Missouri WIOA Programs Reference

Access to Jobs — Module 0 — Educational Information Only

Source: Missouri WIOA Combined State Plan, PY 2024–2027

> ⚠️ This is educational information. Do not make eligibility determinations. > Always direct users to a Missouri Job Center or jobs.mo.gov for official enrollment.

CORE WIOA PROGRAMS (Title I)

Adult Program

• Who: Adults 18+, prioritizing low-income individuals and those with barriers
• Priority order: Veterans and eligible spouses → low-income individuals → public assistance recipients → basic skills deficient → English language learners
• Services: Career services, job placement, training (ITA), supportive services
• Access: Missouri Job Centers statewide

Dislocated Worker Program

• Who: Individuals laid off, plant closures, self-employed who lost business, military spouses
• Services: Career counseling, resume help, retraining, job placement
• Note: Trade Act Assistance (TAA) available for trade-impacted layoffs
• Access: Missouri Job Centers; Rapid Response for mass layoffs

Youth Program (Title I)

• Who: Youth ages 14–24 who are low-income, basic skills deficient, or face barriers
• In-school youth: Must be attending school AND meet eligibility
• Out-of-school youth: 16–24, not in school, with barrier (dropout, justice-involved, homeless, foster care, disability, low income, etc.)
• Services: Career exploration, work experience, mentoring, financial literacy, credential attainment
• Missouri programs: JAG (Jobs for America's Graduates), Futures Program, Excel Center

ADULT EDUCATION AND LITERACY (Title II / AEL)

• Who: Adults 16+ without secondary credential, English language learners, basic skills deficient
• What: High school equivalency (GED/HiSET), adult basic education, English literacy, workforce readiness
• Missouri access: Local AEL programs, MOLearns (virtual), Excel Center (21+)
• Key feature: IET (Integrated Education and Training) — AEL + job training simultaneously
• Graduation Alliance: Accredited diploma program (Tier 1 diploma, recognized by employers and military)

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION (Title IV)

Missouri Vocational Rehabilitation (MVR)

• Who: Individuals with physical, cognitive, sensory, or mental health disabilities
• Services: Assessment, vocational counseling, training funding, job placement, OJT, supported employment
• Contact: dese.mo.gov/vocational-rehabilitation

Rehabilitation Services for the Blind (RSB)

• Who: Individuals with visual impairments
• Services: Similar to MVR; customized employment, pre-employment transition services for youth
• Note: RSB receives 13% of state VR funding; MVR receives 87%

COMBINED STATE PLAN PARTNER PROGRAMS

SNAP Employment & Training — SkillUP

• Who: SNAP (food stamp) recipients who are able-bodied adults
• What: Short-term industry-aligned training, job placement, supportive services
• Missouri partner: DSS Office of Workforce and Community Initiatives (OWCI)
• Access: DSS offices; text opt-in for event notifications

TANF / Missouri Work Assistance (MWA)

• Who: Families receiving Temporary Assistance (cash benefits)
• What: Work activities, job search, training, employment placement
• Youth: TANF funds subsidized employment for youth ages 14–24 at ≤185% poverty level

Jobs for Veterans State Grants (JVSG)

• Staff: Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program (DVOP) and Consolidated Omnibus Directors (CODL)
• Priority: Veterans with significant barriers to employment (Qualified Eligible with Barrier — QEB)
• Services: Intensive case management, individualized career services
• Priority of Service: ALL veterans receive priority service at Missouri Job Centers

Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA)

• Who: Workers laid off due to foreign trade/competition (must be certified group)
• What: Extended income support, retraining, job search allowances, relocation support

Unemployment Insurance (UI)

• Access: UInteract system (DES); claimants required to register at Job Center
• Work search: Claimants must conduct weekly work search activities; Job Center participation counts

SPECIALTY POPULATIONS AND PROGRAMS

Justice-Involved / Reentry

• DOC Employment Transition Specialists: 20 staff at 18 facilities + 2 transition centers
• Reentry Connect Centers: 19 centers "behind the walls" — employment prep, career exploration, MPWS linkage
• OWD Reentry Specialists: Assigned to Job Centers for post-release services
• Fair Chance / Second Chance Employer Network: DOC-engaged employers committed to hiring returning citizens
• PY 2025: Dedicated OWD staff inside correctional institutions for pre-release services (resume, interviews, job search)

Youth in Foster Care

• Futures Program: Youth ages 16–23 in or aging out of foster care
• Services: Employment services, education assistance, case management, life skills, career planning

Individuals with Disabilities

• NEON Initiative / Employment First Act (2024): 12 state agencies signed MOU to coordinate employment services for Missourians with disabilities
• Customized Employment: Available through MVR, RSB, and workforce partners
• SSI/SSDI benefits counseling: Benefits planning specialists help individuals understand work incentives

Older Workers (55+)

• Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP): Title V, Older Americans Act

SUPPORTIVE SERVICES AVAILABLE

Through WIOA partners and co-enrollment:

• Transportation assistance
• Childcare support (DSS programs; Excel Center drop-in childcare)
• Technology access (computers, phones at Job Centers and DSS offices)
• Mental health referrals
• Housing and homeless services coordination
• Federal Bonding Program (fidelity bonds for at-risk job seekers)
• Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) — employer incentive to hire barrier populations

KEY SYSTEM ACCESS POINTS

PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS (PY 2024 — for context)

Missouri OWD achieved (Adult Program):

• Employment Rate Q2 after exit: 73.49%
• Employment Rate Q4 after exit: 73.42%
• Credential Attainment: 63.95%
• Measurable Skill Gains: improving year over year

Over 532,000 services provided to 70,000 distinct individuals in PY 2024.