AI-Summary – News For Tomorrow
The Departments of Labor and Education are integrating federal workforce programs through a new partnership. Key initiatives include an integrated state plan portal to streamline Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) program administration, including adult education and literacy. The Department of Education will transfer program funds and staff to the Department of Labor, positioning Labor as the central hub for federal workforce programs. This aims to simplify services for states and grantees by consolidating administration of Perkins and WIOA titles. Grantees will use the Labor Department’s Payment Management System. Both departments will provide ongoing guidance to states during implementation.
News summary provided by Gemini AI.
Departments will integrate education and workforce systems through staff detail, integrated state plan portal, and centralizing program funds
WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. departments of Labor and Education announced they have taken historic steps to integrate the federal government’s workforce portfolio through its innovative partnership announced earlier this year. The departments are launching an integrated state plan portal that will streamline federal workforce development programs and allow Labor and Education to administer core Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act programs, including adult education and family literacy programs. The Department of Education will transfer program funds and detail staff to the Department of Labor to support the programs.Â
These actions position the Labor Department as the centralized hub for federal workforce programs and effectuate the agencies’ joint workforce development agreement.
Background:Â
Administering Perkins and WIOA Title I, II, and III through this partnership will facilitate streamlined services for states and grantees. The integrated state plan portal is a content management system that improves the process of creating, reviewing, and managing the state plans associated with WIOA programs. States submit four-year plans and modify the plans every two years.Â
Adult education and CTE grantees will now use the Labor Department’s Payment Management System, thereby aligning the grants management and payment systems across Education and Labor’s education and workforce programs.Â
The departments of Labor and Education will continue to provide states with additional guidance as these efforts are implemented. For any immediate program questions, state partners and grantees should reach out to their respective Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration or Department of Education Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education points of contact.
