Improving Cleveland's Management of Its Employment and Training Programs

Management of federal Comprehensive Employment and Training Act funds given to the Cleveland Area Western Reserve Manpower Consortium was reviewed to determine how the Consortium compares nationally in placing participants in jobs and administrative costs, manages and controls administrative costs, and evaluates and selects delivery agents for title I employment and training programs.

Title I of the act authorizes comprehensive employment and training activities, and titles II and VI primarily authorize transitional public service employment. In fiscal years (FY) 1975 through 1977, the Consortium's success in obtaining unsubsidized employment was comparable to national averages, but performance under titles II and VI was well below national averages. Administrative costs were above limits specified by Department of Labor regulations for title I in FY 1975 and 1976, but were within specified limits for titles II and VI for FY 1975 through 1977. Rates were above national averages for all three titles in FY 1977. Title I service delivery agents were funded in FY 1975 and 1976 without evaluation of their efficiency. A new competitive selection process was instituted for FY 1977. Other problems identified included an unreliable management information system, inadequate procedures for determining participant eligibility, and inadequate controls over program expenditures. Corrective actions are being planned.