National / International Labor Clients

U. S. Department of Labor

The U. S. Department of Labor (DOL) fosters and promotes the welfare of the job seekers, wage earners, and retirees by improving their working conditions; advancing their opportunities for profitable employment; protecting their retirement and health care benefits; helping employers find workers; strengthening free collective bargaining; and tracking changes in employment, prices, and other national economic measurements. In carrying out this mission, DOL administers a variety of Federal labor laws including those that guarantee workers’ rights to safe and healthful working conditions; a minimum hourly wage and overtime pay; freedom from employment discrimination; unemployment insurance; and other income support.

KRA has provided the following services for many DOL Administrations, Bureaus, Centers, Divisions, and Offices; as well as several labor-related non-profit organizations.

Employment and Training Administration

Professional, Administrative, and Management Services

Since 1995, KRA has been providing DOL’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA) with various administrative, management, professional, and technical support services. KRA responds to Task Order requests and provides services in the areas of policy and program evaluation, research, technical assistance and training, publications development, and communications support in a myriad of ETA program areas.

Development of Toolkit for Effective Front-Line Services to Youth

Written by a KRA team of case management, training and technical assistance, and youth development professionals, this online resource, Improving Services and Performance: Toolkit for Effective Front-Line Services to Youth, provides information, techniques, and tools for implementing a youth employment program from recruitment to evaluation. The Toolkit consists of a Manual that provides information about preparing youth to become increasingly more self-sufficient, and Training Tools that break down the content into nine modules. Each module includes presentation slides, group exercises, and a training guide. Modules can be presented individually or as a group, depending on training time available. PowerPoint slides have been included that enable trainers to personalize their presentation(s). DOL posted the Toolkit on its website at www.doleta.gov/youth_services/Toolkit-improve.cfm.

Workforce Investment Act Implementation

KRA provided professional on-site staff assistance to ETA in the development, refinement, and application of WIA performance measures, by assisting in the development of performance accountability policies, guidelines for reporting employment and training outcomes, and for negotiating reasonable levels of performance with States.

School-to-Work Instructor Training for Job Corps

KRA designed, developed, and delivered training to selected Job Corps instructional staff, including skills and strategies for integrating STW system ideas into the traditional Job Corps training delivery model, which consists of a two-pronged (academic education and vocational training) educational program.

Technical and Research Assistance to Out-of-School Youth/School-to-Work

KRA provided technical, logistical, and research support to promote the development of promising STW practices for OSY to rural and urban grantees representing a cross-section of youth-serving programs such as Private Industry Councils, Job Corps, and community colleges.

Characterizing State Employment in the Agricultural Community

KRA researched the nature and scope of the U.S. agricultural labor market to identify service groups, and to provide a strategic approach to addressing the immediate and future needs of workers who serve in this sector of the economy.

Evaluation of STRIVE Program

KRA evaluated the Support and Training Results in Valuable Employment program to identify predictors of success and the impediments and constraints to successful implementation, to gauge customer satisfaction, and to assess efforts to replicate STRIVE in other programs that secure jobs for disadvantaged individuals and dislocated workers.

Evaluation of JTPA Title III Dislocated Worker Technology Demonstration

KRA’s evaluation of the outcome, impacts, and benefits of DWTD program grantees documented the existence of, and responded to, the widely reported shortage across the nation of workers in information and advanced technology jobs.

Evaluation of JTPA Title III Dislocated Worker Manufacturing Technology Demonstration

KRA extracted lessons learned from the DWTD evaluation (above) and evaluated the DWMTD, which included programs that had been helping workers find jobs in technology-related manufacturing jobs, as well as helping incumbent manufacturing employees upgrade their technology skills.

Additional Work on JTPA Evaluation

KRA participated in an evaluation of the long-term effects of participation in the JTPA program. Primarily concerned with the employment outcomes of JTPA participants prior to participation and 5 years after their training, this study was a follow-up to a JTPA Evaluation containing only 18-month follow-up data.

Specialized/Targeted Dislocated Worker Services Project

Employing a strategy based on two series of field visits, the first of which centered on program implementation, and the second on early placement and earnings results, customer satisfaction, and program costs. KRA evaluated all 10 programs and provided technical assistance related to reporting and survey issues.

