Seasons Greeting

May your heart be filled with hope and joy.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. 

Random Acts of Kindness

Inspired to spread good in the world after the tragic elementary school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut last week, people around the country are committing random acts of kindness in honor of the victims.  I read that on Twitter, hashtag #26Acts was created to honor the 26 people who lost their lives at Sandy Hook Elementary School by spreading news of the random acts of kindness.

I don't follow Twitter, but I started my own personal pledge to committing random acts of kindness.  My first act was to put $26 dollars in a Salvation Army red kettle in honor of the teachers and children who died in Newtown.  I thougth it was fitting to start my kindness campaign with an honor to those who inspired the kindness acts.

I am usually not a spontaneous person and I usually plan everything I do a head of time, but I don't think you can plan random acts of kindness because you never know what situation will present itself - so I plan to be more aware of my surrounding and act when I see an opportunity.  I will keep you posted on how it's going.  In the meantime, get inspired and start your own acts of kindness right now.

FUTA

On December 10, 2012, Strategic Services on Unemployment and Workers’ Compensation, an association exclusively devoted to representing the interests of the business community on unemployment insurance and workers' compensation public policy issues, sent a letter to majority and minority leaders in the House and Senate, as well as the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Committee on Ways and Means, urging Congressional members not to allow an increase in the Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) tax base or rate. The letter notes that state and federal payroll taxes are already increasing because of the record levels of UI claims from the Great Recession.

In addition to keeping FUTA tax rates at their current levels, the letter also urges Congress to prevent an extension in restrictions on states in adopting policies that would reduce the average weekly benefit amount in states that have insolvent UI trust funds as they seek state legislation to make their accounts solvent. The letter finally calls for Congress not to increase direct spending from UI trust fund accounts.

Successful Partnerships

At last week's Texas Workforce Solutions conference co-hosted by the Texas Workforce Commission and the International Association of Workforce Professionals (IAWP), Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Jane Oates had a simple message. She wanted the 1,400 attendees to know that accelerating training programs and helping get America back to work requires innovation and strong partnerships between the workforce system, employers and educators. During her keynote address, Oates shared success stories about states leveraging the national network of American Job Centers, local and regional partnerships, and federal resources to develop customized technical skills training to meet the needs of local employers and workers.

 

From the December 6, 2012 USDOL Newsletter

 

EUC Impact

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released a report this week assessing the impact of the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program.

The CBO report estimates State and federal unemployment insurance programs have cost roughly $520 billion since 2008 and the number of workers receiving UI benefits peaked at 14.4 million in 2009. The cost of continuing EUC08 beyond 2012 will be the subject of intense debate in Congress as part of the fiscal cliff negotiations. CBO examined four extension options and estimated the cost of each:

Option 1: Fully extend the current EUC program and temporary provisions of the EB program for one year ($30 billion);

Option 2: Partially extend the current EUC program by providing at most 14 extra weeks of benefits for one year ($14 billion);

Option 3: Allow UI recipients to finish receiving up to 14 weeks of EUC benefits, depending on the number of weeks of benefits for which they will qualify at the end of December 2012 ($4 billion); and

Option 4: Extend the current EB program for one year, maintaining full federal funding and allowing states to more easily qualify for the program ($3 billion).

Although EUC08 is set to expire on December 29, 2012, CBO concludes preserving EUC08 through next year would add 300,000 jobs to the economy and the gross domestic product would be two-tenths of a percentage point higher in the fourth quarter of 2013.

To Extend or Not to Extend UI Benefits

To prevent 2 million people from abruptly losing their economic lifeline at the end of the year, Senate Democrats have begun their push to preserve federal unemployment insurance programs.

Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) is gathering signatures from his Democratic colleagues for a letter to Senate leadership urging an extension of jobless aid. Despite recent declines in the unemployment rate, the letter notes that more than 12 million Americans are still out of work, and that there are more than three unemployed people for every available job.

Last week, Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) sent party leaders a letter demanding that the cost of continuing federal unemployment compensation for another year, which the letter put at $26 billion, be offset with cuts to other parts of the federal budget. 

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, slightly more than 2 million Americans are currently collecting federal unemployment insurance, which lasts for as many as 47 weeks in states with high unemployment rates. Laid-off workers are eligible for federal benefits if they still haven't found work after using up state-funded benefits, which in most states last 26 weeks.

Thanksgiving Message

I wish each IAWP member and their family a happy Thanksgiving.  Please remember those who lost so much in Hurricane Sandy and give generously to the American Red Cross to help aid in the recovery.    DONATE

Facebook Launches New App

A year ago Facebook teamed up with the U.S. Department of Labor, the National Association of Colleges and Employers, the Direct Employers Association and the National Association of State Workforce Agencies to form the Social Jobs Partnership. At the time, the coalition promised to roll out a free app that would connect job seekers with open positions.

Now with unemployment still stubbornly high and the economy sluggish, Facebook and companies that list jobs on Facebook including Branchout, JobVite and Work4 Labs have pulled together more than 1.7 million job postings in the U.S. in one spot.

Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis said the app, which lets Facebook users search job listings by keyword, type of work, industry and location, would help get America back to work.  Nearly a year ago, the U.S. Department of Labor joined the Social Jobs Partnership to explore better ways to connect people with job information through social media.

Help with Hurricane Sandy Recovery

A recent USDOL newsletter indicated tens of thousands of Americans are rebuilding homes and businesses in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, and citizens are turning to local authorities and the federal government for aid. That's where Benefits.gov can help. This collaborative partnership comprises 17 federal agencies with the U.S. Department of Labor as managing partner. As the single online source for more than 1,000 government assistance programs, the site received 225,506 visits shortly before and after Sandy came ashore on Oct. 29 — a 25 percent increase from normal web traffic. The USDOL also supplies technical support to DisasterAssistance.gov, which received more than 1.5 million visits between Oct. 30 and Nov. 13 — representing a staggering spike of 2,357 percent. As recovery continues from Sandy, key agencies in the department, including the Employment and Training Administration, Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Wage and Hour Division, are focused on outreach to workers and employers, coordination with federal, state and local agencies, health risk assessments, and other disaster-related matters.

