Report 2013-102 Recommendation 4 Responses

Report 2013-102: Employment Development Department: It Needs to Address Data Issues to Better Evaluate and Improve the Performance of Its Employment Programs for Veterans (Release Date: October 2013)

Recommendation #4 To: Employment Development Department

To improve the department's performance on its negotiated goals, it should, through its governance council, regularly assess whether its actions under the 100-day plan are improving performance on the three common measures.

1-Year Agency Response

The Veterans' Program Governance Council (VPGC) continues to meet monthly to plan and review actions and assess their impact on performance outcomes. Results for VPGC actions are reflected in the performance data 9 to18 months later due to the inherent lag time in the performance outcome data validation system.

Common Performance Measures training for staff has been completed. EDD staff have been trained on the Veterans' Service Navigator roles and responsibilities as well as the Veteran Intake Form (VIF). This training assures that veterans are properly routed through the America's Job Center of CaliforniaSM locations to receive the most appropriate services. The Veterans' Service Navigator uses the VIF to initially screen all incoming veterans, eligible spouses, and other eligible clients visiting an America's Job Center of CaliforniaSM location. The VIF helps determine whether a veteran, spouse or other client is eligible for Veterans' Intensive Program services from a Jobs for Veterans State Grant Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program (DVOP) specialist. The VIF also allows field office and program managers to track the number of veterans referred by the Veterans' Service Navigator to a DVOP specialist or Wagner-Peyser program and partner staff. DVOP specialists, Local Veterans Employment Representatives, and Wagner-Peyser workgroups have been formed to develop policies, procedures, and performance expectations to better guide staff in serving veterans, eligible spouses, and other eligible clients in ways leading to more positive employment and retention outcomes.

The most recent performance data indicate that the VPGC's efforts have resulted in continued improvement (see Attachment).

California State Auditor's Assessment of 1-Year Status: Fully Implemented

6-Month Agency Response

The Veterans Program Governance Council meets twice monthly to plan and review actions and assess their impact on future outcomes. Results for VPGC actions are reflected in the performance data 9 to 18 months later due to the inherent lag time in the performance outcome data reporting system

Common Measures training for staff was completed with more focus on process to ensure proper outcomes. Trainers are preparing training on using a new Veteran Intake Form (VIF) to assure that veterans are properly routed through Americas Job Center of California locations to receive the most appropriate services leading to employment and retention. The Veterans Service Navigator (VSN) will use the VIF to initially screen all incoming veterans visiting an Americas Job Center of California location. The VIF will help determine whether a veteran is eligible for Veterans Intensive Program services from a Jobs for Veterans State Grant Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) specialist or would be better served by Wagner-Peyser or Workforce Investment Act partner staff. The VIF also allows field office and program managers to track the number of veterans referred by VSNs and DVOP specialists to grant-funded staff.

In addition, the DVOP, Local Veterans Employment Representatives, and Wagner-Peyser workgroups have been formed. These workgroups develop policy, processes, and performance expectations to better guide staff in serving veterans in ways leading to more positive employment and retention outcomes. These workgroups report their progress to the Council monthly for feedback and to assure that process changes are effectively implemented systemwide.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 6-Month Status: Pending

60-Day Agency Response

The EDD plans to continue assessing how the work of its Veterans Program Governance Council can help staff improve performance as measured by the Department of Labor's three common measures. Since its inception, the Veterans Program Governance Council has focused on improving performance. While the 100-day plan, as implied by its name, was a short-term plan, the Council continues, on an ongoing basis, to provide new policy, procedures and business processes designed to help Veteran Employment Program Representatives improve program performance. Veteran-specific training on Common Measures was provided on November 18, 2013 to EDD managers who supervise veteran staff and additional Common Measures training is being developed. The Council plans to regularly review and analyze the Common Measures reports to ensure that strategies implemented improve the negotiated outcomes.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 60-Day Status: Pending

All Recommendations in 2013-102

Agency responses received are posted verbatim.