August 2021
Dislocated Worker and Federal Adult Programs
PY19 Dislocated Worker and WIOA Adult Allocations:
PY2019 allocations expired on June 30, 2021. All open activities using these funding streams need your immediate attention.
- If any participant will continue participating in an activity that is currently showing a PY2019 allocation supporting that service, that activity needs to be copied within their activity detail screen
- The new activity will need a start date of July 1, 2021
- An active funding source (PY2020 or PY2021 allocation) will need to be selected within them
- To help in this funding source transition, Amy Carlson will begin mass PY19 activity closures on August 2, 2021
- If there are cases without other open activities on record showing a different funding source, this mass closure will not work for those cases
- Any cases not able to be included in the PY2019 funded activity closure will be emailed to the management team for the COFFR funding the case. Instructions on how to correct the case record will be included in that email
PY21/SFY 22 Planning Documents:
- All planning documents have been received. Thank you to everyone!
Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP):
- PY21 MN SCSEP grants were finalized and executed grant paperwork has been sent to providers.
- Emergency Paid Sick Leave (EPSL) ended June 30, 2021.
- Providers were sent information and guidance for the SCSEP At Home Training Program on May 21, 2021. The documents were reviewed during the last SCSEP call on May 26, 2021.
- We have a designated SCSEP program in Coursera and FREE access to this program until April 30, 2022.
- For participants who will be accessing Coursera, please send the sign-up Excel doc to Heather at heather.moore@state.mn.us Participants will be granted access within 1-2 business days.
- DEED will be providing a telework policy for participants who are doing the at home training program. Please watch for guidance on this topic.
- For PY20, the USDOL is allowing waiver requests for national and state grantees who do not meet the 10% match requirement. DEED program staff will submit the waiver request.
- We continue to receive returned SCSEP participant and host agency surveys due to outdated or incorrect addresses. We may reach out for updated addresses, if needed.
- The PY20 Quarter 4 close is scheduled for Wednesday, August 11, 2021. If you haven’t already, please resolve any rejected records by then.
- As always – please contact Heather at heather.moore@state.mn.us or 651-259-7560 with questions.
Adult Career Pathways (ACP)
Legislative Direct Appropriation Grants/ Competitive Grants SFY20/21
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REMINDER: Quarterly reports for the period of April 1, 2021- June 30, 2021 are due July 30th.
- State Legislators finalized the budget that determines SFY22-23 ACP program budgets. We encourage anyone interested to sign up to receive notices about open DEED RFPs at: https://mn.gov/deed/about/contracts/open-rfp.jsp
- The ACP Team released a Tech Training Pilot Project RFP in March. This is a new program within ACP serving adults 18-30 and targeting underrepresentation of BIPOC communities in the Technology DEED is in the decision-making process of the grant and final decisions will be communicated once they’ve been made.
SNAP E&T 50/50
The ACP team continues to work with our eight SNAP E&T 50% Reimbursement Grantees for SFY21 providing 50% reimbursement on expenses already incurred through ACP’s Pathways to Prosperity and MN Family Resiliency Partnership (DHP) programs.
MN Family Resiliency Partnership (formerly known as Displaced Homemaker Program)
What is a Displaced Homemaker?
“A displaced Homemaker is an individual who has spent a substantial number of years in the home providing homemaking services and
- i) has been dependent upon the financial support of another; and now due to divorce, separation, death or disability of that person, must find employment to self-support,
or
- ii) derived a substantial share of support from public assistance on account of dependents in the home and no longer receives such support.”
Participants must also meet Income guidelines (at or below 200% FPG.)
More information about the Minnesota Family Resiliency Partnership program can be found on DEED’s ACP webpage at https://mn.gov/deed/job-seekers/find-a-job/targeted-services/homemakers/.
ACP Guides
ACP’s Operations Guide is now available from the ACP home page. The Guide documents current practices for ACP. The ACP Team meets monthly to discuss suggested additions, modifications, and other changes to the guide and update as necessary. It does NOT include measures implemented in response to COVID-19, which are listed separately.
The ACP team posted an updated ACP Workforce One Guide to reflect updates and changes to programs in July.
Adult Career Pathways Webpage Update
An update to the ACP webpage was made to include an “ACP Documentation Needed to Support Participant Eligibility” document. This document replaces the “Documentation Needed to Support Participant Eligibility” that was located within each program page. The ACP team found that much of the information within each program specific document was similar and found that placing the information within one document could help streamline the intake process. The Mn Family Resiliency Partnership Program’s Documentation Needed to Support Participant Eligibility form was also updated but continues to be located within the program specific page.
- Within the updated “ACP Documentation Needed to Support Participant Eligibility” the Social Security verification section was updated to include additional documents eligible to be used to verify a participant’s social security number and the process of collecting Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification documents in place of a social security card when verifying the social security number.
In addition, the SFY 2022-2023 Guidance on Cost Category Definitions has been posted to include a new cost category: Direct Services – WR/GED/ABE. This new cost category will assist in the separation of staff costs providing direct services to participants within work readiness, GED and ABE trainings.
