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:
Both TAA and Rapid Response activities are shared by the State Unit for Dislocated Workers and Employers within the Workforce Development Program of DDEC to ensure the provision of an all-inclusive approach. The Rapid Response section is comprised of Rapid Response (RR) and TAA State Coordinators who are assigned to serve layoffs/closings across the state.
The RR Coordinators begin the process by interacting with companies that have, or plan to, lay off workers. As soon as company closure or layoff information is known, this information is investigated by the assigned Coordinator. Investigation and fact-finding of potential trade impact is immediately conducted for consideration of a TAA Petition. If found that a TAA petition filing is warranted, the TAA State Coordinator discusses with the employer, and if applicable, the Union Officials, the next steps for petition filing as well as potential benefits if approved. If the impacted employer or Union prefers to file the TAA Petition with the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), the TAA State Coordinator is available for assistance.
Depending upon the employer preference, a Rapid Response and/or Worker Orientation meeting is arranged to discuss the re-employment, state, federal, and local resources, as well information presented by the W-P and UI staff. If TAA certified, the TAA Worker Benefit Orientation (WBO) meetings are arranged in coordination with all applicable partners, including LWDBs.
The TAA WBO meetings expand upon the Rapid Response worker orientation and provide detailed information on all TAA benefits and services, according with instruction set in policy DDEC-WlOA-05-20 – Training Service under Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) Programs. The integration of the State’s Rapid Response and TAA Program ensures workers will receive prompt and accurate information to make informed career and employment decisions.
The LWDBs are highly encouraged to co-enroll TAA participants into the WIOA Dislocated Worker programs as applicable. The TAA Comprehensive Manual states “In accordance with federal regulations, each LWDV shall provide a full range of reemployment services, including mandated services, to eligible workers. These services include case management, training, job search/relocation allowances and other dislocated worker programs administered by the LWDB to maximize program efficiency and prevent duplication of services”.
Qualified participants for this program can receive the following services:
- Skills assessments, individual employment plans, career counseling, supportive services, and information on training labor markets;
- Classroom training, on the-job training, customized training designed to meet the needs of a specific employer or group of employers, apprenticeship programs, and more;
- Income support available in the form of weekly cash payments to workers who are enrolled in a full-time training course and have exhausted their unemployment insurance;
- Reimbursement for costs of seeking employment outside of the worker’s commuting area;
- Reimbursement for relocation costs for employment outside of the worker’s commuting area; and
- A wage subsidy for up to two years that is available to re-employed older workers and covers a portion of the difference between a worker’s new wage and their old wage (up to specified maximum amount).