Wagner-Peyser Act

Claimants most in need of reemployment assistance are identified through the Worker Profiling and Reemployment Services (WPRS) system during the initial unemployment insurance claims process. The information provided by the claimant is analyzed and scored by the WPRS, and the resulting score is a forecast of the claimants’ probability of exhausting regular benefits. Claimants with a 60% percent or greater probability of exhausting benefits will be entered into the queue to be scheduled for reemployment services.

Since 2009, Kansas has received funding from the USDOL to provide services under the Reemployment and Eligibility Assessment (REA) grant. The REA grant allows Kansas to provide enhanced reemployment services in four offices. Beginning 2016, the REA initiative will transition into the Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) program and will expand statewide. RESEA customers participate in the following services:

• Work Registration – RESEA participants must have a Plus account which includes a complete, up– to–date and active resume in KANSASWORKS (the state’s employment website). Staff will provide resume assistance if appropriate.
• Orientation to One–Stop services – An introduction to the workforce center that includes an overview of the programs and services available, and instruction on using self–help tools
• UI Eligibility Review – Potential eligibility issues are documented and referred to UI.
• Initial Assessment – Evaluation of the customer’s employment history, education, interests and skills resulting in the identification of employment goals, barriers to employment and the services needed to obtain his/her goals.
• Labor Market Information – Based on desired residential location and claimant’s employment history/interests
• Individual Employment Plan – In consultation with the claimant, a written Individual Employment Plan (IEP) matched to the claimant’s needs based on information gathered during the Initial Assessment is developed
• Follow–up: Claimants must follow up with RESEA staff every 30 days until he/she has returned to work or is no longer receiving benefits. At each follow–up the claimant provides their work search contacts for the previous four weeks.

Individuals identified as needing additional staff assistance may be scheduled for up to two subsequent RESEA appointments. Participants may also be required to participate in reemployment services such as: attending workshops, complete assessment tests such as “Kansas WorkReady Certification, be referred to other service providers, including WIOA or complete a skills profiler to determine career interests, skills and work values, and explore occupations.

One–stops will implement processes and procedures to identify unemployed individuals at the beginning of a customer’s visit to a one–stop. Unemployed individuals that are not participating in RESEA will be provided information detailing the services available to them at the one–stop and online, and will be invited to meet with a Wagner–Peyser staff member.