Item 09 - Biennial Modification to the PY 2021-24 Regional and Local Workforce Plan

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Orange County WDBs 2023 Biennial Modification to PY 2021-24 Unified Local Plan 1 I. INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW In accordance with the requirements of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014 and guidance published by the California Workforce Development Board (CWDB) and Employment Development Department (EDD), the three local workforce development boards (WDBs) in Orange County developed a four-year Local Plan covering program years (PYs) 2021-2024. Following approval by state officials representing the Governor, the Plan became effective from July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2025. This PY 21-24 Local Plan update constitutes its WIOA-required biennial modification. Following the approval of this modification by state representatives, it will become the official, active version of the Plan beginning on July 1, 2023 , and remain in effect through June 30, 2025. Local Workforce Development Boards in Orange County and the Unified Local Plan Orange County is served by two municipal boards, Anaheim WDB , and Santa Ana WDB, representing the most populated cities with more than 300,000 residents. The Orange County WDB serves the balance of Orange County, which includes 32 incorporated cities and more than two dozen unincorporated areas. Home to more than 3 million people, Orange County is the third most populous county in California and the sixth most populous in the nation. Businesses within the county's vibrant and diverse economy employ more than 1.5 million workers. In 2015, as WIOA was implemented as the core program of the nation's workforce development system, new opportunities arose for collaboration among local boards within labor market regions defined by the Governor. Orange County was designated as one such region in California, officially known as the Orange Regional Planning Unit (RPU). With this designation, the three local boards in Orange County became responsible for developing a four-year Regional Plan as a companion to their WIOA-required Local Plans. However, given WIOA's emphasis on regional collaboration, the Anaheim, Santa Ana, and Orange County WDBs elected to develop a Unfiied Local Plan representing all three local workforce development areas. This effort by the three boards ha s been recognized as one of California's best examples of regional workforce development collaboration . Development of the Local Plan and the Biennial Modification Development of the original PY 21-24 Local Plan resulted from three local boards' significant engagement with organizations and individuals throughout Orange County that guide, contribute to, and benefit from workforce system services. A series of partner and stakeholder discussions were held. These are summarized in Attachment 1 to this Plan. Preparing the Plan also involved reviewing and evaluating existing partnerships, services, and systems and identifying areas that can be strengthened. The boards' senior leadership led the planning process, assisted by the Regional Organizer, who supports the joint efforts of the boards. Once the Plan was completed, it was made available for public review and comment before being forwarded to the CWDB for review. EXHIBIT 2