Community of Practice Blog

2010 Chicago Heartland Conference: Building Service Bridges for UI Claimants

Ray Garcia — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 03:52:00 EST

WORKSHOP

Building Service Bridges for UI Claimants

Reconnecting UI claimant to the One-Stop System: The Wisconsin Job Service, Minnesota DEED, USDOL ETA and Washington DC will discuss new initiatives and strategic efforts to bridge this gap.

The transition from in-person unemployment insurance (UI) claims processing to remote processing resulted in the unintended disconnection of UI claimants from the One-Stop System. This workshop will highlight the efforts of two states that have developed innovative strategies through the Reemployment Service (RES), Reemployment Eligibility Assessment (REA) and Worker Profiling Reemployment Service (WPRS) initiatives to re-connect claimants to One-Stops and Labor Exchange, and integrate state and local services to help UI claimants find new employment or skills training. Topics covered will include: changes in state policy and procedures; how UI claimants bridge the gap between the initial claims and connect to the One-Stop System; the types of services provided by One-Stops; program outcomes, and; the internal staffing and hiring processes necessary to service UI claimants effectively with scarce resources.

Is there anything specific you’d like the presenters to address?

Do you have any experience with this topic?

Ask questions, share your ideas and best practices, post your comments and help build an interactive learning community!

2010 Chicago Heartland Conference: Expanding Opportunities for Mature Jobseekers through Innovative Partnerships

Ray Garcia — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 03:44:00 EST

WORKSHOP

Expanding Opportunities for Mature Jobseekers through Innovative Partnerships

Innovations in the expansion of opportunities for the mature jobseeker: Mature Services, Inc.,SCSEP and Easter Seals will discuss several new pathways for improving opportunities for the mature worker during these tough economic times.

Mature Services,Inc. and Easter Seals, Inc. are both DOL grantees providing employment and training services for mature job seekers with funding from WIA, SCSEP and fee for services.

Our panel will present the following strategies that improve customer relationships and expand opportunities:
• Use of employer and participant advisory boards to provide direct involvement and feedback on the administration, service delivery and employer needs;
• Use of LinkedIn to promote an open exchange of ideas, job opportunities, networking and peer-to- peer collaboration;
• Use of a call center lab to solicit feedback from employers on hiring needs, training requirements and to develop interest in services available to employers.

2010 Chicago Heartland Conference: Self-Employment Lessons from the Public Workforce System

Ray Garcia — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 03:37:00 EST

WORKSHOP

Self-Employment Lessons from the Public Workforce System

Tough economic times? Why not create your own job?: Project GATE II, IMPAQ International and the LLC, Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education showcase best practices and lessons learned from various entrepreneurial efforts.

The Employment and Training Administration has a long history of promoting entrepreneurship as a viable option for public workforce system clients who wish to create their own job. Currently, many tools exist under the public workforce system to promote small business creation and development. This session will describe some of the best practices and lessons learned from past ETA entrepreneurship efforts and showcase examples of how entrepreneurship successfully is marrying workforce and economic development for the benefit of public workforce system clients.

2010 Chicago Heartland Conference: Transitioning Offenders to Today's Workforce

Ray Garcia — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 03:31:00 EST

WORKSHOP

Transitioning Ex-Offenders into Today's Workforce

How can an offender survive today's economy? The Iowa Workforce Development and the Iowa Department of Corrections will discuss proven methods to prepare offenders for the transition from incarceration to employment.

(Iowa Workforce Development, Iowa Department of Corrections)
Learn about key strategies deployed in Iowa that launched a successful Reentry Program. Partnerships betweenIowa’s Department of Corrections and the Iowa Workforce Development were established to prepare offenders for transition from incarceration to employment. The partnership ensures offenders receive labor market information, skill requirements, and overcoming obstacles in their employment search. Learn how these agencies worked cooperatively to engage the employer community and provide assessment, skills upgrading and transitional preparation to offenders reentering the workforce.

2010 Chicago Heartland Conference:Preparing Targeted Populations for Self-Employment

Ray Garcia — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 03:22:00 EST

WORKSHOP

Preparting Targeted Populations for Self-Employment

Self-Employment Preperation: (Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship)

The Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship will show how self-employment can work in today's troubled economy.

