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June 2022 Partner Express

Partner Express - Information for Employment and Training Program Providers

June 2022

Dislocated Worker & Federal Adult Programs

Dislocated Worker and Federal Adult Programs

PY21 data freeze date 07/09/2022:

This means, all data you’d like included in the PY21 annual performance reports (state and WIOA) will need to be in the system by COB 7/9/2022.

You can boost performance by capturing your participant’s skill gains before 07/09/2022.
You can boost employment rates by entering supplemental wage information into WF1’s Follow-up screen for cases showing “inquire” when running the WF1 CSWIR (Candidate for Supplemental Wage Information report).
- Do NOT enter supplemental wages if this report does not show “inquire”.
- DEED adds supplemental wages and employer reported wage detail together.
  - Entering supplemental wages for cases that will have those same wages reported by their employer will artificially inflate wages reported.

The participants included in PY21 performance:

2^nd Quarter Employment rate: Participants who exited the program 07/01/2020 – 06/30/2021 (not including those exited with an exclusionary exit reason).
4^th Quarter Employment rate: Participants who exited the program 01/01/2020 – 12/31/2020 (not including those exited with an exclusionary exit reason).
Median Earnings: Participants who exited the program 07/01/2020 – 06/30/2021 and have at least $1 of earnings (not including those exited with an exclusionary exit reason).
Credential Attainment rate: Participants who exited the program 01/01/2020 – 12/31/2020 who attended training at any time during their enrollment period (not including those exited with an exclusionary exit reason).
Measurable Skill Gains: every participant that attended training at any time during the program year (had a training activity open on their case 07/01/2021 – 06/30/2022) must have at least one MSG on their record during that same time or it will be a negative in the MSG measure.

PY21 through Quarter Three Performance:

The State is currently meeting all performance goals.

PY21 through Q3 Statewide Performance Outcome Achievements	Served	2nd Quarter Employment	4th Quarter Employment	Median Earnings	Credential Attainment
State Dislocated Worker	4,414	SUCCESSFUL	EXCEEDING	EXCEEDING	EXCEEDING
WIOA Dislocated Worker	1,407	SUCCESSFUL	EXCEEDING	EXCEEDING	EXCEEDING
DWG	196	EXCEEDING	EXCEEDING	SUCCESSFUL	SUCCESSFUL
WIOA Adult	1,404	SUCCESSFUL	SUCCESSFUL	EXCEEDING	SUCCESSFUL
EXCEEDING = achieving higher than the negotiated performance standard
SUCCESSFUL = achieving at least 50% of the negotiated performance standard
UNSUCCESSFUL = achieving less than 50% of the negotiated performance standard

See Attached PDFs for WDA performance information

WIOA and State Dislocated Worker Eligibility Policy Draft Released for Public Comments:

Eligibility policies and definitions for WIOA Dislocated Worker and State Dislocated Worker are being updated. The draft policies are now posted for public comments/feedback.
Feedback open through June 24, 2022; please share with your DW partners and networks. Please review a high-level summary of the changes made to the state’s Dislocated Worker Eligibility policy. The public comment period provides an opportunity to hear from our stakeholders on recommendations and ideas they have to improve the policy. Please note that all feedback will be closely reviewed and used to ensure the policy is current, flexible and aligns with federal and state requirements. We encourage you to share the draft policies with your staff and stakeholders.

WIOA DW, WIOA Adult, and State DW:

PY20 allocations are closing on 06/30/2022. Please review performance article in March 2022 Partner Express for instructions on how to perform data entry requirements by the deadline provided within that article.
PY20 WF1 Funding Stream Closeout Training; if you have questions, please email Amy.Carlson@state.mn.us
PY22 WIOA Adult and DW Allocations:
- WDAs received planning document packet via email on Friday, May 20^th. Planning documents were due to the team on Tuesday, May 31st. Please let us know if you need additional time.
State DW Formula Fund: Allocations will be available soon.

DOL DW/DWG/RR/TAA Virtual Roundtable will be held June 14th and 16th, 2022; updates will be shared after the meeting.

