Employment and Training Administration - Workforce Professionals - What's New in Workforce Investment

Promoting the Readiness of Minors in Supplemental Security Income: Departments Announce Funding Opportunity for Development and Implementation of Model Demonstration Programs

Promoting the Readiness of Minors in Supplemental Security Income (PROMISE) is a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of Education (ED), the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL).

Under PROMISE, the Department of Education will fund States to develop and implement model demonstration projects (MDPs) that promote positive outcomes for children who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and their families. Specifically, PROMISE is intended to improve the provision and coordination of services and supports for child SSI recipients and their families to enable them to achieve improved outcomes. These outcomes include graduating from high school ready for college and a career, completing postsecondary education and job training, and obtaining competitive employment in an integrated setting and, as a result, achieving long-term reductions in the child recipients` reliance on SSI.

Through a May 201, 2013 FEDERAL REGISTER notice, the Department of Education has published the final priority for PROMISE with a concurrent announcement about a funding opportunity and the key dates in the application process.� Eligible applicants are the 50 States and the District of Columbia. A consortium of States may also apply. �A grantee, subgrantee, or partner under this program is not eligible to receive funding for the SSA national evaluation contract.

The estimated $1,000,000 in funding availability is expected to support 3 to 6 cooperative agreements.

The deadline for notice of intent to apply is June 20, 2013.� Pre-application webinars will be held on May 30 and June 4.� The pre-application teleconference will be held June 27.� The deadline for transmittal of applications is August 19.

Department Announces Grant Opportunity to Provide Job Training and Employment Services for Homeless Veterans

The Department of Labor has announced the availability of up to $5 million to fund 16 or more Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program grants. Approximately 2,600 veterans will receive job training and related services to help them succeed in civilian careers.

Funds for the grants will be awarded on a competitive basis to state and local workforce investment boards, public agencies, nonprofit organizations, tribal governments, and faith-based and community organizations. Because these groups are intimately connected with their local economies and the needs of homeless veterans, they can offer occupational, classroom and on-the-job training, as well as job search and placement assistance, including follow-up services. Awards will range from $100,000 to $300,000 each.

The solicitation for grant applications is available at http://www.grants.gov. For more information, visit that site and http://www.dol.gov/vets/, or contact grants officer Cassandra Mitchell at 202-693-4570.

News Release

ETA Issues PY 2013 Workforce Information Grants to States: Policy and Program Guidance, Application Instructions, and Formula Allocations

The Employment and Training Administration has issued Training and Employment Guidance Letter 29-12.

The provides� policy and program guidance for the development, management, and delivery of Labor Market Information and Workforce Information (LMI-WI) funded through� Workforce Information Grants to States (WIGS ) for services to job seekers, employers, educators, economic developers, and others .

The TEGL specifically addresses:

Required, Encouraged and Allowable Activities

Other encouraged activities

Required Methods (partnerships, customer consultation, data collection and research methodology, publication requirements, information technology specifications)

Application for Federal Assistance, Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements (including annual performance report)

The TEGL has two attachments:

Workforce Information Grants to States, PY 2012 vs. PY 2013 Allotments
Consolidated Requirements for WIGS Grantees

Administration Launches Competition for Three New Manufacturing Innovation Institutes

The Obama Administration has announced that it is launching competitions to create three new manufacturing innovation institutes with a Federal commitment of $200 million across five Federal agencies ? Defense, Energy, Commerce, NASA, and the National Science Foundation.�

To build off the initial success of a pilot institute headquartered in Youngstown, Ohio, the President announced in the State of the Union that his Administration would move forward and launch three new manufacturing innovation institutes this year.� The President will continue to call on Congress to act on his proposal for a one-time $1 billion investment to create a network of 15 manufacturing innovation institutes across the country.�

The Department of Defense will lead two of the new Institutes, focused on ?Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation? and ?Lightweight and Modern Metals Manufacturing?, and the Department of Energy will be leading one new institute on ?Next Generation Power Electronics Manufacturing?. �

All three institutes will be selected through an open, competitive process, led by the Departments of Energy and Defense, with review from a multi-agency team of technical experts.� Winning teams will be selected and announced later this year.� Federal funds will be matched by industry co-investment, support from state and local governments, and other sources.� Like the pilot institute, these Institutes are expected to become financially self-sustaining, and the plan to achieve this objective will be a critical evaluation criterion in the selection process.� DOD and DOE are opening the competition for the three new institutes immediately.�

Press Release / Additional Background

Department of Defense ?� ?Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation?