Self-employment is often overlooked as a career path for unemployed, underemployed or displaced workers. Communities are implementing strategies to introduce entrepreneurship as a career option and to train targeted populations to start new ventures. This session will provide practical program tools from two methods being implemented in two separate communities: How to host an event to promote entrepreneurship as a viable occupation and; How to provide a structured entrepreneurship training program that delivers outstanding results.

2010 Chicago Heartland Conference: Modeling a New Education

Ray Garcia — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 03:14:00 EST

WORKSHOP

Stairway to Success

Modeling a New Education: Gateway Technical College & Kenosha County Job Center will discuss collaborations designed to train today's dislocated worker.

This workshop will explain the collaboration between local workforce development centers, employers and Gateway Technical College led to development of a short-term training model based on employer’s needs. Ten Bootcamps for CNC Machine Operators, seven for Welders and two for Machine Repair Technicians have been offered since 2005. Designed for dislocated workers, the training simulates the work environment, provides the opportunity to obtain national skills standards certification and case management provides contingency planning that addresses barriers to successful sustained employment.

Announcing the 2010 Heartland Conference - take part in the discussion!

Ray Garcia — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 02:28:00 EST

Recovering the Region 5 economy

Don't miss the opportunity to connect with Heartland 2010 presenters and participants!
We will be posting many of our upcoming Conference sessions. Share your ideas and best practices, post your comments and help build an interactive learning community.

The U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA) Region 5, in conjunction with the Great Lakes Employment and Training Association (GLETA), is hosting the Heartland Conference to be held April 7-9, 2010 in Chicago, IL at the downtown Hyatt Regency Hotel.

What is the Heartland Conference?

The Heartland Conference is a comprehensive technical assistance and training event to support reemployment and economic growth in the Midwest through the exchange of innovative ideas and practices; the display of cutting-edge tools and technology; and the sharing and analysis of the latest information from the Administration. Sessions, guest speakers, and activities have been developed to assist the workforce system in improving customer services and improving program performance. Today’s economy presents the workforce and economic development world with challenges it has not faced in decades. This event will present a wide array of strategies to assist with meeting and overcoming today’s challenges. It will provide a forum for partnering and networking with leaders from all facets of workforce and economic development.

Current List of Reemployment related Workshops
Feel free to ask questions specific to the workshop.

Modeling a New Education
Addressing barriers to successful sustained employment.: Gateway Technical College & Kenosha County Job Center will discuss collaborations designed to train today's dislocated worker.

Preparing Targeted Populations for Self-Employment
Targeted self-employment preparation: The Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship will show how self-employment can work in today's troubled economy.

Transitioning Offenders to Today's Workforce
How can an ex-offender survive today's economy? The Iowa Workforce Development and the Iowa Department of Corrections will discuss proven methods to prepare offenders for the transition from incarceration to employment.

Self-Employment Lessons from the Public Workforce System
Tough economic times? Why not create your own job?: Project GATE II, IMPAQ International and the LLC, Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education showcase best practices and lessons learned from various entrepreneurial efforts.

Expanding Opportunities for Mature Jobseekers through Innovative Partnerships

Innovations in the expansion of opportunities for the mature jobseeker: Mature Services, Inc.,SCSEP and Easter Seals will discuss several new pathways for improving opportunities for the mature worker during these tough economic times.

Building Service Bridges for UI Claimants

Reconnecting UI claimants to the One-Stop System: The Wisconsin Job Service, Minnesota DEED, USDOL ETA and Washington DC will discuss new initiatives and strategic efforts to bridge this gap.

WE NEED YOUR INPUT!

Will you be attending the 2010 Heartland Conference?

Do you have a question for a presenter?

Are there topics you would like to be addressed?

We welcome all questions!

STAY TUNED, TAKE PART IN THE DISCUSSION & REGISTER FOR THE CONFERENCE TODAY!

The U.S. Department of Labor Announces the Results of its “Tools for America's Job Seekers Challenge”

Belinda Ellis — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 11:57:00 EST

Finding a job in today's economy is hard work, and job seekers need to have the best tools at their fingertips. To help uncover new and effective on-line job search and career advancement tools, DOL challenged entrepreneurs and organizations to showcase their online solutions, and invited workforce system decision-makers and job seekers to explore, comment on, and recommend tools.

