• WIA is an eligibility based program, not an entitlement program. If individuals are not eligible for WIA services, they may still receive basic employment services through the Workforce Centers, such as resume prep, interview skills, and job referrals.
• WIA may provide programs such as educational or vocational training, workplace readiness skills,
  On-the-Job Training, Work Experience, leadership training, academic attainment assistance, incentives, and supportive services. Services provided are dependent upon the needs of each individual and are determined by the case manager and participant.

The primary focus of the Workforce Investment Act is to assist job-seeking customers gain employment by virtue of partnerships between employment and training organizations that coordinate services through local Workforce Centers. The development and nurturing of these partnerships, and the focus of local workforce development efforts is guided by Local Elected Officials and private sector dominated Workforce Investment Boards.

WIA serves three designated categories based on a priority of service directive: Adult, Dislocated Worker, and Youth

• Adult is defined as an individual over the age of 18 who is unemployed or underemployed, low-income and/or receiving public assistance, and in need of additional assistance to enter sustainable employment.
• Dislocated Worker is defined as an individual who has been separated from his or her place of employment through no fault of his or her own (lay-off, plant closure), and is unlikely to return to the occupation or the workforce without additional training or assistance. *
• Youth is defined as an individual between the ages of 14-21, in or out of school, who is low-income and in need of additional assistance to ;complete an educational training program or to gain employment.

* Additional eligibility criteria may be considered.

Enrollment is based on eligibility and appropriateness determination...
Appropriateness is determined based upon need for services to overcome individual barriers and whether or not the candidate appears to be motivated and dedicated to fully participating with WIA.

Eligibility requirements are guidelines set forth by the Rural Workforce Consortium that direct who qualifies for priority of service and all eligibility requirements must be verifiable by the case manager.

Citizenship - Individuals applying to the program must be able to prove citizenship or registered alien available for work in the United States status and all males born on or after 1/1/1960 must have complied with Selective Service registration requirements.

Low-income - and/or receiving public assistance (food stamps, TANF, SSI)
Income guidelines are based on the federal standards for low-income families and change annually: entire family income must be considered.

Individuals with disabilities may be considered a family of one.
Individuals receiving food stamps or TANF meet eligibility guidelines.
WIA is not an entitlement program; although applicants may be determined eligible, appropriateness guidelines must be met prior to program acceptance.

Dislocated Worker can include, but is not always limited to: laid-off/unlikely to return, displaced homemaker, plant closure, UI profiled

Youth must meet low -income guidelines and be faced with one or more documented barriers that inhibit the youth from participating in employment and/or education. The barriers may be:

• offender
• pregnant or parenting youth
• in foster care
• high-school drop-out or at risk for dropping out
• poor school attendance or has been suspended/expelled
• deficient in basic literary skills
• homeless
• runaway
• lacking skills or support to obtain/maintain employment
• High School graduate needing assistance to determine career path
• poor interpersonal/social skills
• poor personal appearance or hygiene
• lacks family support (financial or emotional).

* A youth may automatically meet eligibility guidelines if they are a member of a family receiving food stamps or TANF or is in a publicly supported foster care facility/home or in a detention center at time of enrollment. Likelihood of follow through is also considered for program enrollment.

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