Processing NEG Grant Applications

For the Office of National Response (ONR), KRA supported agency goals by processing National Emergency Grant applications in response to states affected by Base Realignment and Closures (BRAC) closures and realignments; and assisting in the development of measurement guides for the overall NEG program, including performance analysis and reporting.

Evaluation of H-2A Alien Labor Certification Process

KRA analyzed administrative and statistical data, reviewed government and research reports, and interviewed federal and state officials for this evaluation, the purpose of which was to assess the performance of the labor certification process and to project future system needs in the context of the U.S. farm labor market and proposed immigration legislation.

Develop Management Training Modules

For the Division of Financial and Grants Management Policy and Review, KRA developed and delivered financial and grants management training modules for grantee organizations and provided oversight and technical assistance to grantee organizations. In addition, KRA ensured that grantee organizations were properly accounting for federal grant funds in accordance with Office of Management and Budget cost principles, and complying with administrative requirements applicable to ETA grant programs.

Grant Proposal Review Support

For the Office of Grants Management (OGM), KRA assisted with the management of proposal responses, which included preparing proposal abstracts, contacting review panel members, and facilitating a review panel orientation session.

Review Evaluation Results

KRA further supported the OMG by reviewing evaluation results of unsuccessful applicants who responded to solicitations for Grants Applications, which included reading each evaluation for consistency and adequacy of conveyance of proposal results; and editing evaluations for content, completeness, format, and grammar.

Research Profiled Unemployment Claimants

KRA researched the Worker Profiling and Reemployment Services system to identify what labor market information strategies and products were being offered to profiled Unemployment Insurance claimants. KRA conducted site visits to four One-Stop Career Centers (One Stops) in two states, observed orientation sessions for the profiled claimants, interviewed on-site staff, and conducted focus group discussions and telephone interviews with profiled claimants.

Promoting Quality Through Mystery Shopping

For the Office of Workforce Investment, KRA designed and implemented a national mystery shopper pilot program. KRA evaluated services provided by One-Stops, and made recommendations for future mystery shopping efforts.

Financial and Administrative Training

In support of the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), KRA developed financial and administrative training for SCSEP grant regulations, and presented the training for SCSEP grantee staff at three locations: Tyson’s Corner, Virginia; San Francisco, California; and Dallas, Texas.

Grant Assistance

KRA provided support to the ONR through assisting with Trade Adjustment Act, Rapid Response, and NEG goals and activities. KRA also provided event management support for the Health Care Tax Credit demonstration project meeting.

Support ETA Communications

To assist ETA in achieving myriad communications goals and objectives, the Office of Outreach selected KRA to provide support in educating the public and Workforce Investment System stakeholders about the ETA’s mission, theme, and initiatives. KRA edited and/or wrote speeches and reports, developed educational materials, designed and implemented media outreach initiatives and events, and coordinated the printing and distribution of these materials.

Workforce Innovations, 2005

For the Division of Older Worker Programs, KRA supported DOL’s largest training event of the year, Workforce Innovations 2005, including organization of the event’s Business Meeting.

Support to Office of National Response

KRA provided support to ONR activities related to its “special national response” during the time of national crisis, including various types of dislocated worker events, and events precipitated by the Department of Defense’s BRAC activities initiative.

Conference Support

KRA staff initiated and performed myriad logistics management tasks related to the planning, management, and execution of four DOL conferences: LEP Grantee Meeting, Technology – Based Learning Meeting, WIRED Follow-Up Meeting, and the WIRED Dialogue with Foundations Meeting.

Web Development for Services for Limited English Proficient Customers

KRA created and maintained a website that reflected the research and Persons with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) activities of ETA, which included a technical assistance guide and catalogue, and data that allowed local areas to develop accurate plans for serving LEP populations.

Measuring State Unemployment Insurance Administrative Needs

Using quantitative and qualitative data collection, comparable systems analysis, and statistical analysis, KRA developed a two-stage automated modeling technique that combined both technology and workforce requirements to yield an overall sum for each State’s needs, and also assessed funding, sensitivity analyses, and parameter changes.

Core Data Elements Report Development and Presentations

KRA provided research, report writing, and presentation services to assist DOL in identifying a core set of data elements for employment and training programs funded under five different ETA acts.

