of the Combined State Plan, that specificity may be added at the first revision. As the plan partners work to implement the Combined State Plan, they and the Nebraska Workforce Development board and local workforce development boards will begin working on system alignment, integration of services, and career pathway development. WIOA establishes the requirements for establishing priority of services. Under WIOA, the Governor and local workforce development boards provide direction to one-stop operators in local workforce development areas in terms of making determinations relation to priority of services in compliance with WIOA. Commenter: RespectAbility Topic: Multiple comments around greater clarity, precision and data need to ensure the people with disabilities will be better equipped to pursue the American Dream Make busting stigmas, myths, and misconceptions a key part of Nebraska’s workforce strategy Need for strategy alignment of workforce development and economic development to expand employment for people with disabilities Ensure that the best data points, including the Labor Force Participation Rates of people with disabilities v. those without disabilities, are used in performance metrics Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and Federal Contractors offer Nebraska the chance to innovate, collaborate, and expand opportunity The Combined State Plan will not be providing additional specificity around these themes at this time. Specificity will be developed as the plan partners, the Nebraska Workforce Development Board, and local workforce development boards work to put the Nebraska’s Combined State Plan into action. When appropriate to the requirements of the Combined State Plan, that specificity may be added at the first revision. As the plan partners work to implement the Combined State Plan, they and the Nebraska Workforce Development board and local workforce development boards will begin working on marketing and outreach to all job seekers and employers and integrating the services of the plan partner programs. The plan partners recognize the challenges of outreach to a large diverse population and getting the message to the priority populations identified in WIOA.
Commenter: Easter Seals Nebraska Topic: Discussion points and questions List work incentives counseling as a supportive service Detail a plan for educating employers around reasonable accommodations, responsibilities under ADA, sensitivity and disability etiquette, self-disclosure, 503 compliance and incentives to hire individuals with disability Include self-advocacy, peer modeling and disability disclosure information in leadership training for youth Further define what is meant by financial education and the intended outcome Consult with certified Work Incentive Specialists when working with job seekers receiving SSDI and/or SSI due to a disability Will the state’s employment database system support electronic referrals to engaged partners for needed services The Combined State Plan will not be providing additional specificity around these themes at this time. Specificity will be developed as the plan partners, the Nebraska Workforce Development Board, and local workforce development boards work to put the Nebraska’s Combined State Plan into action. When appropriate to the requirements of the Combined State Plan, that specificity may be added at the first revision. Local workforce development boards are responsible for the development of policies on the provision of support services, including those addressing the transportation needs of job seekers. The public is encouraged to engage with local workforce development boards on the provision of supportive services. As the plan partners work to implement the Combined State Plan, they and the Nebraska Workforce Development board and local workforce development boards will begin working to ensure a comprehensive network of interrelated services addressing a wide spectrum of jobseeker and employer needs, including accessibility of services and employer engagement. Plan partners and local workforce development boards determine the scope of youth services and programs. The public is encouraged to work with plan partners and local workforce development boards in relation to potential changes to services and programs. Financial counseling is mentioned in the Combined State Plan as a service provided under the Rapid Response program for dislocated workers.
Target the specific workforce needs of an occupational sector within the state The plan partners, American Job Centers, along with the Nebraska Workforce Development board and local workforce development boards will begin working on marketing and outreach to all job seekers and employers and integrating the services of the plan partner programs. The plan partners recognize the challenges of outreach to a large diverse population and getting the message to the priority populations identified in WIOA. The Combined State Plan includes goals and strategies for development of Nebraska’s Workforce System, which include the development and implementation of industry sector partnerships and strategies. Commenter: Anonymous Topic: Critique of the current NE-DOL reemployment services program and unemployment benefits Comments offered are not relevant to the Combined State Plan for Nebraska’s Workforce System Comments provided have been forwarded to the appropriate representatives of NDOL’s Employment Services and Unemployment Benefits programs. Comments were forwarded to the Greater Nebraska local area for follow up. Commenter: Kearney Housing Agency (KHA) Topic: Lack of access for Kearney area clients and KHA staff to work with a workforce office How can referrals be made to the Greater Nebraska AJC in Grand Island? More support is needed than the KHA can provide Concern about the effectiveness of Benefits Counseling provided by Vocational Rehabilitation based on a single case Concerns about the NEworks website for job search not being user friendly As the plan partners work to implement the Combined State Plan, they and the Nebraska Workforce Development board and local workforce development boards will begin working to ensure a comprehensive network of integrated services for all job seekers and employers, including accessibility.
Table 2. Public comments receive during the Public Hearing held February 5, 2016 Commenter & Topic Comments Response to Comment Commenter: Greater Fremont Developmental Council Topic: Question regarding the new regional planning areas, pre-employment transition services, and Career Pathways Asking if Dodge County (Fremont) would be part of Metro Region for regional planning but receive local workforce development services from the Greater Lincoln Workforce Development Area if the governor approves the recommended regional planning areas and local workforce development areas Clarification of who can receive the transition services Clarification if Career Pathways are only available to students with a disability and students under a Section 504 plan As the plan partners work to implement the Combined State Plan, they and the Nebraska Workforce Development board and local workforce development boards will begin working on system alignment, integration of services, and career pathway development. Commenter: Nebraska State Independent Living Council Topic: Representation and identify students under a 504 Plan People with disabilities should be mandated partners How will students under a 504 Plan be identified for services Under WIOA, mandated core programs are: the Adult Program (Title I of WIOA), the Dislocated Worker Program (Title I), the Youth Program (Title I), the Adult Education and Literacy Program (Title II), the Wagner-Peyser Act Program Act, as amended by title III), and the Vocational Rehabilitation Program (Title I of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended by Title IV), which includes the Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Specificity will be developed as the plan partners, the Nebraska Workforce Development Board, and local workforce development boards work to put the Nebraska’s Combined State Plan into action.