Narrative: a. 2. B.

The goal of Louisiana’s Rapid Response unit is to quickly mobilize resources to minimize the adverse impact on companies, affected workers and communities that are associated with a job loss. Rapid Response services expedite the process of obtaining information about where new jobs can be found and training, education and/or supportive services that facilitate re-employment as quickly as possible. Pursuant to WIOA section 134 (a)(2)(A), the Governor shall reserve not more than 25 percent of WIOA Dislocated Worker funding to carry out statewide rapid response activities.

 These statewide rapid response activities shall include:

• Provision of rapid response activities, carried out in local areas by the State, or by an entity designated by the State, working in conjunction with local boards and the chief elected officials for the local areas; and
• Provision of additional assistance to local areas that experience disasters, mass layoffs, or plant closings, or other events that precipitate substantial increases in the number of unemployed individuals, carried out in local areas by the State, working in conjunction with the local boards and the chief elected officials for the local areas. The State’s Rapid Response activities will include, but are not limited to the following:
• Immediate contact with the employer, representatives of the affected workers and the local community, which may include an assessment of the layoff plans and the schedule for reemployment orientation sessions.
• The team provides customized transition services and assistance. These services are provided at the job site, prior to the layoff and are offered at times convenient for the employer and affected workers. Companies and individuals not covered and/or specifically addressed in the WARN Act are also eligible and provided services through the Rapid Response unit.
• Entering the impacted workers into the HALOW (Helping A Laid Off  Worker) database. The HALOW initiative showcases laid off workers to prospective employers by listing the affected job title, length of employment with company, parish of residence, education level and veteran status.
• Active participation with the recent implementation and utilization of a virtual job fair platform.  This has given employers an innovative and cost effective means to connect with job seekers, including our dislocated worker population,  while maintaining social distancing needs.

Layoff-aversion strategies are the first line of defense. The Rapid Response unit provides companies with industry-specific strategies that have been proven to avert layoffs and closures. Additionally, the Rapid Response unit will quickly convene stakeholders to examine and begin initial implementation of layoff-aversion activities.

These activities and services include, but are not limited to:

• Utilize computer predictability programs to target companies in distress that could face an upcoming layoff.
• Rapid Response unit will work with Industry Sector Specialists and local Business Services staff to continuously conduct outreach to targeted employers in order to build a relationship with the business community allowing quick coordination for job fairs or hiring events.
• Incumbent worker training, including employer loan programs for employee skill upgrading; and
• Linkages with economic development activities at the federal, state and local levels, including federal Department of Commerce programs and available state and local business retention and recruitment activities.

The State reserves the right to determine how RR activities will be initiated based on the circumstances of an individual layoff event. Responsibility for facilitating how the process begins is determined by the Statewide RR Coordinator and communicated to the WIOA Director.

When an official WARN Notice is involved the following sequence of events will be in place:

• The Statewide RR Coordinator will determine whether the WARN is classified as Federal, State or below the required WARN threshold.
• The Statewide RR Coordinator will acknowledge the receipt of the WARN with the company and communicate with the official named in the notice to explain RR policy and gather relevant details about the terms of the closing or layoff.
  • Depending on the type of WARN and dynamics of the impact to the community, the RR Coordinator will reach out to the company official or request a contact be made to the company by the Local Workforce Development Board Director.
  • When collective bargaining is involved in the layoff or downsizing, the labor representative will also be contacted and invited to all meetings.
     
• The State RR Coordinator will notify LWC agency leadership and Local Workforce Development Board Director, to make them aware of the WARN. The notification will contain a synopsis of the WARN notice details and the WARN Notice will be attached.
• A subsequent e-mail will be sent to the WIOA Director and other relevant LWC leadership in order to coordinate next steps and potential approach to when rapid response services should begin.
   

Following notification and confirmation of a layoff, the State Rapid Response Coordinator and Rapid Response staff arranges an on-site meeting with the company, union officials (if applicable) and local leadership. The Statewide RR Coordinator delegate the convening and facilitating of the employer meeting to experienced RR staff. The meeting can be conducted via conference call if the need arises.

The State RR Coordinator will make sure the following components are included for an organized, multi-faceted response:

• Contact with company and labor officials from the affected business;
• Contact with local Workforce Development Boards and other local leadership and partners;
• Contact with service providing agencies in the local area;
• Arrangement and facilitation of RR meetings;
• Arrangement and facilitation of RR Orientation

Rapid Response Orientations are conducted at various venues as coordinated with employers and/or workers, and includes services available through American Job Centers and other partnering agencies such as; job search and job placement assistance, resume workshops, career counseling, and training in a new career, and assistance filing unemployment insurance (UI) benefits, and the impacts of layoff with regard to health care. Other state agencies or community-based organizations are invited to participate in the meetings to help workers adjust in a time of crisis.