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Employment and Training AdministrationUnited States Department of LaborWorkforce Innovation and Opportunity ActSTATE SUCCESS STORIESProgramYear2018
Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act State Success Stories PY 2018TABLE OF CONTENTSForeword . 1Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Adult Program Stories . 2Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Youth Program Stories . 13Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Dislocated Worker Stories . 27Other Workforce Program Successes . 37
Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act State Success Stories PY 2018FOREWORDThe Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) requires states to submit annualreports highlighting the success and challenges of the workforce development system.As businesses and workers across the U.S. struggle to remain competitive in the globaleconomy, American Job Centers help job seekers access and prepare for employment,as well as match employers with the skilled workers needed. Individuals struggling withsocial, economic, or personal barriers receive customized services, such as job searchassistance or training, in their efforts to become self-sufficient. This report highlightsthose success stories and provides valuable examples of how states are implementingWIOA to help job seekers gain employment.These success stories are excerpted directly from the Program Year (PY) 2018 State’sWIOA Annual Report Narratives and may have been minimally edited for clarity andconsistency. The full Annual Report Narratives may be found on the U.S. Department ofLabor’s Employment and Training Administration website at: ts/annual-results.These success stories highlight WIOA Title I programs, including Adult, DislocatedWorker, and Youth programs. Since WIOA serves both the job seeker and the employer,this report captures the successes from both customers. Employer stories highlighthow they strengthened their competitiveness by working with their local workforceboard to identify, build, strengthen, and retain a skilled workforce.Individual’s stories highlight how services, such as industry-specific training, employmentassistance and placement, certification programs, and vocational rehabilitation, helpedthem gain economic self-sufficiency. There are several programs that work specificallywith certain populations such as veterans, individuals with a criminal history, andindividuals struggling with substance use. With such a variety of success stories, it isclear that states are leveraging the diversity, innovation, and flexibility of the types ofprograms and services that they offer to address the needs of the local community.The U.S. Department of Labor is pleased to provide these success stories as illustrationsof the positive impacts that federal investments have had on the nation’s economy andon the nation’s economy and workforce.1
Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act State Success Stories PY 2018WIOA Adult Program Success StoriesALABAMAAL At the time of enrollment, Victoria was a singleparent of three small children and recentlydivorced. She was not allowed to work outsidethe home during her marriage and had noverifiable work history. Child support was heronly source of income. After her divorce, sheknew she had to return to school to support herboys. She completed her pre-requisites usingher Pell Grant, but she soon exhausted her PellGrant after completing the second semester ofnursing because she had attended theUniversity of Alabama Birmingham after highschool but did not earn a degree. She did notknow if she would be able to finish schoolbecause she did not have the financial aid sheneeded. A classmate referred her to theAlabaster Career Center to see if she qualifiedfor WIOA. She graduated from Jefferson Statewith her associate’s degree in Nursing andimmediately went to work with her temporarylicense in St. Vincent’s Surgical Intensive CareUnit, earning 23.00 per hour. She passedher State Board Exam one month later andis still employed as a nurse. Ms. Abbett worked in the police reserves as avolunteer for the town of Jacksons Gap beforehearing of an open position with the DadevillePolice Department. After being hired for the Cityof Dadeville, she was placed in on the job training(OJT) on February 4, 2019 as a Patrol Officertrainee making 11.00 per hour. She completedher OJT on 7/27/19 and is still employed with theCity of Dadeville at the current wage of 15.40per hour.Officer Abbett is the first female police officerfor the Dadeville Police Department and isbeing trained to work with the local Departmentof Human Resources to respond to domesticviolence cases and cases with children. Shehopes to one day work her way up to Investigator.ALASKAAK In June 2018, Megan was referred to CareerSupport and Trainings Services by KawerakIncorporated and the Alaska VocationalTechnical Center (AVTEC). An EmploymentServicesTechniciandetermined Megan