating in all six (6) subcommittees: 1. Economic Inclusion — All community members have equal access and opportunity to utilize workforce and talent services, Digital literacy, bilingual and monolingual Spanish upskilling, and reskilling. These include but are not limited to under -represented and minority populations. 2. External Barriers — Advocacy and policy reform to address Transportation, Childcare, and Housing which affect access to job opportunities and limit how people can thrive in the community. 3. Business Resources — Provide a one -stop shop with resources, tangible services, and information to help local businesses accomplish necessary business goals. 4. Training and Development — Create regional access for businesses to provide training and development opportunities for incumbent employees. This may include access to certifications and credentials, soft skills training, upskilling, etc. 5. Talent Pipeline — Holistic strategy for attracting and retaining the future workforce, with the goal to increase labor pool and positively contribute to the local economy. The aim is to generate career pathways and sector career pathway models. 6. Work -Based Learning — Regional commitment to expanding internships, pre - apprenticeships, apprenticeships, on -site career learning opportunities, and more. Across Northern Colorado, government, community -based organization, and businesses alike, all recognize the importance of regionalism and the power of collaboration. Having business at the table is crucial. 55 b. How will the Business Services Team be utilized for this purpose? The Business Services Team has divided Weld County into sections to ensure Chamber attendance. The team has operated under a sector model for years, allowing each Business Services Representative the ability to focus on a specific industry, strengthening their knowledge, while developing meaningful relationships. It is not uncommon, however, to see the Business Services Manager or Work -Based Learning Navigator in attendance at Chamber and Sector Partnership meetings and events as they often receive personalized invites. The Business Services Manager actively participants in the NoCo Works Business Resources sub -committee and the NoCo Works Steering Committee, comprised of twenty-seven (27) members, includes the Employment Services of Weld County Workforce Director and two (2) appointed members of the Weld County Workforce Development Board. c. How will the members (particularly business members) of the LWDB and Youth Council/committee support these efforts? Members of the Workforce Development Board and the Youth Committee passionately promote workforce development and have been strong vocal advocates for the system. They ensure their networks are well informed of the services offered at the Workforce Center as well as the events being held. Members attend talent development system activities and community events, not only for the benefit of their entity, but as a representative of the Board. Several Board members and youth committee members actively attend chamber events, participate in sector partnership meetings, and in the last year, have joined the NoCo Works sub -committees. They have found that by joining NoCo Works, they were able to reduce the number of meetings they were attending and that it opened more capacity to tackle these barriers that all entities are facing. 56 d. How will sector partnerships be utilized for this purpose? One -Stop Center employees, Weld County employers, and Weld County Workforce Development Board (WCWDB) members are active participants in the Construction, Healthcare, Hospitality, Manufacturing, and Non -Profit Sector Partnerships. Participating in various action teams and task committees have proven to be fruitful, developing stronger connections and having essential conversations. Several successful initiatives in Northern Colorado are a direct result of Larimer and Weld County collaborating with one another, businesses, education providers, and community -based organizations. e. What are your objectives and goals for these activities? It is the goal of the Weld County Workforce Development Board and Employment Services of Weld County to be responsive to the needs (both stated and unstated) of Weld County employers; to be inclusive of both small and large employer needs; and to actively promote development of a stronger workforce in in -demand industries. Implementation of Initiatives The following narrative reinforces services that are mutually beneficial to both business and career seeking customers and lead toward success. Models from across Colorado include provision of engagement in Work Based Learning, Apprenticeships, Skills Based Hiring, Leading and Participation in Sector Partnerships and Career Pathway Development and are often shared and duplicated in other workforce centers. The Weld County Workforce Development Board (WCWDB) wants to acknowledge that these relationship in many cases are not limited to individual local areas, but also regional areas to address labor sheds that naturally occur due to several factors within a geographical region and that this is just one of many ways the State of Colorado chooses to align. 57 Discuss the implementation of initiatives designed to meet the needs of employers in the local area that support the local board's strategy, including: a. Work -Based Learning Programs: Explain how you will utilize and promote, incumbent worker training programs, on-the-job training programs, customized training programs, internships, or other activities for PY24 and PY25, and identify targets for work -based learning activities for your youth, adults/dislocated workers, transitional jobs, and incumbent workers. The One -Stop Operator, Employment Services of Weld County (ESWC), employs a Work -Based Learning Navigator to assist with the creation and maintenance of Work - Based Learning (WBL) sites in the Northern Colorado Region. One of their job responsibilities is to be out in the community, attending meetings with business, schools, and community -based organizations, promoting the use and benefits of Work - Based Learning. In partnership with Larimer County Economic & Workforce Development, a Work -Based Learning Alliance targeting young adults has existed for approximately five (5) years. Information about WBL opportunities is shared online at NoCo Inspire. This is a centralized location where businesses can see what is available in their community and make connections with schools and partners to increase youth entering the workforce. To reduce duplication and to honor everyone's time, the Alliance is now living under the NoCo Works umbrella, but is still led by representatives from both Workforce Centers. These outreach methods highlight both Workforce Centers' efforts to address Colorado Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) State Plan Priority Four, enhance access to programming by creating more seamless connections between high school, postsecondary education, and the workforce. The Weld County Workforce Development Board (WCWDB) has four (4) local policies, On -the -Job Training (OJT), Incumbent Worker Training (IWT), Registered Apprenticeships (to include Pre) and Work Experience, to aid in the execution of WBL opportunities. In addition to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), 58 ESWC operates discretionary grants, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Colorado Works), and Employment First (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program work program), who also use these policies as guidelines Through all these programs, an emphasis is placed on participants gaining experience not only through classroom training, but WBL opportunities For example, the Colorado Works Subsidized Training and Employment Program (CW STEP) helps at -risk populations who are eligible for basic cash assistance, gain work experience, while working towards a family -sustaining wage, creating a brighter economic future for their families ESWC's WIOA Youth Program consistently exceeds the annual minimum 20% expenditure rate for the work experience element, contributing to the overall State performance measure Currently, Weld County does not plan to utilize transitional jobs and does not set aside WIOA funds for incumbent worker training If a need is identified, a modification will be completed b Apprenticeships: USDOL and CDLE are emphasizing the importance of apprenticeships. Please provide a detailed response which includes the steps you will take to increase apprenticeship opportunities for your customers during the next program year Apprenticeship Colorado is housed under the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) Office of Future Work (OFVV) and serves to close the historic gap that has existed between local workforce business service delivery and the creation of registered apprenticeships Employment Services of Weld County (ESWC) works closely with the Broomfield, Boulder, Lanmer, Weld, and Eastern Sub Apprenticeship Consultant This individual was hired through Colorado's Apprenticeship Hub, a collaboration between the statewide workforce center system and Apprenticeship Colorado The Apprenticeship Consultant has been a great help in assisting with the registered apprenticeship system to include working with employers and sponsors, ensuring a smooth process when registering, administering, and operating registered programs 59 The creation of apprenticeships in key occupations can measurably increase diversity, equity, and inclusion. For example, 14.9% of the Latinx population in the state has a bachelor's degree while 30.2% of the jobs have traditionally required this level of education. As employers have more difficulty finding candidates with traditional educational attainment levels, they may work through sector partnerships or industry associations to create registered apprenticeships. This can level the playing field for racial and ethnic minorities who do not have the required degree but have the potential to enter an occupation through a registered apprenticeship. Educational Attainment by Race/Ethnicity vs Education Level Traditionally Required at Entry, Colorado Statewide Race/Ethnicity White Black/African American American Indian/Alaskan Native Asian Required Latinx Education Level for Entr Graduate or professional degree Bachelor's degree Associate's degree Some college. no degree (Including Nondegree Credential) GED or alternative credential Regular high school diploma 9th to 12th grade, no diploma 2.5% 7.3% Less than 9th grade 1.1% 2.7% Sources: U.S. Census American Community Survey B15002 Tables, Lightcast 190% 32.0% 8.5% 3.2% 15.2% 10.3% 22.1% 8.4% 4.8% 19.5% 7.9% 14.7% 8.2% 10.7% 20.6% 12.1% 5.6% 27.8% 29.7% 6.6% 11.1% 2.0% 11.6% 4.7% 6.5% 6.6% 14.9% 8.2% 18.5% 6.2% 23.5% 11.8% 10.2% 4.9% 30.2% 2.1 7.9% 34.9% 20.0% ESWC's Work -Based Learning Navigator will continue to promote to business the use of Registered Apprenticeships (RA), development of RA programs, and use of the Colorado State Apprenticeship Agency offerings. The WBL Navigator will also work closely with ESWC Employment & Training Program Case Managers and Navigators to identify participants that may be interested in a quality pre -apprenticeship or registered apprenticeship program and support them as the participant completes the required Registered Apprenticeship documentation. c. Sector Partnerships Participation: Explain how you will utilize the relationships built by your Business Services Team to enhance or expand participation in Sector Partnerships and also expand business services efforts. Indicate PY24 and PY25 specific planned objectives and measurable outcomes. 60 In conjunction with Larimer County Economic and Workforce Development (LCEWD), five (5) Sector Partnerships have been successfully launched in the region in the last ten (10) to fifteen (15) years. These partnerships, Construction, Healthcare, Hospitality, Manufacturing, and Non -Profit, enhance Employment Services of Weld County's (ESWC) ability to engage with employers of all sizes ensuring the Workforce System is responsive to their needs when designing workforce development programs. Members of the Business Services team are present at all partnerships and are readily available to support business in hiring, reskilling, upskilling, and next skilling. The Workforce Center team is also happy to help with the planning and execution of events such as Student Manufacturing Tours, the Nurse Well -Being Conference and Construction Con, all of which have measurable outcomes. If a business is not involved in their industry sector partnership, the team provides them with information and encourages them to join. Recently, four (4) of the Sector Partnerships received funding from the Colorado Workforce Development Council (CWDC) as part of the Strong Sectors, Good Jobs Initiative. Some of the deliverables include: • Expanding the Careers in Construction program, • Supporting ten (10) healthcare scholarships for summer high school interns, • Executing a new training program to equip existing hospitality and retail workers with the tools to advance in the industry, and • Developing a new advanced manufacturing registered apprenticeship program. The Weld County Workforce Development Board and ESWC are eager to fill its public partner responsibilities and support the key metrics identified in each grant award. It is important to note that the ten (10) healthcare scholarships are just one method towards achieving the ETA's Vision 2030 Pillar Two: Building a Better Care Economy — support good jobs and protections for care workers — nursing, early care, elder care, mental health, and more — with a focus on low -wage, diverse, young adult, and women workers. 