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:
C. The state uses WIOA rapid response funds to support a state Rapid Response unit, branded in Missouri as the Employment Transition Team (ETT), which is assigned to the Community Development section of the Office of Workforce Development (OWD). 20 CFR 682.330 guides activities of the Rapid Response unit to promote economic recovery and vitality by developing an ongoing, comprehensive approach to identifying, planning for, and responding to layoffs and preventing or minimizing their impact on workers, businesses, and communities. The State issued a Statewide Employment Transition Team Policy (OWD Issuance 18-2020, updated July 1, 2021) to be utilized across all Local Workforce Development Areas (LWDA). This policy provides a consistent standard for ETT coordination in the LWDAs.
WIOA requires each state to carry out statewide ETT activities or designate an entity to do so on its behalf. OWD has opted to operate the ETT program at the state level in coordination with local Workforce Development Boards (WDBs). OWD’s Community Development Team (CDT), located regionally, take the lead role in responding to layoff events, and are responsible for coordinating, providing, and overseeing ETT services in their assigned areas. While ETT is required for mass layoffs and closures, it is the intent of WIOA for services to be provided to as many workers as possible. CDT specialists provide onsite or in-person ETT services to any layoff affecting 25 or more. Layoffs affecting 24 or less may be offered onsite as needed or requested by the employer. At a minimum, smaller layoffs will be provided informational packets that include the ETT programs and services brochure, the Division of Employment Security (DES) UI Benefits fact sheet, the Missouri Economic Research Information Center (MERIC) regional Real Time Labor Market Summary, and any local brochure, as requested by the LWDB. Every ETT event is unique; therefore, each event shall be assessed individually, and services provided shall be determined based on the wishes of the employer, the needs of the affected workers, and the timeframe of the layoff.
ETT meetings should include a representative from DES to present Unemployment Insurance information, a Missouri Job Center (MJC) representative to present programs and services information, a Trade Act Representative (if applicable), and the appropriate union representative (if applicable). In addition, a representative from the USDOL Employee Benefits Administration shall be included when appropriate. If a MJC representative is unavailable or a LWDB chooses not to participate, the CDT Specialists shall be responsible for presenting MJC information.
The CDT is also utilized to meet with employers to provide guidance for layoff aversion. This includes collaboration with other partners such as the Department of Economic Development and local workforce boards who can assist with incumbent worker funding. CDT can be a focal point of contact to employers to share resources and programs designed to address layoff aversion.