eligiblefor WIOA adult services andenrolled her on July 1, 2018.seemed part of a future I could not afford to find.I had worked for years taking a couple collegeclasses a year through a subsidized program thelocal school district offered with hope of a betterand more stable job at the end of a 10-year plan.Then I was told about AVTEC, a school whichoffers to teach Alaskan people from rural villageswith families skills for the current job marketand help place students in jobs statewide whilealso providing housing specific to my situationallowing me to stay close to the school and stillhave the room, space, and resources to keep mykids close to me. Everything I had desired waspossible and it was only as far away as the moneyand time it took to move there and attend class.Yet, the possibility of better work and moreopportunities still seemed out of reach. With alarge family, I was never able to save enough toattend even the most affordable school.“My name is Megan Penayah.I come from the beautifulnative village of Savoonga.Living in my village, Inoticed how few jobs wereavailable for those who wereresponsible and hard-working and how noneof those jobs offered much hope of helping mesupport my large family. I had dreams of findingbetter work; however, those dreams always2
Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act State Success Stories PY 2018With low hopes, I was encouraged to reachout to the AVTEC financial aid personnel whotold me about financial aid I could qualify for,and through AVTEC and a few close friends,I discovered many scholarship and grantapplications including one for Career Supportand Training Services through the Departmentof Labor and Workforce Development. Mybiggest hopes of becoming better trained,more competent, and competitive in a broaderworkforce had become possible. Through manyemails, a few flights, even more calls, and a lot ofcommunication and work I was set up to begintraining to be a medical administrative assistantat AVTEC. It was both terrifying and thrilling, andI was and am still more grateful than words canexpress for all the financial and personal helpmany were part of giving me from the beginningof learning about scholarship applications untilthe day I graduated. Through the generosity andcare of those who became a part of my story, Ihave graduated AVTEC with certifications in themedical administrative assistance field and Ihave been working at the job I started shortlyafter graduation at Providence Hospital. I havenot only my future, but also the future of mychildren, my family, and my people through thework and success which are part of my exampleto them all. I plan to continue learning more withthe skills I have gained while going through theprocesses involved in attending and completingpost-secondary school in order to continuebecoming a larger support to my family, betterat my job, and an inspiration to those seeking abetter life in my village.”ARKANSASAR Shanisa Thomas, a single mother of three,wanted to provide a better life for her familyand she was interested in pursuing a career asa Nurse. However, she did not have the financialmeans to pay for the training.Hoping to obtain her degree in Nursing andunable to pay for the course herself, singlemom Nikeia Talley visited the ArkansasWorkforce Center at Benton to discuss potentialopportunities available through the WIOAprogram.In May 2017, after she met with a CareerConsultant at the Arkansas Workforce Centerin North Little Rock to discuss her options, sheenrolled in the WIOA Adult Program and beganworking on her educational training at theUniversity of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR) tobecome a Registered Nurse.In January of 2019, she enrolled in the WIOA Adultprogram and received Educational TrainingServices to assist her with completing her finalsemester in the UALR Nursing Program.Despite managing her special needs child’sbusy schedule and all the demands that comewith being a single parent, on May 11, 2019, shesuccessfully walked across the stage at UALR’sCommencement Ceremony and received herdegree in Nursing.Working vigorously and determined to succeed,not only was she accepted into the NationalHonor Society of Nursing, she also graduatedfrom UALR with an associate’s degree in Nursingtwo years later. Shortly after, she obtained herregistered nursing license and began workingfull time at the Veteran’s Administration Hospitalin Little Rock making a self-sufficient wage.Upon the successful completion of the StateBoard Examination, she accepted a job offer andbegan working at the Saline Memorial Hospitalon July 8, 2019 earning a substantial wage whichallows her to support her family. When it cameto defining her educational and career goals,she took advantage of the support and servicesthat were provided through the WIOA funding.In the end, Shanisa was proud of the availableresources through WIOA that allowed herto reach her goal in finding a career that shewould love and that would allow her to providefor her family.3
Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act State Success Stories PY 2018IDAHOID A 56 year-old single female enrolled in theAdult program in 2017, Michelle was a midwifewho had completed several years in a nursingprogram with 2 years left to get her bachelor’sdegree. At the time of her enrollment, shewas living in a camp trailer and receiving foodstamps. At the end of 2018, her daughter-in-lawpassed away from cancer and she took on moreresponsibility helping her grandson cope andhomeschooling him. With one semester left, andstrongly encouraged by her instructor to stayin school, she continued. Her efforts led to herinduction into the American Nurses AssociationHall of Fame in February of 2019, along with anoffer to join the Honor Society of Nursing SigmaTheta Tau. After graduating with an overall GPAof 3.93 in May 2019 and updating her resume, shewas hired at the end of the month by BinghamMemorial Hospital, earning 24.00 per hourwith full benefits. No longer on food stamps norliving in her camper, Michelle took her NCLEXand received her license this summer.not working and living in a shelter that wouldallow her only 2 more months additional stay.In addition, the pregnancy required her tohave a Caesarean section, meaning she wouldbe unable to work for 6-8 weeks. The localDepartment of Veterans Outreach Programand her WIOA career planner worked togetherto find the necessary resources that wouldassist Seani as she prepared for work afterthe new baby arrived. Directing her to IdahoHousing and Finance, she qualified for a grantthat allowed her to obtain an apartment for herfamily. In addition, the team secured new babyitems for the baby once it was born, as well ashaving a local car dealership provide her a usedvan that would fit the entire family. To obtainnew skillsets, the WIOA career planner placedher in a paid internship with the Idaho HeartInstitute for a period of time before the babywas born. Since then, Seani has had the babyand returned to work. She obtained daycarefor all her children and began working full time(32 hours per week). in the Medical Recordsunit at the Idaho Heart Institute earning 10.75per hour and benefits, with a raise to 11.25 perhour after 90 days. Seani enrolled in the WIOA Adult programin December 2018 as a homeless, disabledveteran. Pregnant with two children, she wasMARYLANDMD Woodrow came to the WIOA program afterworking with an employer for 13 years as an autoglass technician. Woodrow earned a good salarybut was without any industry-wide credentials.He lost his job in 2018 and was worried about hisability to make a similar, livable wage becauseof his narrow skill set. Woodrow enrolled inthe WIOA Adult program at The Career Centerat Hunt Valley. Hunt Valley Career Consultant,Andrea Fuhrman, assisted Woodrow to developa comprehensive employment plan withintensive case management. Woodrow receivedWIOA funding for The Community College ofBaltimore County’s Commercial Driver’s License(CDL) Class A truck driving training and earnedhis credential in February of 2019.Shortly thereafter, Woodrow obtained a drivingjob with a local area employer at a starting salaryover 60% higher than his previous employment.This income increase was significant giventhe short time period Woodrow invested toparticipate in the WIOA program. It is alsoimportant to note that the new job allowedWoodrow to be home every night. Woodrow’sinvolvement with Baltimore County’s workforcedevelopment services and his new CDL Class Alicense will keep him employed for years to come.4
Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act State Success Stories PY 2018MICHIGANMI Kerstin Cybak visited the Roseville MichiganWorks! Career Center, after being out of workfor a few years, when a drastic change in herfinancial situation suddenlymade finding employmenta priority. She quicklydiscovered that her lackof recent work experienceand marketable skills werebarriers to landing a job.Kerstin knew she neededtraining to make herselfmore marketable.Kerstin’s interest in healthcare led her to thepharmacy technician program at MacombCommunity College. She was able to enrollin the program with WIOA tuition assistance.Kerstin excelled in her classes and completedthe certification program. It didn’t take long forher to gain a full-time position at a compoundingpharmacy at Karmanos Cancer Center.Kerstin expressed her gratitude for theopportunity: “This is the experience of a lifetime. Iam extremely grateful for the help of the Rosevilleand Warren Michigan Works! offices; especiallyChristine Rinaldi. I am loving my newfoundcareer. I am looking ahead, and my future islooking bright!”She met with a career planner to determine thebest course of action. After some exploration,MISSISSIPPIMS Megan Brady walked into the NortheastMississippi Community College (NEMCC) adulteducation’s Smart Start Pathway Program in thefall of 2017 to begin her educational journey. Likemany others, she had dropped out of high schoolto take care of her family. After nearly