What's New in Workforce Investment?

The Employment and Training Administration (ETA) has outlined a new data collection in support of the WIA Adult and Dislocated Worker Programs Gold Standard Evaluation. The initial evaluation package, approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in September 2011 initial package, received clearance for the customer intake process which included: (1) a form to check the study eligibility of the customer; (2) a customer study consent form (indicating the customer's knowledge of the evaluation and willingness to participate); the collection of baseline data through a study registration form; and a contact information form. The package also included site visit guides for the collection of qualitative information on WIA program processes and services.

ETA has requested OMB clearance for the three remaining data collection efforts for the evaluation:

• Two follow-up surveys to be conducted at 15 and 30 months after random assignment, with a sample of WIA customers included in the evaluation;
• A cost data collection package consisting of three forms--a program costs questionnaire, a staff activity log, and a resource room sign-in sheet--for use in estimating the costs of WIA services and training received by sample members.
• The Veterans' Supplemental Study, consisting of qualitative and quantitative data collected on veterans served at the 28 LWIAs participating in the WIA Evaluation.

The June 25, 2012 FEDERAL REGISTER provides full background, summarizes burden hour estimates, and describes the desired focus for public comments. This notice also provides the contact information for obtaining the collection and submitting comments. Comments are due by August 24.

TEGL 37-09: Workforce Investment Act Gold Standard Evaluation