Visit Benefits.gov
Visit Disasterassistance.gov

 

Thanks Mississippi Chapter

Special thanks to the Mississippi IAWP chapter for there generous contribution to the Make a Wish Foundation.  Please take the time to read about their accomplishments - http://www.wlbt.com/story/19955464/make-a-wish-chapter-gets-donation-from-state-employees

USDOL Turns 100

In 2013 IAWP will celebrate it's centennial and in 2013 the U.S. Department of Labor also turns 100.  USDOL has put together a fantastic video.  Watch it and discover how the department was created, meet all the labor secretaries and get a glimpse of legislative history.  Watch the Video

Joining Forces

IAWP has adopted "Joining Forces" as an U.S. nationwide service project.  Joining Forces:

• Brings attention to the unique needs and strength of America’s military families.
• Inspires, educates, and sparks action from all sectors of our society – citizens, communities, businesses, non-profits, faith based institutions, philanthropic organizations, and government - to ensure veterans and military families have the opportunities, resources, and support they have earned.
• Showcases the skills, experience, and dedication of America’s veterans and military spouses to strengthen our nation’s communities.
• Creates greater connections between the American public and the military.

Get involved at a personal, subchapter, chapter or district level.  To learn how you can help, visit http://www.whitehouse.gov/joiningforces/get-involved.

Where Have I Been?

I have been either traveling or moving the last 4 weeks.  The last week of September I traveled to Frankfort, Kentucky to the IAWP Administrative Office.  During my visit there I met with staff and looked through archival files looking for pictures and information for the 100th anniversary book.  Midway through the week I moved to Louisville for the in-person board meeting.  We spent two full days meeting and attending to the business of the association.

Upon my return to Boise, I finished packing and moved to a new home after living in same place for 27 years.  It was a major endeavor to move that many years worth of "stuff" but we got it done and are fairly settled.

On October 15th I traveled to Chicago, Illinois to meet up with the Conference Planning Committee at the Fairmont - Millennium Park, the host hotel for the 100th International Educational Conference.  The Committee toured and allocated all the space and set the budget.

It was a pretty full three weeks for me!

National Disability Month

"A strong workforce is an inclusive workforce: what can YOU do?" That is the theme of this year's National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) and the question the Office of Disability Employment Policy hopes all employers are asking themselves.

As part of the month-long observance, ODEP and federal agencies will showcase a variety of events and speaking engagements and highlight resources available to employers and employees alike.

Kathy Martinez, assistant secretary of labor for disability employment policy, kicked off NDEAM on Oct. 1 at the United States Business Leadership Network (USBLN) 15th Annual Conference and Expo, where she delivered remarks following the signing and renewal of the ODEP/USBLN alliance. "Only by talking and working closely with all those who have a stake in employing people with disabilities can we expand the conversation about disability employment," Martinez told the group. "And, it's the only way we can foster real, significant and long lasting change."

 

Presidential Proclamation

 

ODEP Webcast

According to the U.S. Departmentof Labor - In carrying out President Obama's pledge to work toward "an unprecedented level of openness in government," the Office of Disability Employment Policy, joined by leaders across the federal government, hosted a live webcast Sept. 13 to exchange information and perspectives on new and innovative open government strategies. Speakers included Carl Fillichio, the department's senior advisor for communications and public affairs; Michael Reardon, ODEP policy advisor and ePolicyWorks team lead, and leaders from other federal agencies, including the departments of Homeland Security, Health and Human Services, and Transportation. The webcast was part of ODEP's ePolicyWorks initiative, which leverages the latest technology to address barriers to employment for people with disabilities and fosters real-time collaboration around key policy issues.

View the archived webcast.

9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance

Today is a day to reflect back on the horrific events of September 11, 2001, and the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks.  I am especially reminded of the brave police officers and firefighters who died in their efforts to save people.  I think about how proud I am of my nephew who is a fireman in Arizona and my brother-in-law, uncle, cousin and best friend who were police officers in California. I remember our service men and women and veterans who serve our country to keep us safe from the terrorists.   I also remember standing, overlooking ground zero in New York City a few years ago trying to imagine what it was like before.  We toured the area guided by a 9/11 survivor, who volunteers her time so that those who died are never forgotten.  I hope to return to New York City to see the new memorial and the new World Trade tower.  Please join me in remembering those that lost there lives in New York, Pennsylvania and at the Pentagon on that terrible day.

Assistance for Louisiana and Mississippi

Louisiana and Mississippi will receive assistance with cleanup and recovery efforts related to storm damage from Hurricane Isaac under two National Emergency Grants announced Sept. 6 by Secretary Solis. Louisiana's Workforce Commission was awarded $3,358,017 to fund temporary jobs for cleanup and recovery efforts across the state in the aftermath of Hurricane Isaac and a $3 million grant was awarded to the Mississippi Department of Employment Security for cleanup of the widespread damage across the state. Since cleanup work can involve safety and health hazards, the department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration also publicized safety precautions to protect workers and the public as they proceed with cleanup in their area.

Labor Day

As I approach this Labor Weekend, I am thinking about how fortunate I have been to part of the workforce development system for 33 years now.  In that many years, I have seen many workforce programs come and go and IAWP has allowed me to keep up to date with current practices and see the big picture of the workforce system. 

The U.S. Department of Labor's website at http://www.dol.gov/laborday/ is full of information, history and pictures about Labor Day.  Please be sure to visit it.

As a special treat for me, my granddaughter Lillian turns one year old on Labor Day, so my entire family will be together celebrating her birthday.  I wish you and your family a safe and fun-filled day.

Secretary Solis Chat

Every year, on the first Monday in September, we honor the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

In advance of Labor Day 2012, Secretary of Labor, Hilda Solis will host a live Twitter chat at 2 p.m. EDT, Thursday, August 30.

