1. Purpose

To provide local elected officials additional policy information regarding local area designation and changes to geographic boundaries under the Workforce Investment Act and H.B. 470.

2. Effective Date

March 24, 2000

3. Background

Local elected officials have the authority to request designation pursuant to the Workforce Investment Act or H.B. 470. On December 27, 1999, Governor Taft officially designated seven local workforce investment areas in the State that must comply with all the requirements specified in the Workforce Investment Act. They are:

• Summit County - Local Area 1

• Cuyahoga County - Local Area 2

• City of Cleveland - Local Area 3

• Lorain County - Local Area 4

• Lake County - Local Area 5

• Stark and Tuscarawas County - Local Area 6

• Ohio Option Area (82 counties and 2 cities) - Local Area 7

For the purposes of discussion local areas 1 thru 6 will be called "Conventional WIA Areas" and local area 7, the "Ohio Option Area". Local elected officials have asked when their decisions regarding geographic composition of sub-areas within the Ohio Option Area must be finalized.

4. Policy Statement

This policy and instructions are for Conventional WIA Areas and sub-areas within the Ohio Option Area. Areas may ask for conventional WIA designation (automatic, temporary or recommendation of the State Board) no later than the date the State submits the State's five year strategic plan. The anticipated submission date is March 27, 2000.

All sub-areas within the Ohio Option Area must declare their final decisions regarding geographic boundaries of their respective local areas no later than April 10, 2000, to ensure the public is aware of the local areas and have the opportunity to comment during the 30 day public comment period required for local plans or workforce development plans where applicable. Ohio Option Areas are required per H.B. 470 to hold public hearings regarding workforce development plans. Conventional WIA Areas may also hold public hearings.

• Ohio Option Areas
  
  The choice of geographic boundaries that define sub-areas within the Ohio Option Area is a one year (July 1, 2000 to June 30, 2001) commitment of the local elected official(s). If the local elected official(s) choose to reconfigure the geographic boundaries beginning July 1, 2001, the new designation period will be for two years. The local elected official(s) can also request to become a Conventional WIA Area during the open request for designation period that will be established in 2001 and every two years thereafter.



• Conventional WIA Areas
  
  Conventional WIA areas that were designated under the automatic designation criteria or the recommendation of state board criteria were designated for five years. Conventional WIA areas designated under the temporary criteria were designated for two years. However, the local elected official(s) can also request to become a part of the Ohio Option Area in 2001 during the open request for designation period that will be established in 2001 and every two years thereafter.

5. Action Required

Local elected officials must follow this policy to ensure seamless service delivery throughout the State and to guarantee WIA funds are allocated to the appropriate local areas.

Rescissions: None

Distribution: WIA Policy Letter                                       Expiration Date: Continuing