1.5 WIOA Regional and Local Plans

1.5.2 Local Planning

Effective date: July 1, 2020

Each local WDB, in partnership with its CEO, must develop and submit to the DWD-DET a comprehensive four-year Local Plan that must support the strategy described in the State Plan, and otherwise be consistent with the State Plan.¹ This Local Plan is an opportunity for local WDBs to identify current and future strategies and efficiencies to address the continuing modernization of the workforce system and creation of a customer-centered system where the needs of workers and businesses drive workforce solutions, where One-Stop Job Centers provide excellent customer service to all job seekers and businesses, and where the workforce system supports strong regional economies as well as alignment with updated state and local priorities. Local Plans should be based on current and projected needs of the workforce investment system, as a whole. The needs of job seekers, incumbent workers, youth, and businesses should be considered in every step of the planning process. The WDB must maintain a "big picture" view of the system-wide needs of the local Workforce Development Area (WDA) and its relationship to the state vision, rather than focusing on programmatic and operational details. To that end, the Local Plan must be developed with input from local workforce development system stakeholders.² An atmosphere of collaboration and partnership and an emphasis on enhancing the entire system rather than categorical programs, is to be the outcome of this planning process.

At the commencement of each four-year local planning cycle and two-year modification cycle, DWD-DET will issue specific guidance detailing Local Plan requirements, submission deadlines, and other pertinent information.

• ¹ WIOA Sec. 108(a)
• ² WIOA Sec. 106(c)(3)

1.5.3 Plan Modifications

Effective date: July 1, 2020

At the end of year two of the four-year planning period, each WDB, in partnership with its CEO, must review the Regional Plan and/or Local Plan to determine if a modification is necessary.¹ If there are no changes as established in the modification criteria, the planning region and/or local WDB must submit a signed attestation.

Conditions that require a modification to the regional plan include:²

1. Changes in labor market and economic information;
2. Factors affecting the implementation of the Regional Plan such as changes in funding available to support WIOA Title I and partner-provided services; and/or
3. Changes to the strategic goals.

Conditions that require a modification to the local plan include:³

1. Changes in labor market and economic information;
2. Factors affecting the implementation of the local plan such as changes in funding available to support WIOA Title I and partner-provided services, changes to the local Workforce Development Board structure, significant changes in local economic conditions, or revised strategies to meet local performance goals;
3. Changes to the local vision; and/or
4. Changes to the strategic goal.

• ¹ 20 CFR §§ 679.530 and 679.580
• ² 20 CFR § 679.530
• ³ 20 CFR § 679.580

1.5.4 Public Comment

Effective date: July 1, 2020

Consistent with WIOA's Sunshine Provision, the WDB must make copies of the Regional Plan and/or Local Plan available for public comments¹ in each county in the WDA. At minimum, the local WDB must:

• Make copies of the Regional Plan and/or Local Plan available to the public in each county in the WDA through outlets such as public hearings, local news media and local websites.
• Provide opportunity for members of the public and the WDB, including business and labor organizations, to comment on the Plan(s).
• Allow a 30-day period, prior to the submission of the Regional Plan and/or Local Plan to DWD-DET, for comment from the public.
• Make information about the Plan(s) available to the public on a regular basis through open meetings.
• Include any public comments that express disagreement with the Plan(s) and the WDB's response to those comments in the submission to DWD-DET as part of the Regional Plan and/or Local Plan. In addition, the WDB must submit a copy of the published notice.

• ¹ WIOA Sec. 107(e); 20 CFR § 679.390

1.5.5 Plan Submission and Approval

Effective date: July 1, 2020

Each local WDB and planning region must complete the following steps:

1. Develop a local and/or regional plan in accordance with the WIOA Regional and Local Plan Guidelines.
2. Publish the plan(s) for a 30-day public comment period.
3. Present the plan(s) to the board of directors and, if required by local governance documents the chief elected officials, including any public commentary received.
   
   1. Obtain approval from the board of directors and, if required, the chief elected officials, and obtain required signatures.
4. Submit the plan(s) to DWD-DET for review and approval.¹

A Regional Plan and/or Local Plan submitted to DWD-DET, including a modification to such plan, shall be considered approved upon written notice by DWD-DET at the end of the 90-day period beginning on the day DWD-DET receives the Plan(s), or modification, unless DWD-DET makes a written determination during the 90-day period that:

• There are deficiencies in the workforce investment activities that have been identified through audits, and the local area has not made acceptable progress in implementing plans to address the deficiencies;
• or
• The plan does not comply with applicable provisions of the WIOA and the WIOA Final Regulations, including the required consultations and public comment provisions, and the nondiscrimination requirements of 29 CFR Part 37;
• or
• The plan does not align with the State Plan, including with regard to the alignment of the core programs to support the strategy identified in the State Plan in accordance with WIOA Section 102(b)(1)(E) and 20 CFR § 676.105.

• ¹ WIOA Sec. 106(c)(2); WIOA Sec. 108(a)