Okaloosa County BOCC — July 6, 2016 — 2016 Okaloosa County Commissioners Approval — reading text

CareerSource Okaloosa Walton (Region 2) Annual Request for Continuation of CareerSource Okaloosa Walton Business Model of Direct Services Required by CareerSource Florida, Inc. As authorized in state legislation, SB428, in June 2008, the Workforce Development Board of Okaloosa and Walton Counties (now CareerSource Okaloosa Walton) requested a waiver from the Governor’s Office and Workforce Florida, Inc. (now CareerSource Florida, Inc.) to adopt the Business Model of Direct Services Provider. That request was granted and on July 1, 2008, the Workforce Development Board of Okaloosa and Walton Counties began to provide Direct Services for all adult and dislocated worker services. Prior to its decision to deliver Direct Services, the Board engaged in deliberations of the pros and cons of the various Business Models. CareerSource Okaloosa Walton Board of Directors continues to give careful attention to separating the role of the Board as a policy-making, oversight body from the management of the day-to-day operations. Specific measures are in place to prohibit having the Board of Directors become a Management of Operations body instead of setting policy and providing guidance and oversight. A process is in place for the agendas of the CareerSource Okaloosa Walton Board of Directors meetings to focus on broad workforce, education, and economic development issues. CareerSource Okaloosa Walton is requesting continued approval from CareerSource Florida for the implemented Waiver to provide Direct Services in Okaloosa and Walton Counties for two primary reasons: (1) Cost Savings, and; (2) Streamlining of Service Delivery. The continued rationale of CareerSource Okaloosa Walton is that cost savings and streamlining of services allows more resources to be allocated to services and more customers to be served. Continued evaluations of the results of the adoption of the Direct Services Model since implementation of Direct Services Delivery in 2008 indicate that both objectives have been met. The Cost Savings annually are estimated at approximately $90,000. The Cost Savings were primarily the result of: • Elimination of extra layer of management salaries (and associated costs; i.e. travel, insurance and cell phones) for an Executive Director, Fiscal Director, and support staff for the Service Provider • Elimination of Costs for duplicate Accounting and Procurement Systems. • Elimination of Overhead costs for operations and management of a Service Provider • Elimination of a Single Audit Act previously required of the Service Provider • Elimination of allowable costs related to support of a governing Board of Service Provider • Reduced Turnover of Staff providing Direct Services (effectiveness and efficiencies) 1 CareerSource Okaloosa Walton Direct Services Model 2016-2019 Streamlining Delivery of Services: The streamlining of the delivery of services has been possible because of a very clear reporting channel which shows that front-line staff report to a Center Manager who is responsible for supervising all staff (Department of Economic Opportunity, CareerSource Okaloosa Walton and partner staff) housed in the Center; the Center Manager reports directly to the Chief Operating Officer (COO) who reports to the CareerSource Okaloosa Walton Executive Director. Administrative/Fiscal support and Technical Assistance/Quality Assurance support the One Stop Operations. Greater efficiencies have also been realized in allowing more flexibility in Support Services and more timely payments to Training Vendors because of expediting payment documentation directly from CareerSource Okaloosa Walton applicable staff. Real-time tracking of expenditures, encumbrances and projections for training costs allowed better management of funds to allow maximum number of clients to be trained. CareerSource Okaloosa Walton has taken advantage of the Direct Services Model system since 2008 which has allowed a focus on Continuous Improvement through a carefully planned menu of comprehensive training sessions. The CareerSource Okaloosa Walton Leadership Team conducts and/or facilitates regular training sessions in coordination with the Manager of Technical Assistance and Quality Assurance. In addition to increased knowledge and skills in specific programmatic areas, the added benefit of team building has doubled the return on the investment of time and energy for the regular training sessions. The elimination of a management layer has permitted the Service Delivery System to respond more quickly to rapid changes in the labor market. Also difficult to measure but generally recognized as a valuable practice is the opportunity for more staff involvement in planning and decision making that affect the individual CareerSource Okaloosa Walton service delivery locations, as well as the regional workforce system. The creation of “Work Groups” to include front-line, mid-management and support staff has resulted in better decision making when designing and implementing operating policies and procedures. The clear channel of reporting and accountability has permitted more effective staff training and staff development for both new staff and existing staff. The continued expected Cost Savings have been achieved and exceeded, delivery of services has been streamlined, and the Region has achieved better performance under the Direct Services Model. Accountability and transparency are emphasized at all levels of operations. Reduced staff turnover has contributed greatly to having a more qualified and trained staff providing universal customer service for our employers, incumbent workers, and our job seekers. Services for the special populations such as Veterans, Military Spouses, Individuals with Disabilities, and the long-term unemployed are fully integrated in the CareerSource Okaloosa Walton One-Stop system. CareerSource Okaloosa Walton has reaffirmed the wisdom and the many benefits of having adopted the Direct Services Model. 2 CareerSource Okaloosa Walton Direct Services Model 2016-2019  3 CareerSource Okaloosa Walton Direct Services Model 2016-2019