07/31/2014

1. WIA Dislocated Worker Program & Rapid Response Gesina MentinkDislocated Worker Unit 07/31/2014

2. The Dislocated Worker Program Helping Laid Off Workers from All Walks of Life to New Jobs… and new beginnings

3. The Workforce Investment Act (1998) …the framework for a national workforce preparation and employment system designed to meet both the needs of the nation’s businesses and job seekers and those who want to further their careers.

4. Title I of WIA

5. Dislocated Worker Program Annual Allocation 25% - Rapid Response Reserve • State Administrative costs • Local Administrative formula costs • Local Program formula costs Life of funds = 3 program years

6. Rapid Response The service strategy to extend assistance to employers and workers faced with permanent layoffs. A Required Statewide Activity under WIA to be carried out by the State in collaboration with the Workforce Development Boards (WDBs) = Activities necessary to PLAN and DELIVER services to enable dislocated workers to TRANSITION to NEW EMPLOYMENT as QUICKLY as possible following a permanent closure or mass layoff

7. Rapid Response Activities • Required: • Immediate contact with employers & any employee representatives to assess • layoff plans/schedule, • potential for averting layoffs, • background & assistance needs of employees, • reemployment prospects in the community, and • available resources • Provision of information • Available employment & training activities, • Unemployment Insurance • Job Center services • Information about the Trade Adjustment Assistance Program • Assistance establishing a voluntary labor-management committee or workforce transition committee • To devise & implement a strategy for assessing the dislocated workers’ needs and obtaining assistance • Tailored assistance adapted to the particular event • Provision of assistance to the local WDB, LEOs and community to obtain access to state economic development assistance

8. Rapid Response Activities • Allowable: • Develop prospective strategies for addressing dislocations • Identify layoff aversion strategies • Develop mechanisms for the exchange of information relating to potential dislocations, available assistance and effectiveness of rapid response activities • Collect and analyze information relating to dislocations and available resources for dislocated workers • Capacity building including successful strategies for serving dislocated workers • Devise and oversee strategies for layoff aversion, incumbent worker training and linkages with economic development activities

9. Typical Process for Responding to Notice of Layoffs • Coordination of “Rapid Response” • DWD to lead coordination efforts if 50+ workers • WDB leads any RR efforts if less than 50 workers Notice of Layoff Contact with Employer within 48 hrs. Attempt to schedule in-person mtg. w/all the right parties WDB / Job Center • Initial Employer Meeting: • - Learn more about the layoffs • Educate employer about transition services • Begin developing service strategy for workers DWD Informs DWD Communications if Written Notice Evaluate / leverage resources and implement service strategy Pre-layoff Onsite Services for Workers

10. Rapid Response In Action • Dislocated workers surveys & deliverables using results • Onsite, pre-layoff information sessions for workers • Onsite, pre-layoff workshops • Targeted job fairs with area employers • Tailored labor market information for workers • Gathering of feedback and making process improvements • Better integration of technology

11. Challenges - Rapid Response • Difficult to connect with employer • Timing of layoffs – happening fast; too far out in future • Unable or unwilling to accommodate RR activities • Some don’t see the value • Coordination with lots of players • No place for onsite activities or location is not ideal • Difficult to integrate technology into activities • Overwhelming time for impacted workers; Info overload • Lack of statewide consistency in service delivery

12. Dislocated Worker Program

13. Dislocated Worker Program Basics • The One-Stop Delivery System (a.k.a., Job Centers or Workforce Development Centers) is the basic delivery system for services to adults and dislocated workers. The ACCESS POINT for the program. • The grant recipient(s) for the adult and dislocated worker program (i.e. the WDBs) is a required partner of the One-Stop system. • The WDBs, in turn, contract with service providers for the provision of case management assistance. • Individuals must be found eligible for the program (State and Federal eligibility criteria must be met). • Participation in the program is 100% voluntary. • The goal is to provide program participants with the appropriate level of services to help them obtain re-employment and become self-sufficient.

14. Dislocated Worker Program Services CORE INTENSIVE TRAINING SUPPORT

15. Dislocated Worker Program Eligibility • Permanently / indefinitely laid off or received notice of layoff as part of a business closing or workforce reduction • General announcement of a closure • If not part of a larger dislocation, UI eligibility and likelihood of returning to previous job / industry are factors in eligibility determinations

16. Dislocated Worker Program Basics • A participant must receive at least one core service before receiving an intensive service. There is no required minimum time period a participant must receive core services before receiving intensive services. • Core and intensive services must be provided through the One-Stop system, directly be a One-Stop operator or contracts with service providers. • A participant must receive at least one intensive service before receiving a training service. There is no required minimum time period a participant must receive intensive services before receiving training services. • Participants who access self-service only or informational services only are excluded from Federal performance measures. • The WDBs establish local policies to cover a variety of topics, including types of trainings they will support, training caps, etc.

17. Dislocated Worker Program Funding • Annual Allocation from USDOL • WDBs’ life of funds = 2 years • WIA has no hold harmless • Formula based on 6 factors: • Unemployment Concentration • Long-term unemployed • Established UI claims • Job loss in declining industries • Number affected by filed layoff notices • Farm closings Formula • To address substantial increase in the # unemployed • Funded through RR reserve • WDBs’ life of funds = 1 year • For dislocation events affecting 25+ workers Additional Assistance (“Special Response”) • Temporarily expands service capacity (typically cover specific dislocation events) • State makes application to USDOL • WDBsare the “project operators” • Typically last for 2 years unless supplemental funding extends the life of the grant National Emergency Grants

18. Coordination with Trade Adjustment Assistance Co-enrollment

19. Challenges – DW Program • Belief by DWs that they can get re-employed on their own • Delayed enrollment in program • Don’t understand importance of skill training/upgrading • Lack of short-term trainings leading to in-demand credentials • No more extended UI = training less feasible • More tenured workforce; long-time since part of the job market • Confusing for participants when different parts of the states conduct their DW programs differently

20. LEARNING PREPARE Résumé SCHOOL EDUCATION Job loss earning Workers together Connected QUESTIONS HELPING PEOPLE Interviewing Unemployment One-Stop SKILLS Tools re-employment FAMILIES PROGRESS • NETWORK rapid Community rewarding SUPPORT Employer future WIN DIFFICULT Working