Carry Forward Requests:

Total reimbursements through March 2022, for PY21, showed that quite a few grantees will most likely need to submit a Carry Forward Request. Be sure to use the most updated form.
Reminder: Providers may request a waiver to carry forward more than 20% of their allocated PY21 funds into the next program year using the provided template (link below). Providers who expend or obligate at least 80% of their PY21 formula funds by the end of the 4^th quarter do not need a waiver.
Thanks to the grantees who have submitted their requests. Deadline to submit your waiver is Tuesday, June 7, 2022 to allow enough time for leadership approval.

DWG Extension:

Period of Performance (POP) Extension request was submitted for both COVID-19 and Opioids Disaster Recovery Grants. A response is expected from DOL regional office by mid-June. Any modification to statement of work will be requested once the extension is approved.

Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Board (MJSP) meeting:

Scheduled for Monday, June 13, 2022. Get more information about the meeting on the MJSP webpage.

Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP):

RFP was published April 29th to bring on two new providers.
DOL Region 5 conference was held May 24, 2022; focus on ensuring state policies are up to date especially Grievance, Durational Limits and Termination policies.
DOL also shared the demonstration grant opportunities may be announced soon.
Focus on services to justice involved individuals.
Allocation TEGL is pending.

RETAIN:

Program enrollment and promotion are Please refer any clients with illness or injuries for eligibility determination and review.
Get updates and additional information on the website at https://mnretain.com/

Please email all requests, reports, and technical assistance questions to the Dislocated Worker Federal Adult Programs general email at dwfaprograms.deed@state.mn.us

Adult Career Pathways

Adult Career Pathways Team Updates

The ACP team has sent each Grantee workplan documents for SFY23 with a due date of June 1. We encourage Grantees to begin working on these as soon as possible for those to be executed by July 1, 2022. We often have to work back and forth with Grantees to get approved documents, so please do not wait to start working on these.
The Internationally Trained Professionals award notifications were sent out Monday, May 16, 2022 awarding six providers throughout the state. We are excited about this new program, focusing on Healthcare professionals, and look forward to seeing the outcomes.
We encourage grantees to begin preparing for the end of COVID waivers. Please be sure to review the current waivers and reach out to your Coordinator if you have any questions.
The Targeted Community Capital Project awards were announced Friday, March 25, 2022. An onboarding webinar was held on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, and we are currently scheduling one-on-one meetings with each Grantee to begin the contracting process. The ACP team is excited to see these projects begin!
The ACP Team is hiring for two temporary unclassified Workforce Development Specialist 3 (ACP Grant Coordinator) positions. The link to the postings is Job ID 55984.
The ACP team has partnered with CareerForce MN to give our Grantees the opportunity to post their free trainings on the CareerForce website; https://www.careerforcemn.com/training-programs . This is an excellent opportunity to market your courses to the thousands of users that visit the site every month. Feel free to reach out to the CareerForce help desk at careerforce@state.mn.us to request access or any additional assistance.

Mn Family Resiliency Partnership

(Federally known as Displaced Homemaker Program)

A Request for Proposal was released April 4, 2022 and closed on May 16, 2022. We anticipate award announcement around June 15, 2022.
Information about the Minnesota Family Resiliency Partnership program and the five providers can be found on DEED’s ACP webpage.

Workforce One- ACP Programs

Two Workforce One training sessions specific for ACP programs were held on February 22, 2022 (for Pathways to Prosperity providers only) and March 1, 2022 (for all other ACP providers). Both sessions were recorded and are now available for viewing on the ACP Webpage.
Since the Pathways to Prosperity program was released as three programs for SFY22-23 (On-Ramp to Career Pathways, Bridge to Career Pathways, and Individual Training Pathway), entering training certificates/credentials are specific to the contract/program and should be entered only as outlined within your contracts. For example, if the bridge training is CNA, it is unnecessary to enter a separate training and certificate for First Aid/CPR. Those certificates would be part of the participant earning the Bridge CNA credential.