Join the conversation by using the hashtag #LaborDay2012 or tweet questions in advance to @HildaSolisDOL.

Changes to TAP

The Obama Administration announced major changes to the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) which was established to meet the needs of separating military service members during their period of transition into civilian life by offering job-search assistance and other related services.

Currently the program includes a three-day workshop where transitioning service members learn about job searches, career decision-making, current occupational and labor market conditions and effective interviewing techniques.

During a joint hearing House Committees on Veterans Affairs and the Armed Services, Committee members agreed that while expanding transition sessions from three days to five days demonstrated a step in the right direction, military members still should receive greater assistance.The transition program is altered is several key areas. The program will no longer be called the "Transition Assistance Program", it will now be known as "Transition GPS". Key programmatic changes include:

• Individualized Assessments and Counseling: Service members will meet one on one with specialists to complete needs and goals assessments and also receive individualized educational and job training resources specific to the interests of a transitioning service member.
• Core and Career Specific Curriculum: Transition GPS will consist of a five-day core curriculum, which all service members will complete. The Transition GPS program will be comprised of a redesigned employment workshop, as well as a Military Occupational Code Crosswalk to assist service members to translate their military experience to comparable civilian skills and occupations. Service members will also have the option of participating in two additional days of career-specific training on three tracks: a higher education track for those pursuing college degrees, a technical and skills training track for those looking to gain technical training or industry licenses and credentials and an entrepreneurship track for those members wanting to start a business.
• Continuous Transition Training: The new transition program will provide career readiness earlier in the tenure of a service member’s career in the military by providing access to resources to build skills or gain credentials while still in the military.

Transition GPS is planned to be implemented with all the programmatic changes announced this week by the end of 2013 throughout all branches of the military.

August 14, 1935

Tuesday morning, August 14, 2012, a National Birthday Party for Social Security was held at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.  Lynn Bassanese, acting library director, welcomed a gathering of visitors and stressed the vital role Social Security has played in the lives of senior citizens once they no longer are earning a paycheck.  She talked about the prospect faced by such seniors before FDR signed the Social Security Act into law Aug. 14, 1935.  “They were dependent upon family, savings and charity to survive,” Bassanese said.  Since 1935, the program has provided not only old-age pensions, but unemployment insurance, guaranteed income for those unable to work due to disabilities and financial aid to parents with dependent children.  Christopher Breiseth, past president of the Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute, said Social Security, one of FDR’s New Deal programs, established a special bond between the American people and their government in Washington.  “The people are what matter to government, and government should aim to provide all the people under its jurisdiction the best possible life,” he said.

ODEP Announcement

The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) announced the availability of a $1.1 million grant to fund a cooperative agreement to manage and operate the National Technical Assistance and Demonstration Center on Preparing Youth with Disabilities for Employment. The center will build capacity within and across youth service delivery systems to improve employment and postsecondary education outcomes for youth with disabilities.

The center will continue to build upon ODEP's previous technical assistance efforts. It will provide technical assistance, training and information to organizations operating youth programs funded by the Workforce Investment Act, as well as current and former Labor Department grantees, to aid them in integrating evidence-based, effective practices for improving transition results for young people with disabilities who are enrolled in their programs.

The center will have three areas of focus: career exploration, management and planning; youth development and leadership; and professional development. Applicants must recognize that youth, families, educators, workforce professionals and other stakeholders need to work together to increase employment expectations for youth with disabilities.

Grants to Provide Job Training to Seniors

The U.S. Department of Labor announced the award of nearly $260 million in grants to 15 nonprofit organizations across the country to provide critical job training and related services through Senior Community Service Employment Program jobs.

"The federal grants announced today will provide job training to enhance low-income seniors' employment opportunities and contribute millions of community service hours to nonprofit and civic organizations throughout the country," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "These organizations are crucial partners in serving seniors who face challenges in re-entering the workforce and attaining economic stability."

Sixteen one-year grants are being made to 15 national nonprofit organizations through the program's general funds or funds set aside by statute to serve Native Americans or Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders. The grants will support more than 35,000 positions. In addition, state and territorial grantees that previously received funding through this program will continue to support more than 10,000 positions.

The Senior Community Service Employment Program, authorized by Title V of the Older Americans Act, is the only federally sponsored employment and training program targeted specifically to unemployed, low-income individuals age 55 and older. Individuals served by the grants receive training through part-time, service-oriented positions in their communities while earning the highest of the federal, state or local minimum wage. The program has dual goals of promoting community service and helping participants achieve economic self-sufficiency by guiding them into unsubsidized employment, where appropriate. Program participants provide more than 48 million hours of community service to public agencies and nonprofit organizations annually.

Some Good News

The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor Health and Human Resources and Education approved a fiscal year 2013 funding bill on July 18th that provides funding for workforce programs at about fiscal 2012 levels. This is a very positive development as it marks the first time in several years when workforce programs have not been slated for elimination or consolidation. WIA Adult, Youth and Dislocated Workers were all funded at levels requested by the President for fiscal 2013.

IAWP Announcements

• Please ensure that your chapter has completed and returned this Committee Assignments and Association Directory Listings form for the 2012-13 administrative year, to the IAWP Administrative Office.

• Please be sure to order your 2013 Centennial Calendar and help support the 100th anniversary celebration.  Calendars cost $10.

• The Centennial pin is now available to order.  The cost is $10 through the end of 2012. Starting in 2013, cost will go up to $15 per pin, so place your order now!

• The directory listing form along with the calendar and pin order forms can be found in the July issue of the Countdown on the IAWP website under the "Member Only" section.

