TO EMPLOYER SERVICES
TO JOB SEEKER SERVICES
TO YOUTH PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
TO ASSESSMENT/ELIGIBILITY SERVICES
RAPID RESPONSE SERVICES
" Rapid Response" is a process that provides information and services to employees experiencing job loss. When a layoff is announced, Rapid Response links community services to employees to assist them in securing new jobs.
I nvoluntary job loss can be one of the most stressful events in a person's life. The impact on a person's sense of worth and self-esteem can be devastating. Many people suffer depression, decreased life satisfaction, increased social isolation and feelings of powerlessness. Some people lose their sense of time. This experience leads to feelings of apathy, passivity and resignation. The types and amounts of support offered by the company and community during layoffs is critical to reducing the severity of the initial impact on the employee. This support also increases the chances of the employees successfully adjusting to the situation and securing new employment. The Rapid Response Dislocated Worker Program was created to coordinate transition assistance to impacted employees. The process promotes early intervention and provides a variety of transition services to employees, unions, companies and communities.
There are four (4) groups that benefit significantly from participation in the Rapid Response Dislocated Worker Program. They are: employees, employers, the community and the State.
Our regional Rapid Response Dislocated Worker Unit is made up of representatives from several different State and local agencies/groups. Members are: the NPWIB, Inc., One Stop Operator staff, local UI Staff, local Resource Center Peer advocates, local Wagner-Peyser staff, West Virginia Development Office staff and other agency/group staff deemed appropriate by the WORKFORCE West Virginia Office and/or the NPWIB, Inc. Together, the Rapid Response Dislocated Worker Unit discusses the best approach to address the Rapid Response event.
The Rapid Response Dislocated Worker Unit and the NPWIB, Inc. are responsible for gathering, collecting and updating any and all information obtained through local Rapid Response activities. This information is used to respond to the media, elected officials or other interested parties. This information may be shared with other workforce development areas in the State. To Top
EXAMPLES OF SERVICES FOR EMPLOYERS ARE:
Regional WORKFORCE West Virginia Career Centers use a number of strategies, including strategies for outreach, to promote their programs and services to local area employers.
One Stop Operator staff has established a Business Services Team. This team is made up of One Stop Operator staff, participating partner staff and local area employer representatives. The team's responsibilities are to: recruit employers to access Workforce West Virginia Career Center services/programs, recruit employers to access WORKFORCE West Virginia Career Center space for interviewing, screening of applicants, etc. To Top
A three (3) tiered approach for Core, Intensive and Training Services are used for job seekers.
Basic Core Services –These services include, but are not limited to: outreach, orientation and intake services, eligibility determination, financial aid information including aid for training, unemployment compensation, supportive services, job matching and referral services, labor market information, consumer reports on eligible training providers, local area performance data and information about other self-services including access to a resource room to review job listings and gain access to the internet. All job seekers have access to basic core services. This level of service is primarily self-help and most likely will not require staff assistance beyond providing information or technical assistance with resource room equipment. These services are offered to jobseekers without them undergoing any type of evaluation or eligibility determination.
Assisted Core Services will include, but are not limited to: initial assessment services, job search, job placement, career counseling, supportive services and follow-up. These services require staff assistance, and most likely, supportive services.
Job seekers receiving these services must be registered at Career Centers and be determined eligible to receive services. WORKFORCE West Virginia Career Center staff must determine whether the job seeker is unable to obtain employment and requires core or intensive services. The job seeker must meet the following minimum requirements: complete an initial assessment of skills, abilities, aptitudes and supportive services needs and complete and record all job search activity.
Intensive Services – For a job seeker to qualify for these services, he/she must be registered at a WORKFORCE West Virginia Career Center and be determined eligible as a participant in need of Intensive Services in order to obtain meaningful employment that will allow for self-sufficiency. Intensive Services are provided to adults and dislocated workers who are unemployed and unable to obtain employment through core services and are determined to be in need of more intensive services to obtain employment. These services may also be provided to adults and dislocated workers who are employed but are determined to be in need of services to obtain or retain employment that allows for self-sufficiency. Intensive Services include, but are not limited to: comprehensive specialized assessment, development of an Individual Employment Plan (IEP), group counseling, specialized case management, supportive services, short-term pre-vocational services and stand alone services such as: adult basic education, GED, interviewing and basic computer literacy and follow-up.
Training Services – When a job seeker is unsuccessful in obtaining meaningful employment through basic Core, assisted-Core and Intensive Services, it is likely that he/she will need Training Services in order to compete successfully in the job market. WIA funds may be used to provide training services to adults and youth. The job seeker must meet the basic minimum requirements to receive Training Services: Core, assisted-Core and Intensive Services requirements have already been met, the IEP clearly documents the need for training services, there has been a lack of meaningful employment through Intensive Services, there continues to be a lack of basic skills and qualifications to successfully obtain meaningful employment, an inability to obtain financial aid, including Pell grant, and an inability to obtain assistance for training or assistance beyond assistance already made available under other grant programs.
