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ARRA Workforce Investment Act:  Local Workforce Investment Boards

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) has provided stimulus funding to the states under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA).  For New York State, this means that approximately $130 million in additional funding for youth, adults and dislocated workers has been allocated to the 33 Local Workforce Investment Boards (LWIBs).  This funding doubles the amount of funding normally allocated to NYS.

It is the LWIBs that will determine how funds will be spent, but they are under considerable pressure to spend the funds quickly.  In addition, there is a new emphasis on training workers for skilled jobs that are in demand by the local economy.  In addition to occupational skills training (credit or non-credit), funding will be available to support such activities as adult basic education/remedial education, support services such as child care, and living stipends for low income persons.  Programs can be developed for individuals or for entire cohorts, on campus or at an employer's site, for unemployed persons or incumbent workers.

Colleges will be key to developing and implementing programs under this WIA funding.  Institutions may negotiate program contracts that cover the full costs of training.

All campuses are urged to contact their LWIB and discuss ways to partner with them for the delivery of effective programs to serve the region's citizens, especially the unemployed.  A statewide effort has the potential for having an important impact on economic recovery, which is the ultimate goal of the ARRA.

A February 23, 2009 chart of local WIA allocations under the ARRA is available here.  Note that these may be adjusted somewhat when everything is finalized.  There are four tabs on the spreadsheet for youth, adult, dislocated worker and total.

You may also want to refer to the Employment And Training Administration Training And Employment Guidance Letter No. 14-08 for further guidance:  http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/attach/TEGL/TEGL14-08acc.pdf.