Reporting JTPA Title II-A and II-C performance status

Training and Employment Guidance Letter No. 02-95

TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT GUIDANCE LETTER NO. 02-95

TO: ALL STATE JTPA LIAISONS; ALL STATE WAGNER-PEYSER ADMINISTERING AGENCIES; ALL STATE WORKER ADJUSTMENT LIAISONS

FROM: BARBARA ANN FARMER, Administrator for Regional Management

SUBJECT: Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) Titles II-A and II-C Performance Status Summary

Rescissions: None. Expiration date: Continuing.

1. Purpose. To provide guidance on reporting of program performance
   status for JTPA Titles II-A and II-C, as amended.

2. References. TEGL 1-94, dated August 31, 1994; 20 CFR Part
   627.470; also the "Guide to JTPA Performance Standards for Program
   Years 1994 and 1995" transmitted by Training and Employment
   Information Notice 16-94, dated December 13, 1994.

3. Background. Within 90 days after the end of the Program Year
   [JTPA §106(j)], each State is required to report to the Secretary
   the final performance standards and actual performance of each
   Service Delivery Area (SDA) within the State.

   Within the same timeframe, the State shall also provide to the
   Secretary technical assistance plans for each SDA that has failed
   the established performance standards for one program year, and a
   reorganization plan for each SDA that has failed performance
   standards for two consecutive program years.

4. Policy. Effective Program Year (PY) 1994, the Governor's
   determination of an SDA's failure to meet performance standards, and
   the consequent imposition of technical assistance and reorganization
   plans, must incorporate the Secretary's parameters, including the
   new definition of failure to meet performance standards (see TEGL
   1-94).

   The Secretary's definition of failure to meet performance standards
   is not retroactive to PY 1993, unless similar provisions were
   included in the Governor's performance standards policy for PY 1993.
   For Program Years 1993 and 1994 only, the Governor's policy shall be
   used to determine SDAs that are subject to sanctions due to failure
   to meet performance standards for 2 consecutive years.

   Further, Governors are encouraged to take into consideration program
   funding uncertainties and other budgetary constraints in their
   review of SDA performance results and development of performance
   standards. In particular, we encourage Governors to review
   performance standards for youth programs, given rescissions and
   continuing uncertainty of youth program funding. Governors are
   reminded that adjustments to performance levels are allowable should
   changes occur in the levels of funding, the local economy, or needs
   in service to special populations.

5. Policy Transition and Implementation. 

   1. PY 1993:  The Governor's definition for failure to meet the
      standards applies to this Program Year. Technical assistance or
      reorganization plans required by the Secretary do not apply to
      this Program Year.

   2. PY 1994:  First year application of the Secretary's definition
      for "failure to meet performance standards" applies. Only
      technical assistance plans are required from the State for SDAs
      that failed to meet performance standards for PY 1994.

      SDAs that failed in PY 1993 according to the Governor's
      definition of failure to meet performance standards but did not
      fail according to the Governor's definition in PY 1994 cannot be
      sanctioned.

      Required submissions for PY 1994 within 90 days after the end of
      the Program Year are:

      1. final performance standards and actual performance for each
         SDA; and

      2. technical assistance plans for each SDA that failed to meet
         performance standards for PY 1994

   3. PY 1995:  Second year application of the Secretary's definition
      for "failure to meet performance standards" applies. As this is
      the second year of application, States must also develop and
      impose reorganization plans for SDAs that failed to meet the
      performance standards for two consecutive years (PY 1994 and PY
      1995).

      Required submissions for PY 1995 within 90 days after the end of
      the Program Year are:

      1. final performance standards and actual performance for each
         SDA; and

      2. technical assistance plans for each SDA that failed to meet
         performance standards for the first year (PY 1995); and

      3. reorganization plans for each SDA that failed to meet
         established performance standards for two consecutive years
         (PY 1994 and PY 1995)

6. Performance Standards Calculation and Reporting. 

   The standard for each core measure shall be the end-of-year
   recalculated standard and shall reflect the adjustments to the
   national departure point, including model adjustments and any
   additional Governor's adjustments. Actual performance shall be
   calculated according to the procedures described in Attachment 1 to
   TEGL 1-94

   A "Performance Status Summary Sheet" is attached as a suggested
   reporting format, however, any format that provides the required
   information is acceptable. Note that the Title II-A adult and
   welfare follow-up standards will continue to be based on data for
   individuals who terminate during the first three quarters of the
   Program Year and the last quarter of the previous Program Year.

7. Technical Assistance Plans. Governors are required to provide to
   the Secretary technical assistance plans for SDAs that failed to
   meet performance standards for the first Program Year. Technical
   assistance plans shall describe:

   1. analyses done to determine causes of failure;

   2. steps taken (or to be taken) to correct problems;

   3. a plan for tracking corrective action taken and technical assistance provided to the SDA

8. Reorganization Plans. Governors are required to provide to the
   Secretary reorganization plans for SDAs that failed to meet
   performance standards for two consecutive Program Years. The
   reorganization plan shall:

   1. be communicated directly to the SDA;

   2. specifically identify the persisting problem/deficiency;

   3. provide to the SDA an initial statement of the specific
      steps/corrective actions required;

   4. include a timeframe for the implementation of the reorganization
      plan; and

   5. be confirmed by a final statement from the Governor not later
      than October 30 after the end of the relevant Program Year
      (October 30, 1996, for PY 1994 and 1995)

9. Action Required. For PY 1994, States shall submit the
   performance status summary and technical assistance plans to the ETA
   Regional Administrator in the appropriate DOL Regional Office no
   later than September 30, 1995. Thereafter, a copy of each required
   performance status summary, technical assistance plan and
   reorganization plan shall be submitted to the ETA Regional
   Administrator by September 30 after the end of the Program Year.

   Beginning with PY 1995, additional information to confirm the
   imposition of a reorganization plan is to be submitted by October 30
   after the end of the Program Year to the ETA Regional Administrator.
   States may use any format that provides all of the information
   described above in sections 6, 7, and 8.

   This Guidance Letter should be distributed to all officials within
   the State involved in implementing JTPA Titles II-A and II-C
   performance standards policy.

10. Inquiries. Questions concerning the performance standards
    information and the attachment should be directed to Regional Office
    Performance Standards Coordinators or Valerie Lloyd on (202)
    219-5487, extension 115. Questions regarding technical assistance
    and reorganization policy may be directed to Jim Aaron on (202)
    219-6825.

11. Attachment. Performance Status Summary Sheet.

Attachment: Performance Status Summary Sheet

JTPA Titles II-A and II-C — PERFORMANCE STATUS SUMMARY SHEET*

Program Year: ______ (Per instructions in TEGL 1-94, provide data for adult and welfare followup measures for the previous Program Year's fourth quarter plus the first three quarters of the reference year.)

State: __
SDA Name: _
SDA 5-Digit Number: ___

¹ Round to nearest 0.1%.
² Round to nearest $.
³ If a Technical Assistance or Reorganization Plan is required, attach it to this report or submit it separately to the ETA Regional Administrator in the applicable DOL regional office by September 30 following the end of the Program Year.

• Use of this format is optional. Reports prepared by States may be formatted in any way the State prefers, so long as all required information is provided.

Source: ETA's scanned attachment, transcribed from its page image.