Authorities and References: Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) No. 3-98, WtW Planning Guidance and Instructions for Annual State Plans and Planning Allocations for FY 99, dated July 30, 1998. Background: TEGL 3-98 provided States with Planning Guidance and Instructions for Annual State Plans. Section 9 (Reallocation of FY 98 Funds) specified that additional FY 98 funds may be available for a second FY 99 formula allocation and provided States with guidance on how to apply for additional FY 98 funds. This TEGL change eliminates that section. Elimination of Additional FY 99 Funds Available Through Reallocation: Since no additional FY 98 funds are available, States are not to include a request for these funds with their FY 99 WtW Annual State Plans. Action: States should provide this guidance to appropriate staff for the preparation and submission of the FY 99 WtW Annual State Plans.

References. DINAP Bulletins Nos. 95-06 and 95-14. Background. a. The Department of Labor's Technical Assistance and Training (TAT) funds were rescinded for Program Year (PY) 1995 and eliminated from the Department's Fiscal Year 1996 budget request by both the House and the Senate appropriation committees. For these reasons, this is the last year that travel assistance will be provided to small grantees to attend the national conference for the foreseeable future. b. Only 52% of the section 401 grantees responded to DINAP Bulletin No. 95-15 in favor of using program funds to support TAT activities for PY 1996. Because a grantee consensus was not achieved, DINAP will not reserve any section 401 program funds for TAT purposes in PY 1996. c. This bulletin provides the final list of grantees eligible for travel and per diem reimbursement for one staff person to attend the national TAT conference to be held in Providence, Rhode Island (reference DINAP Bulletin No. 95-14 for additional conference details). d. Grantees eligible for reimbursement should register for the conference immediately, if they have not already done so. The TAT contractor, ACKCO, Inc., will provide the appropriate travel reimbursement forms at the conference. There will be a 90-day limit on receipt of reimbursement claims in order to facilitate contractual obligations. e. Reimbursement will cover local transportation expenses (POV mileage, parking, taxis, etc.), lodging expenses, and meals and incidental expenses. Airfare and conference registration fees will be paid directly by ACKCO. Expenses for rental cars and telephone calls WILL NOT be reimbursed. Federal travel rates in effect at the time of the conference will be applied to all reimbursement claims. Action Required. Grantees appearing on the attached list should immediately register for the conference (if they have not already done so), according to the conference planning committee instructions sent to all section 401 grantees. No money should be submitted with this registration. ACKCO will be paying the NINAETC directly for the registration fees of those conference attendees to be reimbursed. Grantees to be reimbursed should contact ACKCO as soon as possible to make their airfare arrangements. To save money, all reservations will be handled through a single travel agent retained by ACKCO. Tickets will be mailed to the grantee staff designated to attend. Questions. Questions should be addressed directly to ACKCO, Inc., on 1-800-525-2859.

References: None Background: Legislation currently under consideration to restructure the nation's employment and training system assigns an important role to "workforce development boards," private-sector-led bodies similar to existing Private Industry Councils but with expanded powers and purview. During the upcoming transition to a new workforce development system, one of ETA's challenges will be to oversee the successful evolution of PICs into these new boards. A new study by the National Association of Private Industry Councils (NAPIC) demonstrates that some PICs are already pursuing new approaches to meeting the workforce needs of their local communities. The experiences of these "cutting edge" PICs can serve as models to states and localities as they begin to put in place the more consolidated, customer-oriented employment and training institutions envisioned in the proposed legislation. Lessons Learned: Facing the Future: Private Industry Councils in the '90s examines five representative PICs that have altered their missions and goals, their client and program mix, and their operational strategies in response to changing workforce demands brought on by such factors as technological advances and corporate downsizing. Included are profiles of the PICs in Quincy, MA; New Haven, CT; Kankakee Valley, IN; Sunnyvale, CA; and Eugene, OR. As the study notes, these PICs exhibit common characteristics which distinguish them from traditional PICs and make them more viable in today's job training environment. Among these common traits are a strong identification with the local business community and a belief that employers are their customers, trainees their product. These PICs seek to serve a client base beyond the adult disadvantaged jobseeker and as a result are involved in mainstream education and training institutions, school-to-work