61 d. Sector Partnerships - Status and Objectives: In your local area or with partner local areas, what sector partnerships are you engaged in or do you plan to engage in during PY24 and PY25? Indicate the current status of your partnerships, (active, emerging, or exploring), plus PY24 and PY25 planned objectives and measurable outcomes. Note: For Sector Partnership Information, please visit: https://www.colorado.gov/cwdc/sector-partnerships The Colorado Workforce Development Council (CWDC) embraces a regional, industry - specific approach, operating the Sector Partnerships through Colorado's 14 economic regions. Weld and Larimer Counties are part of Region Two (2). As previously stated, Employment Services of Weld County is engaged in five (5) regional Sector Partnerships, Construction, Healthcare, Hospitality, Manufacturing, and Non -Profit. The Non -Profit partnership is the only one still considered in the emerging stage, but well on their way to active. The four (4) active partnerships are listed on CWDC's website and determined active based on parameters outlined in the Sector Partnership Acknowledgement Form. Please refer to Question C in this section for planned objectives and measurable outcomes for the upcoming program years. e. Career Pathways: Explain how you will utilize information gathered through your Business Services Team to provide a baseline for consideration of new or enhanced Sector Partnerships, and how this information will be used to inform changes to or development of Career Pathways in your Local Area. Indicate specific PY24 and PY25 planned objectives and measurable outcomes. By participating in Sector Partnerships as public programs, Employments Services of Weld County (the One -Stop Operator), and educators utilize information directly from business to inform change and develop new career pathways through enhanced post - 62 secondary credentials or stackable certificates. Using the Next Generation Sector Partnership model, however, often means that public partners cannot impose their own ideas and requires the buy -in of business to drive some of this action. That is the same when it comes to the consideration of a new Sector Partnership. Larimer County Economic and Workforce Development collaborates with Weld to analyze labor market data and identify high -demand industries in the area. However, launching a new industry partnership requires a strong group of businesses advocating for their industry's needs. We previously identified Information Technology and Energy as potential sectors for collaboration. As we move towards Program Years 2024 and 2025, these sectors still hold promise, especially with the commitment of the Weld and Larimer County Workforce Centers and Workforce Development Boards to carry out Colorado Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) State Plan Priority Two: increase the quality of upskilling opportunities, jobs, and career pathways and ETA's Vision 2030 Pillar Three: New Industry Partnerships that Lead to Real, Good Jobs — broker and build partnerships with business, training providers, and workers — including new entrants and youth — to ensure all training leads to good jobs across sectors. f. Skills Based Hiring: Explain what services are offered to employers to implement skills -based hiring practices, which could include assistance with job postings, interview procedures, onboarding mechanisms, or referrals to outside training resources on this topic. Employment Services of Weld County, the One -Stop Operator, leans into the Colorado Workforce Development Council's Job Quality Framework to aid in discussions with employers around attracting talent through skills -based hiring and the effectiveness of this practice. Writing or re -writing job orders to include skills that job seekers need is a common recommendation by Business Service Representatives (BSR) to increase the job orders competitiveness and to ensure job seekers can earn a family or self- sustaining wage. BSR's are also available to assist with interviewing to help employers identify applicants' transferrable skills. These are just two (2) services to employers reinforcing Priority Two Action Step A of the Colorado Workforce Innovation and 63 Opportunity Act (WIOA) State Plan, affirm definitions of quality in our state and align stakeholders in the understanding and implementation of Colorado's job quality framework. Expanding Access to Employment, Training, Educations, and Supportive Services Describe how the local board, working with the entities carrying out core programs, will expand access to employment, training, education, and supportive services for eligible individuals, particularly eligible individuals with barriers to employment, including how the local board will facilitate the development of career pathways and co -enrollment, as appropriate, in core programs, and improve access to activities leading to a recognized postsecondary credential (including a credential that is an industry -recognized certificate or certification, portable, and stackable). The Colorado Workforce Ecosystems foundation is based upon providing program participants access to services centered around employment, training, education, work - based learning, apprenticeships, and supportive services designed for success. The Weld County Workforce Development Board (WCWDB) has adopted a Priority of Services for (WIOA) Title I Adult Programs local policy, which defines the Statutory Priority groups, Governor's Priority, and one (1) local priority, which is based on the Qualified Census Tract, as determined by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development's Office of Policy Development and Research. The Board has also defined the term Needs Additional Assistance, which is adopted in the WIOA Eligibility for Title I Programs and Youth "Requires Additional Assistance" policy. With those definitions in mind, Employment Services of Weld County, the One -Stop Operator, ensures priority consideration is given to Veterans in a priority group, followed by non - Veterans in a priority group, Veterans in a non -priority group, and non -Veterans in a non -priority group. 64 The WCWDB values the input of the employees of Employment Services of Weld County, the One -Stop Operator, and leans into local control of carrying out core programs and expanding access to employment, training, education, and supportive services for eligible individuals, while still meeting the letter of the law. The Employment & Training teams have robust Individual Services Strategies and Comprehensive Assessment/Individual Employment Plans (ISS and CA/IEP) to help determine previous work experience, barriers to employment, employment goal(s) and supportive service needs of participants. Through case management, Employment & Training Navigators can determine the best pathway for a participant, whether that be completing secondary education, moving onto post -secondary education or vocational training, enrolling in Work -Based Learning, or directly entering employment. The team is aware of the in - demand industries identified in the Regional Plan, ensuring activities lead towards credentialing and ultimately employment in these industries. If the team sees an opportunity to engage employers in discussions about the development of career pathways, they start by working closely with WCWDB members and mandated partners and Business Services team. By having collaborative dialog and fostering the creation of new and innovative pathways, gaps in the skills market can be addressed quickly and efficiently. Aligning Resources with Mandated Partners Describe the strategy to work with adult education providers funded under Title 11 of WIOA and Vocational Rehabilitation to align resources available to the local area, to achieve the strategic vision and goals described in question 5. All boards across Colorado work with Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Title II providers to ensure seamless service delivery of adult education. Local areas have developed Memorandums of Understanding with adult education and vocational rehabilitation providers that qualify under WIOA and actively monitor the scope of services available to ensure continued progress and innovation in assisting these two (2) populations. 65 Currently Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA) recipient, Community Educational Outreach an appointed Workforce Development Board member, only offers its services within the Intervention Community Corrections Services (ICCS) center, limiting the accessibility of their services. Aims Community College, Carl D. Perkins recipient, WDB member and former AEFLA grantee provides High School Equivalency preparation, English Language Learning, and over 200 degrees and certificates, helping the Workforce System address its Title II duties. By working closely with WCWDB members to discuss the development of career pathways, Aims is already a guaranteed participant and can bring Deans and Professors to the table. The college regularly meets with area employers to find out their desired skills and needs to ensure their curriculum is aligning with the job market. Additionally, an innovative partnership with Aims Community College and the University of Northern Colorado called Aims2UNC, ensures that students are gaining the adequate knowledge and skills employers are looking for at all levels of post -secondary education. The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), appointed WDB member that is physically located at the One -Stop Center, has several community -based connections such as the School to Work Alliance Program (SWAP) and North Range Behavioral Health (NRBH). By bringing together disability inclusion experts and their business outreach specialists, these initiatives (to serve individuals with disabilities) bridge the gap between job seekers and employers, fostering a supportive environment for individuals with disabilities to thrive in their careers. By aligning resources with these two entities, Weld County can make certain there is no duplication of services, and that all entities are maintaining their fiscal responsibilities not only to their programs, but to the citizens in our community. Strengthening Linkages with Unemployment Insurance Describe the strategies and services that will be utilized to strengthen linkages between the one -stop delivery system and unemployment insurance programs. 66 During the coronavirus pandemic, several workforce areas in Colorado established call centers to assist job seekers in accessing the unemployment insurance system and other resources in the community. Employment Services of Weld County (ESWC) was one of the only Workforce Centers that remained opened to the public providing in - person services in addition to answering calls. As the surge of calls has dropped to approximately pre -pandemic levels, workforce centers have continued to provide specific services to constituents of the workforce/unemployment insurance systems as warranted. Additionally, local areas continue to work with representatives from unemployment insurance, as well as Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) Employment and Training Programs to outline areas that are pinch points as to ensure labor exchange services continue to be provided to customers throughout Colorado and that customers have the best experience. The Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) program is the primary strategy and service utilized by ESWC to strengthen linkages between the One - Stop delivery system and Unemployment Insurance programs. The purpose is to improve employment outcomes of UI recipients and to reduce the average duration of UI receipt through employment; strengthen program integrity and reduce improper UI payments through the detection and prevention of such payments to ineligible individuals; promote alignment with the broader vision of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) increasing program integration and service delivery; and establish reemployment services and eligibility assessments as an entry point for UI claimants into other workforce system partner programs. As not all UI claimants will be selected through Colorado's Worker Profiling and Reemployment Services (WPRS), nor will all elect to enroll in Workforce Development Programs, ESWC provides: • One-on-one staff assistance to include labor market and occupational information and individualized job search, • Job readiness workshops such as interview and resume, 67 Linkages to community colleges, universities, and resources to aid with applications for Federal Pell Grants, Access and assistance with the Unemployment Insurance Hotline and My UI+, Identity verification assistance (until additional public supports are in place), and Other allowable services as identified under Wagner-Peyser. Coordinating Workforce and Economic Development Activities Describe how the local board will coordinate workforce investment activities carried out in the local area with economic development activities carried out in the planning region and promote entrepreneurial skills training and microenterprise services. Employment Services of Weld County (ESWC) works closely with the Weld County Economic Development Organization, Upstate Colorado. Rich Werner, President & CEO, a member of the Weld County Workforce Development Board (WCWDB), is actively engaged in several county and regional efforts, and served as the former chairman of the Northern Colorado Regional Economic Development Initiative (NoCo REDI). The ESWC Business Services Unit is routinely called upon by Upstate Colorado to assist with providing industry specific labor market information aiding in business retention and expansion efforts (BR&E). ESWC's presence at NoCo REDI meetings, BR&E meetings, as well as Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy sessions, which involves local elected officials, enhance the coordination of workforce investment and economic development activities carried out in the region and local area. This is just one example of achieving the ETA's Vision 2030 Pillar Four: Action Today for the Future of Work — engage federal, state, and local leaders and the private sector now to prepare, support, and invest in workers and communities in preparation for jobs of the future and emerging industries. None of the funding for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) has been awarded to Colorado's workforce development system, though it is uniquely positioned to enhance 68 competitiveness through traditional and work -based -learning strategies. BIL calls for a wide range of infrastructure projects in Colorado and is likely to bring in $5.9 billion in federal funding, some of which is anticipated to impact Economic Development in the Northern Colorado Region. Weld County's workforce development system will be integral in ensuring that regional businesses have the talent they need to carry out the infrastructure buildouts and upgrades. The table below shows these key talent clusters. Weld County is strong with an overall employment concentration (Location Quotient) of 1.52. This means that the concentration is over 1.5 times the national average: 13-10 'Business Operation s Specialists 15-12 !Computer Occupations 47-10 ',Supervisors of Construction and Extraction Workers 47-20 IConstnnction Trades Workers Key Talent Clusters Supporting BIL!nmati Jes ,P/eid County 7,480: 47-30 Helpers, ConsWction an; 166 47-40 �Other Construction and Related Workers 5981 49-10 Supervisors of Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers 594 49-20 jElectrical and Electronic Equipment Mechanics; Installers, and Reposers 487; 49-30 'Vehicle and Mobile Equipment Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers 1,951' 49-90 :Other Installation, Maintenance, and Repair 2,989: 51-10 Supervisors of Production Workers 51-20 :Assemblers and Fabricators 51-40 :Metal Workers and Plastic Workers 51-80 :Plant and System Operators 51-90 ,Other Production Occu•at• 705 1,092 2,224 449, 2 649 2,067' 115, 5.9%, 1.40 $20.79 3,2291 240: 8.0%: 1.14I $20.88 7501 45 6.4%, 134 $28.45 1,13 31j 2li%i $16.69 2,2021 (23) (10%) 1.69: $19.28 4651 15j 3.4%i 1.96 j $26.55 2 768' 119 4.5%! 1.32 i $17.68 5733 3151 5.8% 0.98 $25.60 $_ .._. 2,004 200: 11.1%: 0.48 $31.38 $41.89{ 2,104. 117 5.9 % ' 3.40 $29.57 $35.981 8,0011 541; 7.3%� 2.04 $19.96 $23.51 179 13 7.9% 1.01 $19.39 $20.96: 6561- 58 9.7% 1.63 { $19.03 $22.4Bj 630' 37 6.2%'. 1.28 i $30.49 $38.03! @� 4981 31 i 8.8%`I 1.08 j $23.88 $28.34! $22. $4 $42.30 $25.801 $25.06 $37.51; j $19.95] $22.40: $33.111 $20.79' Lighicas Entrepreneurial skills training and microenterprise services continue to be a collaborative of several entities. The City of Greeley, the County seat and Metropolitan Statistical Area, was selected as one (1) of 17 cities to participate in the Good Jobs, Great Cities Learning Network, a program sponsored by the National League of Cities and the Department of Labor to help the city secure federal grants to boost economic development and access tools and resources to promote job growth in local industries, to include entrepreneurship. Several public partners, ESWC, the University of Northern Colorado, Aims Community College, and the High Plains Library District Library Innovation Center (both members of the WCWDB), to name a few, are strong supporters of these efforts, readily available to educate the next generation of entrepreneurs. 