Study and Analysis of Employee Leasing Firms

KRA analyzed the employee leasing industry and measured its impact on State Unemployment Insurance (UI) programs, including the effects on State trust funds. KRA conducted literature reviews and mail and telephone surveys of all state UI agencies, then obtained and analyzed wage record data.

Advisory Council on Unemployment Compensation Rapid Response Project

KRA researched the effectiveness of the UC program, and made recommendations on numerous aspects of the system. KRA prepared research summaries and briefing papers; analyzed datasets; performed quantitative data analysis; and developed a database of allocation, workload, and performance measures for analysis.

Technical Assistance and Technical Support to the Reinvention Office

KRA provided expert advice, assistance, and counsel to ETA’s Assistant Secretary and Deputy Assistant Secretary, designed and facilitated key meetings of the reinvention and management teams, and provided technical assistance and support to ETA program and field offices.

Improving Data Analysis Skills

KRA assessed the skill gaps within ETA’s workforce and devised training to help improve the agency’s data analysis skills. Phase one included a self-survey of incumbent workers’ competency levels related to detailed skill dimensions, and phase two provided training modules used for a data analysis course.

Commercial Driver’s License Training for Arizona Farmworkers

KRA evaluated this program for potential replication with similar farm worker populations, and found that the program was an effective way to upgrade the skills of former farm workers to qualify them for better paying, more stable jobs.

Research Synthesis Papers

KRA facilitated the development of several research synthesis papers, including Trade and Broadly Shared Prosperity, State Programs to Provide Incumbent Worker Training, Job Readiness Training, and Post-Employment Services: What are States Doing to Help Welfare Clients Stay Employed?

Technical Assistance to Youth Fair Chance Project

KRA provided technical assistance to 17 YFC grantees to expand opportunities and improve outcomes for youth through locally determined initiatives. KRA provided technical assistance services through on- and off-site assistance, telephone support, and materials.

Capacity Building and Logistics Support

KRA provided extensive capacity building and logistics support to assist ETA in providing information dissemination and operational upgrading to facilitate the introduction of JTPA amendments.

Technical Support for Training

In support of its JTPA subject-specific training efforts, KRA provided ETA training for service delivery area monitoring, course evaluation and analysis, extensive follow-up evaluation to determine the extent to which workshop participants were satisfied with the training, four summer youth-enrichment sessions, and meeting and travel support.

Capacity Building and Reporting System Development

To improve the management information system for JTPA programs, KRA defined system requirements and analytical needs within the overall JTPA reporting system, assessed reporting procedures and data processing systems, and developed a comprehensive system of data reporting and program performance analysis.

Technical Assistance to Youth Opportunity Grant Recipients

As one of 25 “coaches” assigned to the representative group of grantees, KRA worked with a YOG site in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and another in Hillsboro County, Florida. Technical assistance areas included startup strategies, governance, management, program and staff development, and center operations.

Training Boards of Directors of Grantees

For grantee Boards of Directors responsible for administering Migrant and Seasonal and Farmworker Programs Under Section 402 of the JTPA, KRA conducted a centralized training conference for 35 nonprofit organizations that included designing and developing the agenda; designing and developing a technical assistance train-the-trainer manual, in English and Spanish; and designing, developing, and conducting the training conference.

Technical Assistance and Technical Support to the Enterprise Council

Although specific to Title III Dislocated Worker programs at that time, this effort offered great potential to the job-training system at large. KRA provided strategic planning and organizational development assistance to the Council, its five standing committees, and it’s Staff Support Team.

Support for Performance Standards

KRA supported the Workforce Development Performance Measurement (WDPM) initiative by collecting performance measurement data from 16 One-Stop Implementation Grant States, preparing technical issues papers, and coordinating WDPM Policy Committee and Work Group meetings.

Fact Sheet Development and Production

For the Office of Public Affairs, KRA provided publications services for the development and production of 23 fact sheets on DOL programs nationwide. KRA edited and rewrote content, updated data and information, created a design that added consistency and appeal among all fact sheets and brochures.

Logistical Support for Individual Training Account Technical Assistance Sessions

For the Office of Policy and Research, KRA provided administrative and logistical coordination services for several technical assistance events to support the Regional Individual Training Account effort. KRA’s responsibilities included a full range of pre- and on-site activities, including date and site selections, site inspections, hotel negotiations for meeting and sleeping rooms and meal functions, preparation of mailing and participants’ lists, on-site administrative and logistical coordination, and preparation and distribution of training materials.

Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships

SHARE Network Continuation

The Sharing How Access to Resources Empowers Network expands access to workforce development services by assisting job seekers discover services offered by faith- and community-based organizations (FBCO), government agencies, and non-profit organizations. The Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships (CFBNP) selected KRA to support SHARE by providing and maintaining a customized web-based resource directory to nine SHARE states, and providing updates to software based upon user feedback. Also, KRA assisted nine additional states in implementing and adapting the SHARE Network system.

Prisoner Reentry Policy Outreach

DOL, through the CFBNP, implemented the Prisoner Reentry Initiative that draws on the unique strengths of FBCOs to deliver workforce development and other services to ex-prisoners in the communities to which they return. To support this initiative, KRA organized two fact-finding meetings for invited FBCO representatives, policy makers, corrections officials, and other state government leaders to explore potential collaboration around the issue of prisoner reentry. KRA researched and invited attendees, and also researched and prepared the agendas and discussion points for each of the meetings. KRA created reports from the meetings, including minutes, notes, topics discussed, and analysis on what should be used in a potential Prisoner Reentry Toolkit.

Reinventing CFBCI Website

Under the CFBNP, the Center for Faith-Based and Community-Based Initiative (CFBCI) launched www.dol-tlc.org to provide a vehicle for FBCOs and Workforce Investment Boards (WIB) to learn and dialogue about partnership strategies, as well as other areas of best practices for workforce development. KRA was selected to manage content and design of the website, and to prepare informative postings describing specific projects, such as Technical Assistance to Grassroots Grantees and Continued Technical Assistance for WIB Grantees. KRA also provided project announcements and news, links to the Document Library that supported projects, SHARE Network templates, Project Reach Out kick-off presentations, materials from WIB grantees, and contact information and dialogue areas for project participants.

Continuation of Project Reach Out

CFBNP researches various ways in which the public Workforce Investment System can more effectively engage FBCOs in partnerships that better serve job-seekers. Thirteen WIBs were selected for training, and ultimately five WIBs committed to specific Work Plans on how to engage FBCOs to increase performance. KRA was selected to support the CFBCI to ensure that participating WIBs fully implemented their Work Plans. KRA monitored and calculated results and effect on performance of Work Plans after new processes were in place for 6 months. Ultimately, KRA created a Project Reach-Out Toolkit and case studies of the accomplishments of the participating WIBs. The Toolkit included templates and tools developed as part of their Work Plans, as well as step-by-step instructions in using these tools. KRA presented the Toolkit at a national conference, as well as participated in virtual events sharing tool-kit information.

WIB Technical Assistance

DOL provided funding to select WIBs to engage FBCOs and work with them to connect disadvantaged job seekers with high-growth industries and employers. KRA supported this CFBNP effort by organizing and leading monthly conference calls to facilitate knowledge sharing and group problem solving among WIB grantees. The focus of the calls was continuous improvement strategies for managing the grantees. KRA ensured that the WIBs had sustainability plans in place and created a report summarizing grantee accomplishments. Also, KRA identified and summarized best resources/tools from grantees to be included in a resource directory. KRA conducted site visits, developed case studies of the three top performing WIBs, and continued work on the “WIB grantee section” of the new CFBCI website.

Support for Prisoner Reentry Project

KRA provided support to the CFBNP to develop, disseminate, and promote tools that help states increase collaboration between state governments in the area of prisoner reentry to their communities. For this task KRA converted a meeting guide into a user-friendly PDF guide, provided training via web-cast based on the use of the guide, and provided presentations at national conferences to promote the use of the guide. KRA also developed practical steps states can take to incorporate FBCO resources and services into their prisoner reentry programs.

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management

Administrative and Logistical Support to the National Skill Standards Board

KRA provided administrative, logistical, and management services to support the members of the NSSB in accomplishing their goals and mission. Support areas included full-Board meetings, NSSB Executive Committee and sub-committee meetings, public hearings, public speaking engagements, and publications/transcription services. The NSSB, created as a result of the National Skills Standards Act of 1994, is a congressionally mandated organization designed to encourage the development of a national system of voluntary skill standards across all job categories, and is comprised of member-representatives from labor, employer, education, and community groups, as well as the Secretaries of Commerce, Education, and Labor who serve in an ex-officio capacity.