Over 16,000 members of the public cast over 34,000 votes for the 600 online job tools posted on the Challenge site during a two-week period in January. Now the recommendations have been tallied, and the top-rated Web sites in each of six categories — general job boards, niche tools, career tools, career exploration tools, Web 2.0 and "other" — are available at http://www.careeronestop.org/jobseekertools.

"My thanks go out to the businesses and organizations that submitted their tools for evaluation, and to the members of the public who offered their input," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "We called on the public to let us know what they want out of online job tools, and they have responded in great numbers. In the process, we also created a great resource for job seekers."

The posting of these top-rated tools is the culmination of an eight-week collaborative effort between the Department of Labor, the White House, and http://www.ideascale.com. Beginning in December, the Department of Labor asked online job tool providers to submit their products for recommendation and analysis by the public. Known as crowdsourcing, this process allowed the public to determine the top online job tools which will aid in their employment and reemployment. Top recommended tools, as well as the full list of tool providers who entered the Challenge, can be accessed through www.careeronestop.org/jobseekertools.

For more information on the range of Department of Labor employment and training services, visit http://www.doleta.gov.

Social Media and Reemployment

Sean Fox — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 04:24:00 EST

With U.S. unemployment hovering near 10%, jobseekers are increasingly turning to their social networks for job leads, employer information, and moral support. A brief scan of the blogosphere results in wealth of advice for the unemployed, with topics ranging from a grounding in social media etiquette to the tangible steps jobseekers can take to create a strong brand using web 2.0 technologies.

In his Personal Branding blog for Business Week, Dan Schawbel, author of Me 2.0: Build a Powerful Brand to Achieve Career Success, argues that LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and blogging are much better tools for finding jobs that speak to a jobseeker's unique passions and interests as compared to the traditional job board.

Skip Job Boards and Use Social Media Instead by Dan Schawbel

http://www.businessweek.com/managing/content/jul2009/ca20090728_587107.htm

In this article, Henry Chalain, a relationship manager at J.P. Morgan before his job was eliminated in May 2009 after seven years with the company shares the key lessons he discovered during an intensive six-week course on using social media at the Columbia Business School.

Using Social Media for the Search By Henry Chalian,

http://blogs.wsj.com/laidoff/2010/01/25/using-social-media-for-the-search/tab/article/

In this entry for U.S. News and World Report, David Lagesse instructs jobseekers on the etiquette of incorporating social media into the job search.

How to Turn Social Networking Into a Job Offer By David Lagesse

http://www.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2009/05/11/how-to-turn-social-networking-into-a-job-offer.html

Cindy Tickle demonstrates how Twitter can function to connect jobseekers to ‘green’ recruiters. A simple search of “green jobs” revealed the following links:

“@greeneconomy - The mission of Green Jobs Network is to connect people seeking jobs that focus on environmental and social responsibility with available opportunities and resources. They also have a blog providing information on events and advice regarding green jobs.”

“@GRNBoulder - Global Recruiters of Boulder specializes in recruiting top talent in the Renewable Energy, Sustainable Architecture and Sustainable Product industries. They are dedicated to the success of these thriving and crucial industries and to their positive impact on society.”

Find Green Jobs on Twitter by Cindy Tickle http://inspiredeconomist.com/2009/09/09/find-green-job-recruiters-on-twitter/

DOL ETA News Release on UI modernization

Bogdan Tereshchenko — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 10:51:00 EST

News Release

ETA News Release: [01/29/2010]
Contact Name: Lina Garcia or Mike Trupo
Phone Number: (202) 693-4661 or x3414
Release Number: 10-0115-NAT

US Department of Labor calls on states to apply for unemployment insurance modernization funding

More than $4 billion remains unclaimed

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today called on states to apply for more than $4 billion in unemployment insurance modernization funding made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) for those states that expand access to unemployment benefits. These funds can be used by states to pay unemployment insurance benefits and may be used for other defined purposes if appropriated by state legislatures.