69 Delineation of the Workforce Development System Provide a description of the workforce development system in the local area that identifies the programs that are included in that system. Also describe how you will partner with the required WIOA partners to increase awareness of career pathways and the critical role that workforce development plays in ensuring that all Coloradans have access to educational and career pathways that result in meaningful employment. Employment Services of Weld County (ESWC) operates several workforce development system programs. First and foremost, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 (WIOA) Title I Adult, Dislocated Worker, and Youth programs and Title III, the Wagner Peyser Act of 1933 amended by WIOA. On November 24, 2023, the United States Department of Labor (USDOL) released a final rule allowing Colorado to continue administering ES services (Wagner Peyser) using an alternative staffing model of local control, a method which ESWC has operated under since the late 1970s. The federal waiver allowing local delivery of Wagner-Peyser job seeker and business services has helped Colorado create a powerful and effective workforce development infrastructure that works closely with educators, economic developers, chambers of commerce, and other stakeholders in business competitiveness in our state. In relation to Wagner-Peyser, ESWC is also a Significant Migrant Seasonal Farmworker Workforce Center and conducts Foreign Labor Certification for Weld and Larimer counties. ESWC is also responsible for the administration of the following programs: Part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), subject to subparagraph (C), known as Colorado Works Section 6(d)(4) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2015(d)(4)), known as Employment First Veterans Service Office Colorado Child Care Assistance Program John H. Chafee Foster Care Program 70 • Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (Unemployment Insurance program) • Trade Act (Trade Adjustment Assistance) • Weld County Youth Conservation Corps to include AmeriCorps; and • Several initiatives funded by discretionary, federal, and state monies. The Governing Board (Weld County) offers the following programs through the Weld County Department of Human Services, which may include employment and training activities, and are offered at varying locations: Community Service Block Grant Act (42 U.S.C. 9901 et seq) Department of Housing and Urban Development — Community Development Block Grant Section 6(o) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2015(o)) Colorado Child Welfare System The Weld County Workforce Development Board has Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with Aims Community College (Carl Perkins); Colorado Department of Labor and Employment Division of Unemployment Insurance (UI), Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) and Jobs for Veterans State Grant (JVSG) Program; Community Educational Outreach (CEO) in conjunction with Intervention Community Corrections Services (ICCS); Service Employment Redevelopment (SER) — Jobs for Progress National, Inc.; Rocky Mountain SER; and Job Corps. Of these entities, two (2) are physically co -located, DVR, and JVSG, which makes program referrals seamless as participants can be walked directly into their offices. ESWC also provides functional supervision to the Consolidated Veterans Services Representative (CVSR) and Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program (DVOP)specialist under JVSG. Required WIOA partners are well aware of their responsibilities to support and implement career pathways. Partners often collaborate with the WCWDB and ESWC to collect and apply feedback from business, students, job seekers to build programs and create education opportunities that align with the needs of industry. Partners also 71 understand that services need to be accessible for program participants and students in Weld County's vast 4,016 square miles, where public transportation is limited in some areas. The Workforce Development system in Weld County strives to ensure everyone participating in these programs receives the support needed to secure meaningful employment. One -Stop Delivery System Describe the one -stop delivery system in the local area, in particular: a. Identify the locations of the comprehensive physical one -stop centers (at least one) within your local area; also list the locations of your network of affiliate sites, both physical and electronically linked, such as libraries. Employment Services of Weld County (ESWC) operates two (2) comprehensive One - Stop Centers at the following locations: • Main: 315 N 11th Avenue, Bldg. B, Greeley, CO, 80631 • Southeast Weld County: 2950 9th Street, Fort Lupton, CO 80621 The Executive Director of the High Plains Library District (HPLD) is the 2024 Weld County Workforce Development Board chair and is a fierce advocate to bringing workforce opportunities to the public. To increase workforce service options, three (3) HPLD locations, the Carbon Valley Regional Library, Fort Lupton Public & School Library, and the LINC Library Innovation Center, provide additional linkages and collaborative efforts with ESWC program offerings. An initiative currently underway between the HPLD and ESWC is to create a mobile workforce center. Weld County is 4,016 square miles, so the mobile workforce center will visit rural communities that do not have access to public transportation and in some instances, broadband services. This initiative aligns with the ETA's Vision 2030 Pillar One: Open Opportunities for Workers and Communities — ensure programs focus on workers and communities who have been left behind — from reentry, to rural, to opportunity youth. 72 b. Identify your key strategies for integrating the core programs (WIOA Title I, II, Ill, and IV programs), as well as all required partner programs, within the local one -stop system of comprehensive and affiliate offices. The Weld County Workforce Development Board (WCWDB) in consultation with its One -Stop Partners and other community service providers, adopt the local policy `Criteria for the Certification of One -Stop Centers by the WCWDB' to ensure certification of One -Stop centers are consistent and equitable and that all required partners in the local workforce area work to reach agreed upon standards for levels of performance. The WCWDB One -Stop certification criteria is incorporated into the Weld County Request for Proposal (RFP) process for the One -Stop Operator, therefore that selection process also serve as the certification process. The WCWDB utilizes the criteria in its RFP process for the selection of its One -Stop Operator to ensure the center and the One -Stop delivery system are eligible to receive infrastructure funding from partners or the state funds for those areas that utilize the state infrastructure funding mechanism. To be certified, One -Stop centers and the One -Stop delivery system must meet or exceed the standards established for each of the following focus areas: 1. Effectiveness I. Criteria to be used: i. Performance accountability as outlined in grant agreements and work plans. ii. Local Performance Measures iii. Sector Partnerships iv. Career Pathways v. Enrollment objectives for targeted populations vi. Alignment of services with needs of the area vii. Fiscal Responsibility viii. Service Hours II. Standards to Meet: i. Outcomes defined in grant agreements and work plans. 73 ii. Thresholds related to negotiated performance targets. iii. Coordination of goal setting across programs exists. iv. Active involvement in initiatives and discretionary grants and expected outcomes for initiatives and discretionary grants are met. v. Demonstrate that strategies are based on an analysis of the area. vi. Satisfaction of employers with services provided. vii. Expenditure rate exceeds the minimum requirement to maintain compliance. 2. Physical and Programmatic Accessibility I. Criteria to be used: i. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Guidelines II. Standards to Meet: i. In compliance as shown by an inspection, audit, or review within the last three (3) years. Note: The Rocky Mountain Americans with Disabilities Act Center has created a Programmatic Accessibility Course and Self -Evaluation Toolkit for Colorado Workforce Centers use. 3. Continuous Improvement of the One -Stop I. Criteria to be used: i. The Colorado Workforce Development Council's established Continuous Improvement Process as incorporated into the annual planning process and performance incentive funds. II. Standards to Meet (these are connected to current goals and may shift as goals change): i. Business Services activities in compliance with annual goals ii. Re-employment and Youth activities in compliance with annual goals iii. Marketing and Outreach activities in compliance with annual goals 4. Integration of Available Services I. Criteria to be used: 74 i. Service Coordination Agreements II. Standards to Meet (at a minimum): i. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is in place. ii. The MOU includes all required partners. iii. Co -enrollment is addressed. iv. A referral procedure for all programs is in place. v. Demonstrate that the level of integration has improved in the past three (3) years. Additional Criteria for Focus Areas 1 and 3: On an annual basis, the required partners in the Weld County workforce area will work with Workforce Development Programs to reach agreed upon levels of performance that apply to Focus Area 1 and with the CWDC to reach agreed upon levels of performance that apply to Focus Area 3. The WCWDB evaluates a report on the certification requirements for the One -Stop delivery system and votes to certify, certify conditionally, or not certify the local One - Stop delivery system, in this case Employment Services of Weld County (ESWC). The assessments are typically conducted and compiled by one or more sub -recipient staff and the accessibility assessment is completed using the programmatic accessibility evaluation toolkit approved by the Colorado Workforce Development Council (CWDC). c. Describe the roles and resource contributions of each of the one -stop partners. Contribution of resources for the programs operated by Employment Services of Weld County fall under the County's cost allocation plan which allocates costs based on time charged by staff. As one (1) of the six (6) public facing divisions in the Department, ESWC employees primarily charge to programs related to employment grants. Approximately 50% of employees charge to Colorado Works, Employment First, AmeriCorps, Community Service Block Grant, and Child Welfare. Indirect costs like 75 rent, phone lines and administrative cost pool costs are then reimbursed by the percent of staff time spent in the respective grants. Therefore, all grant programs effectively support the One -Stop Center. Partner program contributions and roles are outlined in each partner's Memorandum of Understanding and typically consist of staff resources to assist shared customers, involvement in Business Services hiring events, shared training when appropriate, and staff resources to assist customers in accessing On -Stop services available in Connecting Colorado such as the review of open job listings. A few partners provide monetary contributions to the One -Stop infrastructure. d. Describe how the local board will facilitate access to services provided through the one -stop delivery system, including in remote areas, through the use of technology and through other means; include your intended use of virtual job fairs, the upcoming virtual job shadowing capability, and other innovative strategies and initiatives to streamline and enhance services, as well as increase access. The Weld County Workforce Development Board (WCWDB) facilitates access to One - Stop services in a variety of ways. The use of virtual job fair (VJF) technology is being used by the Employment Services of Weld County (ESWC) Business Services Unit. If a program participant lives in a remote location and does not have access to the public transportation network, Navigators and Case Managers offer over the phone appointments or virtual meetings through Microsoft Teams. Additionally, many of the services and activities provided by the ESWC Assessment and Learning Center can be accessed via the Internet from any location that provides that access; the only exception is proctored test taking. As previously mentioned, a collaborative effort is underway to develop a mobile workforce center, bringing essential services directly to rural communities. This initiative, planned in partnership with the High Plains Library District (HPLD), will 76 caravan alongside the HPLD Book Mobile and the Weld County Food Bank Mobile Food Pantry. A funding application has been submitted to The Weld Trust whose mission is to promote excellence in health and education in Weld County. With the passage of the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, every state is required to develop a Digital Equity State Plan (known as the Digital Access Plan) which explores access to affordable broadband and digital devices as well as digital skill levels and cybersecurity practices for eight covered populations: 1. Low-income households 2. Aging populations 3. Incarcerated individuals 4. Veterans 5. People with disabilities 6. People with language barriers 7. Racial and ethnic minorities 8. Rural inhabitants Six strategies have been set forth in Colorado's digital equity plan. e. Identify the types of assessments and assessment tools that will be utilized within the one -stop delivery system and how these assessments will be coordinated across participating programs to avoid duplication of effort and multiple assessments of customers being served by more than one partner program. The Employment Services of Weld County (ESWC) Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Adult and Youth teams utilize robust Individual Services Strategies and Comprehensive Assessment/Individual Employment Plans (ISS and CA/IEP). Once a release of information is obtained, Navigators can share these assessments across partners to avoid duplication of effort. The CA/IEP is so well written 77 that Employment First, the work program for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients, has adopted several elements of the plan for use in their program. Additionally, ESWC offers an on -site Assessment & Learning Center. Navigators can refer participants to take Workplace Readiness, multiple Conover assessment such as the Success Profiler and Personal Responsibility, Prove -its!, and Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE). Although not an assessment, the Center also offers the CareerSafe OSHA 10 -Hour Training in English and Spanish for multiple industries. To ensure well- informed employment & training decisions, participant assessment results can be shared with partners, strengthening our fiduciary commitment to