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CONNECTICUT PYS 2020-2023 CONTENTS Connecticut PYs 2020-2023 .................................................................................................................................................. 1 I. WIOA State Plan Type and Executive Summary ................................................................................................ 3 a. WIOA State Plan Type ................................................................................................................................................. 3 b. Plan Introduction or Executive Summary ....................................................................................................... 3 II. Strategic Elements ........................................................................................................................................................... 5 a. Economic, Workforce, and Workforce Development Activities Analysis ........................................ 5 b. State Strategic Vision and Goals ......................................................................................................................... 30 c. State Strategy ............................................................................................................................................................... 42 III. Operational Planning Elements ............................................................................................................................ 51 a. State Strategy Implementation ........................................................................................................................... 51 IV. Coordination with State Plan Programs ........................................................................................................ 140 V. Common Assurances (For All Core Programs) ............................................................................................ 141 VI. Program-Specific Requirements for Core Programs .............................................................................. 142 Program-specific Requirements for Adult, Dislocated Worker, and Youth Activities under Title I-B ............................................................................................................................................................................. 142 Program-Specific Requirements for Wagner-Peyser Program (Employment Services) ....... 161 Program-specific Requirements for Adult Education and Family Literacy Act Programs .... 193 Program-Specific Requirements for Vocational Rehabilitation (Combined or General) ....... 210 Program-Specific Requirements for Vocational Rehabilitation (Blind).......................................... 260 VII. Program-Specific Requirements for Combined State Plan Partner Programs ........................ 316 Performance Indicator Appendix ............................................................................................................................ 317 Other Appendices ............................................................................................................................................................. 317 Page 2 I. WIOA STATE PLAN TYPE AND EXECUTIVE SUMMARY A. WIOA STATE PLAN TYPE This is a unified plan B. PLAN INTRODUCTION OR EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The State of Connecticut has opted to submit a Unified State Plan encompassing the six core programs covered by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) – Adult Program, Dislocated Worker Program, Youth Program, Wagner‐Peyser Act Program, Adult Education and Family Literacy Act Program, and Vocational Rehabilitation Program. In addition to the six aforementioned core programs, the Connecticut Unified State Plan also includes reference to the linkages for various Federal and State funded education and training, workforce development grants and programs. Becoming a Leader in Effective Workforce Development Governor Lamont has stated his goal to ensure our CT workforce system is designed to meet the needs of 20th the 21st century. Toward that end, the Governor signed Executive Order No. 4 on October 29, 2019, which directs the creation of the Governor’s Workforce Council (GWC) – formerly known as the Connecticut Employment and Training Commission. This body is responsible for partnering with the business community and knocking down barriers amongst state government agencies so that Connecticut can have the most aligned, high-quality, and equitable workforce development system in the country. The Council includes top executives from key industries as well as leaders of nonprofits, unions, the legislature, and educational institutions. The Council is emblematic of our administration’s approach of bringing the public and private sectors together to drive our state’s economic growth. Strategic goals of the Council include: • strengthening the bridge from secondary to post-secondary education; • reducing barriers to training; and • measuring data-informed outcomes. The first meeting of the GWC was held on November 21, 2019 and included a review of the Council’s role, functions and structure. Six committees have been formed to address the state’s primary industry clusters, data performance and planning, education and training, and supportive services. Council meetings will be held quarterly. The Council Chair has conducted a listening tour of businesses, universities and educational institutions, State and local leaders, philanthropic organizations, and Workforce Development Boards. A strategic plan will be submitted to the CT Legislature and Governor in October, 2020. The Council and its chair will take a lead role in advising the Governor on the state’s workforce development strategy and supporting the state’s economic growth. It will also coordinate among stakeholders in the workforce system, including businesses, state agencies, quasi-public and independent entities, boards, councils, and commissions, public and private education and training institutions, workforce development boards, nonprofit institutions and labor unions. Economic Development Key components of Governor Lamont’s vision to transform the state’s economic development strategy include aggressive business recruitment, collaborative work across agencies to better Page 3 support existing businesses and onboard new ones, as well as a strategic and long-term economic policy focus, including in the important area of opportunity zones. To execute on this vision, Governor Lamont appointed David Lehman, a partner with Goldman Sachs, to serve in dual roles as the Commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) and as the Governor’s Senior Economic Advisor. In addition, Governor Lamont announced that two of Connecticut’s principal economic development entities – the nonprofit Connecticut Economic Resource Center, Inc. (CERC) and DECD – will form an innovative public-private partnership known as the Partnership to Advance the Connecticut of Tomorrow (PACT). Through this collaboration, CERC will function as the outward-facing recruitment arm on behalf of the state, and DECD will continue to support, promote, and advocate for existing businesses while also serving as the central resource to help new businesses navigate state and local government to minimize lag time, enhance services, and expedite relocation. As part of his mandate, Commissioner Lehman will ensure tight alignment between CERC and DECD. In recognition of the vital role manufacturing plays in the state’s economy, the Governor has appointed a chief manufacturing officer to oversee efforts to grow the state’s manufacturing sector. This new position will operate under the umbrella of the DECD and will seek better coordination over multiple agencies, assuring that training and education is available to meet job demands, maintaining supply chains, providing a regulatory process that protects safety and the environment but is not redundant or unnecessarily burdensome, and establishing Connecticut as welcoming to such industries are all vital components for growth. Opportunity zones are another facet of the Governor’s vision for economic development. The federal Opportunity Zones program was designed to incent public and private stakeholders to work together to rebuild American cities. Eligible investors who make qualified investments within those zones may be eligible for significant capital gains tax benefits. Seventy-two urban and suburban areas across Connecticut have been federally designated as Opportunity Zones. Connecticut’s state government and its 27 municipalities with designated Opportunity Zones are eager to leverage this program to encourage investments in Connecticut. CT innovation hubs continue to grow in the state, including incubators, accelerators, co-working spaces and maker spaces of all types. These include: • The Borough496 incubator in Hamden, CT will offer below-market rent, mentoring and other services to entrepreneurs. It’s also an example of adaptive reuse of old buildings – in this case, the long-shuttered Newhall School. • In Fairfield, CT Sacred Heart University’s new iHub, a partnership with Verizon, offers entrepreneurs access to university students, staff and services. Digital Health CT, an accelerator for digital health and medical technology startups opened in 2019 in Hartford. It’s a partnership of Hartford HealthCare, Trinity College and UConn. State Budget Impacts The State is investing in Connecticut’s future by positioning the state as a leader in effective workforce development efforts.

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