References: None Background: a. Several weeks ago, a grantee work group met in Phoenix, Arizona to discuss how to get all grantees "online," how to enhance the 401 program "Partnership Home Page," and how to implement a "paperless" grant process. Currently, the majority of Indian JTPA grantees (approximately 140) are now "online." To be classified as being "online" or an "Online Partner" a grantee must have electronic mail (e-mail) capability. b. It was agreed at this meeting that a major initiative is needed to get the remaining 40 plus grantees that are not yet hooked up (off-line) by the end of Program Year 1997--June 30, 1998. To assist with this initiative, the "Online Partners Campaign" will be implemented the week of March 9. Information: a. What is the "Online Partnership Campaign?" -- The campaign is a four-month (March to June) concentrated effort directed at those 401 grantees that do not have e-mail capability, to get them connected to an e-mail service. b. If we are not "online" (no e-mail capability), will we be contacted? -- Yes. Mr. Lonnie Mason, a contractor staff technician, will contact your JTPA program office to arrange for an appointment to discuss what DINAP can do to assist you with getting "online." Once an appointment has been set, Mr. Mason will provide you with a pre-survey instrument to be completed as fully as possible prior to the telephone appointment. It is critically important that these discussions be handled on an appointment basis in order to make the best use of everyone's time. c. If our JTPA program has e-mail capability but it is not on the attached e-mail list or has changed, what should we do? -- We would appreciate your contacting Mr. Mason as soon as possible at 1-800-452-2961 and provide him with your current e-mail address. d. How much does it cost each month to have e-mail capability? -- If your program chooses to use the Department of Labor supported e-mail system, there will be no cost to your program. e. Do we have to use the Department's e-mail supported system? -- No. You may use any e-mail supported system you select. For example, some grantees prefer to use America On Line, CompuServ, and other providers of e-mail services such as Earthlink, MindSpring, etc. These services require a monthly access fee and they also include access to the Internet. f. If we use the Department's e-mail system can we also get free access to the Internet? -- Yes you can. The Department through a contract with a private provider maintains a server that can be reached via a toll free 800 telephone number that enables access to the Internet for free. g. What if we don't have the right equipment or telephone lines? -- During your scheduled telephone appointment, Mr. Mason will discuss with you what equipment is needed to establish e-mail capability and enable access to the Internet. h. I've heard you need a special computer, special telephone line and a thing called a modem in order to establish e-mail capability. Is this true? -- Your program will most likely already have all the equipment and telephone line capacity that is required to establish e-mail capability. However, Mr. Mason will discuss with you a step-by-step assessment to determine what is needed to establish e-mail capability. i. If new equipment is required, I don't think our program can afford to purchase what might be needed. Does this mean we won't be able to get "online?" -- No. After all of the telephone appointments have been completed, DINAP will review the results and determine which grantees may require hardware assistance (computer, modem, etc). However, because we have very limited resources to assist with hardware support, a limited number of small programs might be offered a surplus (used) computer. Nothing fancy, but operable! j. Is it absolutely necessary for us to establish e- mail capability? -- Yes, eventually all grantees will be required to conduct their grant administrative requirements via the Internet, i.e., submission of plans and reports electronically. k. Will e-mail and Internet training be provided to grantees? -- Yes. Grantees attending any of the multi-region or national TAT conferences can sign-up to receive training on how to use e-mail, Windows 3.1 and 95, and access to the Internet. l. Will there be any "peer-to-peer" support or training provided? -- Yes. Several grantees have agreed to assist grantees in their area with becoming an "Online Partner." m. What do we need to do to request "peer-to-peer" assistance? -- Please inform Mr. Mason of your desire to receive "peer-to-peer" assistance. He will inform DINAP staff who will make the arrangements. n. It seems like becoming an "Online Partner" is important. -- Very important. If you would like to talk with a fellow grantee about the Information Technology Project (e-mail and Internet capability), please feel free to contact any of the following grantees that have volunteered to provide assistance: -- Mr. Elkton Richardson - Region IV, (919) 733-5998 -- Mr. Jeff Foster - Oklahoma, (405) 247-9711 -- Ms. Christine Molle - Region VII, (816) 471-4898 -- Mr. John Ortiz - Region VII, (316) 262-5221 -- Mr. Robert Kellam - Region IV, (904) 488-0730 -- Mr. John Hassan - Region III, (412) 782-4457 -- Mr. Don Eddy - Region IX, (520) 669-9211 -- Ms. Lorenda Sanchez - Region IX (916) 920-0285 -- Ms. Carol Peloza - Region X (206) 329-8700 -- Ms. Christine Noah, Oklahoma, (405) 656-2812 -- Mr. Kenneth Martinez, Region VI (214) 941-1050 Action Required: a. All grantees should review the attached "Online Partners" e-mail directory to ensure that your e-mail address is correct and current. If not listed or incorrect, please complete the "hard copy" update form and return to DINAP, or better yet, send your corrected and updated information via e-mail to dowdt@doleta.gov. b. Grantees not "online" are requested to establish an appointment with Mr. Mason to discuss what steps need to be taken to get your program "online," i.e., establish e-mail capability and Internet connectivity. Questions: Please direct all inquiries regarding this bulletin to your Federal Representatives. All technical questions on becoming an "Online Partner" should go to Mr. Lonnie Mason at 1-800-452-2961.

