Through engaging in the planning process, nonprofit Community Based Organizations (CBOs) can help ensure that the local public workforce system serves all community members effectively, especially those that have barriers to employment. Further, CBOs that serve diverse, marginalized communities can play a key advocacy role in ensuring that the public workforce system meets federal requirements to provide equitable access to what are known as “special populations.”

An equitable, inclusive, and effective workforce system requires broad participation by all stakeholders and CBOs—with their deep, powerful connections to people in diverse communities across the state—are a critical voice in crafting a well-informed local Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) plan that meets the needs of jobseekers and industry alike.

Available documents & links