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:
Early Intervention is provided to worker groups through a coordinated and tightly integrated response team consisting of TAA and Rapid Response Coordinators from both the state and local levels, who are cross-trained in both programs. Cross training improves access to services and ensures that TAA filings are complete and accurate for investigations and determinations. Response coordination is reciprocal. When receiving a Worker Adjustment Retraining Notification (WARN), the State Rapid Response Coordinator routinely reaches out to the Company to confirm the separation details provided in the letter and to probe further to determine if there are foreign trade impacts. If foreign trade impacts are confirmed either by the employer or through research, the State Rapid Response Coordinator or the Local Area TAA Counselor files a TAA petition.
When receiving a WARN letter from a company affected by foreign trade, the State Rapid Response team immediately notifies the TAA team and includes TAA personnel in the early planning stages with the company to identify the needs and the services required to meet those needs. Services delivered to the company include, but are not limited to, joint Rapid Response/TAA workshops at the customer location to provide information on TAA/TRA services and benefits, onsite workforce registrations and TAA/WIOA orientations, and one-on-one meetings with TAA Counselors and other professionals as needed. Workshops also include Unemployment Insurance Benefit information as well as information on other employment and training services and grants available to employees.
The State Rapid Response team also routinely monitors TAA petitions and certifications to determine if Rapid Response services have been previously delivered. If not, the Rapid Response team works closely with the TAA team as part of the planning process and collaborates to deliver services. As TAA petitions become certified, the TAA Coordinator immediately notifies the Rapid Response Coordinator. Outreach and dissemination of TAA and Rapid Response information may occur via email, direct mail, press announcements and articles, websites including partner websites, radio and television public service announcements, flyers posted at the workforce centers as well as You Tube sites, Facebook, Twitter and other social media. Rapid Response and TAA teams also collaborate with partners to conduct workshops, present at conferences, trade shows, professional associations, Chambers, clubs and other outreach events.