To provide State Workforce Agencies (SWAs) with additional information on the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Information Technology (IT) security guidelines and a new version of the software tool to conduct a security self-assessment of unemployment insurance (UI) computer systems.

To provide guidance to state workforce agencies (SWAs) responsible for management of the WOTC and WtWTC from October 1, 2004, through September 30, 2005, and to provide state allotments for Fiscal Year (FY) 2005.

To inform states that OMB has approved the extension of data collection to support the BAM Program.

To provide states and outlying areas with FY 2005 Congressional Rescissions for the WIA Adult and Dislocated Worker programs; WIA Title I Adult, Dislocated Worker Program, and Youth Activities allotments for PY 2005; additional PY 2005 WIA Section 173(e) funds for eligible states; preliminary allotments for PY 2005 public Employment Service (ES) activities, as required by Section 6(b)(5) of the Wagner-Peyser Act, as amended; Reemployment Services and Workforce Information Grants for PY 2005; and Work Opportunity Tax Credit and Welfare-to-Work (W-t-W) Tax Credit allotments for FY 2005.

To inform states that OMB has approved the extension of data collection to support the Benefits Timeliness and Quality (BTQ) program.

To announce the release and availability of the ETA Occasional Paper 2005-01: The Workforce Investment Act in Eight States. The research was designed to enhance understanding of the way service delivery under the Workforce Investment Act has been operating across the country.

To clarify the Department of Labor policy regarding Workforce Investment Act Dislocated Worker Formula Grant-funded services for two populations: (1)military service members (non-retirees) and (2)military spouses.

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

To transmit to the State Workforce Agencies (SWAs) the IRS revenue ruling on the statutory definition for the "Qualified IV-A Recipient" target group as it relates to the period of time for receiving Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) under the WOTC and Welfare-to-Work Tax Credits (WtWTCs) and provide guidance on its implementation.

To inform the workforce investment system of two new web-based tools for state planning guidance and negotiation processes that analyzes Workforce Investment Act (WIA) performance management data.