Located in:
- Program-specific Requirements for Adult, Dislocated Worker, and Youth Activities under Title I-B
The Unified or Combined State Plan must include the following with respect to activities carried out under subtitle B—
a. 2. D. Describe the State policies and procedures to provide Rapid Responses in cases of natural disasters including coordination with FEMA and other entities.
Current Narrative:
Following confirmation of a natural disaster, the state Rapid Response coordinator works with local workforce development boards and ADWS leadership to quickly organize service delivery and determine if a Mobile Workforce Center is needed. ADWS staff help impacted individuals file for unemployment insurance and disaster unemployment insurance at the Arkansas Workforce Centers or via the Mobile Workforce Center. The Rapid Response coordinator also works with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or other disaster-response organizations to assist those in the affected area. Contact will be made with the company(s) and labor officials were applicable, affected by the natural disaster to hold an Employer Meeting. This meeting can be conducted via phone or virtually as the need arises. Information will be gathered on workforce and determine the best plan for Worker Information Meetings. The company will need to send Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) to the employees’ last known address, even if their homes were destroyed.
The Rapid Response coordinator contacts the company(s) and labor officials affected by the natural disaster to set up an initial meeting. During the meeting, ADWS works with employers to plan worker assistance workshops for impacted workers and determine what information and resources ADWS and partners need to provide. Typical services covered in the workshops include assistance with unemployment claims, job search, career counseling, training in a new career, and health care information. Rapid Responses invites other state agencies and community-based organizations to participate.
Attendees take a dislocated worker survey, providing ADWS with demographic information for potential emergency grant applications.
The company must send a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification to their employees' last known address, even if the natural disaster destroys their homes.