programs, business-education partnerships, and business-led school reform. Support of local economic development efforts is high on their list of priorities as is the active pursuit of multiple funding sources. The manner in which these PICs have implemented their agenda varies. Some have taken what the study's author Joseph Fischer calls the "supermarket" approach*offering a wide range of services to as broad a client base as possible through diverse funding sources and fee-for-service arrangements. They cater to their business customers and are very much a part of the local business culture. Others have taken a "mall manager" approach, assuming the role of planners, facilitators, program coordinators, and overseers. These PICs see their strength in their ability to expedite negotiations and resolve conflicts among program managers. They prefer to relinquish direct control over programs. The study concludes that if PICs are to continue to effectively provide employment and training services to America's workforce in the twenty-first century, they must follow the lead of these cutting-edge examples. Congress is preparing to make major changes in the nation's workforce development system--changes that will compel all PICs to reexamine their reason for existence, identify their basic strengths within the context of their business community, lobby for increased status among state and local policymakers, and create new programs to prepare disadvantaged and dislocated workers to succeed in the labor market. Only then, the study contends, will PICs be in a position to deal with the workforce challenges of the future. Distribution: NAPIC has distributed one copy of Facing the Future to each PIC and State Job Training Coordinating Council free of charge. Additional copies are available for a small fee from NAPIC, 1201 New York Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20005, (202) 289-2950. Action Required: None

References. a. JTPA Regulations at 20 CFR Part 632 b. DINAP Bulletin No. 85-15, Administrative Cost limit c. DINAP Bulletin No. 88-20, Administrative Requirements for DOL Grantees d. DINAP Bulletin No. 92-26, Transition Guidance for the Implementation of the JTPA Amendments of 1992 e. DINAP Bulletin No. 94-3, Implementation of Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-110 (revised) f. DINAP Bulletin No. 95-11, Instructions and Reporting Requirements g. DINAP Bulletin No. 95-12, Removal of Title IV-A Carry-In Limits; Submission of modification(s) to transfer funds between expired grants and current grants. Background. The U.S. Congress had not passed the Department of Labor's (DOL) Fiscal Year 1996 appropriation prior to the issuance of this bulletin. Each year, DOL's appropriation includes the forward-funded allotment for the JTPA, Section 401 Indian and Native American Program. However, to facilitate the grantee planning process, the initial planning figures provided are based on the proposed House appropriation of $50 million. This is approximately $9 million less than the Title IV-A PY 1995 funding level of $59.8 million. For most grantees, this represents on average, a 16 percent reduction in available program funds for PY 1996. For others, it represents a substantially larger reduction due to the use of 1990 Census data; however, to prevent an even deeper reduction, the hold-harmless formula is being applied for a third consecutive year at the 90 percent level. Information. Several important changes have been made to the CAP planning instructions from past years. Each change reflects our partnership commitment to reduce administrative burden, streamline the submission process, and clarify previously misunderstood requirements. Please review the following carefully: a. Due Date: All Section 401 grantees must submit a CAP for PY 1996 by MAY 10, 1996. This is the latest due date ever set for the submission of Section 401 CAPs. It provides grantees with approximately thirteen (13) weeks to prepare and submit their PY 1996 CAPs. Additionally, because the due date is after the April 22-26 National Indian JTPA TAT Conference to be held in Providence, Rhode Island, grantees are encouraged to bring their draft plans to the conference to obtain technical assistance provided by DINAP Federal Representatives. Any grantee that submits a CAP after the due date will have their allocation reduced by one week's worth of funding for every week the CAP is late. b. CAP Narrative: Grantees designated for the current two year grant period (PYs 1995 and 1996) are not required to submit a CAP narrative section as a part of their PY 1996 CAP. Grantees have two options to consider: Option 1: The grantee's service delivery plan (activities and justification) for PY 1996 remains essentially the same as the approved PY 1995 CAP narrative; or Option 2: The grantee will submit a new CAP narrative with the CAP package. Grantees must complete the PY 1996 CAP NARRATIVE CONTINUATION sheet indicating which option was selected (Attachment CAP 96-2). c. Definitions: A list of definitions is provided as an attachment to assist those unfamiliar with JTPA terminology and acronyms. d. Regulations: Section 401 grantees will continue to use and comply with the existing regulations at 20 CFR Part 632, as