Ohio’s One-Stop Strategy

By the end of the year 2001, every Workforce Investment Area and Ohio Option Sub-Area will have a comprehensive One-Stop system that meets the minimum criteria set forth by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Ohio is committed to the implementation of one-stop service delivery for employment and training programs. Funding has been received from the U. S. Department of Labor to help pay for the one-time implementation costs associated with the transition to One-Stop service delivery. The Hocking County Job Services Center will serve as a flagship and model of exactly how a One-Stop should function within its community.

One of the challenges that one-stop career centers face is acquiring, installing, and operating the requisite state-of-the-art equipment needed to support their activities. The Hocking County Job Services Center has been created with extensive support of local community service agencies, businesses, and the Hocking County Commissioners. It is a one-stop system that will be carefully studied, copied, and implemented in surrounding counties and throughout the State of Ohio.

Ohio’s One-Stop Service Delivery System will simplify and expand access to services for Ohio Citizens and businesses in a seamless delivery of services. Ohio will offer universal access, customer choice, streamlines services, local flexibility, and increased accountability. Ohio’s One-Stop Services Delivery System will be a valued, visible, and well-utilized resource in each community.

All Ohio Citizens will be aware of and use their local One-Stop system for a variety of purposes, no matter what their interest or need. The system will be relevant and used by everyone including parents and their children looking at occupational trends, pregnant teens needing various community services, employed people wanting to gain additional skills, retirees interested in part-time employment, students writing their first resume, and many more.

Local systems are encouraged to incorporate as many local partners as make sense for their communities. In addition, a minimum set of core services must be universally available to all customers in each One-Stop site:
· customer oriented information on careers, labor markets, job and the availability of quality training and education programs;
· testing and assessment;
· job openings, hiring requirements and referrals;
· job search assistance; and
· initial eligibility information on programs available in the community.

Employers will utilize the One-Stop system for purposes including on-site workshops, employee recruitment and screening, cross-industry strategic
planning on future labor force needs, and a host of other services. Employer services will be available based on local needs of businesses and the economic and workforce development needs of the community. Up-to-date
and user-friendly resources will be available depending on the customers needs. Governance of the One-Stop systems at the state level is through the Governor’s Workforce Development Board. Local One-Stop governance structures to oversee the local system must also be convened at the local level to provide oversight to the local One-Stop system. At a minimum, local governance structures must have representation of all mandatory program partners, business, local elected officials, The Job Service Employer Committee, veterans, and labor.