Narrative: e. 2. C.

The Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning and the Division of Unemployment Insurance, both located within DLLR, have entered into conversation and trainings to outline the ways in which American Job Center staff will be educated on the correct information and services they can provide to unemployment insurance claimants. An Unemployment Insurance Liaison will attend joint meetings of American Job Center leadership to provide training. Ongoing information and training will also be provided to Wagner Peyser staff in the American Job Centers.

Under Title III of WIOA, the Wagner Peyser Act, a greater emphasis is placed on providing services to unemployment insurance claimants with referrals to additional American Job Center services. This is in an effort to ensure claimants remain eligible for unemployment insurance benefits and to provide meaningful assistance in their efforts to regain employment. Labor exchange services, which are the primary services provided under Wagner Peyser, fall under the basic career services identified in WIOA. Wagner-Peyser staff must use funds authorized by WIOA to provide basic career services.

Maryland is actively engaged in work with the Division of Unemployment Insurance and Office of Workforce Development staff to develop and deliver training to American Job Center staff. The Division of Unemployment Insurance, in conjunction with state workforce development staff, has developed a “train the trainer” method of delivery. State staff will be the primary point of contact for training. The Division of Unemployment Insurance has developed training for staff use on the provision of meaningful Unemployment Insurance information.

In addition, staff working with profiled claimants will be provided additional training to address the identification and reporting of issues related to continued eligibility for unemployment benefits. Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment staff and Reemployment Opportunity Workshop staff will be provided specific training on providing an eligibility review and identifying available issues.

Outreach Workers & the WIOA System In addition to the technical assistance described above, outreach workers have the opportunity to participate in the same training as all DLLR staff. Labor Exchange Administrators, who oversee operations in American Job Centers, hold regular staff meetings which increase awareness and understanding across the WIOA core programs and the Unemployment Insurance program.

DLLR’s Office of Workforce Development is actively engaged in work with DLLR’s Division of Unemployment Insurance to develop and deliver effective training to American Job Center staff. The Division of Unemployment Insurance, in conjunction with state workforce development staff, have developed a “train the trainer” method of delivery. While the Division of Unemployment Insurance has developed training to ensure workforce staff are appropriately trained on the provisions of unemployment insurance, leadership within the Office of Workforce Development staff are the primary point of contact. Office of Workforce Development staff who work closely with unemployment insurance claimants are provided additional, intensive training to address the identification and reporting of issues related to continued eligibility for unemployment benefits. For example, Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) staff and Reemployment Opportunity Workshop (ROW) staff are provided specific training on conducting an eligibility review and identifying and referring “able and available” issues.

In line with WIOA, DLLR American Job Center staff assist unemployment insurance claimants on a more direct level than local workforce staff, through prescribed personal interviews and development of individual plans for claimants attending mandatory workshops, like RESEA and ROW. In collaboration with Office of Workforce Development program managers, Unemployment Insurance staff will continue to provide training and technical assistance as needed.

Labor Exchange Administrators in Maryland’s American Job Centers have been provided resources to train all American Job Center staff on how to access unemployment insurance programs and staff. This allows for seamless communication across the WIOA system and creates a true one stop experience for customers.