constituents. f. A description of how entities within the one -stop delivery system, including your centers, one -stop operators and the one -stop partners, will comply with section 188, if applicable, and applicable provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.) regarding the physical and programmatic accessibility of facilities, programs and services, technology, and materials for individuals with disabilities, including providing staff training and support for addressing the needs of individuals with disabilities. The Weld County Workforce Development Board (WCWDB) adopted a Programmatic Accessibility (Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II Requirements) local policy to enhance the provision of services to individuals with disabilities. Employment Services of Weld County, the One -Stop Operator, is required to conduct a programmatic accessibility self -evaluation assuming some conditions have changed, e.g., construction/modification of an existing facility, moving to a new facility, or adding new technology to improve programmatic accessibility. A reasonable time between evaluations is three (3) years and an opportunity must be provided to interested people, people with disabilities, and organizations that represent people with disabilities, to take part in the evaluation process. Issues identified are addressed through a transition plan identifying architectural barriers, describing in detail methods that will be used to make the facility and programs accessible, specifies the schedule to achieve compliance, 78 indicates the official responsible for the implementation and may include costs and budgetary considerations. The WCWDB recommends utilizing the toolkit developed for CDLE (Colorado Department of Labor and Employment) and the Disability Employment Initiative. The local Programmatic Accessibility policy further outlines several policies and procedures to include: a. Notice of Compliance (§35.106) b. Non -Discrimination Eligibility Criteria (§35.130(b)(8)) c. Grievance Procedure (§35.107(b)) d. Contractors, Licensing, and Certification Policy (§35.130(b)) e. Reasonable Modification Program Policy (§35.130(b)(7)) f. Service Animal Policy (§35.136) g. Powered Mobility Policy (§35.137) h. Equal Employment Policy (§35.140) i. Reasonable Accommodation Employment Policy (§1630.9) j. Effective Communication Policy (§35.160) k. Transportation Access Policy (§37.5) I. Emergency Management Plan Development Policy m. Maintenance of Accessible Features Policy (§35.133) It is the intent of the WCWDB that all policy modifications are reviewed and approved by the Board at a scheduled meeting; however, it is explicitly understood that USDOL or CDLE may require local policies and procedures to be updated immediately. The Workforce Director can authorize a modification of this policy by sending the revision to the WCWDB Executive Committee for approval. ESWC staff should present the changes at the next Board meeting. If further discussion ensues and changes need to be made, the policy will be sent to the greater Board for a vote within two (2) weeks of the meeting. 79 Should a partner, mandated or non -mandated, request technical assistance in any of the above areas, the One Stop Operator's Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator and leadership would connect with subject matter experts such as the Employers Council or Rocky Mountain ADA personnel to assist in the education of these partners. g. A description of how the local board will ensure the continuous improvement of eligible providers of services through the system and ensure that such providers meet the employment needs of local employers, and workers and jobseekers. Colorado's Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL) identifies training providers whose performance qualifies them to receive Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funding to train Adults, Dislocated Workers, and Youth, through Individual Training Accounts (ITAs). The State ETPL and the related eligibility procedures ensure the accountability, quality, and labor -market relevance of training services that receive funds through WIOA. It is the responsibility of the Weld County Workforce Development Board (WCWDB) to review training program applications and within 30 days of the receipt of a complete application from the state. The Board will communicate to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) if there are insufficient numbers and types of providers of training services, including eligible providers with expertise in assisting individuals with disabilities and eligible providers with expertise in assisting adults in need of adult education and literacy activities, serving the local area. The Board will also notify CDLE and the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) when it wishes to remove an eligible training provider from the list and will follow the appeal process for training providers rejected as an Eligible Training Provider or later removed for cause. h. Provide a description of how training services under chapter 3 of subtitle B will be provided in accordance with WIOA section 134(c)(3)(G), including, if contracts for the training services will be used, how the use of such contracts 80 will be coordinated with the use of individual training accounts under that chapter and how the local board will ensure informed customer choice in the selection of training programs regardless of how the training services are to be provided. Employment Services of Weld County (ESWC) Employment & Training Navigators will ensure that all individuals enrolled in Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Title I training programs are treated equally and fairly regarding determination of approval for training and with respect to all financial aid including Federal Pell Grants and WIOA assistance and that participants are served expeditiously, without long delays in Individual Training Account (ITA) award decisions or dependence on prior student financial aid award decisions. To maximize participant choice, participants requesting funding assistance for training will be provided with information regarding the State list of eligible training providers. Use of the Colorado Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL) and ITAs is required for classroom training, with limited exceptions (Sec. 134(c)(3)(G)) and may include apprenticeship training or other training options. The ETPL provides a description of the programs through which providers may offer the training services, and the performance and cost information about eligible providers. The ultimate decision rests with the participant; however, priority consideration shall be given to programs that lead to recognized post -secondary credentials that are aligned with Weld County's in -demand industry sectors or occupations. In the case of Work -Based Learning Opportunities, the final choice made between employers and the job seeker will be solidified through the completion of worksite paperwork, which include a pre -evaluation form or employer assessment, memorandum of agreement or training agreement, payroll timesheet or invoice, etc. i. Outreach to Individuals with Barriers to Employment: Describe how you will engage your LWDB and Youth Council/committee to increase the awareness of the services offered to returning veterans, out -of -school youth, individuals 81 with disabilities, long-term unemployed, and other targeted groups? What additional strategies will be utilized to reach out to these groups? What are your objectives and goals for this effort? Employment Services of Weld County (ESWC) the One -Stop Center, the Weld County Workforce Development Board (WCWDB) and its Youth Committee are committed to increasing the awareness of services offered through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). In alignment with Colorado WIOA State Plan Priority Three, increasing equity in the talent development network so that each person's success is not predetermined by their zip code, background, ability status, or income bracket, ESWC conducts targeted outreach to individuals with barriers to employment, with Veterans and their eligible spouses receiving priority of service. A uniqueness of ESWC is housing the Veterans Service Office (VSO) and Jobs for Veterans State Grant (JVSG) program. This allows for a seamless handoff between the Veterans Service Officers, Veterans Service Navigator, Consolidated Veterans Services Representative, Disabled Veterans Outreach Program Specialist and Employment and Training programs. The priority of service extends to Business Services Unit hosted events, such as hiring events and job fairs, where Veterans are granted early admittance to the event. In the resource room, Wagner-Peyser employees provide staff assisted services and triage to ensure Veterans are connected with appropriate services as quickly as possible. Increasing awareness of services provided also occurs during meetings and engagement activities with community -based organizations and other Federal programs who serve these individuals. A few current examples at the One -Stop Center are: • the Disability Program Navigator (DPN) initiative, a collaborative agreement between local workforce centers, the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE), and Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR). The DPN position serves as disability subject matter expert and possesses the skill sets 82 needed to help individuals with disabilities navigate the various One -Stop Center programs to gain self-sustaining employment. the Workforce Deputy Director being an appointed member of Project Self - Sufficiency (PSS) of Northern Colorado. PSS is an entity serving low-income, single parents, who are often receiving food assistance (Supplemental Nutrition Program Assistance), basic cash assistance (Colorado Works — Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), and Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP). the Youth Employment & Training Supervisor sitting on the 19th Judicial District Juvenile Services Planning Committee. Their participation helps tie the courts system, child welfare, and workforce together, to reduce the rate of recidivism. the Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) program. The RESEA Career Representative plays a vital role in connecting unemployment insurance recipients with the Dislocated Worker program to assist with education and training to reenter the workforce. An additional strategy to reach populations with employment barriers is to apply for funding specific to these barriers to create new and innovative initiatives. j. Describe your specific outreach strategies to eligible New Americans and your objectives for this effort. In addition, what strategies will you deploy to ensure your services and programs effectively serve eligible New Americans? As a Significant Migrant Seasonal Farmworker (MSFW) office, Employment Services of Weld County (ESWC) employs a MSFW Outreach Advisor. This person frequently conducts field visits to evaluate working conditions and to inform individuals of training opportunities and supports available at ESWC. Additionally, the Business Services Unit performs inspections for H -2A housing for Weld and Larimer Counties, allowing for another way to communicate services available at the Workforce Centers. The Upstate Planning Region has a time-honored relationship with the Immigrant and Refugee Center of Northern Colorado (IRCNoCo), formerly Right to Read and the 83 Global Refugee Center. Through that relationship, in 2021, IRCNoCo recruited ESWC to assist with the development of a Workforce Toolkit to support the New Americans Initiative through The Office of New Americans. The toolkit included operational support based on information gathered from workforce audiences and best practices. A few key topics include equitable access, digital literacy, education, and sustainability. In addition to a partnership with IRCNoCo, Lutheran Family Services in Greeley provides refugee and asylee programs, immigration legal services, and serves as the conduit for eligible refugees receiving Colorado Works (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) benefits. Their Program Director is an appointed member of the WCWDB and a previous employee of the Workforce Center. Both linkages are of the utmost importance as ESWC strives to meet Priority Three of the Colorado Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) State Plan, to increase equitable economic opportunity for individuals who experience barriers based on race, ethnicity, gender, ability, age, zip - code, and socioeconomic status. Coordination of Education and Workforce Investment Activities Provide a description of how the local board will coordinate education and workforce investment activities carried out in the local area with relevant secondary and postsecondary education programs and activities to coordinate strategies, enhance services, and avoid duplication of services. Employment Services of Weld County (ESWC) has a long-established history of collaborative partnerships and efforts with the four (4) post -secondary institutions in Northern Colorado: Aims Community College, Colorado State University, Front Range Community College, and the University of Northern Colorado. Through advisory board and alumni participation, One -Stop Center employees assist with the creation of career pathways by helping develop training towards the county and region's in -demand industries. Likewise, Aims Community College participates on the Weld County Workforce Development Board (WCWDB) gathering information directly from employers to take back to their colleagues. 