Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Implementation Study

Mathematica, together with its partner, Social Policy Research Associates, studied the implementation of changes to programs authorized under Title I (Adult, Dislocated Worker, and Youth) and Title III (Employment Services). WIOA encompasses six core programs for which coordination and integration were required to be strengthened at the state and local levels. We examined the variation in the approaches states take to implement key WIOA provisions, assessing early implementation progress, and identifying needs for further guidance or technical assistance. We also studied integration between these programs and their WIOA Title II (Adult Education and Family Literacy Act [AEFLA]) and Title IV (Vocational Rehabilitation [VR]) partners. In 2019, we visited 14 states and 28 local areas. In 2020, the team produced several products based on the site visits. They uncovered findings such as:

• State and local workforce planning efforts included greater involvement of AEFLA and VR partners.
• Greater efforts were made to provide cross-training for program staff and there was high demand for ongoing cross-partner communication.
• There was more streamlining of intake and coordination of referral in the American Job Center system, though few changes to co-location of partner staff.
• Employer services were often integrated across partners, especially for Titles I/III and VR programs.
• States are putting structures and processes in place to improve data sharing, though not integrating existing data systems.