ACTION BULLETINS (PY 2000)

AB 4 INDIVIDUAL TRAINING ACCOUNT (ITA) POLICY AND PROCEDURE

AB - # 4

Effective Date: 09/28/00



ACTION BULLETIN




TO: One-Stop Career Centers

DATE: December 11, 2000

SUBJECT: Individual Training Account (ITA) Policy


Purpose of Bulletin:
The Local Workforce Investment Board is required under the Workforce Investment Act to set policies for Adults and Dislocated Workers using training services that define time limits and dollar limits (caps). The Operations committee was advised that EASTBAY Works was working to establish regional guidelines for ITA’s and OJT’s. The Operations Committee felt regional (EASTBAY Works) guidelines should be adopted. Staff was directed to continue to meet and bring back the regional recommendations. The EASTBAY Works Procurement Team met on July 12, 2000 to set forth and agree on regional guidelines for ITA’s and OJT’s.

Concerns about retention, skill transference, minimum employer contribution and wage recovery were taken into consideration.

The Workforce Investment Act requires that ITA’s only be issued if eligible individuals who are unable to obtain other grant assistance for such services through Federal Pell Grants or any other grant assistance (Section 134 (d) (4) (B)). OJT’s and customized training are exceptions.

For dislocated workers there may be the possibility of North America Free Trade Act (NAFTA) or Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) funding.






Citation(s):

Workforce Investment Act of 1998 Section 134

Policy/Procedure/Definition:

The Individual Training Account (ITA) Policy:

a. ITA’s will be capped/limited to $5,000 over a five-year period.
Under special circumstances, on a case by case basis and with proper justification, a counselor could request a waiver to exceed the $5,000 limit from the One-Stop Manager.

b. If similar training (curricula and timeframes) is available at both a public and private training institution, the local WIB would only pay up to the cost of the public training institution. (The WIA registrant could opt for the private school but would only receive an ITA for an amount equal to the Public Schools cost.)

c. Maximum training time will be 2 years.

d. ITA’s and OJT’s can be combined as long as it stays under the $5,000 cap. Under special circumstances, on a case by case basis and with proper justification, a counselor could request a waiver to exceed $5,000 from the One-Stop Manager.

e. ITA’s will apply to both adults and dislocated workers.

Individual Training Account (ITA) Procedure


1. Career Counselor conducts transferable skills analysis and in-depth assessment
2. Career Counselor and Customer determine BEST training options
3. Career Counselor and Customer explore all other funding possibilities (PELL, CC, Adult Ed, etc.)
4. Career Counselor verifies with Supervisor that is WIA funding is available for intended ITA. This verification is in accordance with local WIB procedures.
5. Career Counselor verifies that Customer meets Training Provider requirements (reading level, math, etc.)
6. Career Counselor completes Career Counselor Career Counselor Worksheet: Individual Training Account form.
7. Career Counselor obtains authorization from Supervisor.
8. Career Counselor enters information into Smartware.
9. Career Counselor faxes completed and signed Career Counselor Worksheet: Individual Training Account to Oakland PIC Client Specialist at least 10 days before training starts.
10. Client Specialist enters information into Title I record keeping system.
11. Client Specialist issues final ITA, and forwards to Oakland PIC Contracts Department for signature by CEO; signed ITA is returned to Client Specialist.
12. Client Specialist mails final ITA along with invoices to Training Provider, and faxes copy to Career Counselor.
13. Training Provider counter-signs ITA and mails original back to OPIC.
14. Client Specialist faxes signed ITA to Career Counselor. Customer may now start training.
15. Training Provider sends OPIC completed invoice covering period of training received to date.
16. Client Specialist will fax Career Counselor copy of invoice, and will request from Career Counselor verification of receipt of:
Attendance Monthly Progress Reports
Grades Completion of Course or Program
Proficiencies Copy of any Certificate Earned
17. Career Counselor sends written authorization to Supervisor, who signs off and faxes it to Client Specialist, who forwards OPIC Fiscal department to pay.

Weekly update of ITA funding availability will be e-mailed to Title I Manager and appropriate One-Stop Managers.

Action:

Effective September 23, 2000 you will be required to follow the policies and procedures.

Information & Inquiries:

Roy Bertuccelli
Workforce Development Specialist
510 728-7867
rbertuccelli@co.alameda.ca.us