Workforce Training System Reform

On Tuesday, June 19, 2012, the Center for American Progress (CAP) held a forum to announce the publication of a new report, "Let’s Get Serious About Our Nation’s Human Capital: A Plan to Reform the U.S. Workforce Training System." The June 2012 publication is authored by Stephen Steigleder and Louis Soares; funding support was provided by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
The report recommends replacing the current workforce and training system with a new system that provides most current workforce funding to the U.S. Department of Education for block grants under "Workforce Investment Bank," which would cover all aspects of workforce training. The Workforce Investment Bank would focus exclusively on developing more than 2.5 million skilled workers at all levels and would be funded at $10 billion a year. It would include three programs: College for Working Adults ($4.5 billion), Career Pathways for Working Adults ($5 billion), and Targeted Communities Workforce Investment Fund ($.5 billion). The majority of the funds would be allocated to regional authorities, which would be responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing public-private partnerships.

The U.S. Department of Labor would oversee the "Career Navigation System," which would support the existing network of 2,800 One-Stop Career Centers, basically to provide core and intensive services. The Career Navigation System would be funded at $2.225 billion per year. According to the report, "The Department of Labor would support these brick-and-mortar centers by developing and maintaining online tools and infrastructure that would be available to all career navigation centers."

The current U.S. Department of Labor funds pooled into these block grants would include: Employment Service; WIA Adult, Dislocated Worker, Innovation Fund; Office of Apprenticeship, and Women in Apprenticeship; Integration of ex-offenders; Indian and Native American programs; Migrant and seasonal farmworkers; Veterans Employment and Training Service; pilots, demonstrations and research; Workforce Data Quality Initiative; and evaluation. The proposal would pool U.S. Department of Education funds - Adult Education, Perkins Career and Technical Education, Tribal Vocational/Technical Institutions, and Employment opportunity centers – and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and training program from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The report recommends a regional governance structure, substituting regional authorities for local workforce investment boards. The report did not mention a role for the states; however, Mr. Steigleder indicated there should be a role for the states.

Public Service Announcements

The U.S. Department of Labor has made available public service announcements, in video and audio formats featuring Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis, urging unemployed veterans to apply for benefits through the Veteran Retraining Assistance Program. Both announcements are 46 seconds.

The new program targets unemployed veterans between the ages of 35 and 60, and will cover education costs related to training in high-demand jobs. Qualifying veterans can receive up to 12 months of assistance equal to the full-time Montgomery GI Bill active duty rate, currently $1,473 per month. Veterans can apply on a first-come, first-served basis for training programs that begin on or after July 1, 2012. Assistance available through this program will end on March 31, 2014.

Access the PSAs at http://www.dol.gov/dol/media/webcast/20120620-solis-vets-psa/index.htm.

Happy Fourth of July

As we celebrate our freedom, let us not forget to thank all those who have fought for the country to give us this day.  Have a Happy Independence day with your family and friends.

Federal Job on National Labor Exchange

The National Association of State Workforce Administrtors (NASWA) has been granted access by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to over 20,000 federal job opportunities found on the federal website, USAJobs.gov. Federal job openings will now be distributed to the National Labor Exchange (NLX) website US.jobs, state job banks and microsites within the "dot JOBS" network, providing job seekers with quicker access to available federal government jobs.

Created in 2007, the NLX is a unique partnership leveraging private, nonprofit technology and existing state workforce agency resources. The NLX collects and distributes job openings exclusively found on corporate career websites, state job banks, and now federal jobs.

Facebook and Summer Jobs

From the most recent NASWA Bulletin:

On June 5h, 2012, NASWA authored a post on the Social Jobs Partnership Facebook page to promote Summer.jobs. While each partner posting has gained traction on the Social Jobs Facebook page, the posting gained a large amount of "likes" and "shares", even prompting individuals to apply for job openings on Summer.jobs.

When the Social Jobs Partnership began, the goal was to combine social media and recruiting to help job seekers.  With advice and further outlets for employment opportunities. The partnership among Facebook, the U.S. Department of Labor, the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), DirectEmployers Association, and the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA) has further cultivated this goal and provided job seekers a unique view of how employers view a potential hire as well as advice and statistics pertinent to their job search.

The posting on Facebook, Summer.jobs received a significant amount of interaction – which in turn translated into a spike by referring traffic to Summer.jobs. Overall, NASWA learned that Summer.jobs received a total of 600 visits from Facebook and of those, 119 of them came from a mobile device accessing Facebook. This traffic underscores how a relatively simple post on Facebook can generate impressive statistics on jobseekers when used correctly.

Job Accommodation Network

The U.S. Department of Labor announced the availability of a $2.5 million grant to fund a cooperative agreement to manage and operate the Job Accommodation Network, a national technical assistance center that facilitates the employment and retention of workers with disabilities. 

"Employers need to understand how to provide specific, individualized accommodations to create a work environment that enables a qualified individual with a disability to participate in the job application process and perform the essential functions of a job," said Kathy Martinez, assistant secretary of labor for disability employment policy. "The Job Accommodation Network provides that expertise."

JAN is a free and confidential consulting service for employers that provides individualized worksite accommodation solutions and technical assistance to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and other disability-related legislation. JAN also provides information about self-employment and small business ownership opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

For more than 20 years, JAN has been employers' primary resource for accommodations expertise, analyzing situations that span the complete range of disabilities and job functions, and delivering effective solutions that benefit both employers and employees.

House Committee on WIA Reauthorization

On March 29, 2012, Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC), Rep. Joseph J. Heck (R-NV) and Rep. Howard P. McKeon (R-CA) introduced a Workforce Investment Act (WIA) reauthorization bill (H.R. 4297). The bill consolidates funding from twenty seven national and state-administered workforce programs, including: WIA Adult, WIA Dislocated Workers and WIA Youth, Job Corps, the Senior Community Service Employment Program, and a section of the Wagner-Peyser Act into a new Workforce Investment Fund that would be distributed by formula to states and local areas.

On June 7, 2012, The House Committee on Education and the Workforce, chaired by Rep. John Kline (R-MN), approved an amended version of the legislation, The Workforce Investment Improvement Act of 2012 to reauthorize the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA). The bill was approved on a party line vote, 23 to 15.

