To announce the new streamlined reporting requirements and burden; transmit the revised Reporting User’s Guide and the May 2005, Addendum to the November 2002, Third Edition, of ETA Handbook 408; and announce receipt of Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for the continued collection and submission of WOTC and WtWTC program reports, administrative forms, and use of other program related materials.

To ensure state workforce agencies (SWAs) are aware of the locality-based salary rates for some Federal civilian employees.

To ensure state workforce agencies are aware of the Federal military retired pay annual cost of living adjustments (COLAs) and to provide the Department of Defense Web site where the COLA information is located.

The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) statute and regulations provide guidance on the use of WIA funds for incumbent and employed worker training. The statute also provides waiver authority that can be useful for this purpose. The goal of this guidance is to identify where the flexibility exists under the statute and regulations for states and local areas to use WIA funds for incumbent worker training.

To update state workforce agencies (SWAs) about the UI Integrity Professional Development Conference scheduled for April 4 - 5, 2006, in Chicago, Illinois; and to encourage staff participation in the conference.

To announce a planned BTQ Nonmonetary Determination Evaluation Training Seminar to be held April 10 – 14, 2006, in San Diego, CA. We expect to offer two additional BTQ seminars during FY 2006. Dates and locations will be announced later.

The intent of this guidance is to replace existing guidance with a single, unified Department of Labor guidance document on the common measures and WIA Section 136 performance accountability system. This guidance sets forth one set of measures to be used for both common measures reporting purposes and WIA Section 136 performance accountability purposes (with certain exceptions). The methodology for applying these measures is set forth in Section 5 of this guidance.

The purpose of this Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) is to highlight and review those areas of current law which offer flexibility in tailoring workforce strategies in the variety of situations experienced in areas impacted by the hurricanes of 2005 and locations where evacuees have moved.

To provide the following information for FY 2006: UI State Administration base resource allocations, general guidelines for resource planning, above-base funding and SBRs

To issue the revised federal poverty guidelines for the Senior Community Service Employment Program