Page 13
memorandum of understanding that will permit SNAP and TANF recipients to pre-certify for WIOA training services without having to physically visit a career center. This strategy will become a component of the FL WINS system. Once implemented, this system and strategy will be critical to further enhancing coordination between SNAP E&T and WIOA programs and ensuring participants are connected to training opportunities that will lead to employment at self-sustaining wages. The REACH Act calls for the development of criteria to assign a letter grade to LWDBs. Three of the criteria for assigning letter grades specifically include SNAP and TANF recipients. First, LWDBs are measured on the number of SNAP and TANF recipients who no longer receive benefits four quarters after completing services with the LWDB. Second, LWDBs are measured on the number of SNAP and TANF recipients who receive work-related training services. Most recently, the metric based on the percent of SNAP and TANF participants they serve, that was previously extra credit, is now a required metric for the calculation of letter grades. Data for the letter grades are reported on a quarterly basis allowing LWDBs to identify areas in which they excel and areas that can be strengthened to improve outcomes; however, the actual grades are released annually. LWDB letter grades are made public at the following location: https://analytics.careersourceflorida.com/LetterGrades/Performance. As of June 25, 2025, data through Quarter 2 is available. Below is a summary of the LWDB scores based on the letter grade scale as a projected letter grade using the Quarter 2 data. • 1 of 21 LWDBs with a score higher than 97% (A+) • 5 of 21 LWDBs with a score between 93-96% (A) • 10 of 21 LWDBs with a score between 87-89% (B+) • 4 of 21 LWDBs with a score between 83-86% (B) • 1 of 21 LWDBs with a score between 80-82% (B-) Additionally, WIOA allows governors to reserve 15 percent of state funds (discretionary funds) to support innovative projects that enhance opportunities for employment and improve the state’s economic development system to better serve Florida communities, businesses, and job seekers who face barriers to employment. Under the leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis, the state workforce development board will use WIOA funding to chart new and expanded pathways to employment, education, training and support services for Floridians who need additional workforce-readiness help on their path to self-sufficiency and economic prosperity. To support this vision, the Governor’s discretionary funds were allocated to support initiatives that build on evidence-based practices and promote strategic and cross-sector partnerships. The funds will provide opportunities to targeted populations to improve education, and work skills needed to enhance employability and the likelihood of achieving economic self-sufficiency. Initiatives funded through the Set-Aside allocations include: • Incumbent Worker Training Grant ($3,000,000) - Florida's Incumbent Worker Training grant program addresses the continuing education and training of incumbent employees at existing Florida businesses to improve the ability of the company to compete, expand, and retain workers. • Rural Initiatives ($2,000,000) - Florida has identified 31 counties and three cities in one additional county as Rural Areas of Opportunity. These counties and cities face extraordinary economic challenges. Historically, CareerSource Florida’s Board of Directors has designated supplementary allocations for local workforce development boards identified as rural boards to support operations by Florida’s smallest local workforce development boards in providing workforce services to employers and residents in the areas they serve. Initiatives funded through this allocation will support critical workforce development needs in rural communities. • Sectors of Strategic Focus Training Initiative ($3,000,000) - This initiative will provide state-level WIOA funding to local boards to support foundational skills development, career exploration, occupational skills training, and supportive services in regional sectors of strategic focus. This initiative provides greater leverage of the Governor’s investments in these sectors and ensures the continued development of talent pipelines for critical workers needed in the following targeted industry sectors: manufacturing, transportation (e.g., trucking, diesel mechanics, etc.), logistics and supply chain, and critical high demand healthcare needs (e.g., nursing, etc.). A particular emphasis will be placed on supporting three target populations: Hope Florida 1/28/26, 11:18 AM State Plan FL FY26 - Original Submission https://dam-fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/microsite/snapet-flfy26stateplan//index.html 13/99