84 In recent years, ESWC's Work -Based Learning (WBL) Navigator maximized relationships with Weld County School Districts through several initiatives, the largest being the Northern Colorado Work -Based Learning Alliance. In conjunction with Larimer County Economic and Workforce Development, ESWC convenes Weld County public partners, which includes Weld County Pre -12 School Districts, Aims Community College, the University of Northern Colorado, High Plains Library District, The Weld Trust, Banner Health, Northern Homebuilders, Generation Schools Network, as well as members from Sector Partnerships in Northern Colorado. The group meets monthly at various locations in Northern Colorado, providing members a platform to highlight their school or organization and share how they are implementing Work -Based Learning activities in their organization. Work -Based Learning Alliance meeting topics revolve around sector partnership events and regional offerings such as training programs, scholarship programs, upcoming job fairs and hiring events, career and technical education (CTE) program highlights, Workforce Center program offerings, and other topics related to connecting students to career pathways. While not all school districts attend every meeting, they receive the meeting minutes and ESWC's Work -Based Learning email blast. Collaborating with the Weld County Public Information Office (PIO), the WBL Navigator helped create the format, and each month provides the PIO with upcoming events, internship and apprenticeship opportunities, and other Work - Based Learning information to be published. The email blast is well received, and ESWC regularly receives requests from people to be added to the distribution list. In addition to participating in the WBL Alliance, several school districts participate on the WCWDB Youth Committee. Through their engagement, they are informed of, and invited to participate in, career events such as the highly successful annual Young Adult Job Fair. All schools have a designated Youth Employment & Training Navigator which allows relationships to be built with one (1) solid contact rather than many. Each school receives distribution of materials as appropriate to provide youth with opportunities to 85 participate and connect with ESWC initiatives. Navigators can often be found in the classroom providing resume and interviewing workshops. Adult and Dislocated Worker Employment & Training Activities Provide a description and assessment of the type and availability of adult and dislocated worker employment and training activities in the local area; in particular identify how the local area will expand services to dislocated workers utilizing all sources of formula and discretionary funds targeted to the dislocated worker population. During the Initial Application process for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Adult and Dislocated Worker programs, Employment Services of Weld County (ESWC) Navigators complete a cursory review of barriers to employment such as offender, English Language Learner, cultural barriers, New American, and long-term unemployed, to name a few. They also determine the highest level of education attained, any current receipt of public assistance, and if there is a need for additional support services. Once the application is approved by a second reviewer, the Navigator will begin one-on- one intensive case management. ESWC Navigators have been trained to utilize information gathered by assessments and interviews with the participant to develop the best plan to obtain unsubsidized, meaningful, and family (or self) sustaining employment. This information is captured in the Comprehensive Assessment/Individual Employment Plan. Navigators make referrals to any number of internal or external resources to assist the participant in overcoming challenges or barriers to employment. These include, but are not limited to, referring English as a Second Language Learners to the Immigrant and Refugee Center of Northern Colorado (IRCNoCo); referring those needing a High School Equivalency to Aims Community College and ESWC's Assessment & Learning Center; referring individuals with disabilities to the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation; or referring individuals to the Education Opportunity Center 86 (EOC) for scholarship and financial aid information. Moreover, the ESWC Business Services team has developed eleven (11) no -cost workshops for jobseekers in need of assistance with their resume, interview skills, and identification of transferrable skills. A few of the specialized workshops include HOPE: Helping Offenders Pursue Employment, 50+ Workshops, and Abre el Camino a Tu Proximo Trabajo (Open the Way to Your Next Job). If the participants CA/IEP identifies that training is the best course of action, ESWC has a variety of training activities available to make individuals more employable. Training has occurred in such industries as health care, transportation, manufacturing, and so on. Participants have taken the opportunity to attend local education providers, Aims Community College and Front Range Community College, to earn certificates, credentials, and post -secondary degrees. There are also several regional vocational trainers that include truck driving schools, dental assisting academies, and cybersecurity bootcamps. If a participant is not interested in continuing their education, Work -Based Learning (Work Experience, On -the -Job Training, etc.) is another training method available. A strong initiative to expand services to Dislocated Workers is the automatic qualification of individuals selected to participate in the Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) program. Additional opportunities include rapid response, trade adjustment, and displaced homemakers. Currently, ESWC has four (4) funding streams specifically targeted at assisting Dislocated Workers. Youth Workforce Investment Activities Provide a description and assessment of the type and availability of youth workforce investment activities in the local area, including activities for youth who are individuals with disabilities, which description and assessment shall include an identification of successful models of such youth workforce investment activities; in addition, indicate how services to out -of -school youth 87 will be expanded and enhanced to incorporate additional work -based learning opportunities. Historically, Employment Services of Weld County (ESWC) has targeted 70% to 80% of its Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) enrollment and expenditures towards out -of -school youth. This has consistently been achieved through extensive community partnerships to include, but not limited to, local Truancy Liaisons, the 19th Judicial District, Platte Valley Youth Services Center, Colorado Youth Detention Continuum, Youth and Family Connections, Child Welfare, and area alternative High School programs. In addition to the provision of services to disenfranchised youth through WIOA Youth programs, ESWC continues to explore options for expanding services and alternatives for youth who are involved in the social services or juvenile justice systems using the Teamwork Innovation Growth Hope and Training (TIGHT) Youth Corps model. TIGHT, facilitated under the Weld County Youth Conservation Corps (WCYCC) umbrella, was intentionally designed to meet a specific community need; to delay or eliminate the need for out of home placement. TIGHT members are provided team -based learning experiences, and opportunities to develop job readiness skills such as communication, pro -social behaviors, leadership, and responsibility. Youth are simultaneously engaged with educational activities to promote a successful re-entry into a traditional or non-traditional school setting or toward the obtainment of their High School Equivalency. Alternatively, some of ESWC's in -school services have been directly related to the School to Work Alliance Program (SWAP), a collaboration with the Centennial Board of Cooperative Education Services (CBOCES) and the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) created to assist young adult with mild to moderate disabilities. Joining forces with local SWAP and Transitional Teachers, ESWC Youth Employment & Training Navigators help provide career exploration, job seeking skills, job coaching, and work experience opportunities. A recent example is partnering with Greeley -Evans School District 6 and UCHealth, to issue supportive services to aid these individuals in their journey in the Project SEARCH program, a full immersion in the hospital setting created to provide firsthand work experience. 88 In all instances, in- and out -of -school youth, ESWC dedicates a minimum of 20% of its funding towards work experience. Academic and occupational education components which may occur concurrently or sequentially with the work experience based on a participant's Individual Service Strategy and individual needs, are required. The academic and occupational education component may occur inside or outside the work site, refers to contextual learning, and includes the information necessary to understand and work in specific industries and/or occupations. The worksite employer can provide the academic and occupational component, or such components may be provided separately in the classroom or through other means such as High School Equivalency, Occupational Skills training, or Dropout Prevention. The Weld County Workforce Development Board and its Youth Committee commend the ESWC Youth Employment & Training team. Their expertise is in high demand, attracting staff from other local workforce areas who shadow their practices for extended periods. Coordination of Activities with Mandated Partners Provide a description of how the local board will coordinate workforce investment activities carried out under this title in the local area with the provision of adult education and literacy activities under title ll in the local area, including a description of how the local board will carry out, consistent with subparagraphs (A) and (B)(i) of WIOA section 107(d)(11) and section 232, the review of local applications submitted under title II. A non -financial Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is in place with Community Educational Outreach (CEO), a 2020 - 2024 Adult Education and Family Literacy (AEFLA) Grantee. CEO was established in 1991 and in Weld County is housed within Intervention Community Correction Services (ICCS), a private, non-profit community corrections agency. CEO is an appointed member of the Weld County Workforce Development Board (WCWDB), bringing valuable insight to coordinate services for 89 individuals with criminal barriers to employment. Employment Services of Weld County, the One -Stop Operator, provides CEO/ICCS participants with resource room access, workshops, career information and counseling, program eligibility and, when eligible, work -based learning opportunities. Aims Community College, Carl D. Perkins recipient, appointed WDB member and former AEFLA grantee continues to offer adult education programs. Employment Services of Weld County (ESWC) Navigators and Case Managers assess which learning environment will work best for participants and, when warranted, refers participants to High School Equivalency preparation, and English Language Learning at Aims' Greeley campus. Students have the option to study in person in Aims' Adult Learning Lab, can participate remotely, or a combination of both. The programs are not traditional so students can work at their own pace and engage with instructors as needed. A financial MOU is in place with Aims, contributing to the infrastructure of the One -Stop Center. Additionally, the WCWDB reviews Aims' Carl Perkins Plan prior to its submittal, providing any recommendations, and voting to provide their support via ESWC Workforce Director signature. Coordination of Activities and Supportive Services Provide a description of how the local board will coordinate workforce investment activities carried out under this title in the local area with the provision of transportation, including public transportation, and other appropriate supportive services in the local area. The Weld County Workforce Development Board (WCWDB) has adopted a WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) Title I Supportive Services policy to certify resource and service coordination in the local area. The policy also assures that services are provided on a consistent and equitable basis for eligible participants in Title I WIOA programs, the provision of Supportive Services must be consistent with WIOA §680.900 (a - I) and §680.910 (a) (1-2) and (b) and be designed to assist eligible individuals in obtaining or retaining employment and/or to participate in career or 90 training services and where individuals are unable to obtain such services through other programs or means. The WCWDB has chosen to place caps on the amount of funds that can be provided for supportive services, but Navigators can submit a request to the Employment Services of Weld County (One -Stop Operator) Workforce Director for review and approval to exceed the cap. A few supportive services available in the local area include, transportation assistance, reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, legal aid services, medical expenses related to employment or training, assistance with uniforms or other work attire, and digital literacy services, electronic devices, and broadband services. During Program Year 2022, the WCWDB reviewed and approved ESWC's recommendation to work with their Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) Liaison to update the supportive services policy based on ESWC's experience utilizing Colorado House Bill 21-1264 Reskill, Upskill, Next -Skill (RUN) funding. Prior to action, students enrolled at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC), specifically in the education and nursing programs, were required to participate in unpaid student teaching and clinical internships to complete their degree. Most of the students were unable to work in paid labor opportunities on top of their internships and studies, which results in accruing additional debt. By utilizing RUN funding, ESWC was able to circumvent this issue and provide the students with an educational award. With approval from the United States Department of Labor (USDOL) and CDLE, the WCWDB's Supportive Service policy now authorizes the use of WIOA funding to meet the above intentions; however, the parameters are strict: To graduate from a post -secondary institution, schools may require students to participate in an unpaid hands-on learning component. Post -secondary institutions and worksites have long-standing agreements for a set amount of unpaid hands-on learning based on the industry, so to circumvent additional barriers, WIOA-eligible students may receive an educational scholarship. The 91 scholarship is 110% of the Colorado minimum wage for no more than 280 hours of unpaid hands-on learning. Not all WIOA-eligible students will utilize all 280 hours due to varying requirements set by the institution's program. Additionally, a comprehensive assessment is required to determine the WIOA-eligible student's monthly income and expenses to support the need for this supportive service. WIOA-eligible students must be: 1. referred by a Northern Colorado post -secondary institution; 2. enrolled in an educational component related to Healthcare and Social Assistance (NAICS 62), Educational Services (NAICS 61), or Public Administration, specifically Justice, Public Order, and Safety Activities (92- 21); 3. on track to graduate within twelve (12) months, which must be documented by grade reports or transcripts; and 4. willing to attest that they are currently unemployed or unable to work full- time due to their post -secondary education. Attestation occurs at the signing of the initial application, individual service strategy, or comprehensive assessment/individual employment plan. To receive the educational scholarship, the WIOA-eligible student, worksite, or institution must provide verification of completed hours bi-weekly or monthly. The use of this supportive service requires written approval from the Workforce Director. Measuring system change and performance such as the educational scholarship is a top priority of the WCWDB and aligns with Priority Two of the Colorado WIOA State Plan which reinforces the necessity of building an evidence base to direct funding into programs that are successful and make a tangible impact for individuals. 