NEWS
Workforce Services Exceeds Performance Measures
CHEYENNE - The Wyoming Department of Workforce Services has not only met, but exceeded, several of its Federal Performance Measures as they related to Wyomingites finding and retaining employment.
Joan Evans, Director of the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services, said, "Both our Employment Services and Vocational Rehabilitation Divisions have had a great year. The total number of clients receiving Vocational Rehabilitation services has increased substantially, and in our Employment Services Division, we were able to increase 14 of our 17 federal performance measures."
The most substantial performances in the Employment Services division include the percent of Dislocated Workers and Older Youth entering employment (100 percent and 91.4 percent, respectively), the percent of Adults, Dislocated Workers and Younger Youth retaining employment (93.5 percent, 100 percent and 83.2 percent, respectively), the percent of Dislocated Workers who achieved a credential or diploma at 85.7 percent; and the Skill Attainment Rate for younger youth at 70.1 percent. During July 2008 through June 2009, the Employment Services Division served 37,638 individuals under its federal Workforce Investment Act program. The Workforce Investment Act program is only one program of several housed in the Employment Services Division.
The Vocational Rehabilitation division served 4,857 clients from October 1, 2008 to September 30, 2009. Of those, 2,570 were new clients. The Vocational Rehabilitation Division saw substantial success with the percentage of clients who achieved an employment outcome (at 65.4 percent) where 98.7 of those who achieved an employment outcome did so earning equivalent to at least the minimum wage. Another significant success was seen in the service rate of all individuals with disabilities from a minority background meaning that the Division was able to serve more minority clients.
The Employment Services Division and the Vocational Rehabilitation Division are geared toward matching job seekers to potential employers and at matching people with disabilities with sustainable employment. The two divisions receive approximately $53,000,000 in both federal dollars and general fund state dollars per biennium.
"We're glad that more and more people have access to the dollars flowing through these two divisions. By meeting these Federal Performance Measures, we demonstrate not only to our federal and state partners, but also to the citizens of Wyoming, that the services that we're offering in the local Workforce Centers are necessary and they are having an impact in the communities," Evans added.
For more information on the Department of Workforce Services, please visit wyomingworkforce.org, call 877-WORK-WYO or find us on Facebook.
Listen to the audio from Joan Evans, Director of the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services.
