Content - About UI ITSC

About UI ITSC

The Unemployment Insurance Information Technology Support Center (UI ITSC) is a unique national collaboration of the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA), the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), the Maryland Department of Labor, and all state workforce agencies. UI ITSC promotes the development of information technology solutions, modernization of state UI systems, and information sharing among state UI agencies.

UI ITSC occupies a unique position in the UI arena, with knowledge of both the UI and IT domains. Through its history of working with USDOL and state UI agencies, UI ITSC has developed a strong working knowledge of UI and its functions, laws, operational issues, and IT infrastructures throughout the nation.

This experience allows UI ITSC to assist states in all aspects of information technology as it relates to national and state UI programs. UI ITSC strives to stay in front of new technologies so that it can deliver meaningful solutions and influence the paths states pursue to maximize programmatic efficiencies. While primarily UI-focused, UI ITSC also engages with workforce partners for the benefit of the whole reemployment community.

OUR VISION

UI ITSC is a trusted partner for the effective use of information technology and for related technical assistance to advance UI programs.

OUR MISSION

The Unemployment Insurance Information Technology Support Center (UI ITSC) fosters partnerships to advance the continuous improvement of the modernization of unemployment insurance and collaboration with workforce programs. UI ITSC facilitates the exchange of ideas and practices among states, and provides products, services, and training that help states leverage technology to meet evolving needs.

OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Innovation:

UI ITSC provides a view to the future, enabling UI to be at the forefront of technological evolution.

Expertise:

UI ITSC provides efficient, cost effective, timely service, and accurate information to states and USDOL with specific UI domain experience.

Common Technology:

UI ITSC provides technical assistance, information, software tools and products, and advisory services to states and consortia to support quality information technology systems needed for Unemployment Insurance program administration. To foster flexibility and promote innovation, UI ITSC supports a focus on shareable approaches to technology, as well as specific common solutions, driven by business need.

Sharing Among States:

UI ITSC provides support to states individually and through consortia in the design and development of highly configurable and transferable Unemployment Insurance IT systems, subsystems, components, models, and practices.

Strategic Direction

OUR STRATEGIC AREAS

UI IT Modernization Advisory Support

UI ITSC provides support to states on UI business process improvement and IT modernization by identifying state practices, facilitating communication, sharing information among states, and providing advisory services.

Education and Training

UI ITSC develops educational materials and training programs for state UI Agencies focused on UI IT systems, processes, and the modernization life cycle. Training is delivered as interactive self-paced online lessons and as engaging instructor-led classes conducted by UI and IT subject matter experts.

Product and Tool Development and Support

UI ITSC provides cost-effective products and tools that states can leverage. It also develops, distributes, and supports these products, such as UI components and modules, model projects and prototypes, project management portals, and various other tools.

Technical Advisory Support to non-UI IT Modernization Projects

UI ITSC provides non-modernization UI IT project support to states such as application support, technical standards and guidelines development, domain specific staff augmentation, and advisory and assessment services.

OUR STRATEGIC GOALS

Drive the national workforce agenda:

Support NASWA and USDOL in working with partners and stakeholders around their UI IT challenges.
Provide knowledge, expertise and information to NASWA, State Workforce agencies and USDOL.
Promote UI IT Modernization and integration with re-employment, advising on the technical challenges involved.
Align UI ITSC work with the Integrity Center and Workforce development groups.

Provide high value member services:

To be a trusted partner for states in their UI IT Modernization initiatives.
States have an increased understanding of the UI IT Modernization process among state staff and vendor community, through the provision of Education and Training to the States.
States are actively using and benefiting from use of UI ITSC’s business process IT tools (SDDS, OccuCoder, and Workforce Connect).
To be a trusted partner for states in IT areas beyond UI IT Modernization efforts through provision of expert, independent, and technical advisory support.
UI ITSC continues to be a center for the promotion of the IT aspects of the UI ecosystem nationally, and a conduit for state information sharing.

History

The UI Information Technology Support Center (UI ITSC) was created in 1994, by the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) in partnership with the State of Maryland’s Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, to promote the development of information technology (IT) enhancements and information sharing among state unemployment insurance (UI) agencies.

UI ITSC occupies a unique position in the UI arena, with knowledge of both the UI and IT domains. Through its history of working with USDOL and individual state UI agencies, UI ITSC has a uniquely strong working knowledge of UI and its functions, laws, operational issues, and state automation architectures throughout the nation.

On September 1, 2009, the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA) became the home of UI ITSC. With NASWA, UI ITSC continues to enhance its ability to pursue common missions to educate Federal and state partners and to promote information sharing and dissemination of effective practices among state workforce agencies. UI ITSC is primarily funded by grants from USDOL’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA).

Annual Report

UI ITSC's 2023 Annual Report

Archive

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