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:
The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) has a comprehensive procedure to serve customers using the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Rapid Response (RR), the WIOA Dislocated Worker, and Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) programs. The Rapid Response Reserve Funds assist both TAA and Rapid Response activities that are shared by the TAA/RR Section within the LEO. Both TAA and Rapid Response activities are shared by the TAA/RR Section within the LEO. The TAA/RR Section is comprised of TAA/RR State Coordinators who are assigned to specific regions across the state who oversee both TAA and RR activities accordingly. Recent shifts within the LEO have allowed for both the TAA and RR programs to align within a single section to ensure an all-inclusive approach is provided statewide.
The TAA/RR State Coordinator begins the process by interacting with companies that have, or plan to, lay off workers. As soon as company closure or layoff information is known, this information is investigated by the appropriate State Coordinator. Investigation and fact-finding of potential trade impact is immediately conducted for consideration of a TAA Petition. If found that a TAA petition filing is warranted, the TAA/RR State Coordinator discusses with the employer, the Michigan Works! Agency (MWA), and if applicable, the Union Officials, the next steps for petition filing as well as potential benefits if approved. If the impacted employer or Union prefers to file the TAA Petition with the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), the TAA/RR State Coordinator is available for assistance.
Dependent upon the employer preference, a Rapid Response and/or Worker Orientation meeting is arranged to discuss the re-employment, state, federal, and local resources, as well information presented by the Unemployment Insurance Agency. If TAA certified, the TAA Worker Benefit Orientation (WBO) meetings are arranged in coordination with all applicable partners, including MWAs. Additionally, the state is working on the creation of promotional videos and worker orientation videos to expand the notification to all TAA-eligible dislocated workers unable to attend meetings.
The TAA WBO meetings expand upon the Rapid Response worker orientation and provide detailed information on all TAA benefits and services. The integration of the State’s Rapid Response and TAA Program ensures workers will receive prompt and accurate information to make informed career and employment decisions.
The MWAs are highly encouraged to co-enroll TAA participants into the WIOA Dislocated Worker programs as applicable. The TAA Comprehensive Manual states “In accordance with federal regulations, each MWA shall provide a full range of reemployment services, including mandated services, to eligible workers. These services include case management, training, job search/relocation allowances and other dislocated worker programs administered by the MWA to maximize program efficiency and prevent duplication of services.”
TAA/RR State Coordinators continuously coordinate WIOA employer-based training initiatives to ensure support of the demand-driven model and coordination of TAA and the WIOA Dislocated Worker programs.
In addition, the state is committed to understanding the reasons why TAA-certified workers use or do not use their TAA benefits. After an extensive outreach and re-engagement effort is completed, the state will continue efforts to engage previously certified workers. via certified mail, email, telephone, newspaper ads, television commercial opportunities, social media postings, job fairs, etc.