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. E. Describe how the State provides early intervention (e.g., Rapid Response) and ensures the provision of appropriate career services to worker groups on whose behalf a Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) petition has been filed. (Section 134(a)(2)(A) and TAA Section 221(a)(2)(A) .) This description must include how the State disseminates benefit information to provide 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 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 and how the state will ensure the provision of appropriate career service to workers in the groups identified in the petition (TAA Sec. 221(a)(2)(A)).<br><i>NOTE: until the TAA PROGRAM is reauthorized, the requirements to provide rapid response and appropriate career services to worker groups on whose behalf a petition has been filed is not applicable.</i>
Current Narrative:
As of June 30, 2022, the TAA program entered into Sunset termination provision (TEGL 14-22). Under the phased termination of the TAA program, the State is only able to serve and conduct outreach to individuals who had a TAA certification occurring prior to the termination of the program. Under current operations, the State is conducting targeted outreach through individuals identified from a certified company worker list by providing a postcard, conducting phone calls and emails. Additionally, workers are invited to Open House events to engage with TAA and partner staff for services. TAA staff are attending Rapid Response events to engage with workers who may have TAA benefits from past layoffs, petitions are still able to be filed, however U.S. Department of Labor is unable to issue new TAA certifications under termination provisions.
If the TAA program is reauthorized by Congress, the State will resume normal operations as follows:
When a petition is filed that was not the result of a Rapid Response event, the TAA Unit of DWD notifies the region of the petition filing to initiate Rapid Response (RR) events, including initial fact finding and RR event scheduling. Once a certification is made, the TAA Unit disseminates a worker notification letter via mail notifying them of their eligibility for the TAA benefits and services, including case management, training, TRA, job search allowance, relocation allowance, and RTAA. The letter includes notification of deadlines for TRA income support.
Post- certification, in addition to the worker notification letter, Indiana TAA Unit issues Public Service Announcements, digital and/or print newspaper advertisements and extensive social media campaigns to target eligible workers within a certification group to engage them at a local WorkOne. Onsite orientations and in-person Rapid Response activities are offered in conjunction with TAA informational sessions while workers are still employed at a certified firm.
Workforce Development Boards are responsible for coordinating the Rapid Response services at the local level to ensure effective delivery of services. Each Workforce Development Board is responsible for the following:
Designating a local Rapid Response Representative.
The representative may be a Workforce Development Board administrative staff or a local Rapid Response team member.
The representative will coordinate with the Regional Managers of Business Service (RM) and Rapid Response Program Director.
Representatives will be responsible for contacting the business and introducing Rapid Response services.
Establishing and maintaining a Local Rapid Response team.
Members of the team may include: representatives from the Workforce Development Board, WorkOne staff, service providers, labor organizations and/or State Labor Council (when the workforce is union represented), community/technical colleges, and/or other stakeholders and interested parties.
Arranging an initial on-site meeting with employers, employee representatives, and Trade Coordinators to assess layoff schedules, determine employer plans to assist the workers, and introduce appropriate onsite Rapid Response activities for the WARN and Trade Act.
Informing and including TAA coordinators for all onsite meetings including orientations.
Obtaining a layoff list of affected workers and their contact information when applicable.
Ensuring all Local Non-WARN notices are entered into ICC and included in the monthly data reports.
Providing planning assistance for dislocation events.
Ensuring Rapid Response orientation materials include informational packets on all available services at local WorkOnes and other community resources.
Providing information on career counseling and job search assistance, resume preparation and interviewing skills workshops, local labor market, education, and training opportunities (WIOA), health benefits (Cobra); and community resources.