Bureau of Local Area Support and Oversight

Contact Information

(614) 466-3817

Bureau Responsibilities

Technical Assistance
State level oversight of the One-Stop System is conducted by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services' (ODJFS) Office of Workforce Development/Technical Assistance Unit staff. This staff has responsibility for the One-Stop Certification process, ensuring completion of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs)/Business Plans, conducting quarterly workshops and seminars, conducting monthly "Ohio One Stop News Updates" statewide videoconferences, providing updated information to the www.jfs.ohio.gov/workforce website, providing and coordinating technical assistance in the local workforce areas, and serving as the One-Stop Operator point of contact. Additionally, senior staff at ODJFS is involved in partner coordination and collaboration through various venues such as the Jobs Cabinet and interagency workgroups. 

Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Programs
WIA is a federally funded program to provide employment and training services. In Ohio, WIA local control and decision-making is maximized through an effective state and local partnership that fosters continuous improvement of the workforce development system. WIA provides the framework for the workforce development system that is designed to meet the needs of employers, job seekers and those who want to advance their careers. The goal of WIA is to increase employment, job retention, earnings of participants, and occupational skill attainment by participants. WIA's employment and training services targets adults, dislocated workers and youth. WIA services are provided through local One-Stop Centers.

WIA Youth Programs
This program is designed for eligible youth, ages 14-21, who require additional assistance to succeed in educational or employment. The program includes opportunities for assistance in academic or occupational learning; development of leadership skills; and preparation for further education, additional training, and employment. Services available include tutoring/study skills, drop out prevention, alternative school, summer employment, work experience, occupational skills, leadership development, adult mentoring, counseling and guidance, and supportive services.

Veteran Services
The Veteran services Unit provides policies and procedures regarding veterans programs and services necessary for the state to implement the Jobs for Veterans Act. The unit's goal is to alleviate unemployment and underemployment for veterans and other eligible persons.

Foreign Labor Certification/Migrant and Seasonal Farm Worker Program
The Foreign Labor Certification program works with employers to ensure they have attempted to recruit U.S. workers through advertising, via the State Workforce System, and/or by other specified means, and offers prevailing wages and working conditions that will not adversely affect similarly employed U.S. workers. The Migrant and Seasonal Farm Worker Program's primary responsibility is to ensure migrant and seasonal farm workers are provided the same qualitative services as non-Farm worker customers.

Disability Program Navigator (DPN)
The Disability Program Navigator (DPN) Initiative is an 18 month demonstration project funded by the Department of Labor and the Social Security Administration.  The Initiative is designed to enhance full-service One-Stop Centers' physical, programmatic and communication access  for job seekers with disabilities. Some of the services provided by the DPNs are: development of new and ongoing partnerships to achieve seamless, comprehensive, and integrated access to services; creating systems changes, and expanding the workforce development's capacity to serve customer with disabilities and employers.  

Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC)
The program provides a financial incentive to employers to hire individuals with barriers to employment from nine target groupings.  Employers make the hiring decision. There are no limits to the number of new hires who can qualify an employer for the tax credit. Must begin work on or after January 1, 2006 and before August 31, 2011 There is minimal paperwork needed to claim the tax credit.

Operations and Production
The Bureau is responsible for assisting the Office of Workforce Development with its diverse communications and information service needs. The section maintains the www.jfs.ohio.gov/workforce website and data for the US Department of Labor's US Service Locator web service, and coordinates statewide video conferences with local workforce development professionals. Other duties include database management, research, e-mail-based communication, and graphics and document production. The unit also coordinates logistics for meetings and other special events.