well as the mandatory provisions in the 1992 amendments to the JTPA referenced in DINAP Bulletin No. 92-26. A DINAP Bulletin regarding the use of a new general waiver provision for PY 1996 will be issued in May. e. Carry-in Policy: In the past, grantees were restricted to a 20 percent carry-in limit of funds from one program year to the next. However, due to the substantial cuts in Title IV-A funds, the loss of II-B funds, and the transition effects caused by the use of 1990 Census data, this policy was changed with the issuance of DINAP Bulletin No. 92-12: It is the policy of the DOL's Employment and Training Administration (ETA) that all carry-in limits previously issued since 1991 for Title IV-A funds are hereby withdrawn effective July 1, 1995. It is further DOL/ETA policy that carry-in limits are suspended in general. Grantees that exceed the former 20 percent carry-in limit for PY 1995 must submit a written justification. If the justification is unacceptable, the former limit will be reimposed on a case-by-case basis. f. Required CAP Items: It is recommended that grantees refer to the CAP checklist (see Attachment No. 5) to ensure that all required forms and documents are completed properly and included in the CAP submission package. Additionally, all required forms and other attachments that comprise the CAP package are labeled sequentially from CAP 96-1 thru CAP 96-19. Any page labeled with a CAP 96 marking in the upper righthand corner must be submitted, and if appropriate, requested information provided, signed and dated. g. Number of Copies to Submit: The original and two copies of the CAP must be submitted to DINAP with a completed Grant Signature Sheet (CAP 96-1). Grantees that want a copy of the CAP with an original signature for their files must provide an original signature on each of the copies (29 CFR 97.10(b)(2)). h. Requests for Acquisition of Real Property and Equipment: Prior Grant Officer approval is required for the acquisition of all real property (OMB Circulars A-87 and A-122). Approval for the purchase of equipment must be submitted separately from the CAP submission even if the grantee indicates the purchase of equipment in the CAP. Prior Grant Officer approval is also required for: a. Equipment acquired by non-tribal grantees if the unit cost exceeds $5,000 and it has a useful life of more than one year (29 CFR 95.2(l) and 29 CFR 95.34). b. Equipment acquired by tribal grantees defined as having a unit cost in excess of $5,000 or more and a useful life of more than one year (29 CFR 97.3 and 29 CFR 97.32). Allocations. The title IV-A allocation list is attached to this bulletin (see Attachment No. 1-A). This is the third consecutive Program Year that 1990 Census data have been used to calculate grantee allocations. As previously stated in this bulletin, a hold-harmless factor was applied to the calculation formula that lessens the impact on those grantees receiving reduced funding. Action. Grantees must submit their CAPs, postmarked no later than May 10, 1996, to the following address: U.S. Department of Labor ETA/Division of Indian and Native American Programs Room N-4641 200 Constitution Ave., N.W. Washington, D.C. 20210 ATTN: MIS DESK Inquiries. Questions should be directed to your Federal Representative Team (202) 219-5504.

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Reference. - JTPA Section 604 of Amendments of 1992 - DINAP Bulletins 84-2, 84-41, 86-39 and 89-37 Background. Section 401 of the JTPA Amendments of 1992 requires individuals participating in any program established under this Act to provide evidence that they have registered with the Selective Service pursuant to Section 3 of the Military Selective Service Act. This is applicable only to male applicants born after December 31, 1959, who are between the ages of 18 and 26. Therefore, all male applicants who are within the eligible age group must register with the Selective Service. It has come to our attention that occasionally males applying to participate in the Section 401 program who were born after December 31, 1959, have failed to register with the Selective Service, and are no longer eligible because they are older than 26 years of age. In the past, grantees were required to complete an "advisory form" for these applicants to be sent to the Selective Service. The Selective Service responded by issuing an "advisory opinion letter." However, officials with the Selective Service have determined that final decisions for dispersing benefits, rights or training rests solely with the various provider agencies. Accordingly, starting in January of 1995, Selective Service no longer issues "advisory opinion letters." The former opinion letter has been replaced with a "Status Information Letter" indicating the applicant's Selective Service status. (See attached sample letters.) Action. Individuals over 26 years of age possessing a letter from the Selective Service indicating the individual is not registered and cannot be registered because the law does not allow for registration after the age of 26, are to be determined eligible for the JTPA, Section 401 program, providing all other eligibility requirements are met. Inquiries. Contact your DINAP Federal Representative Team at (202) 219-8502.

