We’re excited to launch a new quarterly resource to support workforce, education, and human services partners!

WORKFORCE COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER

May 2026 | Volume 1 | Issue 1

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH USDOL

In this issue: Peer learning opportunities, state examples, federal updates, and practical tools you can use right away.

About WITSC

Workforce IT Support Center (WITSC), in partnership with U.S. Department of Labor, supports state workforce agencies and partner agencies in modernizing systems, improving performance, and aligning programs.

WITSC works with state leaders, IT teams, and data staff across workforce, education and human services programs, including WIOA, UI, SNAP, and TANF.

WITSC is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor and administered by National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA).

WITSC Services

Education & Training

Online Tools

Advisory Services

🌐 Visit the WITSC Website

Join the Discussion

Workforce Community Roundtable:

Workforce Pell & Eligible Training Provider List

📅 June 16, 2026 | Virtual | 2:00-3:00 PM ET

For State Government Staff Only

Join peers to explore how states can use Eligible Training Provider List processes to support Workforce Pell implementation.

This discussion will focus on data, technology, and system considerations, including eligibility, performance reporting, and oversight. Participants will share approaches, compare strategies, and discuss evolving federal guidance together. Featuring insights from New Jersey and North Carolina.

State Spotlight: Lessons from Texas

Strengthening Federal Workforce Reporting

WITSC Advisory Service Project

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) partnered with WITSC to strengthen federal reporting processes and support compliance with U.S. Department of Labor requirements.

The project focused on improving the data workflows used to generate the Participant Individual Record Layout (PIRL) file for submission to the Workforce Integrated Performance System (WIPS).

Read the Project Report

Leadership Perspective

“The biggest takeaway I can share from transitioning to a new case management system is the necessity of being data-centric from the very beginning.”

Jennifer K. Colehower, J.D.

Division Director, Information Innovation & Insight

Texas Workforce Commission

Read the Interview

WITSC Partnership in Action: ACCESS Initiative

State Innovations in Service Delivery

Aligned Customer-Centered Ecosystem of Services & Supports (ACCESS) Initiative

Led by the American Public Human Services Association (APHSA) and NASWA, the ACCESS initiative is a multi-year effort focused on aligning health, human services, and workforce systems to improve customer-centered service delivery.

Phase one delivered a state roadmap outlining goals, current-state assessment, and key considerations for future integration. Phase two, Data & Impact State Action & Innovation Lab (Data SAIL), provides funding and support to help states address technology and data barriers that limit coordination and efficiency.

WITSC contributes technical assistance alongside partner organizations for the selected projects in Kentucky, Maryland, and Nebraska, through 2026. Stay tuned for insights!

Learn More

Resources Available to Support Your Work

Build Skills to Improve Services & Grow Your Career

Get started today with flexible, no cost elearning designed to support both your work today and your career goals for the future.

Start Learning

Free Modernization Tools

for States

Support your work with no-cost, self-service online tools designed to help you plan, modernize, and manage procurement at every stage.

Explore Tools

Tailored Technical Assistance

WITSC provides strategic and project support for system modernization, RFP development, change management, and cross-agency integration.

What Are Other States Doing? We Can Help You Find Out!

Example questions:

What vendors are other states using for WIOA case management and labor exchange systems?
How are other states incorporating AI or automation into workforce service delivery?

Have a question or want to explore a topic further? We are here to help!

In Case You Missed It

Federal Guidance

Recent federal guidance from the U.S. Departments of Labor and Education reinforces cross-program planning, alignment, and collaboration across the workforce system. View Recent Guidance

Funding Opportunities

National Science Foundation

TechAccess: AI-Ready America | LOI Due: 6/16/26

USDOL Office of Elementary and Secondary Education

Career Pathways Exploration Grant Program|Due: 6/9/26