Narrative: a. 2. C.

WorkForce West Virginia has specific procedures in place to provide Rapid Response services in case of a Natural Disaster as stated in Part 687 of the WIOA Public Law. The State immediately applies for a National Dislocated Worker Grant (NDWG) for a disaster temporary work program for disaster clean-up activities which would be coordinated with FEMA and State Homeland Security and Office of Emergency Services. In addition to applying for NDWG, dislocated workers experiencing displacement due to a natural disaster, such as flooding, would be covered under the State’s Rapid Response coordination of services and would be a call to address more than just a quick return to work. Therefore, a State Rapid Response Team in conjunction with local Rapid Response Team members and partners could be deployed to the disaster site to conduct Rapid Response Informational Meetings and related Rapid Response activities if necessary. Rapid Response would coordinate with FEMA, SBA and other relief organizations to make sure the affected workers have a full array of resources to assist them in recovering from a natural disaster. If a natural disaster occurred followed by a FEMA disaster declaration, the availability of the temporary work program would also be highlighted at Rapid Response meetings. If the magnitude of the disaster resulted in mass layoffs/plant closures, and there was not sufficient WIOA formula funding or Governor’s Discretionary funding available at the state level, then the State would apply accordingly for a mass layoff NDWG. If the disaster led to a sizeable mass layoff NDWG being awarded to the State, the Governor’s Office would take the lead in implementing a state emergency plan mobilizing a host of state and federal resources to, which include close coordination of the mass layoff NDWG with the efforts of FEMA and State Homeland Security and Office of Emergency Services as well as other State agencies.

Below are some issues that could be addressed by Rapid Response: • Inability to travel to work due to loss of transportation, or disruption of Public transportation due to damaged roads. • Injuries incurred in a natural disaster that will affect a worker’s ability to perform certain job functions. • Re-training in the event the damaged business does not recover or reopen. • On-site activities including unemployment, job training, resume and job search assistance due to the inability to travel to a regional American Job Center. • Replacement of work clothing lost in the disaster. • Computer access to achieve job searches, resume writing, and other resources.

Partner Services as part of our response team might include: • Job Services • WV Dept. of Health and Human Resources • WV Division of Rehabilitation • Local WorkForce Development Boards • Healthcare navigators for those who have lost their insurance due to loss of job. • SBA, a FEMA Partner • FEMA representative • Veteran Representative Union representatives to assist those represented by a union.

Rapid Response will help to coordinate offerings that may be helpful to people dislocated not only from their jobs but also from their normal routine of life.