| IN THIS ISSUE:
COORDINATOR’S COLUMN
FALL 2014 COUNSELOR TRAINING
BENCHMARKS
*NEW* TRAINING AND RTAA
APPLICATIONS
OTHER *NEW* APPLICATIONs
TAA SPECIALIST CHANGES
Coordinator's Column
TAA
begins another autumn training series this week, and a warm welcome to all
of our providers traveling to join us. This year’s learning opportunities
have been expanded and each participant will receive 4.5 hours of Continuing
Education Credits at the end of the session. The training also has a mandatory
component in that each of our providers must send at least 2 participants
to the training.
TAA
strongly encourages every Dislocated Worker counselor to attend a training
session. There is plenty of space available, especially at the Blaine and
Woodbury locations. (See the schedule below.)
The
interactive training will begin with serving customers who may have
disabilities. The second topic of the day focuses on Dislocated Worker
employment and training plan development, along with program updates and key
monitoring findings for enhanced performance. TAA will end the session
with program updates, WF1 changes, and new participant assessment
opportunities.
Enjoy
the fall colors, and thanks for all that you do to serve our shared customers!
Fall Counselor Training 2014
TAA’s annual fall training has been
scheduled. This year we will not only cover TAA and Dislocated Worker
program updates, but you will also learn how to ensure appropriate access to
persons who may have disabilities.
Because the training includes topics on
ensuring access which is part of a federal compliance strategy, every certified
provider MUST
send at least TWO individuals to training. Of course, you can
send more, and those areas with large TAA caseloads and/or newer counselors
should certainly do so!
Please join us at one of the following
locations.
- Oct. 16 - Virginia WorkForce
Center – 10-3:30
- Oct. 24 - Fergus Falls, Otter
Tail Power Co. Community Room – 10-3:30
- Nov. 4 - Blaine WorkForce
Center – 9-2:30
- Nov. 5 - Monticello WorkForce Center – 10-3:30
- Nov. 6 - Burnsville
WorkForce Center –9-2:30
- Nov. 10 - Woodbury WorkForce Center – 9-2:30
- Nov. 12 - Bloomington WorkForce Center – 9-2:30
- Nov. 14 - St. Paul WorkForce Center – 9-2:30
- Nov. 17 - Minnesota Valley Action Council, Mankato, MN – 10-3:30
- Nov. 18 - DEED Headquarters, St. Paul – 9-2:30
Attendance is
mandatory for each Dislocated Worker Provider.
To register,
email: deed.taa@state.mn.us
Questions?
Email or call Deb Schlekewy at Debra.Schlekewy@state.mn.us
or 651-259-7570 or email Anthony Alongi at Anthony.Alongi@state.mn.us.
Additional details can be found here on our
flyer.
Reasonable Accommodations for people
with disabilities or dietary concerns can be provided upon request, by calling
651-259-7094 or using your preferred relay service.
DEED is an equal opportunity employer
and program provider.
BENCHMARKS
Just a reminder that it is midterm for most training institutions and
all participants in TAA approved training need to be submitting progress
reports to both their Dislocated Worker Counselor and TAA Specialist. DW
Counselors, please make sure you sign off on the progress report before your
client sends it to TAA.
NEW TAA TRAINING AND RTAA
APPLICATIONS
In last month’s TAA Newsletter, TAA announced that there are new
applications on the mn.gov website (see the following link.)
http://mn.gov/deed/programs-services/dislocated-worker/counselors/forms/index.jsp
All new training plans and RTAA applications must be submitted on the
new forms or TAA will not accept them.
New Applications
TAA has created several new applications. These are listed under Forms
and Tools on mn.gov/deed but are not viewable. Please contact your TAA
Specialist if your TAA program participant requires any of these forms.
New forms include a TAA Training
Modification application. DW Counselors, please remember that TAA program
participants are eligible for one training plan per federal guidelines.
However, as many DW counselors have encountered, training end dates can change,
schools can opt to discontinue a program and/or, participants can fail to be
accepted in their chosen training program. Please review the following
requirements before submitting a modified training plan:
- The
request and approval of a modification is before the completion of the
original training plan;
- The
training can be completed within the allowed number of weeks outlined
above; and
- The
participant either (a) continues the same training program with a new end
date (b) continues the same training program but will receive a different
credential, higher or lower, at the completion of the training (c) the participant
changes their training program to a similar program in the same
occupational field where the transfer of previous credits is acceptable. Example,
a modification from Nursing Assistant to Medical Assistant.
- If
the participant does not have Unemployment Insurance or Trade Readjustment
Allowance benefits through the full period of the plan modification, they
must provide information on how they will meet living expenses.
TAA has also added a TAA Mileage Reimbursement application to be used by
participants for infrequent travel. This would be used by participants who do
not travel over 35 miles when attending class but may have a situation where
travel is needed for a required field trip or exam at a location over 35 miles
from their home.
Lastly, TAA has created a Computer and High Technology Tool application for those
participants attending training requiring computer access or a high technology
tool. Please read each new application carefully as TAA requires specific
support documentation that must accompany the applications when submitted.
TAA SPECIALIST CHANGES
Nayade Cardenas has left TAA to return to UI where she has been offered
the position of Special Projects with UI Program Performance and Outreach. TAA
will miss her terribly as she was a wonderful colleague. Cynthia Boyle has taken
on the “3s” and Sarah Saito, the “4s.”
Jason Wadell is taking on more Rapid Response duties so that Kelly
Kalli will now be handling the “8s.” (See the contact list on the left side of
the newsletter for complete contact information.)
We strive for the information in this newsletter to be relevant and
useful, and we encourage you to provide feedback and suggestions for future TAA
Topics or TAA Success Stories. To contact the TAA team regarding this
newsletter, please e-mail: cynthia.boyle@state.mn.us and type “TAA
Newsletter” in the subject line.
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