92 Strategies and Services — Wagner Peyser Act Provide a description of plans and strategies for, and assurances concerning, maximizing coordination of services provided by the State employment service under the Wagner-Peyser Act (29 U.S.C. 49 et seq.) and services provided in the local area through the one -stop delivery system, to improve service delivery and avoid duplication of services. Employment Services of Weld County (ESWC) began providing Employment Services in 1979, under the Wagner-Peyser Act of 1933, to area residents and employers. In 1989, Colorado was granted Wagner-Peyser demonstration state status as a result of a Weld County welfare demonstration grant. Weld County's innovation began Colorado's process of transitioning staff from state merit staff to primarily local merit staff. It wasn't until 2014, with the second amendment to the Wagner-Peyser Act under WIOA, that it became a requirement for Wagner-Peyser staff to be co -located into American Job Centers nationwide, so Colorado had a lead compared to most of the Nation. On November 24, 2023, the United States Department of Labor (USDOL) released a final rule allowing Colorado to continue administering ES services (Wagner Peyser) using an alternative staffing model of local control. The federal waiver allowing local delivery of Wagner-Peyser job seeker and business services has helped Colorado create a powerful and effective workforce development infrastructure that works closely with educators, economic developers, chambers of commerce, and other stakeholders in business competitiveness in our state. At ESWC, Career Resource and Business Services staff serve as the front line for individuals and employers seeking assistance. Through an in-depth initial assessment, Career Resource staff members refer participants to other programs within the One - Stop delivery system, including mandated One -Stop partners. This service strategy has been in place since ESWC began providing these services over 45 years ago and has assured services are coordinated with other programs, and that there is not a duplication of effort between programs. Additionally, ESWC's participation in 93 Unemployment Initiatives and the diligence in serving the Unemployment Insurance Benefits (UIB) population serves as another example of how strategies and services are currently being used to support the local workforce development system. Weld has administered a variety of programs such as Extended Unemployment Compensation (EUC), LINKS and most recently, Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA). When the coronavirus pandemic created high unemployment rates, ESWC stepped in to assist the UI recipients and CDLE with answering more than 19,000 phone calls and assisting over 4,000 people with in-depth benefit issues. It is important to note that ESWC re -opened their resource room in May 2020, for in -person services to assist with technology needs surrounding UIB. Claimants traveled from all over the State to receive this assistance as well as in -person workshops since some did not have access to broadband, a computer, or had limited computer skills. Another reason to continue supporting UI locally is that the labor market has softened a bit in Colorado statewide, as can be seen in the below combination chart. We see that new unemployment claims into February of 2024 are up very slightly, but continued claims show a steeper upward trend. This suggests that companies are working to keep the workers they have but are more hesitant to hire new people. Many employers are investing capital in automation to leverage human productivity. For workforce centers along Colorado's urban front range, which includes Weld County, this has generally meant an increase in foot traffic. 94 Initial and Continued Unemployment Claims by Week, Colorado Can US. dal sstm*ri of tabor, ixch:rrent t Tn.rwt AleattareUr fie.** bkC1004 h*sob.* At Mil -1 d1! 44000 Acre 30,000 23,000 10,000 1S,D0O 10,030 WOO 1•- r V N ` ,1 N INN Continued Clalnts I 2 sae usee cam s• .- r rSi ts fi dr n V W w L11 a Initial Clans sea Lamar (Continued Claims) r tst 4%,13X) 44CO0 3S.000 MOO 10,004 On the flip side of the Wagner Peyser Act, Business Services staff connect employers to job seekers, most notably through job postings, job fairs, and hiring events. One way the Business Services team ensures there is no duplication of services is through Worked -Based Learning such as Work Experience and On -the -Job Training placement. Having thorough work site agreements, to include the number of hours and wage, the team can track which employers are using the service to support the community versus those who try to supplement a position by only using our work experience program. Disbursement of Funding Identify the administrator/administrative entity responsible for the disbursal of Title I and Ill funds in the local area, as determined by the chief elected official or the Governor, and the fiscal agent if different. The administrative entity/fiscal agent responsible for the disbursal of Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Title I and Title III funds is the Weld County Board of County Commissioners, through the support of the Weld County Department of Human Services. 95 Sub -Grants and Contracts A description of the competitive process to be used to award the sub -grants and contracts in the local area for activities carried out under this title. The Weld County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) does not intend to award sub -grants or contracts for any activities carried out under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Title I and Title III Rather, the Weld County Workforce Development Board (WCWDB) will, in conjunction with the BOCC, select a One -Stop Operator through a competitive process at least once every four (4) years The WCWDB utilizes the Weld County procurement policies and procedures and the principles of competitive procurement in the selection of the One -Stop Operator Adequate firewalls are in place during the competitive process to ensure that there is no conflict of interest between the current One -Stop Operator's functions and other duties Levels of Performance and Accountability Measures Provide a description of the local levels of performance negotiated with the Governor and chief elected official pursuant to WIOA section 116(c), to be used to measure the performance of the local area and to be used by the local board for measuring the performance of the local fiscal agent (where appropriate), eligible providers under subtitle B, and the one -stop delivery system, in the local area. Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) section 116 establishes performance accountability indicators and performance reporting requirements to assess the effectiveness of States and local areas in achieving positive outcomes for individuals served by the workforce development system's six (6) core programs Employment Services of Weld County (ESWC) is directly responsible for the administration of the Adult, Dislocated Worker, and Youth programs, authorized under WIOA Title I and administered by the United States Department of Labor (USDOL), and the Employment Service program authorized under the Wagner-Peyser Act, as amended by WIOA Title III, and administered by DOL 96 Pursuant to WIOA section 116(c), prior to negotiating local levels of performance and thresholds for local success and failure, the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) applies a Statistical Adjustment Model (SAM) to estimate levels of performance for WIOA Titles I and III for a two (2) year period. The results offer data and estimates to inform the local negotiation process. Following the conclusion of each individual Program Year, the state uses the local area statistical model to calculate adjustment factors for each indicator and apply that adjustment factor to the negotiated levels of local area performance to get adjusted target levels of local performance. The state then assesses local area performance by comparing actual results attained to the adjusted local area target levels. As a result of the most recent negotiations, ESWC's Title I and Title III performance standards for Program Years 2023 and 2024 are as follows: Program Performance Measure Description Performance Goal Adult Employment Rate — 2nd Quarter After Exit 75.00% Employment Rate — 4th Quarter After Exit 70.00% Median Earnings — 2nd Quarter After Exit $6,900 Credential Attainment 80.00% Measurable Skill Gains 63.50% Dislocated Worker Employment Rate — 2nd Quarter After Exit 74.00% Employment Rate — 4th Quarter After Exit 78.00% Median Earnings — 2nd Quarter After Exit $8,500 Credential Attainment 70.00% Measurable Skill Gains 65.00% Youth Employment Rate — 2"d Quarter After Exit 70.00% Employment Rate — 4th Quarter After Exit 69.50% Median Earnings — 2"d Quarter After Exit $3,900 Credential Attainment 64.00% Measurable Skill Gains 59.00% Wagner-Peyser Employment Rate — 2nd Quarter After Exit 57.00% Employment Rate — 4th Quarter After Exit 65.00% Median Earnings — 2nd Quarter After Exit $5,600 97 On February 23, 2024, the DOL, Employment & Training Administration, published final rule defining WIOA's sixth performance indicator, effectiveness in serving employers, as retention with the same employer. This performance indicator is the percentage of participants in unsubsidized employment during the second quarter after exit from the program who were employed by the same employer in the second and fourth quarters after exit. Weld County anticipates conversations with CDLE to determine performance goals going into Program Year 2024. High -Performing Board Designation Provide a description of the actions the local board will take, if any, toward achieving the High Performing Board designation as outlined in the Colorado High Performing Local Workforce Development Board Rubric (PGL GRT-2019-01, Attachment 3). The Weld County Workforce Development Board (WCWDB) has been designated as a high performing board for six (6) consecutive program years (PY 2017 - PY 2022). To ensure the WCWDB continues its exceptional performance, the Board will be made up of diverse and knowledgeable community members who actively participate in board meetings and activities supporting the local workforce system. Additionally, appointed members will serve as liaisons between the community and the One -Stop Operator (Employment Services of Weld County (ESWC)) and will utilize data driven business led meetings to make certain goals and strategic priorities are accomplished. The majority of these key performance indicators will be captured in a Microsoft Excel workbook which will: • Confirm that 100% of appointed members have attended Board orientation, which revolves around Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) core programs. WCWDB support staff will maintain the signed agreement acknowledging the appointed member's attendance and knowledge. 98 • Capture the makeup of the board, demonstrating that the majority of key (in - demand) industries are represented on the board. • Identify 50% of appointed members have attended or supported one (1) talent development system program activity, outside of a board meeting, in the program year. • Identify 80% of appointed members met the attendance requirements in the WCWDB Bylaws, and 50% met the requirement with the use of a proxy. • Identify 50% of appointed members attended a community event while representing the WCWDB. Additional narrative will be submitted demonstrating ways the WCWDB uses data to drive its strategic plan forward, how data is shared to inform community partners, and measuring impacts of its strategic plan. The WCWDB may also provide a narrative demonstrating impact on 75% of their strategic priorities or how appointed board members went above and beyond accomplishing the strategic priorities through the submission of a Best Practice Form. Evidence -Based Decision -Making Use of evidence in decision making and program implementation Colorado is focused on enhancing its use of evidence to inform workforce development strategies and to influence the design and execution of initiatives. By measuring progress and the results of implementation, the state overall and each local area will be able to collect data that can move our work along an evidence continuum. When we refer to an `evidence -based' program or strategy, it is helpful to have a shared definition. Evidence of effectiveness exists on a spectrum, including: a. Strong evidence: meaning at least two evaluation reports have demonstrated that an intervention or strategy has been tested nationally, regionally, at the state- level, or with different populations or locations in the same local area using a well -designed and well -implemented experimental design evaluation (i.e., Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)) or a quasi -experimental design 99 evaluation (QED) with statistically matched comparison (i.e., counterfactual) and treatment groups. See CLEAR.dol._gov for full definitions of strong or moderate study design. The overall pattern of evaluation findings must be consistently positive on one or more key workforce outcomes. The evaluations should be conducted by an independent entity external to the organization implementing the intervention. b. Moderate evidence: meaning at least one evaluation report has demonstrated that an intervention or strategy has been tested using a well -designed and well -implemented experimental or quasi -experimental design showing evidence of effectiveness on one or more key workforce outcomes. The evaluations should be conducted by an independent entity external to the organization implementing the intervention. c. Preliminary evidence: meaning at least one evaluation report has demonstrated that an intervention or strategy has been tested using a well - designed and well -implemented pre/post-assessment without a comparison group or a post -assessment comparison between intervention and comparison groups showing evidence of effectiveness on one or more key workforce outcomes. The evaluation may be conducted either internally or externally. d. Pre -preliminary evidence: meaning there is program performance data for the intervention showing improvements for one or more key workforce outputs or outcomes. For interventions at each tier of evidence, it is important to leverage administrative data analysis or increasingly rigorous evaluation to build new evidence, improve programs and participant outcomes, and progress to the next tier. 100 Please describe which level of evidence applies to the overall approach of your local area in implementing programs. If any specific programs have a higher use of evidence than your programs overall, please highlight those programs. Additionally, would your local area be interested in receiving technical assistance on the application of evidence -based practices to workforce development? The Weld County Workforce Development Board (WCWDB) has historically utilized pre - preliminary evidence in the form of a quarterly dashboard to review the performance of Employment Services of Weld County (ESWC), the One -Stop Operator. The dashboard captures Weld County's Unemployment Rate for the last six (6) months (not seasonally adjusted) as well as one (1) year from the quarter. The County rate is then compared to that of the State of Colorado. Goals and actuals for program expenditures, program enrollments, Work -Based Learning placements, targeted population outcomes, job postings, total employers served, and customized recruitment events, are also tracked. Core Indicators of Performance are also monitored to ensure all Federal goals are met or exceeded. Through participation in the Colorado Workforce Intelligence Data Expert (WIDE) Workgroup and the Statewide Evaluation Initiative with Northern Illinois University (NIU), ESWC