Located in:
- Program-Specific Requirements for Wagner-Peyser Program (Employment Services)
All Program-Specific Requirements provided for the WIOA core programs in this section must be addressed for either a Unified or Combined State Plan.
c. Describe the State’s strategy for providing reemployment assistance to UI claimants and other unemployed individuals
Current Narrative:
The Arkansas Reemployment Services (RES) department manages the Reemployment Services Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) program, which uses claimant demographic data to mathematically identify Unemployment Insurance (UI) claimants that are most at risk of exhausting benefits before finding employment. The Division of Workforce Services, through the Arkansas Workforce Centers, provides additional assistance to these participants, and requires completion of a job search workshop as well as a one-on-one assessment to maintain their UI benefits.
A job search workshop that lasts two to four hours is held once a month in a virtual setting or in person in a designated location. The workshop provides:
- An orientation to the Arkansas Workforce Center system
- Partner Program training and resources
- An overview of program requirements
- Labor market information
- Reemployment Plan
- Career Readiness Certification information
- Job search assistance
- Proper resume and application preparation
- Interviewing skills
The purposes of the RESEA program are identified in Section 306(b) of the Social Security Act (SSA):
(1) To improve employment outcomes of UC recipients and reduce the average duration of UC receipt through employment;
(2) To strengthen program integrity and reduce improper UC payments through the detection and prevention of such payments to ineligible individuals;
(3) To promote the alignment with the broader vision of WIOA of increased program integration and service delivery for job seekers, including UC claimants; and
(4) To establish reemployment services and eligibility assessments as an entry point for UC claimants into other workforce system partner programs.
One-on-one assessment appointments are scheduled to assist with as applicable:
- Individual Employment Plan Creation (IEP),
- Employment Searches and Opportunities,
- Resume Review,
- WIOA Referrals,
- Arkansas Joblink (AJL),
- Veteran’s Services,
- Labor Market Information,
- Interview,
- Good Grid,
- CRC/WAGE,
- Barriers,
- Applicable Partner Referrals, and
- UI Review.
Customers not selected for RESEA are offered services through the Employment Services program, who provides Career services, as identified in sec. 134(c)(2) of WIOA. These customers are also referred to various WIOA required partners who offer training services, supportive services, and provide resources to individuals based on barriers and goals. Arkansas provides these services through physical locations- AJCs, mobile workforce center units, and soon will offer these services virtually through an ES Service Center model. A direct linkage to all services will be provided electronically by accessing a web link through a no wrong door approach. Customers will be connected with live workforce specialists or have the option to schedule an appointment for services.