Representative Virginia Foxx (R-NC) began the markup session by offering several changes to the original H.R. 4297, with an Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute to H.R. 4297. Representative Foxx’s substitute would make the following changes to the bill:
• Authorizes an increase in the state set aside for statewide activities from 5 percent to 10 percent.
• Includes industry-recognized credentials and recognized postsecondary credentials as a common performance measure.
• Requires state and local workforce investment boards to describe the strategies and services they will use to assist at-risk youth and out-of-school youth in workforce development program activities.
• Prohibits funds allotted to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 from being consolidated by the governor into the Workforce Investment Fund.
• Requires the Secretary of Labor to reserve 28 percent of the total amount appropriated to fund a national Job Corps program and reforms to the program. 
• Reduces the Secretary’s reservation from 2 percent to 0.5 percent to reflect the repeal of WIA NEG, restricting the Secretary's activities to conducting technical assistance and evaluations.
• Requires state and local boards to better coordinate workforce development and literacy programs with non-profit organizations in the community, including public libraries.
• Expands the Statewide Adults with Barriers to Employment Grants to include at-risk youth and renames the program as the Statewide Individuals with Barriers to Employment Grants.
• Includes pay for performance initiatives as allowable uses of state and local employment and training activities.
• Reduces the number of full time equivalent (FTE) staff positions at the Department of Labor to reflect the reduced federal role intended by the bill.

During the markup session there were over twenty amendments offered to H.R. 4297, with nine amendments being adopted. Of the nine amendments adopted into the bill there were several provisions of significance:

Veterans Employment Services
The amended language would eliminate the current federally staffed Local Veterans Employment Representative (LVER) and Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) specialists and replace them with a Veteran Employment Specialist (VES) whom would be hired by a local area. The total funding available would be increased by inclusion of the funds currently authorized for Veteran’s programs including State Administrative Grants, Federal administrative funds, Homeless Veterans and the National Employment and Training Services Institute, increasing the total funds available from $6.080 billion to $6.292 billion.

Wagner Peyser Services
The language in the original Bill repeals sections 1 through 13 of the Wagner-Peyser Act, eliminating the Employment Service (ES), but retains the requirement to collect employment statistics.

Federal Unemployment Tax Act
Funds for Wagner-Peyser Act services are collected annually by the Federal Unemployment Tax Act’s (FUTA) levy of 0.6 percent on the first $7,000 of UI covered employment. Eighty percent of that money is earmarked by law for UI administration and Wagner-Peyser Act services. These FUTA revenues are deposited into the Employment Security Administration Account (ESAA) in the Federal Unemployment Trust Fund. With the repeal of the majority of Wagner Peyser Act in H.R. 4297, it is questionable funds in the ESAA could be appropriated for labor exchange services provided under the WIF. The authority for appropriations for grants to states for administration of employment services under the Social Security Act alludes to the Wagner Peyser Act only and H.R. 4297 does not amend the Social Security Act. The House Committee on Ways and Means has jurisdiction over the Social Security Act, but H.R. 4297 was not referred to that Committee.

100th and Counting

This is my 100th post since starting this blog and it seem fitting that it is the first post after I was installed as IAWP President.  I attended my first IAWP educational conference in Seattle, Washington in 1982.  Now 30 years later, I am being installed as president in Spokane, Washington.  It feels a little like I have come full circle.  I want to thank all my District 14 friends for their support and encouragement over the many years. I also want to thank my director, Roger Madsen for his support.  I look forward to a terrific year "Celebrating a Century, Charting Our Future."  I would have never believed that first day, walking into Seattle Center, that I would someday become the leader of professionals in workforce systems.  It really is like a dream come true for me.

IAWP Awards

The annual IAWP awards luncheon was held today in beautiful Spokane, Washington.  Congratulations to all the award winners!  The recognition program is just one of the programs and services offered by membership in IAWP.  If you haven't already talked to your workforce agency about IAWP awards, now is an excellent time to do so.  With an awards structure already in place, it's easy to adapt and promote awards at the state level.

Get Connected in Spokane

I just arrived in Spokane after the 8 hour drive from Boise.  It was a beautiful trip with rain and sunshine off and on.  We arrived a bit to early to check in so we wondered over to Clinkerdagger's a local eatery we found when we were here last fall.  I had a great lunch and now am all checked in and unpacked and blogging.  I have a beautiful room overlooking the falls and am kicked back drinking a root beer (really).  I probably need to check in with folks, but for the moment, I am enjoying the peace and quiet I know I won't find much of this week.  I hope all the IAWP members who could not attend will make plans for joining us next year in Chicago for the 100th anniversary celebration.

VOW to Hire Heroes Act

On May 31, 2012, the House Veterans Affairs Committee conducted an oversight hearing entitled, "Reviewing the Implementation of Major Provisions of the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011" (VOW Act). The main focus of the hearing was the implementation status for the "Veterans Retraining Program" (VRAP). The VRAP will provide up to one year of Montgomery GI Bill benefits of $1,473 per month to unemployed veterans, ages 35 – 60, for in-demand jobs and careers.

In his opening remarks, Committee Chairman Jeff Miller (R-FL) said he is pleased to hear about the efforts at both the Departments of Labor and Veterans Affairs to implement the VOW Act, but said there has not been enough outreach and promotion at the Cabinet level and by the President to promote the VOW Act, especially the VRAP. Chairman Miller cited an example of a one-stop center not being aware of the VRAP program until May 11th and voiced concern the word was still not getting out to the local areas. Chairman Miller also cited an example of a veteran who saw an advertisement made by a local one-stop center, and after discussing VRAP with the Local Veteran Employment Representative, completed an application.

Testifying at the hearing were General Allison Hickey, Under Secretary for Benefits, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA); and Ismael "Junior" Ortiz, Acting Assistant Secretary, Veterans Employment and Training Service, U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL). Under Secretary Hickey said the application process began on May 15, and to date the VA has received 12,200 applications - a little over a two-week period. The VA has processed 1,400 claims to date.

