The key to the Workforce Development system is the creation of one stop Workforce Centers, where the various employment and training programs are co-located under the same roof. The ultimate goal of the Workforce Center staff is to provide a full array of services to the Center's customers. All program staff work together to integrate services and functions to reduce duplication of effort and ensure quality customer service.

Outside Agency & Community Resource Collaboration

Community resources will be utilized in assisting to move program participants into unsubsidized employment, which provides good career potential for achieving economic self-sufficiency. This will include coordination with the following agencies outside of the Workforce Center:

• Adult Education
• Apprenticeship Programs
• Senior Texas Employment Plan (STEP)
• Texas Department of Assistive & Rehabilitative Services
• National and Community Service
• Adult Literacy
• Texas Department of Assistive & Rehabilitative Services
• Private sector employers
• Labor Organizations
• Business and Trade Associations
• Economic Development Corporations
• Education Agencies
• Housing Agencies
• Community Development Organizations
• Transportation Agencies
• Community-Based-Organizations
• Faith-Based Organizations
• Disability Community Organizations
• Colleges and Universities

In an effort to transform the way it manages, designs and delivers employment and training services, East Texas has worked to create an integrated workforce development system that is flexible, market-based and customer-focused. The impact and future of this new system depends largely on how well it engages employers who offer the jobs that are needed by our job-seeking customers. Meeting the challenge of employer engagement is critical to a successful welfare reform effort involving partnership with businesses and other employers.

Integrated Workforce Center Services

The Workforce Centers bring together the resources of a variety of federally funded programs and partner agencies in locations that are convenient and accessible for all customers. Among the programs that have been integrated into the one stop delivery system are the following:

Workforce Investment Act Services (WIA)- Authorized under Title I of the Workforce Investment act, offers employment and training services to adults, dislocated workers and youths. There are three levels of service - Core, Intensive, and Training. Through WIA, individuals can access assistance in finding employment free of charge and may qualify for training if they lack the skills needed to earn a "self-sufficient wage."

Subsidized Child Care- Child Care Services (CCS) helps parents who are striving to become self-sufficient by giving them more choices in child care arrangements and by helping them find qualified caregivers. If you meet certain income guidelines CCS can reimburse some or all of your child care cost.

Food Stamp Employment and Training (FSE&T) Program- Seeks to provide employment services to those individuals receiving food stamps.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)- Employment services which is offered through the Choices Program to recipients of TANF. This program helps individuals receiving time limited cash assistance to find long-term employment.

Veterans/Disabled Veterans Services- Program where Vietnam era veterans, disabled veterans, and recently separated veterans can receive job search assistance, education, and training.

Rapid Response Program- Provides services to affected employees due to plant closings and layoffs.

Project Reintegration of Offenders (RIO)- Provides a link between education, training and employment during incarceration with employment, training and education after release in an attempt to reduce recidivism.

Trade Adjustment Assistance and NAFTA/TAA Services- The Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) and NAFTA/TAA program provides training and job search/relocation assistance to individuals who lose their manufacturing jobs due to foreign imports.

Literacy and Adult Education Programs - Provides services to adults and their families. Programs offered are reading instruction, GED instruction, English as a second language instruction, and family literacy activities. Programs are offered by trained staff and volunteers. Area Adult Education Literacy Programs include but are not limited to Literacy Council of Tyler, NTCC, TVCC, Panola College, East Texas Literacy Council and Kilgore College.

Senior Texas Employment Program (STEP) - Experience Works administers STEP, a nationally recognized non-profit program designed to provide part-time employment to eligible Texans over the age of 55 who are at or below the poverty guidelines.

Texas Rehabilitation Commission (TRC) - TRC is the state's principal authority on the vocational rehabilitation of Texans with disabilities, except persons with visual impairments and the legally blind. The Commission's main purpose is to assist people with disabilities to participate in heir communities by achieving employment of choice, living as independently as possible and accessing high quality services. 

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