DIRECTIVE	:	TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION NOTICE NO. 30-94
TO	:	ALL STATE JTPA LIAISONS ALL STATE WORKER ADJUSTMENT LIAISONS ALL STATE WAGNER-PEYSER ADMINISTERING AGENCIES
FROM	:	BARBARA ANN FARMER Administrator for Regional Management
SUBJECT	:	Economic Dislocation and Worker Adjustment Assistance (EDWAA) Partnership with Outplacement Consulting Firms

1. Purpose.

   1. To transmit a report prepared by The Association of Outplacement Consulting Firms International (AOCFI) and a case

      study prepared by The Transition Team; and

   2. To transmit information regarding potential local EDWAA partnership with outplacement consulting firms serving dislocated workers.

2. References. Section 141(b) of the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA).

3. Background. Last year the Department provided a technical assistance grant to the AOCFI to explore issues surrounding the development of a more effective public/private partnership in the delivery of services to dislocated workers.

   Through a series of six roundtable workshops with State, local and private sector firms around the country, AOCFI was to:

   • identify examples of current linkages between public dislocated worker assistance programs and outplacement efforts supported by employer contributions;

   • identify reasons for lack of such coordinated activity; and

   • determine how the presence or absence of coordination of such private/public resources has affected the delivery of services and outcomes for the affected workers.

   Following the workshops, the Transition Team, a private outplace- ment firm, offered to prepare a case study to illustrate a successful partnership in which an employer, State rapid response teams from New York and New Jersey, and an outplacement team worked together successfully to provide career transition services to workers affected by a plant closing.

4. Program Implementation. It is the responsibility of the State Dislocated Worker Unit to coordinate all available resources serving dislocated workers. In regard to this responsibility, coordination with outplacement firms should be taken into consideration in planning and providing services to dislocated workers.

   1. Rapid Response. In its initial visit with the employer, the rapid response team should determine if the employer is providing or plans to provide private outplacement services to any of the affected workers.

   2. Non-duplication. Where services of a basic readjustment nature are to be provided by an outplacement firm, it is important that neither the State nor the substate grantee substitutes Federal funds for private employer funds. Section 141(b) of JTPA states, "Funds provided under this Act shall only be used for activities which are in addition to those which would otherwise be available in the area in the absence of such funds."

   3. Coordination of services for individual participants. Where private outplacement services are provided to EDWAA program participants, the EDWAA services should be coordinated with those available from the employer to ensure non-duplication of such activities as assessment and job search assistance. Moreover, coordination and cooperation with private outplacement activities will enable the EDWAA program operator to identify training and supportive service needs for participants who may require more intensive services.

5. Action. States should ensure that substate area grantees are aware of this potential service resource as well as the need to ensure the coordination of available private employer resources at the local level.

6. Inquiries. Policy questions may be addressed to Eric R. Johnson, Program Manager, Division of Policy and Analysis, Office of Worker Retraining and Adjustment Programs on (202) 219-5577.

7. Attachments.

   1. Association of Outplacement Consulting Firms International, "Final Report to the U. S. Department of Labor," September 23, 1994.

   2. The Transition Team, "Project Report Proctor and Gamble Plant Closing, Staten Island, New York, February 1991 to February 1992."

NOTE: Attachment(s) not available to DMS