Five Year Strategic Plan Update
ONE-STOP SYSTEM
ONE-STOP CAREER CENTERS AND PARTNERS
Atlantic Cape May Career Centers, Inc. (Job Connection) continues
to serve as the One-Stop Operator as it has through the previous
two years. It is due to this agency's leadership that our workforce
investment area can boast such a successful and refined One-Stop
System.
During the course of the first two years of the Workforce Investment
Act of 1998, the Atlantic Cape May WIB signed a Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) with the chief elected official of each County, the One-Stop
Operator (Job Connection) and the 13 partners that encompass the
19 mandated partners identified in the WIA.
However, not all of the partners could physically CO-locate their
services together. Therefore, there are currently six comprehensive
One-Stop Career Centers in the bi-county area identified as follows:
- Atlantic County Department of Family and Community Development
Workforce Development Center
1333 Atlantic Avenue
Atlantic City, New Jersey 08401
- Atlantic Cape May Career Centers, Inc.
Job Connection
750 W. Delilah Road
Pleasantville, New Jersey 08232
- Workforce NJ One-Stop Career Center - Atlantic City
1433 Bacharach Boulevard
Atlantic City, New Jersey 08401
- Workforce NJ One-Stop Career Center
- Hammonton
44 N. White Horse Pike, Suite A
Hammonton, New Jersey 08037
- Atlantic Cape May Career Centers,
Inc.
Job Connection
1304 Route 47 South
Rio Grande, New Jersey 08242
- Workforce NJ One-Stop Career Center
- Wildwood
3810 New Jersey Avenue
Wildwood, New Jersey 08260
All six are physically located in densely populated areas that
afford high visibility and available transit service. The One-Stops
also have CO-located at least the three mandatory WIA partners
of Wagner-Peyser, UI, WIA Title I and TANF services plus numerous
others such as Vocational Rehabilitation, post-secondary literacy
services or housing services to name a few. The system of mandated
partners and other interested providers meets monthly to coordinate
service delivery and assure that performance standards are being
met.
Due to the nature of such a diverse, all-encompassing system, each site listed
above varies the number, type and amount of services available in the respective
center. A more comprehensive picture of the One-Stop system is detectable by
perusing the attached service center matrix. (Attachment B)
It becomes immediately clear when viewing the One-Stop system
in Atlantic and Cape May Counties that the six comprehensive sites
provide all of the required services mandated by the Workforce
Investment Act. The services provided at the sites and by who break
down as follows:
1. Eligibility determination - all partners
2. Outreach, intake, orientation - all partners
3. Initial assessment - all partners except UI
4. Job search and placement assistance - Workforce NJ, DVR
5. Career counseling - Workforce NJ, DVR
6. Employment statistics - Workforce NJ
7. Performance and cost information on training providers - Workforce NJ, Job
Connection
8. Information on local area results - all partners
9. Information on supportive services - all partners
10. Information on filing UI claims - all partners
11. Assistance in establishing eligibility for WTW and financial aid - all
partners except UI
12. Follow up services for 12 months after placement - all partners except
UI
The WIB along with the One-Stop Operator is working to overcome
the difficulties that may arise as a result of there being six
One-Stop locations. Despite the occasional communication lapses
great strides have been made in providing a premier system. It
is clearly evident that all 13 mandated partners provide core services
to their clients. To help ensure that the system runs as efficient
as possible, a Resource Sharing Agreement (RSA) has been implemented
between the partners in the six CO-located comprehensive centers.
This will help identify individual and shared cost and has resulted
in shared in-kind arrangements between partners that further improves
cooperation and coordination among them. The RSA is another step
toward the execution of a holistic approach to focusing on the
workforce development needs of the two Counties.
An elemental part of the whole system is the county TANF agency.
In both Counties, the TANF agency plays a crucial role in providing
assistance to individuals who enter a One-Stop site. The Atlantic
County TANF agency serves as a comprehensive One-Stop itself and
in Cape May County the TANF agency, due to space accommodations,
serves as a partner. Due to the integral role they play, both agencies
sign MOUs with the WIB on a yearly basis.
What we have attempted to do thus far is relay the steps that have been taken
to shape a One-Stop System that is user-friendly and beneficial to anyone,
including employers and job seekers, who may use the services offered by the
partners. Upon entering a One-Stop, any resident of Atlantic or Cape May County
can expect to be greeted by a receptionist who will guide that person into
the desired direction based upon the reason for entering the One-Stop.
A youth would be directed to the resource room to peruse the available
information or to a counselor who will assist in locating a summer
job if this is the desired result. An adult looking for a job would
be pointed toward the resource room for a self-directed job search
or to a counselor for intensive services if the customer is seeking
UI, TANF, or WTW. In the latter case, the individual is assisted
in making proper contact with the primary eligibility determination
agency. If the adult is seeking unemployment insurance, he or she
may also be required to participate in a mandatory orientation
and targeted job search activities. The same is also true of a
dislocated worker and a WTW client. Likewise, a TANF client, a
disabled person and a person who does not have basic skills, would
all be greeted by a receptionist and offered the use of the materials
in the resource room along with the option of registering for a
staff-assisted job search.
