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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 State recognizes the need to enhance its early intervention efforts to groups of workers on whose behalf a TAA petition has been filed. To ensure these efforts are achieved and that Rapid Response activities and appropriate career services are offered to those individuals, the State will continue to work collaboratively with its existing Workforce Development Area (Local Area) partners, and establish new relationships with various workforce development entities. To establish those relationships and strengthen its existing partnerships, the TAA State Coordinator will actively engage with the Local Area staff and other workforce partners, such as union affiliates, to increase TAA visibility and define a streamlined process for information sharing. In addition, TAA staff will attend all Rapid Response regional roundtables to share information regarding recently filed petitions, to learn of employers conducting layoffs, and to hear from the Local Area and other workforce partners if they’ve filed petitions on behalf of a worker group. The State established a statewide TAA Field Division Coordinator position to provide technical assistance to the Local Areas and to participate in the roundtables.

A well-established relationship between the State and the Local Area will ensure that when a petition is filed the Rapid Response Coordinators will coordinate Rapid Response orientations to ensure all applicable partners, including State TAA Staff, and required Rapid Response materials are available at each orientation. The State issued Workforce Services Directive 14-15 on WIOA and TAA co-enrollment policy and procedures to ensure that Rapid Response staff understand and provide all potential trade-affected workers with required TAA program information. A TAA Co-enrolment Technical Assistance Guide (TAG) is also available and provides program eligibility and determination guidance, promotes cooperative partnerships, and maximizes resources to support co-enrollment of applicants for TAA and WIOA programs. The TAG highlights Rapid Response as a critical access point for co-enrollment.

Pending a petition determination the State staff will begin to provide core services through the America’s Job Center of California (AJCC) network, and will conduct a preliminary needs and skills assessment for the impacted worker(s). Upon a petition determination the State notifies all workers identified on the worker list by mailing a TAA Group Eligibility Notification Letter directly to each impacted worker. The letter clarifies program deadline dates, and provides access information to additional program guidance. The letter also notifies workers of benefits and services that are potentially available to assist them in their transition back to the workforce. The early intervention efforts provided to the worker prior to the petition certification will potentially minimize the weeks someone is unemployed by enrolling the adversely affected worker into TAA-approved training in a timely manner.