American Indian Workforce Development Program
Application for Enrollment (PDF)
Return completed applications to Maria Richardson, American Indian Workforce Development Program Director at maria.richardson@doa.nc.gov.
About the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Section 166 Program
Funded by the U.S. Labor Department's Division of Indian and Native American Programs, the Commission of Indian Affairs WIOA Section 166 workforce development program targets the needs of unemployed, underemployed and low income American Indians in North Carolina.
Enrolled members of state or federally recognized tribes, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians are eligible to apply for services.
Priority in eligibility determination and service provision is provided to otherwise eligible American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian veterans. The highest preference is given to WIOA Section 166 eligible individuals who are veterans of the U.S. military services.
The ultimate goal of our assistance and services is to:
- Increase academic, occupational, and literacy skills among the American Indian population;
- Increase American Indian workers’ abilities to be competitive in the workforce, thus helping them achieve personal and economic self-sufficiency;
- Promote social and economic development in North Carolina American Indian communities.
How WIOA Works
The commission’s WIOA service area spans 63 of the state’s 100 counties. The remaining 37 counties are designated among four other WIOA Section 166 (Indian & Native American Programs) grantees in the state: the Cumberland County Association for Indian People, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the Guilford Native American Association, and the Lumbee Regional Development Association. Commission of Indian Affairs WIOA assistance is provided via field offices and staff located within the American Indian communities.
| NC American Indian WIOA Program/Field Office | Contact Information |
|---|---|
| NC Commission of Indian Affairs Sampson County Field Office (Coharie) | Wanda Ammons 910-564-6726 wanda.ammons@doa.nc.gov |
| NC Commission of Indian Affairs Columbus County Field Office (Waccamaw-Siouan) | Ashley Patrick 984-247-3134 ashley.patrick@doa.nc.gov |
| Cumberland County Association for Indian People WIOA Program | 910-483-8442 |
| Guilford Native American Association WIOA Program | guilfordnative.com/programs |
| Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians WIOA Program | ebci.com/services/departments/department-of-education/youth-and-education/ |
| Lumbee Regional Development Association WIOA Program | lumbee.org/wioaprogram |
Individuals seeking workforce development services can contact one of our offices or an office of one of the above service providers closest to them, or contact the nearest NCWorks Career Center office.
Commission WIOA Services
Classroom Training
Each community college designs its own areas of vocational training based on the needs and employment opportunities of the area served. The choice of vocational training is left to the individual participants with the guidance and approval of program staff and community college guidance counselors.
Work Experience
Participants with a high school diploma are placed in 40-hour-per-week temporary work experience positions, and participants without high school diplomas are placed in 25-hour-per-week temporary work experience positions and must attend adult basic education classes for at least 15 hours per week.
Job Search and Placement Assistance
Job development is customer focused and based on the individual's academic and vocational skills, their previous work history and their personal interest. Each local office provides job search and placement assistance, and can assist in the development of client resumes, cover letters and the completion of applications for employment.
WIOA staff can assist clients in rural tribal communities that may not have internet access to NCWorks Online and a vast array of other state and national employment information. Staff may also coordinate assistance to clients through collaborative partnering efforts with the state's NCWorks Career Center network.
Supportive Services
In addition to these services, the commission's WIOA program may provide supportive services such as employment related services, transportation assistance, temporary housing assistance for trainees, etc.
Supportive services may be provided to overcome barriers to employment or training that have been identified in a client's individual training and development plan, or through an appropriate contract, referral, or follow up service.
American Indian Workforce Development Program Advocacy
The NC Commission of Indian Affairs is a charter member of the Southeastern Indian Manpower Planners and Administrators Association (SIMPAA), an association of Native American employment and training service providers located in seven southeastern states.
In addition, Commission of Indian Affairs Deputy Director Candace Lowry serves on the U.S. Department of Labor Native American Employment and Training Council. The Council advises the Secretary of Labor regarding employment and training services for Native Americans through federal workforce development programs.