DIRECTIVE	:	EMPLOYMENT SERVICE PROGRAM LETTER NO. 07-97
TO	:	ALL STATE EMPLOYMENT SECURITY AGENCIES
FROM	:	JOHN R. BEVERLY, III Director United States Employment Service
SUBJECT	:	State Employment Security Agencies (SESAs) Use of National Awards Funds to Continue Building Customer Service Capacity

1. Purpose: To share information on how SESAs that earned recognition in the Annual National Awards Program since its inception in 1994 have used or are planning to use the award funds.

2. Background: In 1994, the Interstate Conference of Employment Security Agencies (ICESA), in a response to a recommendation made in the "Employment Service Revitalization Plan," submitted a proposal to the Department of Labor (DOL) to establish an annual awards program to recognize SESAs with outstanding accomplishments in customer service. The proposal, accepted by the Secretary, resulted in the establishment of the Annual National Awards Program in 1994. The third annual DOL/ICESA National Awards Program was hosted by ICESA at its 60th Annual Conference in September 1996. SESAs can submit nominations for awards in five broad customer service areas:

   • The Architect of Change - Innovation in Customer Service;

   • The Pyramid Prize - Collaboration for Improved Customer Service;

   • The Compass Award - Leading Tools and Technology;

   • The Building A World Class Workforce - Professional Development and Capacity Building; and

   • Special Recognition Award - Extraordinary Achievement, and Performance Under Unique Circumstances.

   The 1996 awards panel selected two SESAs for awards: The New York Department. of Labor for "The Architect of Change Award" and the Nevada Department of Employment, Training, and Rehabilitation for "The Pyramid Prize." Each was awarded $25,000. No winners were selected in the remaining categories. A panel of external judges representing labor, employers, the Employment Service, education, and the media decided that nominations submitted by the SESAs in those categories did not meet the specific criteria requested.

3. Use of Award Funds: Award funds are made available to SESAs to support capacity building activities in customer service programs and labor exchange systems. These capacity building activities are basic to furthering the U.S. Employment Service's Revitalization agenda.

4. Action: Winners and Honorable Mentioned SESAs have provided the National Office with a summary of how they used/plan to use their award funds (see attached summary). SESA Administrators are requested to share this information with administrative and front-line staff. In addition, SESAs may wish to use this information in developing nominations for future DOL/ICESA National Awards.

5. Inquiries: Inquiries should be directed to Richard E. Rizio, (202)219-9092, ext. 131.

6. Attachment: SESAs Annual National Awards Recognition: 1994-1996.