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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 Diploma | Allowable |
| Copy of diploma or transcript showing graduation |
2. Attain GED/HSED | Allowable |
| Copy of GED/HSED or transcript showing graduation |
3. Pass a Component of the GED Test | Allowable |
| Copy of official document showing passing score |
4. Achieve a "Likely to Pass" Score on a GED Practice Test | Allowable |
| Copy of practice test results |
5. Achieve Basic Skills Improvement | Allowable 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. |
| Copies of pre- and post-tests |
6. Return to Secondary School | Allowable for out-of-school youth within compulsory attendance age. Not allowable for in-school youth. |
| Copy of official document from the secondary school showing the participant is enrolled in and attending school |
7. Secondary School Attendance | Allowable 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. |
| Copy of report card or other official document from the secondary school showing participant's school attendance |
8. Achieve Post-Secondary Certificate or Degree | Allowable |
| Copy of diploma/certificate or transcript |
9. Application to Post-Secondary School | Allowable. Post-secondary training or education does not have to be started or completed, but must be planned. |
| 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. |
| Copy of notification of receipt or submission |
11. Enrollment in Post-Secondary School | Allowable. Post-secondary training or education does not have to be started or completed, but must be planned. |
| Copy of course schedule |
12. Post-Secondary Semester Completion | Allowable. Local WDBs may set minimum conditions for incentive, such as credits earned, GPA, etc. |
| Copy of transcript |
13. Completing a Résumé | Allowable |
| Copy of completed résumé or ASSET WIOA Title III proof of completion |
14. Completing a Job Application | Allowable |
| Copy of notification from employer of application receipt or ASSET WIOA Title III proof of completion |
15. Completing an Informational Interview | Allowable |
| Copy of documentation from employer or company confirming interview completion |
16. Completing Job Shadow | Allowable |
| Copy of letter on company letterhead regarding the participant's completion of a job shadow activity. |
17. Completing an aptitude and/or career interest assessment | Allowable |
| Copy of completed assessment |
18. Obtaining Unsubsidized Employment | Allowable | 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 Employment | Allowable | Any service that leads to the participant retaining unsubsidized employment during the period of participation | Pay stub(s) |
20. Developing a Resource Plan for Addressing Barriers | Allowable 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 Committee | Allowable 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 Hours | Allowable. Local WDBs may specify that community service cannot be court ordered or required by school. |
| Copy of letter on company letterhead that confirms the participant's completion of a community service/volunteer activity |
23. Entrepreneurial Training or Planning | Allowable if business ownership is a goal identified on the participant's ISS |
| Completed business plan or similar achievement produced during entrepreneurial training. |
24. Basic Certifications | Allowable 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 higher | Allowable if tied to work experience | Any work experience | Copy of NCRC certificate or ASSET WIOA Title III proof of completion |
26. Study Skills Improvement | Allowable if tied to an education or training service |
| Pre- and post-tests showing improved study skills or other documentation showing measurable improvement |
27. Apprenticeship Achievements | Allowable for attaining an apprenticeship, or milestones such as completing a year or the entire 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:
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.