The VRAP is limited to 45,000 participants from July 1, 2012, through September 30, 2012, and to 54,000 participants from October 1, 2012, through March 31, 2014. Participants may receive up to 12 months of assistance at the full-time payment rate under the GI Bill. The program must lead to an Associate Degree, certificate, or similar evidence of completion of an educational or training program the veteran received in a high demand occupation.

The Committee members were concerned about the outreach being conducted to get the word out to veterans in 35 – 60 year old category. Under Secretary Hickey and Assistant Secretary Ortiz described the outreach efforts both departments are conducting – using public service announcements (PSAs), providing information on as many websites as possible, mass e-mails, directives,participation in job fairs, partnering with other groups, using Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs), conducting webinars, and other efforts.

App Challenge

The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy announced the launch of its first disability-related application challenge, which is designed to generate innovative tools that will improve employment opportunities and outcomes for people with disabilities.

Nearly 22 years after the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act and 39 years after the passage of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, people with disabilities continue to be employed at much lower levels than those without disabilities. The goal of the app challenge is to promote recruitment resources for employers, develop job training and skill-building tools for job seekers, facilitate employment-related transportation options and expand information communication technology accessibility. 

"I am thrilled to announce the Labor Department's first disability employment app challenge. Using today's technology, we hope to inspire creative and innovative solutions to the pressing employment-related problems faced by people with disabilities," said Kathy Martinez, assistant secretary of labor for disability employment policy.

Submissions should provide access to important data and resources; attract users with different skill sets and language preferences; be accessible; and consider partnerships that will ensure sustainability of the app. In addition, they should be targeted toward a variety of audiences such as students, teachers, employers, career counselors and workforce professionals, as well as individuals with disabilities working or seeking work at all levels in a variety of salaried and hourly jobs. 

Awards with cash prizes – totaling $10,000 – will be given to the top three submissions, including the grand prize Innovation Award, the second prize People's Choice Award, and the third prize Above and Beyond Accessibility Award.

Self-Employment Assistance

The U.S. Department of Labor announced last week the availability of $35 million in funds to develop, enhance and promote Self-Employment Assistance programs in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In addition, guidance released today clarifies that states may enroll participants who are currently receiving or eligible for federally funded Emergency Unemployment Compensation and Extended Benefits.

This announcement is the latest in a series of innovative reforms to the Unemployment Insurance program made possible through the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, which was signed by President Obama in February.

"Self-Employment Assistance has proven to be a valuable tool in helping many unemployed Americans realize the dream of business ownership," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "These grants will help states improve and expand the program while strengthening the economy and creating new jobs as more startups launch and grow."

Participants in these voluntary programs are provided with financial assistance equal to their Unemployment Insurance benefits while they receive important entrepreneurial training and resources to help launch their own businesses. In order to allow participants to devote full-time attention to creating new businesses that have the potential to create additional jobs, state work search requirements are waived.

Veterans Retraining Assistance Program

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration on May 8, 2012 issued guidance on the implementation and application process for the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP), section 211 of the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011 in Training and Employment Notice NO. 43-11. The Veterans Retraining Assistance Program directs the Department of Labor in conjunction with the Department of Veterans Affairs, to pay for up to 12 months of training in high demand jobs for veterans between the ages of 35 and 60.
A veteran must apply for the program before October 1, 2013, have proof of the period of last service and must be:

• between the ages 35 and 60;
• unemployed;
• not participating in any other Federal or state job training program for at least 6 months;
• not be dishonorably discharged;
• not eligible for any other VA education benefit program; and
• not in receipt of VA compensation due to Individual Employability;

Veterans who would like to participate in the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program will be able to apply online at http://benefits.va.gov/vow/.

Re-Employment Grants

The U.S. Department of Labor awarded nearly $65.5 million in grants to 40 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia to implement and/or continue re-employment and eligibility assessments for Unemployment Insurance beneficiaries.

"Today's grant announcement will allow states to provide personalized assessments for recipients of Unemployment Insurance to help them get back on their feet faster," said Labor Secretary Hilda L. Solis.

The funds will be used to conduct in-person assessments in One-Stop Career Centers. The assessments include the development of a re-employment plan for claimants, the provision of labor market information that is appropriate to the claimants' locations and employment prospects, a complete review of claimants' eligibility for Unemployment Insurance benefits, and a referral to re-employment services and/or training provided by the One-Stop Career Centers separate that is from the UI program. 

This is the eighth year that the Labor Department has awarded grants through its Re-employment and Eligibility Assessment initiative. Recent evaluations of REA programs have shown that REAs reduce the number of weeks UI benefits are claimed by expediting the re-employment of the UI claimants. This evidence justifies expanding the use of REAs as provided for in the federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation program, which is authorized by the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012.

"These grants allow us to bring UI beneficiaries into the One-Stop Career Center where they are introduced to all of the re-employment services that are available. REA participants get the best available help needed to find good jobs," said Jane Oates, assistant secretary of labor for employment and training.

Fewer filed tor Unemployment Insurance

Fewer Americans filed for unemployment benefits last week, a welcome sign after claims had previously risen four weeks in a row.  About 365,000 people filed for their first week of jobless benefits, a significant drop from 392,000 claims filed the week before, the Labor Department said.

Jobless claims are considered a key measure of the job market, strongly correlated with the number of layoffs in the economy. While last week's drop was seen as an encouraging sign, it's also too soon to tell whether claims are returning to a downward trend.

Initial claims can be volatile, especially in the spring when Easter and schools on spring break often throw off the seasonal adjustments.  That's because many states allow school contract workers -- like bus drivers and cafeteria workers -- to apply for unemployment benefits if school is out of session temporarily. Easter falls on a different week each year, as do school breaks, making it hard for economists to adjust for this phenomenon.  Economists prefer to look at a four-week moving average, which increased to 383,500 last week, up marginally from the previous week's average.