conducted a quantitative and qualitative analysis. The data included demographics, pre -enrollment characteristics, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) participant barriers, services participants received, service providers, and outcome. Additionally, ESWC's data expert held staff focus groups, conducted one -on - ones, and utilized customer satisfaction surveys to complete the reports. This preliminary to moderate evidence demonstrated that ESWC is using well -designed and well -implemented strategies. Public Comment Describe the process used by the local board, consistent with subsection (d), to provide an opportunity for public comment, including comment by representatives of businesses and comment by representatives of labor 101 organizations, and input into the development of the local plan, prior to submission of the plan. An opportunity for public comment is provided to representatives of businesses, labor organizations, community -based organizations, and citizens, through a 30 -day public comment period. This notification is published in the local newspaper, The Greeley Tribune, and on the Colorado Workforce Development Council's website (the newspaper publisher's affidavit is available upon request). Both notifications direct readers to the Weld County Workforce Development Board (WCWDB) web page to view and download the combined draft plan. Opportunities for input during the public comment period include submitting comments to the Workforce Deputy Director via email and through discussion at the March and May WCWDB meetings. After the 30 -day deadline for commentary, responses received are taken into consideration and, if significant changes need to be made, the WCWDB Executive Committee convenes. The public comment period for the combined PY24 — 27 Upstate Regional/Weld County Local Plan began on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, and was available for comment through Friday, May 3, 2024, at 11:59 pm. The Workforce Deputy Director did not receive any public comments. Internal recommendations were made to incorporate an Introduction and to update and include the PY20 — 24 Regional/Local Plan Appendix A. These significant changes were approved by the WCWDB Executive Committee. The final plan was approved for submission during the May 14, 2024, WCWDB meeting. 102 Appendix A 1979 — Employment Services of Weld County (ESWC) An employment and training system responsive to the citizens of the county, building partnerships and utilizing a one -stop location for major employment and training program, job seekers and employers through a single delivery system operated under local control of the Board of Weld County Commissioners (BOCC) and the Weld County Private Industry Council (PIC). • Partners: Weld County Department of Social Services, Colorado Department of Labor • Funding: Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA), Wagner- Peyser/Job Service, Employment Opportunities Pilot Project 103 1979 — Weld County Private Industry Council (PIC) Established before it was a requirement under the Job Training Partnership Act of 1982 (JTPA), the PIC provided service delivery guidance to ESWC. • Partners: Local Elected Officials, local employers, Adult Education, additional community partners • Funding: CETA 1997 — One Stop Center Design Weld County provided significant input and structure to Colorado House Bill (HB) 97- 1281, "an Act Concerning the Establishment of a Statewide Network of OneStop Career Centers to Consolidate Work Force Development Programs". • Partners: BOCC, PIC, Colorado Workforce Coordinating Council, Governor's Job Training Office, Office of Rural Job Training, Colorado Department of Labor • Funding: One Stop Career Planning 1999 — Youth Crime Prevention Initiative (YCPI)/Tony Grampsas Youth Services (TGYS) Targeted services to disenfranchised youth, specifically adjudicated youth (leading to the development of the TIGHT Youth Corps — Teamwork, Innovation, Growth, Hope, and Training). • Partners: Local communities, State historical entities, Colorado Works (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)), JTPA, Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA), Human Services Child Protection • Funding: YCPI/TGYS, JTPA/WIA, Colorado Works 2001 — After School Learning Project/Latch Key Pilot Program Developed to positively engage young adolescents in meaningful learning and service activities while their parent(s) are at work. • Partners: Local school districts, Aims Community College (Aims) • Funding: JTPA/WIA In -Kind Contributions, School to Career 104 2003 — Nuclear Radiology Technician Certification A program to meet an identified need of the community's health care workers. • Partners: Aims, North Colorado Medical Center (NCMC), Poudre Valley Hospital, Weld County Workforce Investment Board (WIB) • Funding: WIA, competitive grant from the Colorado Workforce Development Council (CWDC) 2003 — Gee Whiz Health Camp Provided youth exposure to health careers and the types and variety of occupations involved • Partners: Aims, NCMC, the University of Northern Colorado, Bonell Good Samaritan Center, Medline, Greeley Fire • Funding: WIA, Colorado Works • Honors: Colorado Department of Labor Promising Practice Award (2006) and National Recognition 2004 — TIGHT Youth Corps A program engaging adjudicated at -risk youth in valuable service projects that benefit the community; educational components designed to improve the members' functioning levels in reading and math and prepare them to re-enter school or obtain their GED; and life skill development activities to prepare them for life after their Corps experience. • Partners: Weld County Social Services, Island Grove Regional Treatment Center, North Range Behavioral Health (NRBH), Weld County Health Department, 19th Judicial District Probation Department • Funding: WIA In -Kind Contributions (later supported by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)), Colorado Works, Weld County CORE Services • Honor: Colorado Department of Labor Promising Practice Award (2007) 2004 — Expansion of Certified Nursing Assistance (CNA) Programs 105 Aimed to increase the capacity to train entry level workers to meet identified needs/shortages and provide for opportunities for career advancement, which resulted in the expansion of available courses and eventually in the development and construction of the Allied Health Sciences building at Aims Community College. • Partners: Aims, Colorado Works • Funding: Colorado Works 2006 — Pillars for Successful Independence (PSI) Engaged 14 -15 -year -olds in kinship or foster care in four skill building areas: Life Skills, Social Skills, Education, and Employment to prepare them for independence or emancipation and prepare eligible youth for Chafee services. • Partners: Weld Social Services • Funding: Colorado Works • Honor: Colorado Department of Labor Promising Practice Award (2009) 2006 — Multi -Disciplinary Youth Assessment Team Designed to provide a continuum of collaborative services for Weld County at -risk youth through a pro -active approach. Partners: Weld Social Services, Island Grove Regional Treatment Center; NRBH, Weld County Health Department, Greeley -Evans School District 6, St. Vrain School District (SWSD), Centennial Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES), 19th Judicial District Probation Department, Life Bridge Funding: Colorado Works, Weld County CORE Services, WIA Youth In -Kind Contributions Honor: Colorado Department of Labor Promising Practice Award (2006) 2007 — Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) Focused services and developed training specific to the needs of employers in the energy and sustainable energy sectors. Eventually led to the development of a prep academy and four (4) distinct credentials and an Associate degree in industrial manufacturing 106 • Partners: Aims, Greeley -Evans School District 6, Weld RE -8 School District, Boulder and Adams County Workforce Regions, Brighton United Power, Energy Logic, Xcel Energy, Workforce Board of Metro Denver • Funding: WIRED Collaborative National Grant 2007 — Colorado Works Summer Youth Employment Designed to benefit Colorado Works (TANF) low-income families by having their children in a positive summer program while the parent(s) are in a Colorado Works work activity or beginning unsubsidized employment. • Partners: Weld Social Services, multiple local area community work sites • Funding: Colorado Works • Honors: Colorado Department of Labor Promising Practice Award (2007) 2009 — HIRE Colorado Supported the creation of new jobs and provided paid work experiences for economically disadvantaged job seekers (Colorado Works and Unemployment Insurance recipients). • Partners: Colorado Department of Labor, Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS), multiple local agencies and community employers • Funding: Colorado Works, WIA 2011 — H-1 B Focused services and training towards incumbent workers in the manufacturing and advanced manufacturing industry sectors. • Partners: Upstate Colorado Economic Development, Brighton Economic Development, multiple employers • Funding: H-1 B 2011 — Sustainable Manufacturing Sector Initiative 107 Focused services and training towards manufacturing/advanced manufacturing industry sector's needs. Upstate Colorado and Brighton Economic Development were co - conveners for this initiative. • Partners: Upstate Colorado, Brighton Economic Development, manufacturing sector employers, Aims, Front Range Community College (FRCC), Manufacturer's Edge (CAMT), Adams County Workforce Region • Funding: State Funding for Sector Initiatives 2014 — Federal Disaster National Emergency Grant (NEG) In response to the September 2013 flood, ESWC provided temporary subsidized job placements for the cleanup, demolition, repair, renovation, and reconstruction of destroyed public structures, facilities, and lands within Federal Emergency Management Agency designated disaster areas. Partners: City of Evans, City of Greeley, Town of Johnstown, Town of Milliken, Town of Kersey, United Way of Weld County (UWWC), Catholic Charities, City of Evans Community Outreach Center, Weld County Youth Conservation Corps (WCYCC), Greeley -Evans School District 6, Weld Food Bank Funding: Federal National Emergency Grant (Disaster Relief) 2014 — Northeastern Colorado Collaborative of Counties Provided job skills training, case management services, English as a Second Language (ESL) and other hard and soft skills training to the residents of counties in Northeastern Colorado region. • Partners: County Departments of Human Services in Cheyenne, Kit Carson, Logan, Morgan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington, Weld, and Yuma • Funding: Colorado Works, Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) 2015 - Sector Partnership National Emergency Grant (SP-NEG) Supported two (2) of our identified in -demand industries (Manufacturing and Transportation). Served employers by developing a strong qualified workforce in these industries. Employers also had an opportunity to voice their needs and concerns by 108 participating on a SP-NEG Leadership Team. The team worked towards facilitating regional discussions with employers, workforce, and public partners. • Partners: City of Evans, City of Greeley, Town of Johnstown, Town of Milliken, UWWC • Funding: Federal National Emergency Grant 2015 — Achieving Community Excellence (ACE) Provided paid summer internships for youth. ESWC services include resume preparation, interview skills, access to the Work Readiness Credential (WRC) and additional employment related services. • Partners: City of Greeley, Greeley -Evans School District 6 • Funding: State Farm, host businesses 2016 — Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) Orients Unemployment Insurance (UI) recipients to workforce services, quickly reemploying these participants through early intervention strategies, reducing the average duration that participants collect UI benefits. • Partners: Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) Division of Unemployment Insurance • Funding: United States Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration 2016 — Regional Advisory Discussion (RAD) Initiated and co -hosted by ESWC, RAD brings together employers, workforce, educators, and public partners in one moderated discussion about the skills gaps which employers face. The RAD is a 'highest and best use' approach to the time of employers addressing common issues in one collaborative meeting. • Partners: NoCo Manufacturing Sector Partnership, multiple manufacturing employers, Aims, FRCC, Larimer/Boulder/Weld County Schools, ESWC and Larimer County Economic and Workforce Development (LCEWD) • Funding: NoCo Manufacturing Sector Partnership, SP-NEG 109 2017 - Sterile Processing Technician Certification Program Providing the skills and certification required for Sterile Processing Technicians to clean, process, and sterilize surgical instrumentation and obtain a working knowledge of surgical instrumentation, infectious processes, and sterilization techniques. • Partners: Aims Community College Surgical Advisory Committee, Banner Health, Weld County • Funding: WIOA, Colorado Works, or Employment First (pending participant eligibility) 2017 — Weld Works 4 Youth Employment Program Empowering qualified youth with a paid summer job through a 2Gen approach, this program helps them build employment skills while strengthening their families financially. • Partners: Weld County Department of Human Services (WCDHS) • Funding: Colorado Works 2018 — Pillars for Successful Independence Reintegration Engages Foster/Kinship Youth between the ages of 13.5 and 15 -year -olds to enhance four (4) skill building areas: Life Skills, Social Skills, Education, and Employment to prepare them for independence or emancipation. This approach allows Chafee to build upon a solid foundation of skills to better prepare Foster/Kinship Youth for adulthood. • Partners: WCDHS Division of Child Welfare • Funding: Colorado Works 2018 — Subsidized Training and Employment Program (STEP) Provides work -based learning (WBL) opportunities for Colorado Works (TANF) recipients. Employers provide opportunities to build experience, expand employment skills and may hire participants into permanent employment. • Partners: Colorado Works, CDHS, CDLE • Funding: Colorado Works 110 2018 — Realizing Economic Advancement through Caring Homes (REACH) Provides training, technical assistance, quality improvement, reimbursement and ongoing support for Child Care Providers in Weld County. The program includes the recruitment of new providers to address the Child Care Desert and increase opportunities for employment in the county. • Partners: UVWVC, NRBH, Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment • Funding: Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP) 2019 — Weld and Larimer Regional Workforce Development Board Meeting Proactively collaborating to address workforce issues impacting both counties, such as the skills gap and talent shortage. • Funding: Contributions from ESWC and LCEWD 2019 — Resources for Independence, Success, and Employment (RISE) In response to Colorado HB18-1319 this program was developed to provide young adults 18 through 21 years -old, formally in foster care, to work one-on-one with a youth programs case manager to establish goals and work towards successful independent