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MADISON – Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Secretary Roberta Gassman announced today the agencies that have been selected by DWD to administer Wisconsin Works (W-2) and related Programs from January 1, 2004 through December 31, 2005 as a result of a competitive bidding process.
A total of 38 of the current 69 W-2 geographic regions were open for competition. The administration of the W-2 contracts was up for competitive bid in each of the 38 regions because the current agency did not earn Right of First Selection (first right to the contract if the agency's 2003-2003 performance met the department’s standards).
"We encouraged W-2 consortia this year and are pleased with the response. We appreciate that the areas have met the challenges of this tough fiscal time by working collaboratively to reduce administrative costs," said Secretary Gassman.
Consortia allow W-2 participants to easily transfer between regions. In areas where a consortium is established, an agency will not have to go through all the steps of a formal transfer. This ability will ensure uninterrupted services for the participants. In the past, especially in Milwaukee, a move across the street could result in disruption of services because the participants might have moved into a new region, activating the transfer process.
"I have every confidence that the agencies selected will meet the expectations the department has for the administration of the W-2 program," said Secretary Gassman. "In the case of Milwaukee County, the department’s highest priority is to become more participant-friendly and we are taking a step in that direction by ensuring that transfers between regions are not needed when the services are being delivered by the same provider," Gassman added. "This process is all about finding agencies that can provide quality customer service, and it only makes good common sense to encourage partnerships across boundaries whenever possible."
OIC (Opportunities Industrialization Center) was given a letter of intent to contract for Regions 1,3 and 4. All are located in the central and north central portion of Milwaukee County. OIC is currently, either through direct contract or with subcontracts, involved in multiple Milwaukee W-2 regions. This will be the largest consortium in the state.
UMOS (United Migrant Opportunity Services) was given a letter of intent to contract for their original Region 2 on the south east side of Milwaukee County. UMOS has operated Region 2 since the beginning of W-2.
Maximus was given a letter of intent to contract for Regions 5 and 6 on the western side of Milwaukee County. Maximus has operated Region 6 since the beginning of W-2.
Attachment 1
Agencies selected through the competitive process:
Kenosha County for Kenosha County
Racine County for Racine County
Maximus for Milwaukee County Regions 5 and 6
Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC) for Milwaukee County Regions 1, 3 and 4
United Migrant Opportunity Services, Inc. (UMOS) Milwaukee County Region 2
Washington-Ozaukee-Waukesha Workforce Development Board for Ozaukee and Washington counties
Calumet County for Calumet County
Forward Service Corporation for Marinette, Menominee, Adams, Lincoln, Portage and Wood Counties
Sheboygan County for Manitowoc and Sheboygan Counties
Marathon County Employment and Training for Marathon County
Ashland County for Ashland
Iron County for Iron County
Taylor County for Taylor County
Sawyer County for Sawyer and Washburn Counties
Workforce Connections, Inc. for Pierce, St. Croix, Buffalo and Trempeleau Counties
Dunn County for Dunn County
Chippewa County for Chippewa County
Clark County for Clark County
Polk County for Polk County
Dane County for Dane, Dodge, Marquette and Sauk Counties
Rock County for Rock County
Attachment 2
31 W-2 Agencies with Right of First Selection:
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