Community Education program brochures Metro North ABE - Consortium newsletter, Aug. 2015 | Page 2

Building on What We’re Doing...
Preparing to implement the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
As we prepare to implement the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), we can be thankful that
we are an ABE program in Minnesota that has partnerships with local workforce centers, post-secondary, community programs, and employers. (Note: Not all ABE programs in Minnesota have partnerships.) Metro North
ABE sites additionally have relationships with local Workforce Service Areas (WSA). This puts us in a great
position to fully participate in WIOA, supporting the integration of core programs to improve job and
career options for workers and jobseekers.

Implementation of WIOA now requires each state to submit a unified plan to the Department of Labor; the first
plan is due in March 2016. New to the WIOA is a requirement that identifies economic development regions
within the state—which may include multiple workforce areas. Minnesota has 16 WSAs and has identified 6
Workforce Development Regions (WDR). Under WIOA, Adult Basic Education representation is required
within the local workforce development board and will be included in the development of local plans. ABE
will also need to submit their own plan annually to the local Workforce Board for review. There are huge
changes in the collaboration and partnerships required in WIOA, and we will now share new and
existing performance standards.
Many of the requirements and recommendations of WIOA have been practiced by
Metro North ABE programs in partnership with the four core partners
identified in WIOA. There are still many questions yet to be
answered; ABE managers, coordinators, supervisors, and
ABE Regional Transition Coordinators are participating
in workshops, discussions, meetings, and webinars to
stay current with new information and stay aware of
how this process of change is progressing.
The changes in WIOA will influence our
collaborations, but it will not change the essence
of our work with students.

About Metro North ABE

Our mission is to inspire
and challenge all learners
to reach their full potential. We will teach the
skills needed to succeed
as responsible citizens in
our changing world.

Our vision is to provide
programs that effectively
develop the skills needed
by individuals to achieve
their goals.
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METRO NORTH CONSORTIUM

Location Supervisors & Site Coordinators
Pat Adams: Community Education Asst. Manager, Anoka-Hennepin
Kathleen Moriarty: Supervisor, Columbia Heights & Brooklyn Center
Pam Moriarity: Site Coordinator, Elk River
Melody Panek: Site Coordinator, St. Francis
Kara Rotramel: Site Coordinator, Forest Lake
Cori Sendl: Director of Community Education, Centennial
Molly Stewart: Supervisor, Blaine
Emily Watts: Supervisor, Anoka Technical College and
Supervisor, Anoka-Ramsey Community College