"Many states already have made the choice and updated their laws to reflect the changing needs of the nation's unemployed," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "Those states that have not yet applied for funding should take this opportunity to assist the millions of individuals who are out of work through no fault of their own and who are in great need of assistance."

The Assistance for Unemployed Workers and Struggling Families Act — enacted as part of the Recovery Act on Feb. 17, 2009 — provides for a special distribution of $7 billion in unemployment compensation modernization incentive payments to states. A state must make an application to the Department of Labor demonstrating that state laws contain certain benefit eligibility provisions.

Currently, in some states, fewer than three out of 10 jobless workers qualify for unemployment benefits due, in part, to eligibility restrictions in state laws. Unemployment modernization provisions allow an expanded group of workers — including recent entrants to the labor force, low-wage workers, part-time workers and individuals unemployed as a result of family circumstances — to be eligible for unemployment benefits.

Unemployment modernization funds can be used to pay unemployment compensation benefits, and in some instances, may lessen the need of states to borrow money from the federal government. Unemployment modernization payments are not loans and do not need to be paid back. As of today, a total of $2,845,024,070 in incentive payments has been disbursed to 32 states. The amount remaining is $4,154,975,930.

Visit http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=2851 to read the guidance issued to states and visit http://www.dol.gov/recovery/map/map-ui-modernization.htm to view a chart detailing which states have received unemployment modernization funding. For more information on the Department of Labor's employment and training programs, visit http://www.doleta.gov.

DOL ETA News Release on UI modernization

Bogdan Tereshchenko — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 10:45:00 EST

News Release

ETA News Release: [01/29/2010]
Contact Name: Lina Garcia or Mike Trupo
Phone Number: (202) 693-4661 or x3414
Release Number: 10-0115-NAT

US Department of Labor calls on states to apply for unemployment insurance modernization funding

More than $4 billion remains unclaimed

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today called on states to apply for more than $4 billion in unemployment insurance modernization funding made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) for those states that expand access to unemployment benefits. These funds can be used by states to pay unemployment insurance benefits and may be used for other defined purposes if appropriated by state legislatures.

"Many states already have made the choice and updated their laws to reflect the changing needs of the nation's unemployed," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "Those states that have not yet applied for funding should take this opportunity to assist the millions of individuals who are out of work through no fault of their own and who are in great need of assistance."

The Assistance for Unemployed Workers and Struggling Families Act — enacted as part of the Recovery Act on Feb. 17, 2009 — provides for a special distribution of $7 billion in unemployment compensation modernization incentive payments to states. A state must make an application to the Department of Labor demonstrating that state laws contain certain benefit eligibility provisions.

Currently, in some states, fewer than three out of 10 jobless workers qualify for unemployment benefits due, in part, to eligibility restrictions in state laws. Unemployment modernization provisions allow an expanded group of workers — including recent entrants to the labor force, low-wage workers, part-time workers and individuals unemployed as a result of family circumstances — to be eligible for unemployment benefits.

Unemployment modernization funds can be used to pay unemployment compensation benefits, and in some instances, may lessen the need of states to borrow money from the federal government. Unemployment modernization payments are not loans and do not need to be paid back. As of today, a total of $2,845,024,070 in incentive payments has been disbursed to 32 states. The amount remaining is $4,154,975,930.

Visit http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=2851 to read the guidance issued to states and visit http://www.dol.gov/recovery/map/map-ui-modernization.htm to view a chart detailing which states have received unemployment modernization funding. For more information on the Department of Labor's employment and training programs, visit http://www.doleta.gov.

DOL ETA News Release on SCSEP

Bogdan Tereshchenko — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 10:03:00 EST

News Release

ETA News Release: [01/29/2010]
Contact Name: Lina Garcia or Mike Trupo
Phone Number: (202) 693-4661 or x3414
Release Number: 10-0124-NAT

US Department of Labor awards $225 million to Senior Community Service Employment Program grantees

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced $225 million in additional funding for the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) in fiscal year 2010. This funding was provided in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2010 to allow SCSEP grantees to immediately address unmet needs for employment and job training among low-income, older American workers.

