Item 09 - Biennial Modification to the PY 2021-24 Regional and Local Workforce Plan

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Orange County WDBs 2023 Biennial Modification to PY 2021-24 Unified Local Plan 17 progress includes, but is not limited to, the adoption of processes to assist immigrants in securing recognition of foreign transcripts; increased availability of web-based AJCC and workforce services system information in the seven core languages of Orange County; access to basic career services to interested individuals regardless of their immigration status; increased availability of ESL courses online; co-location of immigrant-focused partners and programs at the AJCCs; and collaboration between local boards and SSA on serving newly arrived refugees. IV. WIOA TITLE I COORDINATION The following narrative addresses services, activities, and administrative requirements of for the three local workforce boards in Orange County under the WIOA Title I formula programs, along with strategies for staff preparation, training, and ongoing professional development to effectively respond to participant needs. A. Staff Training and Professional Development to Increase Digital Technology Skills The onset of the pandemic and stay-at-home orders resulted in staff using more digital tools out of necessity. These immediate changes dictated that local boards move quickly, and individual staff members adopted many tools with very little training or direction. All staff members were required to use technology and were digitally literate before the pandemic, and as they engaged in immersive learning , they achieved greater digital fluency. The local boards provide an environment that allows staff time for self-directed learning with online videos created for product use. Frontline staff mastered products and delivered and produced training videos to help their co-workers gain knowledge. Staff assisted their colleagues in navigating new digital tools. Digital fluency is a foundational aspect of productivity, enabling staff to perform more effectively. Since the current plan's implementation, digital skills training provided to staff has covered: Microsoft Office 365; videoconferencing platforms, including Zoom and MS Teams; and a series of CalJOBS training sessions. Additional training in digital skills will be provided to frontline staff during the remaining period of the PY 21 -24 Unified Local Plan. B. Frontline Staff Training and Professional Development to Increase Cultural Competency and Effectiveness in Working with Individuals and Groups that Have Been Exposed to Trauma Orange County's population is racial and ethnically diverse, which is reflected in the customers who use AJCC services. In addition, workforce system staff estimates that a significant number of the customers they see may have experienced various forms of trauma based on vulnerable groups that they represent, along with the wide-ranging traumatic effects of the pandemic. EXHIBIT 2