The Utah Reauthorization Project (UREAP) has as its vision for the next phase of the Workforce Investment Act: to strengthen  our nation by building families' and individuals' economic and social well-being; to address the needs of employers for a prepared and effective workforce; and to maximize the contributions of people with disabilities, older Americans, and youth in the labor market. We seek to be involved in realizing this vision as Congress considers the 2003 Reauthorization of the 1998 Workforce Investment Act. It is appropriate at this time to consider what has been learned since 1998 and look ahead to new, common ground public policy options that provide opportunities to refine provisions contained in the five Titles of the Workforce Investment Act.

UREAP therefore, will support and encourage provisions which:

1. support the development of a more integrated workforce development system centered on one-stop delivery systems, while simultaneously protecting the integrity of individual partners' program goals and objectives.
2. set a clear and consistent goal of reducing poverty through self- and family-sustaining employment.
3. facilitate job advancement and increased earnings through training, education, or skill-development for job seekers.
4. retain primary focus within the One-Stop system to meet basic needs and dignity for all families and individuals, whether or not they are able to achieve self-reliance.
5. enhance coordination among mandatory and voluntary partners so that families and individuals receive the opportunities and resources they need to address their barriers to achieving economic independence.
6. improve coordination with TANF to better meet the employment needs of TANF families.
7. increase access by low-income job seekers to core, and especially intensive and training services.
8. provide stipends, access to Pell grants, or other means of subsistence, to enable non-TANF-eligible, low-income clients to participate in job skill training as needed.
9. include appropriate flexibility, incentives, and encouragement to allow states, localities, and Indian Tribes to run programs that are responsive to special populations and circumstances.
10. provide increased or at least present levels of funding to support necessary programs and services to effect positive outcomes for families and individuals, including people with disabilities, older Americans, and youth.
11. improve the quality of information about program implementation, accountability, and performance.
12. ensure that job-seekers have an informed choice in the pursuit of their employment goals, services, and supports.
13. individualize services and supports.
14. ensure an effective role for all partners in statewide decision-making, including representation from people who need help.
15. finance Workforce Investment Act programs adequately, without resulting in harm to programs serving vulnerable populations.