New Mexico Register / Volume XVI, Number 24 / December 30, 2005

 

TITLE 11               LABOR AND WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

CHAPTER 2         JOB TRAINING

PART 22               WORKFORCE INVESTMENT ACT (WIA) PROGRAMS OF DEMONSTRATED

                                EFFECTIVENESS

 

11.2.22.1               ISSUING AGENCY:  The New Mexico Office of Workforce Training and Development (OWTD).

[11.2.22.1 NMAC - N, 12/31/05]

 

11.2.22.2               SCOPE:  The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) state administrative entity (SAE), state workforce development board (SWDB), local workforce development boards (LWDBs), and all SAE WIA subrecipients.

[11.2.22.2 NMAC - N, 12/31/05]

 

11.2.22.3               STATUTORY AUTHORITY:  Workforce Development Act, Chapter 50, Article 14, NMSA 1978

[11.2.22.3 NMAC - N, 12/31/05]

 

11.2.22.4               DURATION:  Permanent.

[11.2.22.4 NMAC - N, 12/31/05]

 

11.2.22.5               EFFECTIVE DATE:  December 31, 2005, unless a later date is cited at the end of a section.

[11.2.22.5 NMAC - N, 12/31/05]

 

11.2.22.6               OBJECTIVE:  Occupational training for “low income individuals” that face multiple barriers to employment may be provided through a contract directly with a community-based organization or other private organization, which has an established program of demonstrated effectiveness in serving these special participant populations.  These occupational training contracts may be used in lieu of an individual training account.

[11.2.22.6 NMAC - N, 12/31/05]

 

11.2.22.7               DEFINITIONS:  [RESERVED]

 

11.2.22.8               ACTION:  References include the following:  Public Law 105-220, Workforce Investment Act (WIA), Section 101 (25), Section 134 (d) (4) (G), and 20 CFR Part 652, et al., Section 663.430.

                A.            When a local workforce development board (LWDB) determines there is a training services program of demonstrated effectiveness offered in the area by a community-based organization or other organization that serves special participant populations who face multiple barriers to employment, the LWDB may contract for occupational training services.  Procurement of the contract is conducted through non-competitive negotiations.  Documentation detailing how the price was derived must be developed and maintained.

                B.            Criteria to be used by the LWDB to determine demonstrated effectiveness may include the following:

                    (1)     financial stability of the organization;

                    (2)     demonstrated performance in delivery of services to hard-to-serve populations such as: a) program completion rates; b) attainment of skills; c) certificates or degrees; d) placement in unsubsidized employment; and

                    (3)     how the program relates to workforce needs identified in the local five-year plan.

                C.            LWDBs shall ensure that programs:

                    (1)     are comprehensive in nature;

                    (2)     are geared to occupations in demand in the local area or area where the participant is willing to relocate;

                    (3)     evaluate the participant’s specific barriers to employment;

                    (4)     access client skill levels and develop appropriate employability development plans;

                    (5)     result in employment;

                    (6)     provide assistance at the end of training; and

                    (7)     provide a credential upon successful completion of the program; credentials must meet the employability development plan requirements such as: a certificate, certification of completion, diploma, license, or degree.

                D.            LWDBs shall ensure that their training contracts for programs of demonstrated effectiveness include, at a minimum, the following contract elements:

                    (1)     job description (use of O Net [http://online.onetcenter.org]), training outline or curriculum, including provision for any required classroom/adult basic education/or vocational training as established by the needs assessment;

                    (2)     participant hourly wage rate and allowable training hours (work zones as noted on O Net);

                    (3)     provision for wage increases based upon successful achievement of training goals as provided to other similar employees, if applicable;

                    (4)     provision for assurances not to reduce wage rates after completion of training contract;

                    (5)     agreement on the maximum amount of reimbursement and/or allowable costs of training;

                    (6)     provisions for participant time off, if necessary, to attend WIA sponsored meetings, workshops, classes or other events;

                    (7)     duration of contract;

                    (8)     a provision for recoupment of overpayments;

                    (9)     a provision for termination due to lack of funds or lack of participant attendance or unsatisfactory progress;

                    (10)     a provision allowing for LWDBs or their designee, state and federal staff monitoring and review of training records;

                    (11)     a provision for meeting record retention requirement;

                    (12)     employer requirement to maintain attendance and payroll records to support requests for reimbursement;

                    (13)     provision for the submittal of  participant reimbursement/progress evaluations on a timely basis;

                    (14)     state taxpayer identification numbers for payment of state gross receipts tax and unemployment compensation tax;

                    (15)     workers’ compensation coverage, if applicable;

                    (16)     a provision for equal employment opportunity;

                    (17)     a provision for a drug-free workplace;

                    (18)     a provision for debarment and suspension, where applicable; and

                    (19)     other provisions as required by local policies and procedures.

                E.             An “occupation in demand” will be defined by the LWDB and the method for identifying those occupations shall be documented.  No documentation is required if the occupation is listed as an “in demand” occupation by the economic research and analysis bureau of the New Mexico department of labor, or its successor agency.

                F.             LWDBs shall make provisions for the maintenance and retention of records of programs of demonstrated effectiveness, including systems of issuance, funding obligations/expenditures, oversight and completion in accordance with WIA record retention requirements.  Such records shall be retained for a period of three (3) program years from the date the individual participant exits, unless an unresolved audit is pending.  In that case, records must be retained until final resolution of the audit.

                G.            LWDBs shall ensure that, at a minimum, one core and one intensive service are provided to each WIA participant prior to their participation in any training activity.  Documentation to support the provision of the core and intensive services must be maintained in the participant folder.

                H.            LWDBs shall establish and collect relevant performance criteria/programs outcomes for each contract provider.

                I.              A “low income individual” is defined in WIA, Section 101(25).  The special participant popula- tion eligible for a training services program of demonstrated effectiveness is identified in 20 CFR 663.430(b).  The governor has determined that no additional groups, other than those defined by the regulation, will be identified as hard-to-serve for purposes of granting exceptions to individual training accounts.

                J.             LWDBs or their designee shall monitor each training contract through attendance and completion records to determine that the amounts claimed for reimbursement are substantiated and that training is being provided in accordance with the contract.  Monitoring includes reviewing participant progress to ascertain that the participant is gaining the necessary skills and to determine if supportive services are needed.  Upon placement, the LWDB shall also monitor at the work site to determine whether the participant is employed in the occupation for which training was provided, and is earning a self-sufficient wage as defined by the LWDB.  Annual monitoring of the provider shall include administrative and fiscal records.

                K.            LWDBs or their designee shall ensure that selected service providers are afforded appropriate training and technical assistance necessary to deliver the required WIA services.

[11.2.22.8 NMAC - N, 12/31/05]

 

11.2.22.9               CONTACT ENTITY:  Inquiries regarding this rule should be directed to the state administrative entity (SAE) in Santa Fe at (505) 827-6827.

[11.2.22.9 NMAC - N, 12/31/05]

 

11.2.22.10             DISTRIBUTION:  SWDB and LWDB chairpersons, LWDB administrative entities, all SAE WIA subrecipients, SAE legal counsel, SAE EEO officer, USDOL federal representative and New Mexico commission of public records.

[11.2.22.10 NMAC - N, 12/31/05]

 

HISTORY OF 11.2.22 NMAC:  [RESERVED]