Reference: Training and Employment Information Notice (TEIN) No. 20-92, JTPA Amendments Implementation Strategy. Background: The State Oversight TAGs were prepared by a contractor, Kerber, Eck and Braeckel, under a competitively awarded contract with the Employment and Training Administration. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs, as contractor for regional JTPA technical assistance and training funds, and the Region V ETA office managed this activity. There was also an advisory group composed of States in Region V that guided this activity from its inception. The contractor also conducted several surveys of all States to ascertain their primary needs regarding oversight. These TAGs are a reflection of those needs expressed by the States and the State advisory group. General Statement of Purpose/Design: The State Oversight TAGs address the complex area of State oversight, but go beyond what is the required minimum (i.e., compliance areas) so that States can address the issues of quality and continuous improvement in the context of their specific State concerns. This gains increasing value as the employment and training system moves into an environment where States can modify programs to address their specific priority issues, and where continuous improvement and customer-driven systems are paramount. The five volumes of this technical assistance product are divided into three TAGs which provide a framework for the evaluation of a State's oversight system, guidance and information that assists in the modification of the oversight system to ensure coverage of all required areas and, lastly, a guide that assists a State in developing a framework for oversight of program quality. Other objectives include a user-friendly abstract for the requirements in the Act and Regulations, training tools for new staff/new responsibilities and a risk analysis process that allows a State to determine where to expend shrinking resources. These TAGs are as follows: JTPA REQUIREMENTS ABSTRACT AND INDEX (3 volumes) This is an easy-to-use alternative resource for obtaining information on requirements that affect States and subrecipients under JTPA. Each abstract summarizes and simplifies JTPA statutory and regulatory requirements and provides a detailed index so that specific requirements can be found quickly. They are designed to simplify and expedite the requirements research process by addressing difficulties often associated with statutory and regulatory federal program requirements, such as technical style and manner, need to consult more than one source and need for frequent cross-referencing. This TAG is in three volumes: Part I - General Administrative and Program (which applies to both Titles II and III). Part II - Requirements Under Title II Part III - Requirements Under Title III STATE OVERSIGHT OF COMPLIANCE AND PERFORMANCE This TAG contains materials intended to assist States as they continue to manage and improve this aspect of their oversight responsibilities. Effective compliance oversight makes a critical contribution to improving and maintaining high levels of performance related to customer needs and customer satisfaction. This TAG also contains a risk assessment process that can assist a State in identifying vulnerable areas and making decisions about deployment of resources. STATE OVERSIGHT OF PROGRAM QUALITY This TAG is based on the premise that specific measures of program quality are best developed by each State and structured appropriately to the circumstances and priorities of that State. Therefore, this TAG does not directly define specific measures of program quality that can be applied across the board to local programs. This TAG provides a framework and guidance to States on how to structure oversight activity oriented toward the quality of local programs. It assumes that the quality of local programs is determined primarily by and through the operation of local program processes, e.g., the planning process. This TAG guides States in oversight of those processes which are believed to be the ones affecting program quality. This orientation also allows States to develop a cogent, rational technical assistance plan which focuses on improving program quality at the local level. Technical Assistance: There is no national, formal training being planned for these TAGs. Rather, funds are available in the contract to provide technical assistance to the system as is deemed most appropriate by ETA regional offices in consultation with the States. Resources are available to provide on-site technical assistance or training with each region. This assistance could cover any or all of the TAGs, or focus on a specialized area such as risk analysis or the State Oversight of Program Quality TAG. Distribution: Copies of the TAG have been