National Skill Standards Board Clearinghouse

For 3 years, KRA provided a variety of administrative and management support services to the NSSB Clearinghouse. Services included conducting policy and program research, arranging Board meetings and public hearings, and making travel arrangements for Board members. When DOL decided to create an NSSB Clearinghouse, the agency selected KRA due to our vast experience, not only in NSSB concerns and issues, but also in the management and operation of clearinghouses and information, referral, and resource centers.

DOL Information Technology Center

KRA provided ADP technical support that encompassed extensive, highly technical network and programming services to all of DOL through the OASAM. As DOL expanded its LAN and WAN environments, KRA augmented task activities in over 30 different IT labor categories. Network support was provided through Microsoft Windows NT, and programming support using Visual Basic, Lotus Notes and COBOL, Adabase Natural, and PowerBuilder. On-site KRA staff engaged in providing high-level analysis and strategy development to enhance applications, end-user support, and Internet training for all DOL organizations. KRA provided comprehensive technical assistance to OASAM for meeting its long-term objective for a more standardized and compatible information environment under the direction of the Chief Information Officer. KRA technical personnel provided support to specific agency or department task-order requests for technical knowledge in the areas of network operating systems, workstation environments, and various application programming languages.

Bureau of International Labor Affairs

Employment Services Counseling Project

Designed to develop effective means of handling layoffs resulting from implementing a privatization law—under which many State-owned enterprises were sold to private-sector interests—KRA assisted the Turkish Employment Organization in selecting new systems to support expanded service delivery to the unemployed in Turkey.

Technical Assistance for DOL International Labor Affairs

KRA assisted in the implementation of cooperative activities and technical exchanges between the U.S. and Ministries of Labor in CAFTA-DR (Dominican Republic – Central American – United States Free Trade Agreement) countries. KRA coordinated the Inaugural meeting of the CAFTA-DR Labor Affairs Council, and assisted DOL in promoting its technical cooperation between U.S. government officials and government officials from CAFTA-DR countries.

Employee Benefits Security Administration

Employment Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 Public Disclosure Office

KRA supported the EBSA, as well as its predecessor the Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration, by providing employer benefit plan documentation and financial information to DOL offices, other government agencies, and the general public in fulfillment of requirements mandated by Congress under ERISA. To manage and operate the EBSA/ERISA Public Disclosure Office KRA provided the following services: provision of information and documents in hard-copy, microfilm, and electronic formats; help-desk operations; systems design; applications development; microfilm quality control; end-user training; online searching; electronic data transfer; FOIA responses; compliance verification; electronic and manual file maintenance; document tracking and routing; and indexing and data entry.

U.S. Agency for International Development

National Clearinghouse for Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship

USAID/South Africa selected KRA to design, develop, and operate a National Clearinghouse for Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship (NCYE).

Based in South Africa, the project was multi-faceted in nature and included establishing and managing the NCYE facility; developing Internet resources, including a website and on-line databases; developing a national NCYE resource network; conducting outreach, technical assistance, and promotional activities; and providing ongoing information services in various communities throughout the country.

Office of Job Corps

Oneonta, New York Job Corps Center

Under a 5-year contract, KRA continued the operation and management of the Oneonta Job Corps Center (JCC), which provides comprehensive education, vocational training, social skills and employability training, career development and placement services, and related support services for 370 residential students.

Delaware Valley (Callicoon, NY) Job Corps Center’s Social Development Program

KRA was awarded a 5-year subcontract for the continued operation of the JCC’s Social Development Program, which includes residential living and recreation programs, social skills training, and related support services for 390 male and female students.

Other Labor-Related Projects

Massachusetts STW Technical Assistance Resource Bank

KRA was selected by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as part of a cadre of highly qualified TA providers to help implement the State’s STW system. KRA offered assistance in the following components of STW: Serving All Students; Building Capacity of Community-based and Intermediary Organizations; Engaging Employers; Providing Professional Development; and Developing Skill Standards.

National Association of Manufacturer’s Partnership for a Smarter Workforce

To support the development and implementation of the Partnership project, KRA provided project management and budget administration; coordinated communication among partners; designed and conducted a study of employer practices; and produced a final report that presented the research findings.