Three New NCWD/Youth Information Briefs available

1. The Right Connections: Navigating the Workforce Development System is for administrators and youth service practitioners who provide programming to young people and want to connect their programs to the workforce development system. This brief is aimed at helping those who work with youth better understand how to navigate the workforce development system. While the information in this brief focuses on the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) there are other laws relevant to the workforce development system that impact youth are described at http://www.ncwd-youth.info/resources_&_Publications/disability_Legislation/index.html.
2. New Departments Address Disability Issues describes new federal and state programs and agencies that provide services for people with disabilities. There are a myriad of programs across federal and state agencies that provide health, education, workforce, and human services for people with disabilities. However, the placement of these programs within government varies from state to state. This brief describes recent actions of federal and state government in the development of these organizations.
3. Breaking Down Technological Barriers brief describes assistive technology and accessible information and gives policymakers information on federal and state accessibility legislation, laws and requirements.

New Handbook available from NCSET

The National Center on Secondary Education and Transition (NCSET) has published an essential tool for improving secondary education and transition for youth with disabilities, Handbook for Implementing a Comprehensive Work-Based Learning Program According to the Fair Labor Standards Act. The FLSA is the federal legislation establishing minimum wage, overtime pay, record keeping requirements (i.e., personal employee information, wages, hours), and child labor.

The publication provides guidance to schools operating work-based learning programs and encourages the adoption of work-based learning by schools not using this approach. The handbook gives examples and information so that schools can operate work-based learning programs for youth with disabilities that are consistent with the Fair Labor Standards Act. More information on the handbook is available at http://www.ncset.org/publications/essentialtools/flsa/.

GAO Report on Employers’ Use of One-stops

A recent report by the Government Accountability Office titled Workforce Investment Act: Employers Are Aware of, Using, and Satisfied with One-Stop Services, but More Data Could Help Labor Better Address Employers' Needs, (GAO-05-259). The report found that employers are aware of their one-stop centers and are using them. The report reflects that about half of all employers are aware of their local one-stops, and awareness increases with size of the organization. About half of small, two-thirds of medium, and three-quarters of large companies know about their local one-stops.

Of all employers aware of the one-stops, about three-quarters of large employer organizations are likely to use one-stop services, while approximately one-half of medium and one-quarter of small employers are likely to do so. Employers of all sizes primarily use one-stop services to help fill job vacancies. Overall, about three-quarters of employers who use one-stop services are satisfied with the services they receive. These employers are most satisfied with one-stop efforts to provide timely services and respond to their needs. In addition, most employers who have used one-stop services would likely use them again, and about one-third of employers who are aware of one-stop services, but have not used them, would consider using them in the future.

The report also recommends that the Department of Labor require states to collect and report on employer use of the one-stop system in order to have a better understanding of the degree to which the publicly funded workforce system meets employers' needs.

The full report was issued February 18, 2005. The full report from the GAO is available at http://www.gao.gov/docsearch/abstract.php?rptno=GAO-05-259.