Promoting the interests of the local workforce development delivery system is CWA's top priority. Advocacy is conducted with the state and federal workforce development oversight agencies and those who administer School-to-Work and Welfare-to-Work initiatives. CWA provides information about workforce development policy as requested, by state and federal legislators and their staff.

CWA acquires, interprets, and distributes to the membership the most up-to-date information on workforce development, education, business trends, welfare reform, and related initiatives. By keeping the system informed, members are better prepared to play an important role in the local design of the various workforce development strategies.

CWA considers training and technical assistance to local policy makers and practitioners crucial to the success of California's efforts in meeting the challenges of preparing the workforce of the future. Training and Technical Assistance takes a variety of forms, from assistance given by staff to members over the telephone, to workshops and conferences designed specifically for the needs of the membership. Annually, CWA sponsors a number of workshops and conferences on workforce policy, One-Stop partnerships and service delivery, and youth employment and training.

The Latest Information Over the Phone

CWA staff respond quickly to telephone inquiries from members concerning issues such as changes in workforce development legislation and its effect on the operation of local programs, regulations, and policy interpretations and clarifications.

Information Updates

Members receive regular e-mails containing the latest information pertaining to state and federal workforce development policy and budget issues. Funding news, topical news items, interpretation of legislative proposals, newly released labor market and economic data, important survey results and briefs on issues important to member communities are included in these periodic updates.

Tracking of State Specific Issues

CWA works with legislative and state agency staff to provide information on workforce development trends and needs, and provides the membership with information about the Governor's initiatives and the California State Budget, focusing on their effect on workforce development programs.

Membership Clearinghouse Surveys and Inquiries

CWA frequently fields requests for information from the membership and puts them out in survey form. This is one method members use to find out what's going on elsewhere in the State.

Advocacy

CWA staff keep the membership informed of pending legislation affecting workforce development at the state and national levels. Attending national meetings and conferences to get the latest information for our members, CWA analyzes proposed legislation to understand the potential effect on California's interests. CWA tracks and reports on legislation related to WIA reauthorization, federal and state workforce development system consolidation, federal budget action affecting job training, education and training bills, and federal welfare reform.

At the request of members of the State Legislature and Congress, CWA staff and members provide information and technical assistance about the effects of state and federal legislation on the local system in California. We work closely with the staff of California's representatives in Congress to ensure they understand how our system works. Each year, we publish a book entitled 50 Stories, One System to provide information about the Workforce Investment Act-funded programs throughout the State.

Annual Conferences

CWA annually sponsors three conferences at a discount rate for members. Each winter, CWA holds a conference focused on youth issues, attended by youth practitioners, youth council members and staff, and youth. Each spring, CWA holds its annual conference, typically attended by workforce development professionals, economic development professionals, as well as representatives from community-based organizations, vocational schools, community colleges, county welfare departments, the State Legislature, the Employment Development Department and other state agencies. In the fall, CWA convenes Meeting of the Minds in Monterey, a policy conference for teams of community leaders. These unique events provide for interaction of participants, sharing of best practices and training in specific topics that are most needed at the time.

Regional Workshops and Training

CWA sponsors a series of workshops and training sessions throughout the year. Members are offered a discount on attendance fees. Theses workshops are often done in a series around the State to allow individuals easy and inexpensive access to training.

In the past several years, we have sponsored many training sessions and workshops focused on improving practice in the field of workforce development. We have used Greg Newton, John Chamberlin, Paul Clayton, Larry Robbin, Derick Barton and other nationally known trainers and consultants to deliver CWA workshops.

We have worked with the California Association for Local Economic Development to deliver training for workforce and economic development practitioners with the goal of increasing collaborative services in communities.

CWA also delivers a two-day class in facilitative leadership, designed by the Institute of Cultural Affairs called Group Facilitation Methods. In this workshop, participants learn specific methods to lead focused conversations, build consensus among disparate constituencies or partners and create plans for action.

Brokered On-Site Training

CWA brings trainers directly to local organizations. Often, member organizations want to bring in a particular trainer or consultant to work directly with staff in a local area. CWA will contract with member organizations to procure consultants and trainers, arrange for materials to be delivered, and work with the consultant or trainer to deliver exactly the services our member needs. This allows members to contract directly with CWA, so we are responsible for procurement, and for members to receive these services at a reduced fee.

On-Site Facilitation

CWA contracts with local organizations on a fee basis to provide facilitation services. CWA staff and consultants trained as master facilitators provide custom-designed strategies to help member organizations plan and implement approaches to achieve their goals. Our bias is that by developing sessions that include all of the stakeholders, we help organizations ensure that their planning will lead to action.

Contracts for facilitation are tailored to individual organizations' needs, and can range from half day to two day WIB strategic planning sessions; on-going consulting and facilitation over several months to a year; developing action plans for specific projects; leadership development and other organizational development support.