"This additional funding greatly expands SCSEP's ability to serve older workers who face challenges in re-entering the workforce and attaining economic stability," said Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis. "The U.S. Department of Labor is committed to expanding employment opportunities to even more low-income seniors and to enhancing their own career opportunities as they dedicate millions of hours to nonprofit and civic organizations."

This additional funding is a much needed opportunity for high-performing grantees to serve unemployed, low-income seniors. Successful applicants were chosen based on demonstrated need among the older worker populations they serve; the capacity to immediately and effectively expend the additional funds; and past performance in serving older workers.

SCSEP is a community service and work-based training program for older workers. It provides part-time, community service-based job training for unemployed, low-income individuals age 55 or older. Through this program, older workers have access to SCSEP services as well as other employment assistance available through the workforce investment system.

Editor's Note: A list of states and organizations that have been awarded funding is below.

Senior Community Service Employment Program grantees

Grantee

Funding Amount

Alabama

$824,520

Alaska

$300,000

Arizona

$657,582

Arkansas

$645,921

California

$4,239,993

Connecticut

$540,589

Delaware

$940,000

District of Columbia

$286,431

Florida

$2,916,761

Georgia

$1,097,315

Hawaii

$610,000

Idaho

$263,152

Illinois

$1,859,350

Indiana

$1,294,993

Iowa

$439,776

Kentucky

$451,164

Massachusetts

$1,077,144

Michigan

$1,100,000

Minnesota

$1,126,942

Missouri

$1,086,800

Montana

$280,000

Nebraska

$330,000

Nevada

$263,152

New Hampshire

$263,152

New Jersey

$1,395,850

New Mexico

$278,363

New York

$2,049,113

North Carolina

$907,038

North Dakota

$265,422

Ohio

$2,158,322

Oregon

$400,000

Pennsylvania

$754,230

Rhode Island

$266,260

South Carolina

$673,719

South Dakota

$335,000

Texas

$2,743,288

Utah

$330,808

Virginia

$1,073,110

Washington

$649,210

Wisconsin

$1,266,754

AARP Foundation

$37,873,312

National Able

$3,188,511

Asociacion Nacional Pro Personas Mayores

$4,705,414

Easter Seals

$9,158,174

Experience Works

$49,405,014

Goodwill

$4,644,862

Mature Services

$2,844,985

National Caucus on Black Aged

$7,508,788

National Coalition on Aging

$14,511,583

National Urban League

$4,810,050

Quality Career Services

$746,977

SER Jobs for Progress

$13,743,000

Senior Service America

$28,674,012

The Workplace Inc.

$230,000

Vermont Associates for Training and Development

$1,058,111

Institute for Indian Development

$545,680

National Asian Pacific Center on Aging

$2,910,300

Reemployment Eligibility Assessments

Bogdan Tereshchenko — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 03:48:00 EST
This is a blog post by Diane Wood of the Office of Unemployment Insurance, Employment and Training Administration.
Would you like to learn about a new initiative that 34 states have implemented to monitor UI claimant eligibility and help UI claimants return to work?. Then, you will want to learn more about the Re-employment and Eligibility Assessment (REA) initiative that has brought large numbers of UI claimants into the One-Stop Career Center to learn about available services. Please review our Webinar at http://www.workforce3one.org/view/5001002247077825152/info

The Reemployment and Eligibility Assessment (REA) initiative began in 2005 when 21 states got grants to focus additional attention on claimants. Many claimants filed their UI claim over the telephone or the Internet and might not have been aware of the many re-employment services that were available to them at their local One-Stop Career Center. The REA grants provided funds for staff to serve those claimants when they reported to the office in-person. During the REA staff members review claimants’ availability for work and their recent work search activities. They then provide labor market information that is geared towards the work that each individual is seeking. Finally they introduce them to the plethora of available re-employment services including both staff assisted services and self service opportunities. The REA program is designed to get claimants back to work and to reduce erroneous payments.

Highlights of Reemployment Technical Assistance Efforts

ReEmployment Works! — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 11:10:00 EST
Want answers and ideas as to what communities across the country have done, and plan to do, to better understand the unemployed segment of their talent pool and connect them to jobs? Then, we've got a story along with a PowerPoint to tell and show you!

