Job Corps’ Policy Modernization & Program Reform

Update and Next Steps National Job Corps AssociationNovember 4, 2015

Agenda

•Mandate for program reform•Policy Modernization recap•Approach and current status•ePolicy system features•Concurrent policy development actions•Strategic Program Directions preview•Next steps

Strategic Program

Directions

Mandate for Program Reform

WIOA

Job Corps Reform

Policy Modernization

Policy Modernization Objectives

• Establish policy that supports a cost-effective, efficient, sustainable program design to support Job Corps’ mission by:Focusing on ‘mission-critical’ services;Adopting a standards-based instructional model; andTargeting services to produce positive student

outcomes.

• Provide universal, timely access to policy, assessment tools, guidance and resources through a technology-supported ePolicy system.

The Approach: Step One

•Modernize and streamline existing policy to:▫Incorporate WIOA▫Focus on mission▫Eliminate duplication & non-essentials

STATUS: CompletedField survey, Expert Field Practitioner Workgroups, Federal Management Team

The Approach: Step Two•Refine ePolicy infrastructure•Organize and format streamlined ePolicy

content ▫Essential requirements▫Related requirements (required procedures)▫Reporting requirements & forms▫Internal web resources (technical

assistance and guidance)▫External web resources (links to legal

references and regulations)STATUS: Nearing Completion

The Approach: Step Three

•Internal DOL review and clearance process▫Office of Job Corps▫Office of the Solicitor▫Civil Rights Center review▫ETA

STATUS: Underway

The Approach: Step Four

•Field release of modernized, streamlined policy through ePolicy system▫Field test period▫Staff training ▫Input and feedback▫Refine ePolicy system

STATUS: Release date TBD

The Approach: Step Five

•Implement ePolicy▫Discontinue hard-copy PRH ▫Issue future policy through ePolicy system

TARGET: SPRING 2016

ePolicy System

Organization & Content

What’s Different? PRH vs ePolicy System

PRH ePolicy

• Format: Hard copy, paper-based policy system

• Focuses on procedures • Includes citations, quotes or

text from laws & regulations• Separate Program

Assessment Guide (PAG)• No connection to resources• Content organization: Linear

by CDSS phases, divided by provider (OA, Center, CTS)

• Format: Electronic, technology-based policy management system

• Focuses on mission-critical essential functions

• Hyperlinks directly to current laws & regulations

• Integrates assessment strategies and tools

• Hyperlinks to resources, guidance & technical assistance materials

• Content organization: Integrated by function/service components

POLICY ORGANIZATION & STRUCTURE

CURRENT PRH STRUCTURE Hard Copy HandbookLinear Organization

• Outreach/Admissions• Career Preparation Period• Career Development Period• Career Transition Period• Management• Administrative Support

Services

EPOLICY STRUCTURE

Electronic FormatFunctional Organization

• Enrollment Services• Student Training Services• Placement Services• Student Support Services• Management Services

ePolicy Main PageMajor

Content Sections

ENROLLMENT SERVICES

Outreach & Recruitment

Eligibility Career

Planning Admission

STUDENT TRAINING SERVICES

Administration Course Design &

Instructional Delivery

Academic Content

Career Technical Training Content

Career Success/Workplace Skills Content

Assessment & Evaluation

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Counseling Community

Living (residential)

Student Conduct

Health & Wellness

Disabilities Records

Management Accountability

& Leave Allowances &

Allotments Enrollments,

Transfers & Separations

Clothing Transportation Rights & Legal

Services Child Care

PLACEMENT SERVICES

Eligibility Services Relocation

MANAGEMENT SERVICES

Program Mgmt. Personnel Personal Safety

& Security Environmental

Health & OSH Procurement Property

Management Financial

Management Facility

Operations & Maintenance

Fleet Management

Food Service Workforce &

Community Relationships

ePolicy Content Organization

Subsections

ePolicy Content

Subsections

ePolicy Features

Requirements

Forms

Related Requiremen

ts

Technical Guidance & Web

Resources

Legal Requiremen

ts

Concurrent Policy Development

Federal Workgroups:• Student Conduct• Student Leaves• ROCA• SIR• Screening and Admissions

Federal Policy Workgroups

•Student Conduct Workgroup:▫Define each behavior infraction▫Clarify infraction levels▫Add new infractions cited in WIOA▫Eliminate duplication & ambiguity▫Define ‘pattern of inappropriate behavior’ and

prescribe progressive sanctions and opportunities to learn from mistakes

▫Streamline Fact Finding Board process▫Documentation system changes under

consideration

STATUS: PRH Change Notice Pending

Federal Policy Workgroups

•Student Leave Workgroup:▫Simplify and consolidate leave categories▫Eliminate Summer Break▫Align with workplace practices and

terminology

STATUS: Finalizing recommendations

Federal Policy Workgroups

•ROCA (Regional Office Center Assessment) Workgroup▫Set frequency of regular ROCA’s

