Narrative: a. 2. C.

WFWV has specific procedures in place to provide Rapid Response services in case of a Natural Disaster as stated in Part 687 of the WIOA Public Law. The State immediately applies for a National Dislocated Worker Grant (NDWG) for a disaster temporary work program for disaster clean-up activities which would be coordinated with FEMA and State Homeland Security and Office of Emergency Services. In addition to applying for NDWG, dislocated workers experiencing displacement due to a natural disaster, such as flooding, would be covered under the State’s Rapid Response coordination of services and would be a call to address more than just a quick return to work. Therefore, a State Rapid Response Team in conjunction with local Rapid Response Team members and partners could be deployed to the disaster site to conduct Rapid Response Informational Meetings and related Rapid Response activities if necessary.

Rapid Response would coordinate with FEMA, SBA and other relief organizations to make sure the affected workers have a full array of resources to assist them in recovering from a natural disaster. If a natural disaster occurred followed by a FEMA disaster declaration, the availability of the temporary work program would also be highlighted at Rapid Response meetings. If the magnitude of the disaster resulted in mass layoffs/plant closures, and there was not enough WIOA formula funding or Governor’s Discretionary funding available at the state level, then the State would apply accordingly for a mass layoff NDWG. If the disaster led to a sizeable mass layoff NDWG being awarded to the State, the Governor’s Office would take the lead in implementing a state emergency plan mobilizing a host of state and federal resources to, which include close coordination of the mass layoff NDWG with the efforts of FEMA and State Homeland Security and Office of Emergency Services as well as other State agencies.

WV was awarded a grant though the National Health Emergency Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant program. The grant addresses the Opioid Crisis. This is a special grant based on the Secretary of Health and Human Services, at the White House’s direction, declaring a national public health emergency. This grant was submitted October 5, 2018 and awarded to WFWV on May 24, 2019, in the amount of $10,000,000.00, with an initial increment amount of $3,333,333.00. The grants period of performance will be July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2021. The total number of participants to serve in this grant will be 534. This grant is to be used to create disaster-relief employment as well as to provide employment and training activities, including supportive services, to address economic and workforce impacts related to widespread opioid use, addiction, and overdose. It will provide temporary employment opportunities aimed at alleviating humanitarian and other needs created by the opioid crisis. The grant will provide services to reintegrate into the workforce eligible participants affected by the crisis and train individuals to work in mental health treatment, addiction treatment, and pain management. Currently no statistics are available as the program is new. This grant will be shared during our Rapid Response meetings.

Partner Services as part of our response team may be comprised of Wagner-Peyser, DHHR, DRS, LWDBs, Healthcare navigators for those who have lost their insurance due to loss of job, SBA, a FEMA Partner, FEMA representative, Veteran Representative and Union representatives to assist those represented by a union.