Also found on the ACP webpage is the “Adult Career Pathways Employment Verification Form” that can be used, in place of a pay stub, offer letter, employment verification form or another verifiable document from the employer, to verify employment when a participant exits the program to Employment
ACP webpage: https://mn.gov/deed/programs-services/adult-career-pathways/ .
ACP Grantee Spotlight
This month, the ACP Team would like to spotlight Tri-CAP.
As a Community Action Agency, Tri-CAP is accountable to meet required organizational standards that support the local-driven, grassroots approach to meeting the needs of the community. Community Needs Assessments are conducted every three years and this process includes focus groups which are designed to be inclusive of all local populations. This includes seeking out and conducting focus groups with immigrant populations utilizing local culturally integrated language interpreter resources. By seeking out the input of immigrant populations in the focus group, Tri-CAP is able to include unique cultural and ethnic needs in the assessment of current and future needs and opportunities. With respect to existing program marketing, key agency literature is available in multiple languages. Our agency website, the most significant tool for information and outreach was carefully designed using a combination of icons and words to communicate themes with words and symbols. The site optimizes the use of screen magnifiers and synthetic speech functionality, increasing accessibility of the site to low-income residents and has functionality that translates the website into any of 105 different languages instantly with the click of a button. This is done to ensure Tri-CAP program and service information is responsive and accessible.
For more information please visit their website at tricap.org .
Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA)
Computer and Tool Requests
TAA staff will order computers up to two weeks ahead of the customer’s training start date, and we’ll order tools up to four weeks ahead of the training start date. In order for TAA to fulfill accurate and timely requests for computers, please use the updated high technology request form https://mn.gov/deed/programs-services/dislocated-worker/counselors/forms/
For tools, please ensure the student submits detailed specifications on the list of required tools. TAA’s preferences are: 1) order tools directly through school (this is uncommon), or 2) obtain quotes on the school’s “tool day” and submit to TAA, or 3) order tools through a State of Minnesota contracted tool vendor. TAA will rely on the student and school to be the tool experts. If using preference #3, a best practice is for the student to go online and pick out the exact tools (from any vendor) and have the instructor or school representative sign off on the list. The student should submit that list to TAA for DEED procurement staff to process the request per state purchasing rules and contracts.
Job Search and Relocation Allowances
Please continue to refer customers to the Job Search and Relocation Allowances under TAA. If someone anticipates having an interview 15 or more miles from home, they can apply for Job Search Allowance. If a person accepts suitable employment that’s 15 miles or more from home, and plans to relocate, they can apply for the Relocation Allowance.
TAA recently updated the Training, Job Search Allowance, and Relocation Allowance applications to reflect the Final Rule : https://mn.gov/deed/programs-services/dislocated-worker/counselors/forms/
Reversion 2021
On July 1, 2021, the TAA Program reverted to a modified version of the Trade Reform Act of 2002. Any workers covered under a Petition for Trade Adjustment Assistance filed on or after July 1, 2021, would be covered by this modified version. Current customers and people who are eligible under an older petition continue to receive the benefits under the appropriate law of their petition. Nearly all of our current customers are covered by 2015 Law and their services/benefits will not change.
One of the major changes made to the program is the eligibility criteria, under this reversion the location of where a shift in production occurs is a factor. TEGL 24-20, Attachment C is a list of nations for shift in production determinations under Reversion 2021- https://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=6175.
Please note: DOL has advised that we continue to file petitions for any layoffs that are potentially impacted by foreign competition and DOL will make an official determination of the petition. Please continue to alert TAA if you hear of any possible trade-impacted layoffs.
Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) Petitions
Here’s the link to check the status of petitions with U.S. Department of Labor https://www.doleta.gov/tradeact/petitioners/taa_search_form.cfm
- Recently certified
- 97102 – General Mills, Inc., Golden Valley
- 96901 – Bedford Industries, Worthington
- 97031 – McKesson Corporation, Plymouth
- 97092 – Marmon Foodservices Technologies, Inc. d.b.a. Silver King, Minneapolis
- Pending DOL’s investigation
- 96860E – Synchrony Bank, Saint Paul
- 96977 – Rest Assured Mattress Co. Inc., Rochester
- 97093 – Medtronic Inc., Columbia Heights
- 98010 – *Miken Sports, Caledonia
- 98026 – *Southern Graphic Systems Inc., Minneapolis
- 98030 – *The Coleman Company, Sauk Rapids
*If certified, workers would be covered under Reversion 2021.
ETPL Administration and Monitoring
1. Did you know that WIOA Title I funds are able to support associates and bachelors' degrees? WIOA is designed to support the postsecondary training required for a sustainable career outcome in the industry the customer is focused in.
- The P20 and GWDB boards, in their joint summit mid-July, encourage alignment of resources and goals across programs to maximize equity in supporting sustainable careers for the people of Minnesota.
