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:
DES WIOA Policy Manual, Chapter 2 Section 900: Rapid Response describes how the Rapid Response team provides early intervention to worker groups on whose behalf a TAA petition has been filed. Rapid Response funds are used for these activities. The TAA Policy Manual, describes the required activities to provide adversely affected workers with opportunities to get the skills, credentials, resources, and support necessary to return to suitable employment as quickly as possible.
As soon as a petition is certified, the TAA Coordinator works with the employer to get a list and contact information of all affected workers. The TAA Regional office notifies all workers of their potential benefits and services available, provides program information and an application to be completed and sent back, in order to determine individual eligibility. Once an application is received, the Determination of Eligibility is completed and sent to the individual, along with the contact information for the TAA Counselors.
The TAA Coordinator shares information with the Rapid Response Coordinator regarding the TAA petition. Rapid Response teams consist of TAA, WIOA Title I–B and Wagner–Peyser Employment Service representatives, who as a team conduct on–site presentations at the employer location (whenever permissible). Every effort is made to provide information sessions prior to the commencement of the layoffs/closures. These presentations consist of overviews of the benefits and services that can be expected from each of the partner groups with an emphasis on how TAA, WIOA Title I–B and Wagner Peyser staff will be working together as a team to offer the customer individualized comprehensive re–employment benefits and services. Whenever possible after a lay–off occurs, Intake/Orientation sessions for the TAA and WIOA Title I–B programs are co–led and combined so the customer is being co–enrolled to maximize resources.