WIOA Adult Program

Title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) authorized three of the six core programs included under WIOA. The Adult Program is one of the three core programs. The program serves job seekers age 18 and older to find employment by

WIOA Adult formula grants are federal funds authorized under Title I of WIOA, that uses a statutorily-mandated formula to calculate the distribution of Congressionally-allocated funds to eligible recipients which include any of the 50 states and District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Outlying Areas. Allocated funds must be spent within three years. The WIOA Adult Program is available to help adults 18 years and older gain skills and career knowledge to enter in-demand jobs to enhance their opportunities with employment, retention, earnings, and economic self-sufficiency.

Under WIOA, the entities eligible to receive funding from the Department are the 50 States, Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia and the outlying areas. Funds are allotted based on a statutory formula. The states in turn allocate funds to local workforce development boards which are responsible for operating American Job Centers (approximately 2,400 nationwide).

All adults 18 years of age and older are eligible to receive career services. Several populations receive priority, with States and local areas being responsible for establishing procedures for applying the priority requirements. Priority of service is given to veterans and other covered persons. Priority for career and training services must be given to public assistance recipients, other low income populations, and low-skilled individuals.

WIOA specifies that most services for adults will be provided through the American Job Center Network, also known as one-stop career centers or workforce centers. It authorizes that funds be used to provide career services, which are classified into two categories: basic and individualized services. Basic services are available to all job seekers and include labor exchange services, labor market information, job listings, and information on partner programs. Individualized services include training and supportive services, such as child care and needs-related payments. These are made available to individuals after an interview, assessment or evaluation determines that the individual requires training to obtain employment. These training services will be linked to job opportunities in their communities, including occupational training, work-based training and basic skills training. To promote customer choice and involvement in career decisions, some participants use an "Individual Training Account (ITA)" to select an appropriate training program from an eligible training provider.

The WIOA Adult Program is consistent with the allowable activities in the statute such as basic career services yet priority for individualized career and training services is restricted to recipients of public assistance, low-income individuals, and those with barriers to employment.

Formula funds are allotted every year to a state in two portions during a program year and are available for expenditure by the state for that program year and the two succeeding program years.

Preapplication coordination is required. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review for Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

WIOA Adult program proposals are selected based on organizational capacity, program design, participant outcomes, and cost reasonableness. Key criteria include alignment with local, high-demand industries, strategies to serve priority populations (low-income, veterans, public assistance recipients), and the ability to integrate with One-Stop career centers.

Those portions of the State Plan over which the Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training exercises authority are reviewed and approved by the Employment and Training Administration. Formula funds are awarded to the states based on a statutory formula provided in the authorizing legislation.

Application deadlines are published annually in guidance issued by the US Department of Labor.

State plans will be reviewed in accordance with 20 CFR 661.220(e), which provides that the Secretary must approve all state plans within 90 days of their submission, unless the Secretary determines in writing that: (1) the State Plan is inconsistent with the provisions of Title I of WIOA or the WIOA regulations, including 29 CFR Part 37; or (2) the portion of the State Plan impacting the Wagner-Peyser Act plan does not satisfy the criteria for approval in Section 8(d) of the Wagner-Peyser Act or the Wagner-Peyser Act regulations at 20 CFR Part 652.