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 the State policies and procedures to provide Rapid Responses in cases of natural disasters including coordination with FEMA and other entities.
Current Narrative:
The Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs, Division of Emergency Management (DEM) leads disaster response activities throughout the state, working closely with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) when appropriate. The DEM established the Wisconsin Recovery Task Force (WRTF) in 2008, bringing together a variety of state and non-government agencies/organizations to ensure expedited and long-term recovery for communities affected by disasters. WRTF consists of six support committees – Economic, Health & Social Services, Housing, Infrastructure, Agriculture, and Mitigation. The Department's Bureau of Workforce Training's (BWT) Program Administration Section is a member of the Health & Social Services support committee, providing expertise and guidance for addressing job loss resulting from natural disasters. DEM periodically convenes WRTF to address response strategies and to ensure appropriate partners are included in planning efforts. WRTF has also published a formal emergency response plan for the State.
If a disaster results in significant job loss, the DWD Bureau of Workforce Training's (BWT) Program Administration Section will collaborate with the WRTF network of partners and the affected local Workforce Development Boards (WDBs) to ensure effective use of resources and implementation of strategies. DWD will ensure that local rapid response teams provide services to help mitigate unemployment resulting from the disaster. The local WDBs and the DWD Bureau of Job Service are charged with collaboratively carrying out rapid response activities within their respective areas. In cases of natural disasters, DWD will strongly encourage the use of its mobile career lab and the establishment of one or more transition centers if a job center is not within proximity of the affected area or if additional capacity is needed to adequately serve newly dislocated workers. The local WDBs may request Dislocation Grant funding from the state's rapid response reserve to cover the costs of staff, materials, and other expenses related to the provision of rapid response activities, including transition centers. BWT's Program Administration Section will assist the local WDB(s) to leverage resources and disseminate information about services to those affected by the disaster. DWD will also consult with the local area(s) to determine whether to pursue a regular or disaster National Dislocated Worker Grant (NDWG). If a disaster NDWG is pursued, DWD will seek guidance and technical assistance from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Regional Office and other states that have more experience implementing these types of grants