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Background: The Department of Health and Human Services published the updated Federal Poverty Income Guidelines on February 24, 1998. These guidelines are used to determine the income eligibility of SCSEP applicants and enrollees. These guidelines also apply to eligibility determinations made for joint Job Training Partnership Training Act-SCSEP projects and the Section 502(e) projects. Directive: The poverty income guidelines found in the attachment are effective from the date they were published in the Federal Register, February 24, 1998. Sponsors must use these income levels when making eligibility determinations and when preparing the SCSEP Quarterly Progress Report. Inquiries: Questions should be directed to your Federal Representative at (202) 219-5904.

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References: The SCSEP regulations at 20 CFR Section 641.326; Older Americans Act, (OAA) Section 502(e); Older Worker Bulletins 94-12 and 97-7. Background: The Section 502(e) experimental projects were first authorized in the Older Americans Act of 1978. Experimental projects focus on increasing older worker participation in the private sector, especially in high technology and high growth fields, by combinations of work-sharing, flexitime and other means to increase employment opportunities. Section 502(e)(1) of the OAA directs the Secretary of Labor "...to conduct experimental programs that are designed to assure second career training and the placement of eligible individuals into employment opportunities with private business concerns." To comply with this section of the Act, the Department has undertaken experimental job training projects through SCSEP sponsors. The first year of implementation for the experimental projects was Program Year 1983. OAA Section 502(e) projects are effective tools in achieving one of the purposes of the SCSEP program; namely, the transition to unsubsidized employment pursuant to the regulations at 20 CFR Section 641.326. Further, OAA Section 502(e) projects may be the best vehicle for obtaining job placements in the private for-profit sector, where wages and fringe benefits are likely to be greater than in the public or non-profit sectors. Thus, such projects can facilitate the achievement of economic self-sufficiency for SCSEP enrollees. Innovative Experimental Aspect: Projects funded under Section 502(e) should be innovative and experimental. If it can be done within the normal Title V program, it would not be considered innovative. The objectives of the experimental projects are to develop the skills of older individuals and to develop work modes, such as flex-time, job sharing, and other arrangements to reduce physical exertion. The test for innovation must include consideration of the proposed project under the existing program guidelines. The emphasis of these projects should be on placements into the private sector. Action Required: SCSEP sponsors are encourage to review the attached TAG to consider implementation, or to facilitate improvement, of OAA Section 502(e) projects. Inquiries: Questions should be directed to your Federal Representative at (202) 219-5904.

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