ten years,Ms. Brady decided that it was time to get a highschool equivalency (HSE). However, she neededhelp to accomplish her goals. She enrolled inthe Smart Start program at NEMCC where shecompleted the program and earned that, HSE.She also earned a silver level on the NationalCareer Readiness Certificate (NCRC); obtainedjob skills, work ethics, and college credit.Brady is in her third semester of nursing school,maintains a 3.7 GPA, is a member of NEMCC’sPhi Theta Kappa chapter, and is expected tograduate May 2020. Jennifer Martin has overcome many hardshipsin her life. She dropped out of high school duringher senior year when her baby girl was born withmany health issues. Her family needed her morethan she needed an education at that point.During the grieving process following her baby’sdeath, Ms. Martin realized that she wanted theability to help others to pay back those who hadhelped her child. Ms. Martin was very nervousabout going back to school but contactedthe adult education program at MeridianCommunity College to ask for help. She beganthe Smart Start pathway program and begantaking classes to earn an HSE.After meeting with a transitions specialist, Ms.Brady was referred to the MI-BEST program. Shecompleted the team-taught classes with a 4.0and continued as a full-time student at NEMCC.In May 2018, Ms. Brady was accepted into theLicensed Practical Nursing program, and justtwo months after that time, she was acceptedinto the associate’s degree Nursing program. Ms.Ms. Martin earned the Smart Start pathwaycredential in June 2017, the HSE in December5
Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act State Success Stories PY 20182017, and then enrolled in the MI-BEST CertifiedNursing Assistant (CNA) program to continuepursuing her educational goals.August 2017 to pursue an associate degreeof Applied Science degree with a major inComputer Networking. Brian had previouslyworked in a document processing centerand was seeking a more challenging career.Mueller Copper Tubing recruited him throughthe Careers in Advanced Manufacturing andTechnology Apprenticeship Program, whichwas an opportunity to expand his training in areal-world setting while attending class. Briangraduated in May 2019 and remains employedat Mueller Copper Tubing.Ms. Martin is currently enrolled in the EmergencyMedical Technician (EMT) program and isscheduled to complete the paramedics trainingin 2020. Brian Daugherty is an adult learner whoreturned to Itawamba Community College inMONTANAMT John, a young man determined to get hisdegree in Petroleum Engineering, came toJob Service Montana (JSM)-Butte in July 2016,out of work and on food stamps. JSM staff coenrolled John in WIOA Adult/HELP-Link. Hereceived help with enrollment at Montana Tech,career counseling, and financial support as heprogressed through school. In May 2019, Johngraduated with honors, receiving a bachelor’sdegree in Petroleum Engineering. He startedwork with Pioneer Energy Services of NorthDakota as an operating engineer with a startingsalary of 70,000 per year. John sent a letter ofappreciation to JSM.NEBRASKANE On December 6, 2018, Thomas Romero attendedthe Workforce Academy offered in the GreaterNebraska Workforce Development Area whilehe was incarcerated in the Dawson CountyDetention Center. During his participationin the workshop, a career planner discussedthe employment and training programsoffered by Greater Nebraska. Once 67 of the 71workshop were finished, Thomas requestedmore information on obtaining his CDL ClassA through the Title I adult program. The careerplanner discussed the requirements andexpectations of Title I programs with Thomasand asked him to contact the career planneronce Thomas was released from incarceration.On December 12, 2018, Thomas was releasedand traveled to the North Platte AmericanJob Center (AJC) to speak with the Re-entryWorkforce Coordinator. Thomas advised thathe was seeking housing in North Platte to becloser to the AJC. AJC staff escorted him to theConnection Shelter and assisted him with filingpaperwork to secure a room while he worked onhis employment and training plan. On January9, 2019, staff referred Thomas to the North PlatteElks Club Employment readiness programwhere they assisted him with paying for hisCDL permit. Thomas passed his CDL physical onFebruary 6 and was awaiting conclusion of hislegal issues before starting CDL training.6
Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act State Success Stories PY 2018By March 20, 2019, Thomas had successfullypassed 2 out of 3 required tests and wasexpected to finish within 8 weeks. Thomas hadsecured a part time position in maintenanceat the Ramada Inn and was able to move fromthe
semester in the UALR Nursing Program. Despite managing her special needs child’s busy schedule and all the demands that come with being a single parent, on May 11, 2019, she successfully walked across the stage at UALR’s Commencement Ceremony and received her degree in Nursing. Upon the successful completion of the State
