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. C. Describe how the State will utilize Rapid Response funds to respond to layoffs and plant closings and coordinate services to quickly aid companies and their affected workers. States also should describe any layoff aversion strategies they have implemented to address at risk companies and workers.
Current Narrative:
Rapid Response is a pro-active, business-focused, and flexible program designed to respond to layoffs and plant closings by quickly coordinating services and providing immediate aid to companies and affected workers. The ADWS Rapid Response team works with employers and employees to quickly maximize public and private resources and minimize disruptions associated with job loss. Rapid Response can provide customized services on site at an affected company, accommodate work schedules, and assist companies and workers through the painful transitions associated with job loss.
Rapid Response coordinates with the Arkansas Workforce Centers to provide services and provides laid-off workers access to a comprehensive range of direct services, benefits, training opportunities, and income support. Assistance may include drafting résumés, interview skills workshops, career counseling, job search assistance, and information about job training opportunities. Rapid Response also provides multiple benefits to employers, including information about various layoff aversion options that may be available. Rapid Response may also facilitate access to incumbent worker training programs and skilled job seekers.
Arkansas’ Rapid Response program manages a fleet of Mobile Workforce Centers. These are Each Mobile Workforce Center has full internet connectivity, computers, printers, copiers, and fax machines. All Mobile Workforce Centers include a computer with access to Jobs Application with Speech (JAWS) software and are accessible to individuals with disabilities. ADWS transports the Mobile Workforce Centers to locations across the state to supplement local resources.