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WIOA Title I-A & I-B Policy & Procedure Manual



Examples of Allowable Program Milestones for WIOA Youth Program Incentive Payments

Effective date: September 4, 2018

Revised: March 21, 2019

This guidance is for local WDBs that choose to use WIOA funds to offer incentive payments to youth participants. It is intended to provide examples of allowable program milestones that are used by one or more local WDBs. As outlined in Chapter 10.6 of DWD-DET's WIOA Title I-A & I-B Policy & Procedure Manual, each local WDB must establish its own policies and procedures regarding incentive payments. Local WDBs must define allowable milestones for incentives and the documentation required for each type of milestone.

Type of Milestone Notes on Conditions when Allowable Associated Service(s) Example Documentation
1. Attain High School DiplomaAllowable
  • Non WIOA Funded Secondary Education
  • Tutoring, Study Skills Training, Dropout Prevention
Copy of diploma or transcript showing graduation
2. Attain GED/HSEDAllowable
  • Alternative Secondary School or Dropout Recovery Services
  • Non WIOA Funded Secondary Education
  • Tutoring, Study Skills Training, Dropout Prevention
  • Adult Basic Education
Copy of GED/HSED or transcript showing graduation
3. Pass a Component of the GED TestAllowable
  • Alternative Secondary School or Dropout Recovery Services
  • Non WIOA Funded Secondary Education
  • Adult Basic Education
  • Tutoring, Study Skills Training, Dropout Prevention
Copy of official document showing passing score
4. Achieve a "Likely to Pass" Score on a GED Practice TestAllowable
  • Alternative Secondary School or Dropout Recovery Services
  • Non WIOA Funded Secondary Education
  • Adult Basic Education
  • Tutoring, Study Skills Training, Dropout Prevention
Copy of practice test results
5. Achieve Basic Skills ImprovementAllowable if a training service occurred. This does not require being basic skills deficient, but a local WDB could add this as a local condition. Local policy should clearly define what a "Basic Skills Improvement" means, such as increasing a set number of grade levels on a TABE test.
  • Alternative Secondary School or Dropout Recovery Services
  • Non WIOA Funded Secondary Education
  • Adult Basic Education
  • Tutoring, Study Skills Training, Dropout Prevention
  • Occupational Skill Training
Copies of pre- and post-tests
6. Return to Secondary SchoolAllowable for out-of-school youth within compulsory attendance age.

Not allowable for in-school youth.
  • Non WIOA Funded Secondary Education
Copy of official document from the secondary school showing the participant is enrolled in and attending school
7. Secondary School AttendanceAllowable if out-of-school youth within compulsory attendance age returns to school and remains. Local WDBs may set timeframe - semester, school year, etc.

