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. E. Describe how the State provides early intervention (e.g., Rapid Response) and ensures the provision of appropriate career services to worker groups on whose behalf a Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) petition has been filed. (Section 134(a)(2)(A) and TAA Section 221(a)(2)(A) .) This description must include how the State disseminates benefit information to provide workers in the groups identified in the TAA petitions with an accurate understanding of the provision of TAA benefits and services in such a way that they are transparent to the dislocated worker applying for them (Trade Act Sec. 221(a)(2)(A) and Sec. 225; Governor-Secretary Agreement). Describe how the State will use funds that have been reserved for Rapid Response to provide services for every worker group that files a TAA petition and how the state will ensure the provision of appropriate career service to workers in the groups identified in the petition (TAA Sec. 221(a)(2)(A)).<br><i>NOTE: until the TAA PROGRAM is reauthorized, the requirements to provide rapid response and appropriate career services to worker groups on whose behalf a petition has been filed is not applicable.</i>
Current Narrative:
Colorado’s Rapid Response and Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) teams collaborate to identify companies that have been impacted by foreign trade. The TAA Team investigates layoffs to determine if foreign trade or competition impacted the job loss, and if this is the case, files a TAA petition on behalf of the workers. To support this function, a dedicated TAA petition coordinator will be hired, once TAA is reauthorized, to underscore our commitment to early qualification. TheTeam also notifies the Rapid Response and TAA statewide Coordinators so that they can reach out to the employer to assess needs related to the layoff transition, deliver Rapid Response services, and explain the TAA program, benefits and the participant application process.
Local area Rapid Response Coordinators and TAA Counselors located in 49 workforce centers across the State have been trained to screen employers conducting layoffs for foreign trade impacts using a set of approved screening questions. If the company meets the required criteria, the TAA and Rapid Response Statewide Coordinators are notified to reach out to the employer to learn more and file a petition if appropriate.
Typically TAA and Rapid Response services and benefits are presented to employers in-person or virtually with the use of presentations and handouts.
Once the employer is TAA certified, the TAA team attempts to get the employee contact information and sends a letter to employees along with a flier describing the benefits, instructions on how to apply, and an application form. A Rapid Response overview brochure is also provided.
In addition to delivering Rapid Response services to employers directly, the Rapid Response team also offers monthly statewide Rapid Response workshops to provide information on how to access career services from the local workforce center, apply for unemployment insurance benefits, healthcare options when facing layoff, retirement fund decisions after job loss, and TAA benefits for those who are TAA eligible. Rapid Response services are also delivered virtually over the Rapid Response Help After Job Loss site available in English or Spanish. Typically a representative from the local workforce area impacted will be present in-person or on-line to explain and facilitate access to workforce center career services.
Rapid Response funds are used for the direct provision of services to participants. Rapid Response funds allocated to the local workforce centers are utilized to deliver Rapid Response services. In the case of a natural disaster or emergency, if additional funds are required, local areas can apply for Rapid Response Layoff Reserve funds using the application process described in the Rapid Response Layoff Reserve Funds Policy Guidance Letter: WIOA-2023-02.