Twelve states are eligible to receive a share of $27.6 million available for incentive grant awards under section 503 of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). To qualify for the incentive, a state must have exceeded performance levels for outcomes in each of WIA title I, adult education, and vocational education programs. States must file a short application for these grants within 45 days of publication of a notice in the Federal Register. Funds can be used to support innovative workforce development and education activities authorized under any one of these laws through June 30, 2004. See their website for information.

States can revise agreed upon performance levels if one of two categories of unanticipated circumstances occur, says OVAE's new guidance for adult and vocational education programs. Category one includes state-mandated changes in data-gathering methods and can only be done for future years. Category two includes contextual events such as spiraling unemployment or natural disasters. Category two can support revising target levels in current or future years. State Directors have received this guidance by e-mail and it will be posted on the web soon.

Joan Athen, formerly of JA Associates, LLC in Columbia, Maryland has been named OVAE's new Community College Specialist, Assistant Secretary Carol D'Amico announced last week. Prior to her appointment, Athen served as chair of the Maryland Association of Community College Trustees. Previously she served as chair and vice chair, as well as a board member, of Howard Community College. Earlier, she was chair of the Howard County Chamber of Commerce. She is the founder and president of the Maryland Therapeutic Horsemanship Association. Welcome Joan!

We'll see you in Charleston, State Directors. Our next Shop Talk is June 6.