The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) and the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) will hold a public meeting to gather input from the community as  the agencies prepare a combined state plan for core workforce programs governed  by the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). The meeting will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, August 27 at the R. B. Hubbard Center  located at 304 E. Ferguson St. in Tyler. The meeting will also provide the public an opportunity to make recommendations  related to the transfer of some DARS programs to TWC effective Sept. 1, 2016. Those programs include: Vocational Rehabilitation, Business Enterprises of Texas and Independent Living for Older Individuals Who are Blind. The Tyler event is the fifth of seven public meetings being held across the state. For information on all public meeting dates and locations, visit the TWC Joint Stakeholder Meetings Webpage

The public is invited to provide input on WIOA state plan and DARS program transition.  Speakers will include TWC Chairman, Andres Alcantar, TWC Commissioner Representing Labor, Ronny Congleton and DARS Commissioner, Veronda L. Durden. The Texas Workforce Commission is a state agency dedicated to helping Texas employers, workers and communities prosper economically. For details on TWC and the services it offers in coordination with its network of local workforce development boards, call 512-463-8942 or visit www.texasworkforce.org