What about the competing priorities of workforce programs?
- Cost: Quality education has a cost, but pays back dividends in the long-run where short-term trainings may not. This makes degrees more affordable in the long-term for economic growth. WIOA can support completion of a degree, progress towards completing a degree with a person who may also leverage federal and state financial aid (parallel FAFSA), or combines with employer supports by financing a new staff in completing their degree. WIOA can also combine with additional strategies for increasing credits towards a degree, through prior training or work experience, Advanced Placement, and International Baccalaureate programs, for matriculation of college credits at the start of the program.
- Level: WIOA expects workforce to train a participant to the postsecondary level required for sustainable employment over their lifespan. Too often the focus is on short-term training to return participants to work as quickly as possible. This may not be a long-term career solution for the participant. Revolving doors are more expensive than supporting the start of a permanent career with good job options.
- Barriers to completing education: WIOA has career services and basic supports funds intended to address barriers. For example, training funds can be braided with state workforce funds to address transportation and child-care needs. If your participant is not yet ready for postsecondary education - refer and utilize WIOA Title II (Adult Basic Education) as the learning step prior to postsecondary.
- Equity: WIOA and DEED have equity goals. There is clear, consistent evidence that funding college degrees can close race, gender, age, and wealth gaps. Diversity in degree attainment also increases representation across in-demand industries.
Does the training program need to be on the Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL)?
- For WIOA Title I, yes. With the start of the fall semester for many higher education institutions nearly here, ETPL Administration received and incorporated bulk files from:
- Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system's for-credit degree programs (54 campuses)
- University of Minnesota system's for-credit undergraduate programs (5 campuses),
- College of St. Benedict
- Johns' University
- Several more private colleges and universities updated all their undergraduate degree programs manually
- You can find these updated programs on the ETPL via the Career and Education Explorer tool here: https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/cpt/EducationSearch. Collectively, these listings have demonstrated capacity to support over 425,000 students annually. How many of these students will DEED support with WIOA Title 1 funds this year towards the completion of these credentials?
- ETPL Administration, in collaboration with Minnesota's Department of Labor and Industry, sent an updated invitation to all registered apprenticeship programs in Minnesota, inviting them to opt-in to the ETPL. If your client is pursuing a registered apprenticeship program, and it is not yet on the ETPL, please be in touch with ETPL Administration so we can work with you to support for these career pathways.
- ETPL is the WIOA mechanism for informed customer choice. DEED, in collaboration with Minnesota's Office of Higher Education, sent data sharing agreements (DSAs) for signature to all eligible training providers to establish or renew reporting processes for required performance information. Required data includes enrollments and completions information on all students, including those who are not part of a workforce development program. Regardless of the potential funding mechanism supporting a WIOA client, verifiable performance outcomes on all students outcomes, whether WIOA or otherwise, should be utilized in decisions about whether to support training in WIOA Title I. If you have questions about training provider's reporting requirements, the DSAs, or strategies for verifiable outcomes of training providers, please send your questions to ETPL Administration at deed@state.mn.us.
Labor Market Information
By The Numbers
In this month's Local Look blogs from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development's Labor Market Information office, we explore how each region is recovering from the impacts of the pandemic recession, both in specific demographics of the workforce and in specific industries.
The Minneapolis-St. Paul Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) is rebounding from pandemic-induced job losses that were particularly devastating for some industries. The Twin Cities has already regained 158,300 jobs since last year, but that also means that as of May 2021, the greater Twin Cities area still has significant ground to regain to reach pre-pandemic employment.
The rebounding employment that started in the third quarter of 2020 appears to have stopped the job losses for older workers, but the most recent data tells us that workers 55 years and older held 4,417 fewer jobs in the third quarter of 2020 compared to the year prior (see Figure 2). After losing a job will older workers be motivated to regain employment, or will this inflection point cause many to consider an early retirement?
While many labor market indicators in Northeast Minnesota are pointing in the right direction for people who are looking for work now, there is one factor that is important to keep an eye on. High numbers of people who are experiencing long-term unemployment can signal long-term challenges for those workers and an underutilized labor pool for employers.
The effects of COVID-19 have been wide-ranging on the Educational Services industry and hopefully a return to normal can be found this upcoming school year for this vital industry in Northwest Minnesota.
Given the number of job vacancies, the low jobseeker-per-vacancy ratio, and the struggle that many employers are experiencing trying to find workers, employers should consider hiring recently released individuals. While the stigma of having been incarcerated in a correctional facility remains, hiring a person who has been released from prison can be a win-win situation for both the employer and the new employee.
As the pandemic spread through the region last spring and summer, Retail Trade was one of the industries hardest hit, losing 1,765 jobs from the first quarter of 2020 to the second quarter, a -9.3% decline. That was worse than the total of all industries, which cut -6.8% of total employment from spring to summer 2020. But since then, Retail Trade has been one of the strongest industries in the region, actually showing a slight increase in jobs over the year from fourth quarter of 2019 to the fourth quarter of 2020.
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