living. • Partners: WCDHS • Funding: WIOA Youth (pending eligibility) 2019 — Chafee Foster Care Independence Program (CFCIP) Expanding its reach to serve young adults who are in foster care placement or after care, the program was transitioned from Child Welfare to ESWC. The program provides independent living skills through fun and engaging workshops, socialization activities and one-on-one meetings under the direction of a Life Skills Navigator. In addition, young adults identify and pursue personal and independent living goals. • Partners: WCDHS Division of Child Welfare • Funding: Chafee, Weld County CORE Services, CSBG 111 2019 — Northern Colorado Regional Economic Development Initiative (NoCo REDI) Through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the Board of County Commissioners from Weld and Larimer Counties formally recognized NoCo REDI as a partnership. Industry outreach efforts focus on the collective strength and shared industry clusters of Northern Colorado and are coordinated amongst partners. Promoting Northern Colorado as a desirable region for new and expanding firms and their necessary workforce, telling a more compelling story to yield better outcomes for companies. • Partners: Upstate Colorado, ESWC, LCEWD, economic development entities located in both counties • Funding: In -Kind Contributions from all participating entities 2019 — Child Care Eligibility Child Care Eligibility administration moved under ESWC to complete the alignment of all CCCAP programs. Investing in childcare solutions through Workforce is strengthening Weld County's economic self-sufficiency, enabling parents to gain meaningful employment. • Funding: CCCAP 2019 — Weld Project Salute Expands services to eligible Veterans, and their families, to address specific needs such as transportation, housing, food, personal care items and mental health needs. • Partners: Northern Colorado Veterans Resource Center • Funding: Colorado HB18-1343 Veteran's Service -to -Career Program (VSCP) 2020 — COResponds Provided disaster -relief and humanitarian assistance employment for individuals whose jobs were impacted by the Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19). • Partners: Jefferson County • Funding: Federal National Emergency Grant (Recovery) 112 2020 — RecoverCO Provided career services to Dislocated Workers including work -based learning, training, supportive services and needs related payments. • Partners: Jefferson County • Funding: Federal National Emergency Grant (Recovery) 2020 — Weld CARES 4 Youth Workers Program Comparable to Weld Works 4 Youth, the Weld CARES 4 Youth Workers program was created in response to COVID-19 to place youth affected by the pandemic into work experiences. • Partners: WCDHS • Funding: Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act 2021 — Technology Employment in Colorado Partnership 2.0 (TEC-P 2.0) Assists individuals to prepare for the workforce for middle -to high -skilled occupations within key sectors including Information Technology, Manufacturing, and Transportation. • Partners: Denver Economic Development and Opportunity • Funding: H-1 B One Workforce Grant 2021 — Improved Payments and Child Success (IMPACS) Program This pilot program assisted eligible parents paying child support, and their families, to overcome and minimize barriers to employment through supportive services and individualized case management. After the pilot, this became an internal initiative with Child Support (Partnerships for Employment). • Partners: WCDHS Division of Child Support Services, Colorado Works, Center for Policy Research • Funding: Colorado Works (later utilizing In -Kind Contributions) 2021 — Migrant Services Expansion to Larimer County 113 An agreement to complete Foreign Labor Certification (FLC) services (and when possible, assist Migrant Seasonal Farmworkers (MSFWs)), on behalf of Larimer County Economic and Workforce Development. • Partners: LCEWD • Funding: United States Department of Labor State Unemployment Insurance and Employment Service Operations (SUIESO), National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP), Wagner-Peyser 2021 — Workforce Innovation Sub -awarded to build in -demand skills, connect workers and learners to quality jobs, and drive employer engagement in talent development. Partners: Colorado BioScience Institute and St. Vrain Valley School District, Immigrant and Refugee Center of Northern Colorado, Northern Colorado Veterans Resource Center Funding: Colorado HB21-1264 (American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA)) 2021 — Reskill, Upskill, Next -Skill (RUN) Program An opportunity to train unemployed and underemployed Coloradans during a time of substantial unemployment (COVID-19 Pandemic) so individuals may obtain the skills required to become gainfully employed. • Partners: CWDC • Funding: Colorado HB21-1264 (ARPA) 2021 — Better Together Created to build on ESWC's programs by gaining a stronger perspective from both employers and young people looking for work. Round table discussions are comprised of youth representatives and employers where they can share their perspective around barriers for employment and workforce opportunities. • Partners: WCWDB Youth Committee • Funding: WIOA Youth In -Kind Contributions 114 2022 — Peace Officer Academy Initiative Addressing Colorado's police shortages as officers are regularly departing due to alternative employment opportunities, law enforcement legislation, and retirement. • Partners: Aims • Funding: WIOA and Colorado HB21-1264 Reskill, Upskill, Next -Skill 2022 — Innovation, Diversity, and Equity in Apprenticeship (IDEA) program Apprenticeship system expansion to support the development, modernization, and diversification of Registered Apprenticeship programs (RAPs), particularly as a support for state reemployment and recovery efforts. • Partners: Arapahoe/Douglas Works! Workforce Center • Funding: State Apprenticeship Expansion, Equity, and Innovation Grant 2022 — Career Coaching Navigator Provides high quality coaching services, engaging in coaching that is culturally relevant and effectively serves the needs of Coloradans, especially underserved target populations such as New Americans, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), individuals without college degrees or with some college and no degree (comebackers), the formerly incarcerated, those displaced from work by COVID-19, and individuals who are age 55+ and older who are looking for career guidance. • Partners: CDLE, CWDC • Funding: Colorado HB21-1264 (ARPA) 2022 - WIOA Evaluation Conducting evaluations to "promote, establish, implement, and utilize methods for continuously improving core program activities in order to achieve high-level performance within, and high-level outcomes from, the workforce development system." • Partners: Northern Illinois University • Funding: Dislocated Worker 10% 2022 — Northern Colorado Regional Workforce Development Partnership (MOU) 115 The Board of County Commissioners of Weld and Larimer formally acknowledged the significant benefits from collaboration on workforce development activities. When services are aligned and marketed jointly, a stronger case is made to businesses and talent to stay and grow in Northern Colorado (NoCo). • Funding: In -Kind Contributions from each entity 2022 — Disability Program Navigator Serves as a disability subject matter expert (SME) and possess the skill sets needed to help individuals with disabilities navigate the various federal programs and access all disability -related and workforce services to gain meaningful employment. • Partners: CDLE Division of Employment and Training's Workforce Development Programs, CDLE Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) • Funding: United States Department of Education, Weld County In -Kind match 2023 - NoCo Works Stemming from the Northern Colorado Regional Workforce Development Partnership, NoCo Works' mission is to create an effective, efficient, and aligned talent and workforce ecosystem for NoCo that can show measurable results. This regional coalition fosters an inclusive and economically healthy community. Partners: City of Fort Collins/Greeley/Loveland, Fort Collins/Greeley/Loveland Chambers of Commerce, Larimer/Weld Counties, Larimer/Weld County Workforce Development Boards, Sector Partnerships — Northern Colorado Construction/Health Sector/Hospitality/Non-Profit/Manufacturing, Colorado State University (CSU), the University of Northern Colorado (UNC), Aims, FRCC, Poudre/Weld RE-4/Weld RE -3J School Districts, Community Foundation of Northern Colorado, The Weld Trust, United Way of Larimer/Weld Counties. Funding: Cash and/or In -Kind Contributions from all participating entities 2023 — Weld County Veterans Service Office Relocated to Employment Services of Weld County (ESWC), Veterans and their families are not only assisted with the process of applying for benefits related to service - 116 connected and non -service -connected disabilities but have direct access to the array of services offered at ESWC and the Department of Human Services campus. • Funding: Department of Veterans Affairs, ESWC In -Kind Contributions 117 L� Colorado Workforce Development Council APPROVAL LOCAL AND REGIONAL AREA PLAN June 28, 2024 Bill Johnson, Chair Weld County Workforce Board Local and Regional Workforce Area WIOA PY24-27 Plan - CWDC Decision Dear Mr. Johnson: Jonathan Liebert, Chair Lee Wheeler -Berliner, Managing Director The Colorado Workforce Development Council (CWDC) has the responsibility of reviewing and approving or disapproving the four-year plans required under WIOA for each local workforce area. The approval is determined in consultation with the Colorado Department of Labor & Employment (CDLE). The local plans were reviewed by the CDLE Regional Services Team, in consultation with CDLE Fiscal Auditors, the Human Resources Equal Opportunity Officer, and the Workforce Development Programs Contract Coordinator. Their recommendations were presented to the Colorado Workforce Development Council for review and approval. The Colorado Workforce Development Council approves the Weld County Local Area Plan, and the Weld Planning Region Plan. Please contact the Colorado Workforce Development Council Office with any questions. Sincerely, Lee Wheeler -Berliner Managing Director CC: Karina Amaya Ragland Jesus Borrego Appointed by the Governor -- Led by Business -- Strengthening the Colorado Talent Development Network coworkforcecouncil.com I cwdc@state.co.us I @the_cwdc 633 17th Street, Suite 700, Denver, CO 80202 Attachment 1— PY24-27 FOUR-YEAR REGIONAL/LOCAL PLAN NARRATIVE UPDATE Signature Page The undersigned below certify that all Plan modifications are accurately presented here to the best of their knowledge. This signature page shall become an Exhibit to the Master Agreement for Workforce Development Programs, indicating submission and approval. Signature: Planning Region: Weld County Elected Official e�— Date: al /ni 02 -0014 -- Printed Name: KEVIN D ROSS, CHAIR Elected Offici l for: BOARD OF WELD COUNTY COM ATTEST: By: etredsda4A) XS:A erk to the Board Deputy Q- rk to he Boa Local Workforce Development Chair Signature:_ 7) Date: 8/2/202, Printed Name: Matthew Hortt Ph. Local Area Director Land Signature: i arm a/ Date: 08 / 07/ 2024 Printed Name: Karina ^A,maya-Rag-and 2oz+42, 171 Contract Form Entity Information Entity Name* COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF LABOR & EMPLOYMENT Entity ID* @00010497 Contract Name* COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF LABOR & EMPLOYMENT LOCAL AND REGIONAL AREA PLAN PY24-27 Contract Status CTB REVIEW O New Entity? Contract ID 8616 Contract Lead * WLUNA Contract Lead Email wluna@weld.gov;cobbxxl k@weld.gov Parent Contract ID Requires Board Approval YES Department Project # Contract Description* COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF LABOR & EMPLOYMENT, EMPLOYMENT SERVICES OF WELD COUNTY UPSTATE REGIONAL/LOCAL PLAN FOR PY24-27. THIS IS A THREE YEAR PLAN. THIS WILL BE A WET SIGNATURE. Contract Description 2 PA ROUTING WITH THIS CMS/ONBASE ENTRY. Contract Type* RENEWAL Amount* $0.00 Renewable* YES Automatic Renewal Grant IGA Department HUMAN SERVICES Department Email CM- HumanServices@weldgov. com Department Head Email CM-HumanServices- DeptHead@weldgov.com County Attorney GENERAL COUNTY ATTORNEY EMAIL County Attorney Email CM- COUNTYATTORNEY@WEL D.GOV Requested BOCC Agenda Date * 08/14/2024 Due Date 08/10/2024 Will a work session with BOCC be required?* NO Does Contract require Purchasing Dept. to be included? If this is a renewal enter previous Contract ID If this is part of a MSA enter MSA Contract ID Note: the Previous Contract Number and Master Services Agreement Number should be left blank if those contracts are not in OnBase Contract Dates Effective Date Termination Notice Period Contact Information Contact Info Review Date" 04/01/2025 Renewal Date" 07/01/2025 Committed Delivery Date Expiration Date Contact Name Contact Type Contact Email Contact Phone 1 Contact Phone 2 Purchasing Purchasing Approver Purchasing Approved Date Approval Process Department Head JAMIE ULRICH DH Approved Date 08/12/2024 Final Approval BOCC Approved BOCC Signed Date BOCC Agenda Date 08/14/2024 Finance Approver CHERYL PATTELLI Legal Counsel BYRON HOWELL Finance Approved Date Legal Counsel Approved Date 08/12/2024 08/12/2024 Tyler Ref # AG 081424 Originator WLUNA Houstan Aragon From: Sent: To: Subject: noreply@weldgov.com Thursday, April 3, 2025 12:51 PM CM-ClerktoBoard; Windy Luna; Lesley Cobb; CM-HumanServices-DeptHead Fast Tracked Contract ID (9288) Contract # 9288 has been Fast Tracked to CM -Contract Maintenance. You will be notified in the future based on the Contract information below: Entity Name: COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF LABOR & EMPLOYMENT Contract Name: COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF LABOR & EMPLOYMENT LOCAL AND REGIONAL AREA PLAN PY24-27 Contract Amount: $0.00 Contract ID: 9288 Contract Lead: WLUNA Department: HUMAN SERVICES Review Date: 4/30/2027 Renewable Contract: NO Renew Date: Expiration Date:6/30/2027 Tyler Ref #: Thank -you Cor-Avack 1DiV- gzg6 'Facs\-- 'R2vve weCk Zoz4-21 1�YY�� Houstan Aragon From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Attachments: Sara Adams Thursday, April 3, 2025 11:26 AM CTB HS -Contract Management FAST TRACK - PY24-27 WIOA Regional -Local Area Plan (CMS# 9288) _Upstate Regional Local Plan (e).pdf Good morning CTB, FAST TRACK ITEM: Attached please find the PY24-27 WIOA Regional -Local Area Plan (Tyler ID# 2024-2164). The term of this plan is 3 years. This will be a Fast Track item in CMS for tracking purposes only (CMS#9288). Thank you, Sara ANstiutP Sara Adams Contract Administrative Coordinator Department of Human Services Desk: 970-400-6603 P.O. Box A, 315 N. 11th Ave., Greeley, CO 80632 00000 Join Ow Team Important: This electronic transmission and any attached documents or other writings are intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged, confidential or otherwise protected from disclosure. If you have received this communication in error, please immediately notify sender by return e-mail and destroy the communication. Any disclosure, copying, distribution or the taking of any action concerning the contents of this communication or any attachments by anyone other than the named recipient is strictly prohibited. Hello