...About a year and half ago, DOL began to brainstorm some technical assistance efforts to reconnect Unemployment Insurance (UI) claimants to reemployment opportunities. One question that came up was how are regions tapping the unemployed worker segment of their talent pool? This generated more questions like -- are they being connected to growth occupations? Are regions doing skills based matching and analysis? What jobs are growing and how do we connect the unemployed to these opportunities on the other side of the economic downturn? We thought regions would know the demand occupations and would have done the homework to understand the skill-sets of other segments of the talent pool -- possibly incumbent workers and youth. Still we were uncertain...what about the unemployed workers? Had regions mapped out the skills of the unemployed workers? Had the regions analyzed how these skills transferred to current employment opportunities in the region? Had the regions identified skill gaps with businesses experiencing labor shortages...or were poised to experience a labor shortage on the other side of the economic downturn? The result of a study conducted as part of the Reemployment technical assistance effort has been added to the Reemployment Community of Practice. We encourage you to check out this Webinar recording and PowerPoint and look forward to feedback.

Health Coverage Tax Credit and Reemployment: The View from Colorado

Ben Kushner — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:41:00 EST

My name is Shannon Gutheil and I was asked to highlight the experiences I have had working with trade-affected individuals first-hand and how the HCTC Program has helped them.

Over the last 6 years working with trade-affected workers there have been many challenges they face and health care is one of the biggest.

The HCTC program and benefit has been able to help alleviate some of the stress that comes with layoff. When people find out about HCTC I see the light go on in their eyes and a smile emerge on their face. They sometimes can’t believe what they are being offered. The details and process are sometimes hard for them to grasp, but once they understand what steps they need to take to access HCTC benefits you hear a sigh of relief. For many workers, continuation of health care is an option they grapple with over and over because of bottom line costs. They are trying to answer the questions “How am I going to keep health care with COBRA costs being so high? How am I going to take care of my family if they get sick without insurance?” These are questions I hear at my desk almost daily when working with trade-affected workers. A great percentage of workers we serve on the front lines are the sole carriers of health insurance for their families and when they loose their jobs this compounds their stress levels, which in turn can increase their risk for getting sick – thus meaning they need to keep their health care coverage even more. Knowing they have HCTC available to them, as long as they meet all criteria, can help relieve this burden and help them focus on re-tooling their skills and/or gaining new employment.

When trade-affected workers utilize and are eligible for HCTC benefits, it is truly a great benefit to have available.

Shannon Gutheil, TAA Counselor at the Ft. Collins Workforce Center, Colorado

Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC) and Reemployment

Ben Kushner — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:36:00 EST

My name is Carol Harr and I serve as Rapid Response liaison for the TAA Program in Colorado.

Many times, I am the first person employers and employees have contact with concerning the TAA Program and its benefits. The HCTC program is one of those benefits.

The HCTC program is always one where a lot of interest is shown. Employees facing a layoff have many concerns, and healthcare is a major one.

When employees hear that they may be eligible to have 80% of their insurance premiums covered, their relief is actually felt in the room.

The HCTC brochure is an important piece of literature for them. This gives the employees something physical to take away with them and has the information they need to access the program.

A representative from the HCTC team in Washington, DC spoke at our annual state TAA conference. This gave our TAA counselors good information on the program, and the opportunity to ask questions and discuss concerns.

The HCTC team is always striving to find ways to dispense information about the program and address any concerns as they arise.

Carol Harr

Colorado TAA Coordinator’s Office

ETA Assistant Secretary Kicks Off the Recovery and Reemployment Research Conference

Ken Frederick — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 02:18:00 EST

DISABILITY AND REEMPLOYMENT

ReEmployment Works! — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 04:35:00 EST
I’m Randee Chafkin and I work in the Employment and Training Administration’s (ETA), Office of Workforce Investment, Division of Adult Services. We administer the Disability Program Navigator (DPN) initiative which provides “Disability Program Navigators” (DPNs) to One-Stop Career Centers to help staff access and navigate the various programs that help people with disabilities gain and retain jobs. October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), and I want to use this opportunity to highlight how the DPN Initiative is responding to the challenge of providing access to reemployment services to people with disabilities.
To start the conversation, I have asked two of the DPNs to share their experiences working with One-Stop casters who need reemployment services. To see their entries, click on "Comments" above.