Depending on need, job seekers may also be provided with assessment of skills, supportive services and follow-up services. To Top
EXAMPLES OF YOUTH PROGRAMS AND SERVICES ARE:
Individual Training Accounts (ITAs ) - Youth, ages 19-21, benefit from being provided the opportunity to select a training program of choice through Individual Training Accounts (ITAs). Youth, ages 19-21, who have met eligibility requirements for intensive services and have received intensive services and still are not able to obtain or retain self-sustaining employment may receive training funds through an ITA at the maximum amount of $4,750 per program year not to exceed $9,500 for a two-year period. The maximum amount for the funding of an ITA includes any supportive services payments to be received by the customer. Pell grants, established under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, or any other grant assistance available to pay for the costs of training, must be accessed first before WIA funds can be used.
Skill Assessment - All participating youth receive a preliminary assessment of their academic levels, skill levels, aptitudes and supportive service needs. This information serves as the basis for an Individual Service Strategy (ISS) that also identifies employment goals, achievement objectives and supportive services that need to be provided to youth in order for them to meet established goals. The ISS is flexible in nature due to the youth's age and experience.
Summer Youth Work Experience Program - This program provides youth with work experiences, along with job readiness training, during the summer months. This program is for resident youth ages 14-24. The Summer Youth Work Experience Program is typically six-weeks long. Youth, ages 14 – 17, may work primarily at public and non-profit worksites. Youth, ages 18 - 24, may work at public, private sector and non-profit worksites. Eligibility determination for participating youth is the same as it is for the WIA Youth/Adult Programs with the exception that youth up to the age of 24 can be served with these funds. No less than 30% of those youth enrolled on this Program are out-of-school youth.
On-The-Job Training (OJT) Programs - An OJT Program may be available at WORKFORCE West Virginia Career Centers for youths, ages 18 and older. The OJT Program matches employer needs with youth's qualifications. The OJT Program provides reimbursement for up to fifty percent (50%) to the employer to allow for the extraordinary cost associated with training the youth and any additional supervision that may be needed during this period.
Follow-Up Services - Follow-up services are conducted for both in-school and out-of-school youth. Follow-up services include, but are not limited to: career exploration, group or individual meetings to discuss career and/or education opportunities, use of the internet to research education and/or career information, mentoring, tutoring and job shadowing.
Supportive Services -Supportive Services may be provided, if needed and necessary, especially to older youth (ages 19-21) who are participating in the ITA Program. These services include, but are not limited to: transportation, child care and health assistance, dependent care costs, housing assistance, work attire, referrals to medical services, etc.
The NPWIB, Inc. may also provide comprehensive guidance assistance, including drug and alcohol abuse counseling, as well as referral to appropriate outside counseling group(s). These services are accessed at WORKFORCE West Virginia Career Centers. To Top
ASSESSMENT/ELIGIBILITY SERVICES
In order to be eligible to receive Core Services under Title I of the WIA, an adult must be 18 years of age or older, be a U.S. citizen or have legal alien status and be in compliance with the provisions of the Military Selective Service Act. In order to be eligible to receive Core Services under Title I of the WIA, a dislocated worker must be a U.S. citizen or have legal alien status and be in compliance with the provisions of the Military Selective Service Act. The NPWIB, Inc. adheres to all eligibility requirements for dislocated workers as stated in the WIA.
For a job seeker to qualify for Intensive Services, he/she must be registered at a WORKFORCE West Virginia Career Center and determined WIA eligible as a participant in need of Intensive Services in order to obtain meaningful employment that will allow for self-sufficiency.
When a job seeker is unsuccessful in obtaining meaningful employment through basic Core, assisted-Core and Intensive Services, it is likely that he/she will need training services in order to compete successfully in the job market. WIA funds may be used to provide training services to WIA eligible adults and youth.
Participating youth who have been determined to be WIA eligible will receive a preliminary assessment of their academic levels, skill levels, aptitudes and supportive service needs. This information serves as the basis for an Individual Service Strategy (ISS) that also identifies employment goals, achievement objectives and supportive services that need to be provided to youth in order for them to meet established goals. The ISS is flexible in nature due to the youth’s age and experience.
After barriers have been identified for a participating youth, basic skills deficiencies need to be addressed and whether there exist a need for the youth to obtain a high school diploma or GED. After this, the youth works towards an occupational training goal, which will encompass work readiness skills training, for example. Finally, youth are encouraged to obtain meaningful employment with a fringe benefit package.
The NPWIB, Inc. uses the TABE Assessment Tool to assess its adults, dislocated workers and youth.