Narrative: c.

Strategy for providing reemployment assistance to UI claimants and other unemployed individuals: A major component of Maine’s Employment Services focuses on the UI population. Maine’s Bureau of Unemployment Compensation and Bureau of Employment Services are committed to working collaboratively to ensure that unemployed workers are treated as job seekers and not just claimants. Claimants are required to register for Maine’s Job Link (Maine’s labor exchange system) and to actively use the system to look for work. Both UI and Employment Services are undergoing system transitions that will result in an immediate connection to labor exchange for all UI claimants. Upon implementation of the two systems, a claimant’s work history will be matched with available jobs in Maine’s Job Link and the claimant will be notified of the job potential during the initial claim. Maine’s UI team is actively involved in decision-making regarding Maine’s new job bank design to ensure it best compliments and enhances efforts to improve claimant job placement rates and reduce average benefit durations. Beginning with implementation of the new job bank, claimants and other job seekers will develop a resume as part of their registration for labor exchange. The resume will be printable for use in job search and it will be added to a resume bank available to employers to search for potential employees. This feature will ensure claimants and other job seekers start their efforts with a professionally appearing resume and an automatic connection to employers in need of workers. Maine is implementing a common triage process to ensure that all visitors to a one-stop are given individual attention, made aware of available services, and referred to appropriate information and/or services. This process centers on information that a one-stop staff will gather from each visitor. Answers to questions will trigger what information, services, and/or referrals are immediately offered. Staff across the state will use the same staff interview guide which was developed with suggestions on how to respond to needs identified during interview. Ex: Need: Identify what career(s) best suited to me. Response: O-Net, CWRI, My Skills My Future, My Next Move, Careerinfonet, Career workshop. All customers will be informed of the menu of services available to them including information on: • Upcoming Job Fairs • Job Search workshops • Job Search tools • Self-Employment • Training/college options/opportunities • Apprenticeship • On The Job Training Information and Referrals • Veteran Services • College Financial Aid Information & FASFA Workshop Referrals • Vocational Rehabilitation • Housing • Child Care • Unemployment Compensation • Temporary Assistance For Needy Families (TANF) • Preparation for Hi-Set Exam • Health Care / Affordable Care Act • General Assistance Program Information & Referrals

The Maine Bureau of Unemployment Compensation (BUC) and the Bureau of Employment Services (BES) work collaboratively in provision of Maine’s Worker Profiling Reemployment Services program. The Bureau’s work closely together to ensure unemployed workers return to work, reduce the overall length of unemployment, lower exhaustion rates and result in a higher reemployment rate than those who do not receive these services. Worker Profiling Reemployment Services deliver services to those claimants profiled as “most likely to exhaust” their benefits. Claimants that first meet Maine’s Profiling model, are randomly selected and required to participate in WPRS to receive intensive career services. BES provides targeted claimants with relevant reemployment services and assessments to help minimize the length of unemployment. The BUC will notify identified claimants by letter of their requirement and responsibility to attend WPRS provided through Bureau of Employment Services. Selected participants are required to participate in all services under the WPRS design. Specialized WPRS CareerCenter Consultants have knowledge of identifying potential eligibility issues. Individuals who fail to participate in WPRS services would be automatically set up for a fact-finding. The CareerCenter will administer WPRS by providing an additional level of service to all selected participants as needed. Introduction to a variety of reemployment services and options; development, expansion, or continuation of Individual Reemployment Plans, and provide a relevant referral for completion. All participants gain an introduction to a broad spectrum of CareerCenter services to include: ? Staff assistance in acquiring needed reemployment and training services; ? Counseling in career decision-making and higher learning; ? Common intake and eligibility determinations for Workforce Investment Opportunity Act and other programs; ? Access to job related computer applications, such as key boarding, word processing, and computer boot camp; ? Information about Maine Labor Laws; ? Information on how to access supportive services, orientations to training, and all other programs offered by CareerCenter partners; ? Access to Maine’s Job Link, and general internet access; ? Core assessments that link vocational aptitudes and abilities to jobs;

The structured format design utilizes active engagement in development of individualized Reemployment Plans, enabling participants to independently activate/update Maine Job Link Profile. Laptops, as needed, are made available for job search activities, including internet job searches, and job application submission. WPRS Consultants work with individual participants to address and define needs and services. Upon comprehensive conclusion of the WPRS, these individuals have acknowledged and accepted their “relevant referral” (next steps to Reemployment Goal) and completed this portion of the Worker Profiling Reemployment Services session. Each WPRS participant will receive: • Development, review, and recommendations on an individualized, structured Reemployment Plan (IRP) • An introduction and orientation to all of the services the CareerCenter has to offer, including self-directed options and specific program eligibility • Relevant Local Labor Market Information, including live use of Maine’s Center for Workforce Research and Information website • Enhanced profile assistance in Maine’s Job Link • Individualized and relevant referrals to services, jobs, other agencies, and more for additional reemployment resources • Participation in reemployment services at levels appropriate to meet individual participant needs that may include the following • Guide to Job Hunting in Maine booklet • Tools, tips and strategies on conducting a successful job search • Information on how to obtain further skill assessments and individualized job search services • Introduction to USDOL’s online assessment and job search tools, such as MySkills MyFuture™, O*NET tool, and My Next Move (aka Career Profiler) • Coordination of activities with other programs and services

• All participants will receive at least one of the following career services based on need: o Referral to training or other workforce activities including WIOA o Labor exchange-in-demand industries o Information on availability of community based or WIOA support services o Financial aid resources outside of WIOA o Financial literacy services o Career readiness including resume writing and interviewing