This guidance letter provides the procedures states should follow to apply for WIA Section 503 Incentive Grants and reminds states of the authorized use of these grant funds.

The purpose of this notice is to inform state and local workforce system leaders and other stakeholders comprising the nation's employment and training system and One Stop Centers of the Employment and Training Administration's (ETA) plans to issue operating guidance on the implementation of WIOA and to continue to provide technical assistance.

To announce the availability of up to $150 million for Sector Partnership National Emergency Grants (SP NEGs).

To announce the release and availability of the Comparison of State Unemployment Insurance Laws 2015.

To inform states of the guidelines for the negotiations process of WIA Title IB program performance and performance levels for Wagner-Peyser Act funded activities for PY 2015. Once performance goals are agreed upon by the state and the Employment and Training Administration (ETA), they will be incorporated into the state's Strategic Plan. ETA intends to extend current PY 2014 goals into PY 2015; this guidance is provided for any state that decides to negotiate revised goals for PY 2015.

To provide States and outlying areas with WIOA Title I Adult, Dislocated Worker and Youth Activities program allotments for PY 2015; final allotments for PY 2015 for the Wagner-Peyser ES Program, as required by section 6(b)(5) of the Wagner-Peyser Act, as amended; and the Workforce Information Grants to States allotments for PY 2015.

To inform the State Workforce Agencies of the extension of the approval period for the AOPs, the designation of MSFW states, and the PY 2014 designation of Significant MSFW and Bilingual Local Offices through June 30, 2016. This means that current AOPs, designated MSFW states, and Significant MSFW and Bilingual Local Offices will remain the same through June 30, 2016. States do not need to submit updated AOPs.

To inform the State Workforce Agencies (SWAs) of the retroactive legislative reauthorization of the WOTC program for all WOTC current target groups and the Empowerment Zones (EZs) that had previously expired on December 31, 2013. Also, to provide guidance to SWAs, participating agencies and other Federal and State partners for processing WOTC certification applications filed by employers and their representatives during the authorization lapse of 2015 and beyond.

To announce the publication of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act; Joint Rule for Unified and Combined State Plans, Performance Accountability, and the One-Stop System Joint Provisions; Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (joint NPRM with the Departments of Education and Labor) and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act; Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Labor only) in the Federal Register on April 16, 2015.

This guidance clarifies the governance-related activities that States must complete by July 1, 2015, which is the beginning of Program Year 2015, in order to ensure an orderly transition to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Additionally, this guidance summarizes other governance-related activities that the Department encourages States to complete as soon as possible, but are not required by July 1, 2015.