provided under separate cover to all State JTPA Liaisons for distribution to appropriate State staff. Electronic Distribution: All three TAGs are also available electronically via ETA's Training Technology Resource Center (TTRC) FTP server. Please note, all files are in Wordperfect 5.1 format. Should you have any problems or questions about retrieving these files, please call the TTRC at (800) 488-0906 and ask for "ETA TAG Support." Direct your FTP client program to: ftp.ttrc.doleta.gov Log in as "anonymous" and enter your e-mail address as your password. Make sure your FTP client program is set to transfer BINARY files. Once connected, change directory to the \tags directory. In the \tags directory you will find the following three subdirectories. compliance.9505 for State Oversight of Compliance and Performance Under JTPA. quality.9505 for State Oversight of Program Quality Under JTPA. req-abs.9505 for JTPA Requirements Abstract and Index The following is a listing of the files found in each of the subdirectories: Subdirectory: compliance.9505 comptag1.wp5 Full text of TAG except for the checklists. comptag2.wp5 Exhibit 2.1: Compliance Review Checklist. comptag3.wp5 Exhibit 3.1: Performance Review Checklist. comptag4.wp5 Exhibit 4.1: Checklist of State's Direct. Responsibilities comptag5.wp5 Exhibit 4.2: Checklist for Review of Job Training Plans and Plan Modification. comptag6.wp5 Exhibit 4.3: Checklist for Review of PICs. Subdirectory: quality.9505 qualtag.wp5 Full text of TAG Subdirectory: req-abs.9505 defin.wp5 TAG Instructions. instr.wp5 TAG Definitions. parti.wp5 Part I: General Administrative and Program Requirements. partii.wp5 Part II: Requirements Under Title II. partiii.wp5 Part III: Requirement Under Title III. Change directory to the appropriate TAG directory. Use the transfer feature capability of your FTP software to transfer file to your PC. If using a Windows based product, click on the transfer arrow, or if using a command line FTP, issue the appropriate 'get' or 'mget' command to retrieve one or more of the documents. Action Required: States are requested to review these materials. They will be contacted by their Regional Office to determine the type of follow- up technical assistance desired.

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Background: Last year, ETA awarded a grant to the National Youth Employment Coalition (NYEC), an organization with an extensive background in youth programs and issues, to plan, test and develop PEPNet. This network will establish standards, methods of measurements, a nomination process and recognition for youth programs that have demonstrated their effectiveness or potential. Programs with promise or demonstrative effectiveness will be examined as models for replication and vehicles for learning. Furthermore, it is expected that PEPNet will assist in showcasing many of our finest youth programs (or program components) to demonstrate what works and what is possible. The identified programs will not be limited to ETA funded programs, although it is expected that most will be from Job Training Partnership Act (including Job Corps), Bureau of Apprenticeship Training, and School-to-Work. ETA is focusing its effort into creating a more comprehensive youth development system that will serve in-school and out-of-school youth and foster the underlying philosophy -- work-based, contextual learning that fuses work with experiential schooling. PEPNet will further these goals by establishing a visible network of successful or promising youth programs that can be a catalyst to expand the number of effective youth programs. Next Steps: NYEC has convened a broad-based group of experts in youth programs from both the public and private sectors, including researchers, program operators, educators, and business representatives, to develop criteria needed to select promising and effective youth programs. It is anticipated that the criteria will be distributed by the end of March 1996. The nomination process and format will be completed by the end of April 1996. A Training and Employment Information Notice containing further details on the nomination process will be sent to you, requesting nomination of youth programs or program components you believe meet these criteria. The PEPNet workgroup of experts will then select the youth programs from those nominated based on the criteria and evidence of effectiveness. Information Accessible Electronically: As information on PEPNet becomes available, it will be made accessible electronically via the Training Technology Resource Center (TTRC) on-line information system. TTRC is accessible by: calling 1-800-488-0901 voice; via modem by dialing 1-800-767-0806; or Internet: WEB URL: HTTP://WWW.TTRC.DOLETA.GOV.

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