Meanwhile, 3,276,000 people filed for their second week of unemployment benefits or more in the week ended April 21, the most recent data available. That marks a 53,000 decrease from the prior week.

NASWA Testifies on New UI Law

On Wednesday, April 25th, the Human Resources Subcommittee of the House Committee on Ways and Means held a hearing to review the implementation of the reforms to the unemployment insurance system contained in the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (P.L. 112-96).  Darrel Gates, Deputy Commissioner, New Hampshire Department of Employment Security, represented NASWA and discussed the progress of implementing the new law and made a number of recommendations described below.

• If the program (EUC08) is continued beyond the end of the year -- with the goal of an eventual phase out -- NASWA recommends it should be accomplished by either adjusting the unemployment rate triggers for the tiers, the number of weeks in each tier, or eliminate tiers in reverse order with the last tier being the first to be eliminated.
• States applaud Congress for funding Reemployment Activities -- known as RES and REA’s. States are moving aggressively to meet with roughly 9 million workers by the end of the year to comply with the "in-person" requirement. But the process could be easier if USDOL recognized basic technology, such as the telephone and video conferencing that allow for "virtual" in-person meetings.
• NASWA recommends early intervention of reemployment services as soon as a claimant files for UI. Providing these services in week one -- rather than week 27 -- yields the greatest return for the unemployed, employers and taxpayers.
• NASWA recommends a permanent REA and RES program through a capped entitlement grant, at $500 million per year.
• On the Demonstration Projects, NASWA recommends that reemployment bonuses should be added as a permissible activity. The bonus could be graduated to pay larger bonuses for early returns to work and progressively smaller bonuses for later returns to work.
• On the work search criteria, states should have the flexibility to collect the work search data that best meets the need of their states. For example, USDOL has told New Hampshire that paper logs must be submitted during the in-person session, but New Hampshire already collects this information electronically.
• On the non-reduction rule, NASWA recommends it should be eliminated completely, not just modified. States should have the flexibility to determine the most appropriate unemployment benefit structure and methods for addressing unemployment trust fund solvency.
• To address the aging computer infrastructure, NASWA is hopeful Congress will consider its administrative funding proposal that would maintain the current funding structure for UI administration and give states an additional discretionary appropriation of $100 million each year for IT investments to promote efficiency and better services to employers and workers. And, in years in which 50 percent of FUTA revenue exceeds the amount that would be allocated under the current system -- generally in better economic times -- provide states with an additional amount equal to the difference for UI administrative investments, distributed via an equitable formula.

This week, the House Committee on Education and Workforce held a hearing to reauthorize the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (PL 105-220). The bill, HR 4297 Workforce Investment Improvement Act of 2012, was introduced and co-sponsored by Representatives Virginia Foxx (R-NC), Joe Heck (R-NV) and Howard "Buck" McKeon (R-CA). There are numerous changes the bill proposes to make to existing law.

H.R. 4297 would consolidate 27 existing federal workforce programs into a single "Workforce Investment Fund."  Changes include:

• For FY 2013, approximately $6.08 billion is authorized to be appropriated under H.R. 4297, with funding allocated among states based on the following: 25 percent based on the relative number of unemployed individuals in each state to the total unemployed in all states; 25 percent based on the relative number of individuals in the civilian labor force in each state compared to the number in all states; 25 percent based on the relative number of individuals in each state who have been unemployed for 15 weeks or more, compared to the number in all states; and 25 percent based on the relative number of disadvantaged youth in each state compared to the number in all states.
• H.R. 4297 adds new requirements for the way states establish, monitor, and report on performance measures. The State performance measures would consist of a set of core indicators of performance, any additional indicators identified by the State, and a state adjusted level of performance for each of the core indicators. The current customer satisfaction indicator has been removed.
• H.R. 4297 eliminates most of the employment services authorized under the Wagner-Peyser Act. The only provision that remains pertains to Section 15 regarding labor market Information.

Virtual Career Network

The U.S. Department of Labor announced a new online tool that will allow current and prospective health care workers to explore more than 80 different occupations, identify local education and training programs, and tap into current job listings. Through the Virtual Career Network, users also can learn how previous experience such as military or on-the-job training can be applied toward a health care career, take free online courses and find sources of financial aid.

The Virtual Career Network is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration under the leadership of the American Association of Community Colleges, and is funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. To build the Virtual Career Network and provide initial content, the AACC collaborated with the National Association of Workforce Boards, the American Council on Education, the National Association of State Workforce Agencies, the DirectEmployers Association, the U.S. Department of Defense, Jobs for the Future, the American Dental Education Association's Explore Health Careers, XPAND, Education 2 Go and iSeek Solutions.

Goodwill Industries International, the International Association of Jewish Vocational Services and SER-Jobs for Progress National have received additional grant funds to ensure that local training centers in nearly 100 sites across the U.S. have the appropriate number of computers, sufficient Internet connections and trained career coaches to make use of the Virtual Career Network and provide in-person support for job seekers.

House Passes FY 2013 Budget Rolution

On March 29, the House narrowly adopted a fiscal 2013 budget blueprint put forward by the House Majority (H. Con. Res. 112).  With the Senate not expected to take up a budget resolution, lawmakers will have to find a way to eventually bridge the gap between the House budget's discretionary spending cap of $1.028 trillion for FY 2013 and the Senate's top line limit of $1.047 trillion approved last year. Failure to do so by the Oct. 1 start of the new fiscal year could lead to a temporary stopgap spending bill to keep the government operating through the Nov. 6 general election.

The resolution, written by Paul Ryan (R-WI), Chairman of the House Budget Committee, calls for $3.5 trillion in outlays in FY 2013, while also assuming revenue of $2.9 trillion — for a net deficit of $797 billion, or 5% of gross domestic product (GDP). It caps non-defense discretionary spending for FY 2013 at $1.028 trillion, $19 billion below the level set by the Budget Control Act, and provides for the cancellation of the automatic spending cuts of defense discretionary spending currently scheduled to occur in January 2013 — thereby preventing the cuts to defense spending.