The Role of Rapid Response in Trade Programs

Michael Toops — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 01:36:00 EST

ETA Region 2 hosted one of six trainings for states on the Trade and Globalization Adjustment Assistance Act of 2009 (TGAAA). Over the course of two days, participants received a crash course in the 2009 Amendments. Each day participants submitted evaluations and follow-up questions on that’s day’s content. Each morning the questions were reviewed and answered for the entire group. On our second day, the question I had anticipated arose, “what is the role of Rapid Response in the reauthorization?” I should share our Region purposefully invited Rapid Response Coordinators for this training to answer just this question, so needless to say I was not disappointed. The answer though left me wondering, “what more?” In the most minimal of terms, Rapid Response teams have an obligation to share information about the reauthorization to all dislocated workers during Rapid Response events; how to submit a Trade petition; the Process for becoming certified; and the benefits afforded to each worker if the petition becomes certified. But, is that it?

The Trade Act and its options are tightly woven with the IRS’ Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC) and that in turn has implications on decisions about COBRA. The Act is also inextricably tied to the Trade Readjustment Allowance (TRA) which is the Unemployment Compensation portion that also needs to be unraveled for employers and employees alike.

Rapid Response Teams are many times the early warning network about pending layoffs and closures in any one region. The information Rapid Response may have can inform local and state Workforce Investment Boards of potential petitions and the need for “gap-filler” National Emergency Grant applications. Because Trade certifications may happen over a long period of time prior to and after an actual dislocation, this too can have implications for One-Stops and Unemployment offices who need to contact potential recipients. The Rapid Response Team may be the first resource for contact information or access to that information for these workers.

These are but a few roles the Rapid Response Team may serve under TGAAA. What other roles are you or might you serve as this new program launches in your region?

Blogging Away

Amanda Shaffer — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 02:25:00 EST
The other week, I was forwarded on article on the Texas Workforce Commission's new blog. We love instant communication and gratification and we love snips and snaps of information, so what better way to satisfy our short attention spans than to blog away. Check out the Texas Workforce Commission's blog @ www.Texas2work.com or better yet try try it out for yourself! Let us know if you want to blog on our site or have your own blog by commenting. As always, I and the reemployment community looks forward to hearing from you.

Grantee	Funding Amount
Alabama	$824,520
Alaska	$300,000
Arizona	$657,582
Arkansas	$645,921
California	$4,239,993
Connecticut	$540,589
Delaware	$940,000
District of Columbia	$286,431
Florida	$2,916,761
Georgia	$1,097,315
Hawaii	$610,000
Idaho	$263,152
Illinois	$1,859,350
Indiana	$1,294,993
Iowa	$439,776
Kentucky	$451,164
Massachusetts	$1,077,144
Michigan	$1,100,000
Minnesota	$1,126,942
Missouri	$1,086,800
Montana	$280,000
Nebraska	$330,000
Nevada	$263,152
New Hampshire	$263,152
New Jersey	$1,395,850
New Mexico	$278,363
New York	$2,049,113
North Carolina	$907,038
North Dakota	$265,422
Ohio	$2,158,322
Oregon	$400,000
Pennsylvania	$754,230
Rhode Island	$266,260
South Carolina	$673,719
South Dakota	$335,000
Texas	$2,743,288
Utah	$330,808
Virginia	$1,073,110
Washington	$649,210
Wisconsin	$1,266,754
AARP Foundation	$37,873,312
National Able	$3,188,511
Asociacion Nacional Pro Personas Mayores	$4,705,414
Easter Seals	$9,158,174
Experience Works	$49,405,014
Goodwill	$4,644,862
Mature Services	$2,844,985
National Caucus on Black Aged	$7,508,788
National Coalition on Aging	$14,511,583
National Urban League	$4,810,050
Quality Career Services	$746,977
SER Jobs for Progress	$13,743,000
Senior Service America	$28,674,012
The Workplace Inc.	$230,000
Vermont Associates for Training and Development	$1,058,111
Institute for Indian Development	$545,680
National Asian Pacific Center on Aging	$2,910,300