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. D. Describe How the State Provides Early Intervention (e.g., Rapid Response) to Worker Groups on Whose Behalf a Trade Adjustment Assistance (taa) Petition Has Been Filed. (section 134(a)(2)(a).) This Description Must Include How the State Disseminates Benefit Information to Provide Trade-affected 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 Trade-affected 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.
Current Narrative:
At the time the Trade Act petition is filed, the DWD Trade Act Coordinator notifies the local Trade Act representatives and the DWD Dislocated Worker Programs section which houses the State Trade Act staff and ETT Coordinators. At the time the ETT Coordinator schedules a rapid response meeting, they invite the local Trade representative and a DES representative to provide information on the TAA, Trade Reauthorization Act (TRA), and UI. The local Trade Act representative covers information relating to TAA benefits and services including criteria and timeframes. The DES representative provides information on UI and TRA including how to file a UI and TRA claim. Employee Transition Team staff provides the potentially eligible Trade Act business with informational handouts on Trade Act benefits and services, job center services, and supportive service information. Once a company’s Trade Act petition is certified, the DWD Trade Act Coordinator obtains a list of affected workers from the Trade Act affected business. The workers are sent a written notice to inform them of the petition certification. The notice includes instructions on how to access benefits and services under the program as well as a Trade Act informational pamphlet with specific information regarding the Trade Act Program. In addition, the workers are directed to visit their local Missouri Job Center. When requested, the ETT staff and the DWD Central Office Trade Act staff also provide training to a transition team made up of workers from the Trade Act affected company. This team assists other Trade Act affected workers with accessing benefits and services available under the Trade Act program.