SNAP E&T 50/50

This program has reimbursed its Grantees over $40,000 so far in SFY22! If you are interested in adding SNAP E&T 50% Reimbursement program to your organization and have not heard from us, please contact Ann Meyers at ann.meyers@state.mn.us.

Adult Career Pathways Guides

Even during these busy times, the ACP team continues to update the Operations Guide posted at the ACP home page. This guide does NOT include measures implemented in response to COVID-19, which are listed separately.
The ACP Workforce One Guide is updated and is now posted to the ACP Webpage!

Please contact your Adult Career Pathways Grant Coordinator directly with any questions regarding Adult Career Pathways Programs.

Trade Adjustment Assistance

Summer Outreach

TAA is excited to announce the kick-off of our Summer 2022 customer outreach campaign. This outreach campaign will target TAA eligible customers who have not utilized their benefits. Through these efforts, we hope you see an increase in calls and inquiries for the Dislocated Worker (DW) and Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) programs. The TAA team will be performing the following tasks during the dates outlined:
- Letters: May 17 - May 31
- Emails: June 1 – June 8
- Phone calls: June 9 - 23

Keep in mind that customers may be stepping forward from 2015 Law or Reversion 2021, so be mindful that you’re sharing the appropriate information with the respective customer.

Even if a person is employed, have TAA determine if the person meets the definition of suitable employment: https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/ddp/PolicyDetail.aspx?pol=174

Technical Assistance

If your agency would like technical assistance on the TAA program/benefits, please contact us: 651-259-7543 or deed.taa@state.mn.us
- Recorded training is available at this link on the Presentations tab, and there are resources on the TAA Program Materials tab https://mn.gov/deed/programs- services/dislocated-worker/counselors/training/
- TAA can customize technical assistance based on your staff’s needs and experience with TAA.
- TAA values the work you do and is here to support you in serving DW/TAA customers.

If/when the program is reauthorized, TAA will offer robust technical assistance for all DW staff.

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

Please email all questions and customer applications to the Trade Adjustment Assistance general email at deed.taa@state.mn.us

Labor Market Information

If you’re a teen - or you know a teen - looking for a summer job, now is a great time to find one! Minnesota’s record low unemployment rate – and resulting super tight labor market – mean Minnesota teens have an abundance of job opportunities this summer. And many employers are paying higher wages than they were pre-pandemic. Plus, teens may be able to pick up more hours than they did before the pandemic. As employers continue to build back to pre-pandemic employment levels, teen workers are likely to continue to have many opportunities because many of the types of jobs most in demand are the ones that young people are most likely to fill. These include jobs in Accommodations & Food Services (like restaurants and resorts), Art, Entertainment & Recreation (like amusement parks and movie theatres), and Retail Trade (like grocery stories and big box retailers).
Minnesota teen employees earned a median hourly wage of $12.84 per hour and worked a median of 110 hours over the quarter during second quarter 2021, or approximately 27 hours per week. Both these hourly earnings and hours worked are at the highest recorded since tracking of this data began in 2003! Check out the entire article titled: Youth Summer Employment Update: Many Opportunities for Young People Now
And in the spirit of National Women's History Month, we put together a visualization looking at the history of female employment by industry in Minnesota. Historically, women have been much more likely to work in service-oriented sectors such as Health Care and Social Assistance, Educational Services, and Finance and Insurance, where currently over seven of every 10 employees is a woman. Goods-producing sectors such as Mining (8.9%) and Construction (13.7%) have had much lower shares of female employment. Similarly, less than a quarter of Transportation and Warehousing, Wholesale Trade, and Utilities workers were women in 2020. Check out the entire article here: https://mn.gov/deed/newscenter/publications/review/march-2022/statistics.jsp

If you have questions about Labor Market Information, please email deed.lmi@state.mn.us

This newsletter is meant for DEED Grantees, Providers, and Employment Counselors. We want this e-Newsletter to meet your needs! We encourage you to send your comments and suggestions deed.taa@state.mn.us. Find past issues of Partner Express.