Instead, it assumes $554 billion would be provided for defense budget — $8 billion more than the cap for defense set by the budget law and $63 billion more than defense would receive if the scheduled automatic defense cuts or "sequestration" were to occur. Non-defense programs, which include domestic appropriations as well as international affairs funding, would essentially be capped at $474 billion — $27 billion below the level set by the budget law and $16 billion more than the programs would receive if the sequestration were to occur.

To replace the savings lost from the cancelled sequestration, the budget includes reconciliation instructions directing six House committees to report legislation that would modify mandatory programs to produce total savings of $18 billion for FY 2013 and $261 billion over 10 years. Those savings would be in addition to the $19 billion in savings in 2013 from the lower discretionary cap. The six committees would be required to approve their reconciliation recommendations by April 27.

Impact on Workforce Programs:

The resolution would consolidate a number of workforce and job-training programs. While the report does not provide specifics on these programs, it cites the House Committee on Education and the Workforce’s proposed Workforce Investment Act (WIA) reauthorization legislation (H.R. 3610) as an example for this reform. H.R. 3610 would consolidate several federal job-training programs into four larger funding streams. These four funding streams—the Workforce Investment Fund, the State Youth Workforce Investment Fund, the Veterans Workforce Investment Fund, and the Targeted Populations Workforce Investment Fund—would operate as block grants to states for various workforce and job training activities. This legislation would also repeal the Wagner-Peyser Act.

Similar to last year, the FY 2013 resolution also proposes tracking the type of training provided, the cost per student, employment after training, and whether or not trainees are working in the field for which they were trained. In addition, the resolution notes these programs should also track beneficiaries’ participation levels in other federal support programs (e.g., SNAP) before and after training to determine if the training led to self-sufficiency.

Representatives John Tierney (D-MA), Ruben Hinojosa (D-TX) and George Miller (D-CA) introduced legislation to reauthorize the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). The legislation, the Workforce Investment Act of 2012 seeks to streamline and improve workforce programs, strengthen workforce investment system accountability and promote innovation and best practices within the workforce investment system. The bill would take the following actions:

• Streamline and improve workforce services by streamlining and coordinating the operation of vocational and job training programs with educational programs.
• Improve accountability and transparency through performance measures and reporting across programs by using uniformed performance measures across various programs to inform employers and workers.
• Promote innovation and promising practices to spur innovation and new strategies in the workforce system.
• Expand the role of community colleges in job training through the Administration’s Community College to Career Fund, an initiative to expand the ability of community colleges to train workers in high-growth industries.
• Develop a 21st century delivery system for adult education literacy and workplace skills services through greater access to adult education, literacy services and workplace skills.
• Engage youth through multiple pathways to success for youth to participate in summer jobs and pre-apprenticeship programs and on-the-job training.
• Create competitive employment services and opportunities for individuals with a disability to receive training and support services needed for employment.

NASWA Hosts Administrators and Assistant Secretary Oats

On Thursday, March 22, 2012, NASWA hosted a conference call with Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training Jane Oates and over 200 State Administrators and NASWA staff. The call served as a forum for Assistant Secretary Oates to explain the proposed Universal Displaced Worker program and the system rebranding initiative, including with the American Job Center Network proposed in the President’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 Budget.
The Universal Displaced Worker (UDW) program would combine the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program with the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Dislocated Worker program. The Assistant Secretary said the new program would increase the menu of reemployment services to all dislocated workers, regardless of circumstances and serve nearly one million workers per year. Assistant Secretary Oates said the system rebranding proposal can be implemented through Executive Order and the implementation of the Universal Displaced Worker program would require Congressional action.

Two issues raised by administrators during the conference call focused on the classification of long-term unemployed and whether these workers would be eligible for the UDW program and what sort of carryover from TAA and WIA would be evident in the program. In regard to the long-term unemployed, Ms. Oates said ETA would work to create a standard definition for dislocated worker that would be responsive in all types of labor markets. The Assistant Secretary explained the American Job Center Network, is an effort by the Administration to address the lack of consistency among state workforce services brands that makes it difficult sometimes for employers and workers to locate resources. Assistant Secretary Oates said this initiative involves the creation of a new website and Jobcenter.USA.gov, to serve as a single point of access for employers looking to hire and workers seeking employment.

Ms. Oates assured administrators, the efforts by the Department of Labor are not meant to override existing state brands; rather USDOL is requesting states use the taglinepart of the American Job Center Network", so workers and employers know they can receive the same services at any One Stop Career Center regardless of state. Ms. Oates also acknowledged the great services provided through state job banks supported through the National Labor Exchange and agreed to work with states, NASWA and DirectEmployers in making it part of Jobcenter.USA.gov.

Job Training and Reemployment Services Plan

The Obama Administration released details of the President’s plan to reform job training and employment services for workers affected by the Great Recession. The proposed initiatives were outlined in a White House press statement calling for the enactment of the Universal Displaced Worker Program (UDWP) and implementation of an American Job Center Network.

As a co-sponsor of the One Away Campaign for elder economic security, Goodwill Industries International is calling on Congress to protect and strengthen the Older Americans Act (OAA). Goodwill and the co-sponsors of the One Away Campaign recognize that today's older workers have a great need for programs funded by the OAA, as the unemployment rate for seniors has reached record high levels, with one in three older Americans currently economically insecure.

Passed in 1965, OAA is the major national vehicle for the organization and delivery of social services to seniors, including authorization of the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) -- the only federal program designed to prepare older workers for the modern labor market. Through SCSEP, Goodwill matches older workers with nonprofits or public agencies that can provide on-the-job training opportunities, then assists them with transitioning into regular employment. Since 2006, Goodwill has served more than 6,000 seniors through SCSEP, helping more than 1,600 find unsubsidized employment.