Information is also available at the One-Stops regarding student
financial aid such as tuition free training opportunities, WDP/WIA,
Pell Grants, Perkins and Stafford Loans and the college tuition
waiver program. Customers are encouraged to attend an orientation
at which the aforementioned information is shared. If interested,
customers are pointed toward the FAFSA web site to submit a direct
application for student financial aid. If more details are necessary,
One-Stop staff are empowered to refer customers to the services
in which they are interested.
Ultimately, Job Connection case managers and Workforce New Jersey
One-Stop Career Center counselors formulate and/or approve employability
development plans. It is a counselor who determines whether or
not it is necessary to recommend someone for more intensive services.
Special needs individuals are initially evaluated the moment they
enter a One-Stop Center. If necessary, a more formal assessment
is conducted by employment service counselors. An important tool
used in this process is TABE testing.
A former customer who finds it necessary to reenter core services
after going through intensive services can simply visit a One-Stop
Career Center for guidance. A counselor will then refer applicants
to training if that is the desired course and all the pertinent
information will be provided. Customers who complete an approved
job training program are entitled to one year of follow-up support.
No other post placement services are provided. Customers who desire
to reenter core services after training and the passing of the
one year follow-up period must visit one of the six One-Stops where
their request will be acted upon in the appropriate manner.
Employers who contact a One-Stop will find a great deal of information
at their disposal. The resource room is available to employers
in the bi-county region or an employer considering a move into
the area, inquiring about labor market information and other pertinent
data. A search of the resume' file may be conducted if the employer
is looking for prospective employees, an order can be placed on
America's Job Bank or a conference with a One-Stop Center staff
person can be conducted to schedule on or off site recruitment
session. If on-the-job training is sought, the employer could place
an order for OJT eligible referrals and talk to the OJT advisor.
The coordination of services should allow for the flexibility to
provide a satisfactory response to all requests that may arise
at any of the six comprehensive One-Stop locations listed earlier.
The One-Stop Operator (Job Connection) oversees the process of
shaping the entire system but also serves as the One-Stop director
in two of the six comprehensive centers in the bi-county area.
A monthly One-Stop meeting is held to assure each center continues
to provide easy access, including social services, to all customers.
Mutually beneficial in meeting the demands of the customers is
the introduction of an online client satisfaction survey at all
sites for instant feedback on services provided. Additionally,
the One-Stop System has a universal client grievance process. The
provision of stellar customer service is emphasized throughout
the One-Stop system. All job seekers and employers are given a "Bill
of Rights" as they depart the One-Stop Centers. (Attachment
C)
The realization of an all-encompassing One-Stop Center is a work
in progress, with the ultimate goal of remaining responsive to
the needs of the customer. It is the task of the One-Stop Operator
to mold the system as is required by these demands with the assistance
of the One-Stop directors. Input from all six sites and other members
of the One-Stop Committee is crucial in meeting this goal. The
exchange of information and ideas occurs on a constant basis. However,
a more formal meeting is necessary to implement new policy designed
to streamline operation of the system and provide a more beneficial
service to the community. It is for this purpose that a monthly
One-Stop Committee meeting is held at which time the One-Stop Operator
delivers meaningful information and receives feedback regarding
the state of the system. A list of Committee members is attached
(Attachment D). The role of the Committee is to plan, coordinate
and implement a comprehensive system. Therefore, committee members
deal with all aspects of the system from signage to capacity training
and system design. During the course of these meetings, any shortcomings
are brought to light and possible corrective actions are discussed;
all the while keeping in mind that the needs of the customers come
first.
Future Direction
The five year timeline update at the end of this document reflects
where this WIB wants to go. However, regarding the One-Stop System,
it is important to discuss future plans in this section so as to
afford what is on the horizon the significance it deserves. The
Atlantic Cape May WIB has been doggedly pursuing the idea of a
truly comprehensive One-Stop System. The goal is to eventually
eliminate the numerous One-Stop locations and consolidate all partners
in one building in each County. In the near future it is the desire
of the WIB to place the services of WIA Title I, Wagner Peyser,
UI, Veterans services, elderly, NAFTA, Voc Rehab and TANF in one
facility located in the center of Atlantic County. All the details
are currently being worked out. Furthermore, the planning for a
single One-Stop in Cape May County has also begun. The realization
of these One-Stop buildings will result in a less unwieldy system
and will no doubt significantly improve access and coordination
of services.
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Atlantic
Cape May Workforce Investment Board 