To transmit a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Employment and Training Administration’s (ETA) Office of Workforce Security (OWS) and the Office of Inspector General (OIG) to State Workforce Agencies (SWAs). The MOU establishes the roles, procedures and working relationships among the OIG, the OWS and the SWAs to address cases of fraud and abuse in the unemployment insurance (UI) program.

To announce approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to extend data collection to support the UI SQSP through June 30, 2008.

To transmit estimated employer contribution rates for CY 2005.

To provide revisions and clarifications to policy guidance previously issued to states and national program grantees concerning the Employment and Training Administration’s (ETA) data validation policy, for the following programs: Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Title IB; the Wagner-Peyser Act; activities authorized under chapter 41 of title 38, United States Code (Local Veterans Employment Representative and Disabled Veteran Outreach Service programs); and Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA), National Farmworker jobs(NFJP), Indian and Native American (INA), and Senior Community Service Employment (SCSEP) programs.

To announce extension of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval of Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) program forms and the ETA 90-2 DUA Activities report contained in ET Handbook No. 356.

To notify all State Workforce Agencies (SWA) and other stakeholders within the One-Stop Career Center service delivery system that amendments to DOL regulations permit the use, in defined circumstances, of Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Title I financial assistance for training and employment of WIA participants in religious activities. The amendments also clarify other religion-related requirements government both the workforce investment system and other recipients of Federal support from the Department of Labor (DOL or the Department). This guidance explains and interprets the amendments and requires various action to implement them.

To provide all SCSEP applicants with grant application instructions and procedures for Program Year (PY) 2005 beginning July 1, 2005

To announce the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to extend data collection to support the UI DV program.

To transmit the subject computation for State Workforce Agency usage in computing minimum weekly DUA amounts for all major disasters declared during the fourth quarter of fiscal year (FY) 2005.