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.
Co-Located One-Stop Network Partners
WIA Adult, Dislocated Worker, and Youth Services
Food Stamp Employment and Training (FSE&T)
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Child Care Services
Welfare-to-Work
Wagner-Peyser Employment Service
Trade Adjustment Assistance Act (NAFTA/TAA)
Veteran's Employment and Training Programs
Project RIO for Ex-Offenders
Senior Texas Employment Plan (STEP)
Texas Department of Assistive & Rehabilitative Services
Literacy Council of Tyler (LCOT)
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 one stop Program 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:
WIA Services - 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."
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.
Child Care Services (CCS) - Provides subsidized child care to low-income working parents.
Welfare-to-Work Programs - Legislation aimed at reducing the number of welfare recipients by offering services to those most dependant on welfare.
Wagner-Peyser Employment Services (ES) - Legislation passed in 1933 that ensures universal access to a system in which job seekers are matched with jobs and employers. With the passage of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), the Wagner-Peyser Act was amended to require ES to become one of the mandatory partners to the local board's One-Stop delivery system.
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.
Veterans' Employment Services - Program where Vietnam era veterans, disabled veterans, and recently separated veterans can receive job search assistance, education, and training.
Project RIO Services - Project RIO provides a link between education, training and employment during incarceration with employment, training and education after release in an attempt to reduce recidivism.
Senior Texas Employment and Training (STEP) - the Texas Farmers Union Community Development Association, Inc. 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. (http://www.texasfarmersunion.org/program.html)
Texas Department of Assistive & Rehabilitative Services - http://www.dars.state.tx.us/
Literacy Council of Tyler (LCOT) - Literacy Council of Tyler 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. (http://www.uwtyler.org/pages/member.asp)