Job & Family Services Office of Workforce Development
Waivers

The intent of waivers, subject to US Department of Labor approval, is to provide local workforce investment boards (local boards) flexibility to design and deliver services meeting the needs of employers and jobseekers. The state may develop policies and guidance to reflect the terms of these waivers and the parameters governing the service delivery process.
 
The waivers requirements can be found in the Workforce Investment Act, Section 189(i) (4) (B) and set forth at 20 CFR 661.420 (c).

Letters concerning Waiver Approval that are no longer in effect have been archived

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  Current Workforce Investment Act Waivers - Approved by USDOL through 6/30/2017
Waiver Topic Waiver Focus Key Provisions Relevant Policy
Common Measures
Waiver to permit implementation of, and reporting only for, the common measures in place of the current WIA statutory measures Continue to report and be accountable for Common Measures.  WIAPL 10-01.1
Customized Training   Waiver of requirement for a 50% contribution from employer for customized training employer to permit Local Areas to use a sliding scale to reduce the contribution based on the size of the business Allows employer match based on sliding scale:
  • 1-50 employees, employer match no less than 10%;
  • 51-100 employees, employer match no less than 25%;
  • Over 100 employees, employer match of 50%, as per current statutory requirement continues to apply.
 
WIAPL 09-07.3
ETP Subsequent Eligibility  Time frame extension for subsequent eligibility of training providers Allows state to postpone the determination of subsequent eligibility of training providers. WIAPL 10-03.1
ETP Performance and Cost Information (Expires 6/30/2013) Waiver of requirement for State to conduct evaluation of workforce investment activities. The reduction to 5% in the WIA allotment for the Governor's Reserve fund is insufficient to cover the cost of evaluation of workforce investment activities. Statewide function.  No policy is needed.
Evaluate WIA Programs (Expires 6/30/2013) Waiver of requirement for State to conduct evaluations of workforce investment activities The reduction to 5% in the WIA allotment for the Governor's Reserve fund is insufficient to cover the cost of evaluation of workforce investment activities. Statewide function. No policy is needed.
Funds - Transfer Waiver to increase the transfer of funds between the Adult and Dislocated Worker local formula funds The transfer authority was increased from 30% to 50%. WIAPL 09-01.3
Funds Incumbent Worker Training as a Statewide Activity Waiver to use up to 20% of local Dislocated Worker formula funds for Incumbent Worker Training (IWT)

Allows a percentage of Local Dislocated Worker funds to be used for IWT with limitations:

  • 20% of Dislocated Worker funds for IWT;
  • All IWT must be used for lay-off aversion only;
  • All training is restricted to skill attainment activities;
  • Local funds may not be used for any other statewide activities.
 
WIAPL 09-09.3

Incumbent Worker Training -

WIASRD Elements

Waiver to allow state to discontinue collection of seven Workforce Investment Act Standardized Record Data elements for incumbent workers Allows the state to discontinue reporting for the following incumbent worker elements: single parent, unemployment compensation eligibility at participation, low income, TANF, other public assistance, homeless individual and/or runaway, and offender WIAPL 09-09.3
Local Workforce Investment Area Incentive Grants (Expires 6/30/2013) Waiver of requirement for State to provide incentive grants to local areas The reduction to 5% in the WIA allotment for the Governor's Reserve fund is insufficient to cover the cost of providing incentive grants to local areas Statewide function.  No policy is needed.
On-the-Job (OJT) Training Waiver of the 50% limit on reimbursement to employers for the on-the-job training (OJT) to permit local areas to use a sliding scale to increase the wage reimbursement based on the size of the business

Allows wage reimbursement based on a number of employees using a sliding scale:

  • Up to 90% for employers with 50 or fewer employees;
  • Up to 75% for employers with 51-250 employees;
  • For employers with more than 250 employees the current statutory requirement (50% reimbursement) continues to apply.
 
WIAPL 10-08.1
Rapid Response Funds for Incumbent Worker Training and Other Statewide Activities Waiver to permit state to use 20% of Rapid Response funds for Incumbent Worker Training (IWT)

Allows Rapid Response-funded IWT under these conditions:

  • Must be for lay-off aversion only;
  • All training is restricted to skill attainment activities.
 
Policy has not been issued.  OWD implements this waiver based upon local requests and/or statewide initiatives
Youth Program ITAs Waiver of the prohibition on the use of Individual Training Accounts (ITAs) for Youth Allows ITAs for WIA older and out-of-school youth participants. WIAPL 10-02.1
Youth Program Competitive Procurement Waiver of the requirement for competitive procurement of service providers for some Youth Program Elements Allows One-Stop Operators to directly provide the following three elements:  supportive services, follow-up services, and work experience. WIAPL 09-06.2
 
Recent Waiver Approval Letters:

Approval of Ohio's State Plan and Waivers through June 30, 2017. USDOL letter received December 10, 2012

Approval of Extension of Ohio's State Plan and Existing Waivers for a Portion of PY2012. USDOL letter received June 14, 2012 

Waiver Request and Approval of 3 Additional Waivers for PY2011. USDOL letter received Jan. 18, 2012

Approval of Extension of Ohio's Existing Waivers for PY2011. USDOL letter received June 7, 2011

Approval of Extension of Ohio's Existing Waivers for PY2010. USDOL letter received June 20, 2010

Waiver Request for the State of Ohio PY2010 State Plan. Letter sent to USDOL April 28, 2010



   

                                                                                                                                   Last Update 05/24/2013