Narrative: a. 2. B.

The LWDBs have the option of requesting additional funding besides their formula distribution, to ensure that dislocated workers remain a priority for the WDS. This allows LWDBs to create partnerships with employers for on the Job Training Programs, Transitional Jobs, and ITAs.  When the LWDB exhausts or becomes low on formula funds or collaborates with businesses and partners to produce a comprehensive program they may request additional funds. Based on the amount of funds and the proposal documentation submitted, the request may be awarded.  WV supports innovation by reviewing the results of current and recent projects to identify those that have positive results and could benefit from additional resources.

Programs awarded from the state set aside fund include the following examples:

• Transitional Jobs program developed by Region 1. The Transitional Jobs program targets individuals in recovery, most of whom are in residential recovery homes. Transitional Jobs offer participants to learn the routine of work, acquire work-task skills, establish an employment record and generate references for future employment. Transitional Jobs provide the participants case management, wages, and comprehensive career and support services with the goal of transitioning to full-time employment.
• The Empowered Employment Pilot Program is designed to assist individuals in obtaining a time-limited work experience that is wage-paid, subsidized up to 100%, and is in the public, private, or not-profit sectors.
• The “RE-Building One’s Opportunities Together” (REBOOT) program developed by Region 5.  Provides re-employment activities to those participants, who are, or have been, impacted by the Opioid Crisis. The program is designed to create employment and/or training opportunities that help target secure sustainable jobs and/or needed training as participants work to turn their lives around and become contributing members of their communities.

WV uses WIOA funds to support a state Rapid Response unit, called the State Dislocated Worker Services.  The unit conducts rapid response activities to dislocated workers through employer outreach which is coordinated as a joint rapid response team approach between the State Dislocated Worker Services Unit and the LWDB. The Trade Act unit is also part of the State Dislocated Worker Services section. 

Each rapid response meeting includes representatives from the AJC to discuss services and offerings to assist dislocated workers, including, but not limited to unemployment, job service, career planners for training eligibility purposes, DRS, DHHR, and LWDBs. For dislocations not coal-related, we explore TAA potential; for coal, we invite the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) Career Center to discuss training through the WV Statewide Coal Mining II NDWG and distribute applications for training.  After each meeting, each dislocated worker is registered for Rapid Response in the MACC. 

Businesses who will be experiencing layoffs or closure come to WFWV through various communication methods: AJC staff, Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notices (WARNs), news outlets, employees, and unemployment reports showing noticeable claims, which are then investigated by the Rapid Response coordinator.

Additional services are organized at Rapid Response meetings such as special sessions with unemployment to answer more in-depth questions, resume writing, and interviewing skills workshops either on-site or at an AJC.  Sometimes these workshops are incorporated into the RR meeting.  WFWV integrated jobs/resources/training into the Pinnacle Mining rapid response events held in October 2018; and in May we participated and shared RR with the State of Maryland in serving Verso, whose business locations were in both Maryland and West Virginia, and invited our  partners/employers/resources to the job/resource/training fairs for Verso dislocated workers by the State of Maryland.

Rapid Response provides a comprehensive array of services to offer transitional services in the form of community resource lists of available services and contact information and reemployment services available through the local on Stops, such as job search and training opportunities, unemployment services to accelerate reemployment. Other Rapid Response activities may include community resource fairs, job fairs, training provider fairs, etc. that may be conducted in conjunction with Rapid Response Informational Meetings or separately. While most of the effort is usually expended in the early stages of a dislocation event or an impending dislocation, it is important to continue Rapid Response services until all worker and employer needs are met.

The State coordinates layoff aversion strategies through the direct and immediate efforts of the Governor’s Office in connection with the Bureau of Commerce’s West Virginia Development Office Business and Industrial Development Representatives who mobilize concentrated efforts to salvage any at risk companies or entities through incumbent worker training through the Governor’s Guaranteed Workforce Program, etc. As companies often do advise the state, they are experiencing any difficulties, there is timely sharing of any pertinent information of any at risk companies between the State Dislocated Worker Services Unit and the Business and Industry Development Representatives so the layoff aversion strategies can be quickly implemented. In the event the layoff aversion strategies have not been shared at all local and state levels because of the sensitivity and confidentiality of some of the processes involved in averting a layoff, the State Dislocated Worker Services Unit communicates directly with the Secretary of the Bureau of Commerce with a notification of a need for the provision of Rapid Response services for the majority of dislocations occurring anywhere in the state and receives clearance to proceed with Rapid Response services.