COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services has reached an agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor to settle a Workforce Investment Act sanction levied against the state last year. Under the settlement agreement, the state will receive $933,086, an amount equal to the sanction levied for WIA Program Year 2001."Federal officials have provided us with technical assistance and they have tested our new job matching and reporting system," says ODJFS Director Tom Hayes. "With this agreement the federal government recognizes Ohio's commitment and progress in improving its Workforce Investment Act program."ODJFS appealed the sanction, which was announced last May. The agreement makes the funding available for use the state by June 30 for a period of two years. Under the agreement the money may be used to support WIA-related technical assistance and training for local areas, and improvements to state reporting systems.The new Sharing Career Opportunities and Training Information computer system became fully operational in November. Besides matching employers with job seekers, the system is used by state and local employment staff to track and report Workforce Investment Act activities to the federal government. The system enables Ohio to accurately report its labor exchange performance to the federal government, Hayes says.Since the system became operational, it has accomplished more than 206,000 job matches. More than 65,000 job seekers are registered on the system.Visit Sharing Career Opportunities and Training Information: www.scoti.ohio.gov"