(Washington, DC) - The Department of Employment Services (DOES) invites comment on "The District of Columbia Strategic Workforce Investment Plan"* for Title I of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) and Wagner-Peyser Act for the period of July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010.  This document is a draft modification to the District of Columbia Strategic Two-Year Workforce Investment Plan for Title I of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 and Wagner-Peyser Act, for the period of July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2009 (State Plan).
 
The State Plan modification contains District of Columbia Mayor Adrian Fenty’s workforce development vision, goals, priorities, and strategies for economic recovery and implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act), and requests for waiver of certain WIA requirements.

The US Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration (ETA) required states to submit a modification to the State Plan, as instructed in "Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) No. 07-08, dated December 11, 2008", and "TEGL No. 14-08, dated March 18, 2009." ETA requested that states submit a stand-alone document that responds to questions drawn from the State Planning Guidance specified in Attachment A of TEGL No. 14-08. The questions relate to specific sections of the full State Plan and also allow states to describe and programs to implement the Recovery Act.
 
The modified State Plan will be an important resource for ensuring transparency and accountability in the use of Recovery Act funds.  The initiatives described in the plan are intended to help unemployed, underemployed, and dislocated workers find new jobs or reenter the job market; to help low-skill or low income adults and youths acquire in-demand skills and earn sustainable wages, and to enhance education pathways to healthy and emerging industries where District residents can improve their labor market prospects and long-term career success.
Any interested party wishing to comment on the State Plan modification must do so in writing no later than 9 am on Friday, July 24, 2009. Comments should be submitted via email to susan.gilbert@dc.gov.  Hard copies may be mailed to: Department of Employment Services, Workforce Development Bureau, 609 H Street, NE, Washington, DC, 20002, Attention: Susan O. Gilbert, Associate Director.
 
Comments received during this period will be considered and necessary revisions will be made to the State Plan prior to final publication.

Please read the following attachments:

Attach A: Waiver Incumbent Worker*

Attach B: Waiver Training Providers*

Attach C: Waiver Transfer Authority*

Attach D: Waiver Common Measures*