References. Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) No. 4-97. Background. The Employment and Training Administration (ETA) continues to implement strategies to strengthen the performance and to increase the accountability of States and local training providers under the SYETP. ETA contracted with Social Policy Research Associates (SPR) to conduct a pilot-test of a procedure for measuring accountability for academic enrichment in the Job Training Partnership Act, Title II-B program. The pilot was conducted during the 1998 summer program for the purpose of determining: (1) how much of an effort it is for service delivery areas (SDAs) and service providers to collect the additional information that is necessary to support the measures of accountability; (2) whether the accountability measures being tested capture key elements of what the SDAs are trying to accomplish and whether they serve as a meaningful yardstick of the SDAs' success; and(3) if it is feasible to implement a uniform system of account- ability on a broad scale. Each of these purposes was incorporated into the design of the pilot-test in an effort to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the feasibility and use of an accountability system for the SYETP. Pilot Report. The report consists of findings based on pilot-tests conducted at eight of the nine SDAs selected to participate in this study. The following SDAs were selected to participate in the pilot: - Region I - New Hampshire - Region II - Middlesex County Employment and Training Department, New Brunswick, NJ - Region III - Philadelphia PIC, Philadelphia, PA - Region IV - Palm Beach County Workforce Board, West Palm Beach, FL - Region V - Southeastern Minnesota SDA - Region VI - City of Houston, Houston, TX - Region VIII - Montana CEP, Helena, MT - Region IX - City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA - Region X - Seattle-King County PIC, Seattle, WA SPR looked at the diverse assessment instruments used at eight of the nine SDAs to determine whether or not these measures adequately reflect the overall programmatic objectives of each SDA. Because of a conflict in scheduling, Los Angeles was not a part of the pilot. Youth Employability Competencies (YECs) was selected as the accountability system to be piloted. YECs allows SDAs flexibility in carrying out the objectives of their summer programs and was already familiar to the SDAs. The report includes a summary of findings from the eight participating SDAs and it contains an analysis of client-level data from SDAs based on assessments of reading/verbal skills, along with pre-employment/work maturity skills of the sample group. When looking at academic enrichment and how to assess it, SPR focused on several factors, such as the definition of academic enrichment, which ETA currently defines very broadly in TEGL 4-97, and on the short duration of the program. To address these issues, SPR has recommended that the Department consider the following options: (1) re-define academic enrichment to make it more precise in identifying specific skills or areas of skills that the definition will encompass; and (2) adopt a menu approach to accountability measures, whereby SDAs would be allowed to choose from a list of acceptable measures. ETA plans to use information contained in the report to formulate policy guidance to States and local providers for the 1999 summer youth program. Action Required. Inform SDAs that the report is available via the Internet at WWW.WDSC.ORG/SUMMERYOUTH.

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References. TEGL 7-97; GAO Year 2000 Computing Crisis: Business Continuity and Contingency Planning, (Aug. 1998). E-mail address: . Background. The Department's Y2K policy is to ensure that federally funded employment and training programs provide services to eligible participants through the millennium. ETA has addressed this policy over the past 18 months by providing Y2K technical guidance, information via Web sites, mini-assessments, and workshops. However, as the Year 2000 fast approaches, proactive management requires that States anticipate, that in spite of their efforts to address Y2K readiness, some potential remains for program disruption. Findings. As a result of the JTPA mini-assessment, the San Francisco and Denver workshops, and, ITSC's (contractor) risk analysis, some States/SDA's appear to be at risk in the areas of eligibility determination, reporting, and financial vendor payments. These problems could seriously affect operations. To address these problems and meet the due diligence legal test, State agencies would be prudent to have a business continuity and contingency plan (BCCP), which identifies core agency functions, defines future failure scenarios, and outlines alternative processes that would be followed in the event of a Year 2000 problem or infrastructure failure in power or communication. Proposal. ETA believes that risk assessment, business continuity, and contingency planning is the most appropriate strategy for State agency management at this time. Thus, ETA is providing States/SDAs with a GAO model Business Continuity Planning Structure, composed of a) Initiation, b) Business Impact Analysis; c) Contingency Planning; and d) Testing. - The first phase, Initiation, consists of establishing a State/SDA workgroup of high level management to address strategy, schedules and support. - The second phase, Business Impact Analysis consists of assessing the potential impact of mission critical system failures versus the agency's core business. ETA is providing a format, Attachment I, which enables the agency's managers to self assess the Y2K readiness relative to the risk of operational failure for their program. If the management determines the self assessment instrument yields a high risk score, it would suggest the State develop a fail safe contingency plan. - The third phase, Contingency Planning consists of identifying and documenting plans, triggers, and business resumption for each core business process. - The final phase, Testing, determines if the plan really works. The next steps are developing periodic updates, and making sure staff know the plans, the triggers, and their responsibilities. In addition, ETA's Y2K contractor, ITSC, will be available for technical guidance via teleconference on a scheduled basis for the period February 17 through May 1999. ITSC also has a web page at which lists guidance on these and other relevant employment and training Y2K topics. The Social Security Administration's (SSA) ABCCP has useful formats covering risk, timing, priority, strategy, responsible unit, and contingency triggers. This concept was discussed and determined feasible by a group of ETA Regional and State staff at the Denver MIS conference in early December 1998. The concept would provide State agency management with the tools to better assess risk, develop appropriate BCCPs, and ensure program continuity for mission critical business functions. The voluntary nature supports the partnership roles defined in TEGL 7-97, and reinforces State responsibility for program continuity. ETA believes that the process is important, however, the suggested formats are optional. Action Required. JTPA liaisons are requested to 1) Distribute the voluntary BCCP materials to State/SDA management and request they begin the process as soon as possible; 2) Track State/SDA's progress in completing the process and BCCP products; and 3) Inform the respective Regional Office's designated Y2K contact person, periodically, of the status.

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References. Chapter IV, ET Handbook No. 384, Second Edition, 20 CFR 614.12 and 5 U.S.C. 8521(a)(2). Instructions. State Employment Security Agencies (SESAs) shall use the attached schedule to determine Federal military wages for UCX "first claims" filed beginning with the first day of the first week which begins after April 3, 1999, pursuant to 20 CFR 614.12. SESAs will continue to use the existing schedule for UCX "first claims" filed before the effective date of the attached revised schedule. As provided by 20 CFR 614.12(d), the attached schedule shall be published as a notice in the Federal Register. Action Required. Administrators should provide the above instructions and the attached revised schedule to appropriate staff.

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