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:
Immediately following a natural disaster, the State Rapid Response Coordinator notifies the local area Rapid Response Coordinators situated in 49 workforce centers across the State of Colorado. To prepare for a coordinated response, the Rapid Response team immediately notifies its partners including Unemployment Insurance, Department of Human Services, Connect for Health Colorado (Colorado’s healthcare exchange), Department of Revenue (DMV) and faith and community based partners that provide humanitarian assistance and social services. Layoff reserve funds previously set aside for emergencies may be utilized as needed to handle the increased demand for services. If needed, affected local areas may apply for layoff reserve funds using the application process defined in the Rapid Response Reserve Fund Policy Guidance Letter: WIOA-2023-02.
Once the Governor issues an executive order to adopt the Emergency Management plan, the The State Emergency Operation plan is activated, placing the Director of the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) within the Department of Public Safety in charge to lead Colorado’s state disaster, emergency response and recovery efforts, including coordination with FEMA. Once the plan is activated, all state departments and offices are mandated under the authority of the Colorado Disaster Emergency Act (C.R.S. 24-33.5-701), and the plan to carry out assigned activities related to mitigating effects of an emergency or disaster to cooperate fully with each other, the OEM, and other political subdivisions in providing emergency assistance. Rapid Response collaborates with the emergency team under the authority of the OEM to deliver any appropriate and allowable Rapid Response services.
If federal assistance is required, the Governor may write a disaster declaration. If local area and reserve funds are not sufficient to deliver services to the affected communities, the Rapid Response Coordinator will apply for a national dislocated worker grant to fund the delivery of appropriate and allowable services. In collaboration with the emergency response team, the Rapid Response team will set up a pop-up workforce center at or near the affected area and bring resources to the individuals needing services in the impacted communities. The Rapid Response team in concert with its partners assists in creating IDs, providing access to computers and phones, clothing, blankets, help applying for social services and unemployment insurance benefits, registering for work and more as the need dictates.