Not allowable for in-school youth.
  • Non WIOA Funded Secondary Education
Copy of report card or other official document from the secondary school showing participant's school attendance
8. Achieve Post-Secondary Certificate or DegreeAllowable
  • Occupational Skill Training
  • Education Offered Concurrently with Workforce Preparation Activities
  • Non WIOA Funded Post-Secondary Education
  • Apprenticeship
Copy of diploma/certificate or transcript
9. Application to Post-Secondary SchoolAllowable. Post-secondary training or education does not have to be started or completed, but must be planned.
  • Activities Helping Youth Transition to Post-Secondary Education and Training
Copy of letter confirming application or confirming acceptance/denial of admission
10. Completion of FAFSA (Free Application for Federal
Student Aid) or other financial aid application
Allowable if post-secondary education or training is planned; education or training does not have to be started or completed.
  • Activities Helping Youth Transition to Post-Secondary Education and Training
Copy of notification of receipt or submission
11. Enrollment in Post-Secondary SchoolAllowable. Post-secondary training or education does not have to be started or completed, but must be planned.
  • Activities Helping Youth Transition to Post-Secondary Education and Training
Copy of course schedule
12. Post-Secondary Semester CompletionAllowable. Local WDBs may set minimum conditions for incentive, such as credits earned, GPA, etc.
  • Occupational Skill Training
  • Education Offered Concurrently with Workforce Preparation Activities
Copy of transcript
13. Completing a RésuméAllowable
  • Work Experience: Internship
  • Work Experience: School Year Employment
  • Work Experience: Summer Employment Opportunities
Copy of completed résumé or ASSET WIOA Title III proof of completion
14. Completing a Job ApplicationAllowable
  • Work Experience: Internship
  • Work Experience: School Year Employment
  • Work Experience: Summer Employment Opportunities
Copy of notification from employer of application receipt or ASSET WIOA Title III proof of completion
15. Completing an Informational InterviewAllowable
  • Career Awareness, Exploration, and Counseling
Copy of documentation from employer or company confirming interview completion
16. Completing Job ShadowAllowable
  • Work Experience: Job Shadowing
Copy of letter on company letterhead regarding the participant's completion of a job shadow activity.
17. Completing an aptitude and/or career interest assessmentAllowable
  • Career Awareness, Exploration, and Counseling
Copy of completed assessment
18. Obtaining Unsubsidized EmploymentAllowable Any service that leads to the participant obtaining unsubsidized employment during the period of participation Pay stub(s) or letter of hire
19. Retaining Unsubsidized EmploymentAllowableAny service that leads to the participant retaining unsubsidized employment during the period of participationPay stub(s)
20. Developing a Resource Plan for Addressing BarriersAllowable if the plan addresses barriers to training or employment, related to supportive services (e.g., childcare, transportation, etc.) Any training, education, or work experience Copy of plan
21. Leadership in a Club or CommitteeAllowable if tied to an education or training service Any training or education Letter from club faculty advisor; official club meeting minutes; club officer roster
22. Completing Community Service/Volunteer HoursAllowable. Local WDBs may specify that community service cannot be court ordered or required by school.
  • Work Experience: Internship
  • Activities Helping Youth Transition to Post-Secondary Education and Training
Copy of letter on company letterhead that confirms the participant's completion of a community service/volunteer activity
23. Entrepreneurial Training or PlanningAllowable if business ownership is a goal identified on the participant's ISS
  • Entrepreneurial Skills Training
Completed business plan or similar achievement produced during entrepreneurial training.
24. Basic CertificationsAllowable if the certification is required for a training or work experience service. This includes CPR/First Aid, OSHA 10, Job Safety Training. Any training or work experience Copy of certification with case notes/ISS explaining what requirement the certification fulfills
25. Achievement of National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) at bronze level or higherAllowable if tied to work experience Any work experience Copy of NCRC certificate or ASSET WIOA Title III proof of completion
26. Study Skills ImprovementAllowable if tied to an education or training service
  • Tutoring, Study Skills Training, Dropout Prevention
Pre- and post-tests showing improved study skills or other documentation showing measurable improvement
27. Apprenticeship AchievementsAllowable for attaining an apprenticeship, or milestones such as completing a year or the entire apprenticeship
  • Work Experience: Pre-apprenticeship Programs
  • Apprenticeship
Copy of journeyman card or other official documentation showing achievement of registered apprenticeship milestones; for Youth Apprenticeship participants, proof of registration as a Youth Apprentice or the Youth Apprenticeship completion certificate (Certificate of Occupational Proficiency)



Basic Skills Deficient (Youth Program definition)

Effective date: September 4, 2018

Youth has English reading, writing, or computing skills at or below the 8th grade level on a generally accepted standardized test OR is unable to read, write or speak English or compute/solve problems at a level that is necessary to function in a job, in their family, or in society. If applying the second standard, the local WDB must have a policy in its local plan that outlines specific criteria that career planners are to use.



Postsecondary School

Effective date: September 4, 2018

Any credit-bearing education outside of the K-12 grades and is:

  • an institution of higher education that provides not less than a 2-year program of instruction that can be used as credit toward a bachelor's degree,
    OR
  • a tribally controlled college or university,
    OR
  • a nonprofit educational institution offering a certificate,
    OR
  • a nonprofit educational institution offering a registered apprenticeship program.

These don't count as schools: adult education programs under title II of WIOA, YouthBuild programs, the Job Corps program, secondary school equivalency programs funded by a source other than the public K-12 school system, and dropout re-engagement programs.



Secondary School

Effective date: September 4, 2018

Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12. Must be a public, private, charter, or tribal school or a home-based private educational program or an alternative education program.

These don't count as schools: adult education programs under Title II of WIOA, YouthBuild programs, the Job Corps program, secondary school equivalency programs funded by a source other than the public K-12 school system, and dropout re-engagement programs.



Compulsory Attendance Age

Effective date: September 4, 2018

Under the age of 18 or turned 18 in the middle of a school term, quarter or semester, has not yet graduated secondary school, AND has not attended secondary school for the most recently completed school year quarter or longer.



Informational Interview

Effective date: September 4, 2018

DWD-DET defines "informational interview" as a meeting in which an individual gathers information about a specific job, career and/or company in which he or she interested by speaking with someone with experience in that job, career or company. During an informational interview, an individual may learn about the interviewee's real-life experience and seek advice about the training and qualifications needed for a specific job or career. It is not a job interview.