Arapahoe County signs off to submit updated Arapahoe Douglas Works WIOA plan

The Arapahoe County Board of Commissioners gave staff informal approval to submit an updated local plan for Arapahoe Douglas Works, a requirement under the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). "Our hope is to get approval to submit our updated local plan for Arapahoe Douglas Works," Community Resources director Kathy Smith told the board.

Staff said the update covers program years 2024–2027, aligns with the Colorado state plan and the Colorado Workforce Development Council (CWDC) rubric, refreshes labor market and demographic data, and adds new programmatic elements — including adult education services, New Americans Navigator supports, Green Workforce Hubs, a homeless veteran reintegration program, incumbent worker training and expanded apprenticeship efforts. Emily Tapia and Sasha Houston walked the commissioners through those additions and noted that the state required a 30‑day public comment period coordinated by the CWDC.

Presenters also raised an implementation issue: the state’s updated eligible training provider list (ETPL) has narrowed programs available for WIOA funding, and Colorado’s Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) is enforcing outcome reporting rules that require training providers to submit outcome data (including Social Security numbers), a step some providers have declined, temporarily reducing the provider pool.

The board signaled consensus to authorize submission and, pending the state’s approval, staff said they will obtain the chair’s signature. Staff said the state’s review is the next procedural step and the county will return with any required signatures or additional edits if requested.