Contract year 2 Contract year 4 Targeted ROCAs as indicated

▫Standardize pre-onsite analysis▫Established uniform report guidelines

STATUS: Recommendations under review

Federal Policy Workgroups

•SIR Workgroup▫Clearly define reportable events▫Establish cues/prompts in SIR reporting system to

ensure essential information is included▫Align SIR categories with reportable events listed in

the PRH

STATUS: Recommendations under development

Departmental Workgroup• Screening and Admissions Workgroup (DAS, OJC, CRC, SOL)

▫Considering the following: Redesign of enrollment process Adoption of pre-enrollment assessments

▫Career interest▫Academic proficiency▫Motivation/commitment▫Suitability (Direct threat determination)

Referral of applicants determined ‘not ready’ Modification of application review/approval process Revision of performance metrics

STATUS: Final recommendations under Departmental review

High School Diploma

•Program Instruction Notice drafted and reviewed by Regions and select center staff

▫Defines Minimum Coursework Requirements for Students to be considered a Job Corps HSD completer

▫Outlines the course of study that, at a minimum, meets the graduation requirements of the state; prepares the student for post-secondary education; and allows for entry and advancement in a career pathway

STATUS: Anticipated Field Release – Nov 2015

Policy Management System

•Protocols for development of new policy▫Circumstances requiring new policy▫Review and clearance process

•Policy issuance and notifications▫Electronic issuance through ePolicy system▫Notifications▫Quarterly issuance for non-emergency policies

•Format and system for one-time issuances▫Information Notices▫Curriculum Change Notices

Strategic Program Directions

Preview of the Next Phase in Program Reform and Quality Improvement

Policy Context

Mission

Essential Functions

Strategic Program

Directions

WIO

A

Essential Program Functions Aligned with WIOA

1. Recruit and enroll eligible applicants whose goals can be met through Job Corps

2. Deliver academic, technical & workplace skills training leading to credentials & careers

3. Develop independent, life-long learners

4. Develop self-sufficiency, independent living skills & responsible citizenship

5. Establish safe environments

6. Place graduates and support their retention

7. Provide support services to enable full program participation

8. Provide accountability and integrity systems

9. Collaborate with workforce and community partners

Strategic Directions

• Enrollment Process: Expand the enrollment process to incorporate pre-enrollment career guidance and assessments

 • Cohort Enrollments: Adopt the use of cohorts

for enrollment and training to increase student retention, support learning of rigorous academic and technical content, and increase successful program completion.

Strategic Directions

• Career Pathways: Update and re-organize current career technical training (CTT) programs across and within Regions and their respective centers to ensure program offerings: ▫Represent high-growth industries and in-

demand occupations ▫Are strategically distributed ▫Provide career pathways with multiple CTT

options within each center’s designated industry sectors

Strategic Directions

• Academic Standards: Adopt Job Corps’ academic and applied academic standards to support student training that focuses specifically on what students need to know and be able to do academically in order to succeed in their chosen CTT program and career pathway.

• Academic Rigor: Increase the rigor and relevance of all academic programs to ensure students attain:▫Academic and industry-recognized credentials; and▫Academic proficiency needed for initial placement

and advancement in their chosen career pathway.

Strategic Directions

• Industry Foundation Courses: Develop and implement industry foundation courses to effectively prepare students for success in academic and technical training.

• Evening Studies: Adopt evening study programs as an integral part of academic and technical training programs to improve and accelerate student learning and retention of rigorous program content.

• Credential Attainment: Target student attainment of job-specific, industry-recognized certifications.

Strategic Directions

• Evidence-based Instructional Strategies: Adopt evidence-based teaching and learning strategies in the delivery of all student academic and technical training programs to: ▫Improve instructional effectiveness; and ▫Maximize learning for students at all levels.

 • Targeted Support Services: Include only those

that contribute directly to career development, employability, placement and independent living/self-sufficiency.

Strategic Directions

• Expand Partnerships: Strengthen connections with community colleges and other post-secondary institutions to provide student advanced training opportunities post-Job Corps in support of a career pathway to the middle class.

• Community Relationships: Expand community relationships to increase the use of meaningful service learning as an integral part of student training and to promote citizenship

Next Steps

Policy ModernizationProgram Reform

Next Steps: Policy Modernization

•Issue WIOA PRH Change Notice•Finalize streamlined policy content•Conduct internal clearance•Populate ePolicy system•Release ePolicy to field

▫Conduct field training▫Receive feedback and input▫Develop assessment strategies

•Implement ePolicy

Next Steps: Program Reform

•Develop strategic implementation plan and timeline

•Develop tools and resources▫Pre-enrollment assessments▫Industry Foundation Courses

•Formulate policy•Develop and deliver staff training•Begin program transformation with phased

implementation of Strategic Program Directions

Questions?