Department of Defense ?� ?Lightweight and Modern Metals Manufacturing?

Department of Energy ? ?Next Generation Power Electronics Manufacturing"

Application Period Opens for Funding under the ?Investing in Manufacturing Communities? Partnership

The Obama Administration today announced that it is accepting applications for the first phase of the "Investing in Manufacturing Communities" Partnership, a new initiative outlined in the President`s fiscal year 2014 budget that will help accelerate the resurgence of manufacturing and create jobs across the country.

Phase One of the "Investing in Manufacturing Communities" Partnership: In the first phase of this effort, the Departments of Commerce and Agriculture as well as the Small Business Administration and Environmental Protection Agency will award at least 25 grants of up to $200,000 each to help regions develop long-term economic development strategies intended to create a globally competitive environment that will attract, retain and expand investment and spur international trade and exports. These "Implementation Strategies" will encourage collaboration at the local level to identify the region`s comparative advantages and assets, and plan investments to expand the area`s appeal to manufacturers. In addition, these grants can be used to help communities prepare for the second phase of this initiative, IMCP "Challenge" grants.

Phase Two of the "Investing in Manufacturing Communities" Partnership: President Obama`s fiscal year 2014 budget includes funds for the Department of Commerce to award five to six IMCP "Challenge" grants, expected to be up to $25 million each. These funds are intended to be supplemented by coordinated investments from several other federal departments and agencies. The 2014 challenge will reward communities for having the best long-term strategies for attracting private investment and increasing exports, and should combine many of the elements companies seek when they are deciding where to locate or expand, such as: specialized research centers at local universities; business incubators focused on targeted technology sectors; community college programs to train workers in targeted industries; public works projects to upgrade infrastructure or enhance energy efficiency; viable export promotion plans; well-integrated supply chains; and an engaged community of local government, education, workforce, and business leaders.

News Release

Executive Summary

To apply for Fiscal Year 2013 Implementation Strategy grants, please visit: http://www.eda.gov/challenges/imcp/.

For more information on the entire IMCP, please visit http://www.commerce.gov/news/fact-sheets/2013/04/17/fact-sheet-investing-manufacturing-communities-partnership.

Labor, Education, HHS, and SSA to Hold National Online Dialogue on Impact of Federal Law and Regulations on Successful Transition from School to Work of Youths and young Adults with Disabilities

Members of the public are invited to participate in an online dialogue to examine the impact of existing federal regulations and legislation on the successful transition from school to work of youths and young adults with disabilities. The U.S. departments of Labor, Education, and Health and Human Services and the Social Security Administration will host the event May 13-27, and they invite policymakers, service providers, the advocacy community and others to join this conversation to improve transition outcomes.

Youths and Young Adults with disabilities face unique challenges that may complicate their educational achievements as well as their plans for school, training and work. As a result, they may have poorer educational and employment outcomes than their peers without disabilities and fail to achieve the maximum independence possible.

Additional information on the dialogue

To register for and participate in the dialogue, please visit http://FPTepolicyworks.ideascale.com.

Helping Our Veterans Connect with Good Jobs: Labor Department and American Legion to Host Twitter Town Hall on May 13

The Labor Department (@USDOL), Acting Secretary of Labor Seth Harris (@ActingSecHarris) and The American Legion (@AmericanLegion) will be on hand to answer questions about resources available to connect veterans with good jobs during a Twitter town hall on Monday, May 13, from 11 a.m. ? noon EDT. Use the hashtag #VetsJobsChat to join!

The department?s Bureau of Labor Statistics recently released its report on veterans unemployment in 2012, which showed a decline to 7.0 percent from 8.3 percent in 2011. That?s good news, but for the Department of Labor and veterans service organizations like The American Legion, it?s an opportunity to redouble our efforts to make sure every veteran who wants a job can find one.

In his fiscal year 2014 budget for the Department of Labor, President Obama has doubled down on his commitment to employing veterans with additional investments in the department?s Veterans? Employment and Training Service, the agency that leads the federal government?s charge to help veterans find good jobs. The American Legion is a longtime supporter of VETS; in February, VETS Assistant Secretary Keith Kelly spoke during the Legion?s annual Washington Conference.

Together, government agencies and veterans service organizations constitute a vast support network for our transitioning service members, and we want to make sure veterans and employers have the information they need to find the programs or services that meet their needs. For more information on the Legion?s efforts in the area of veterans employment, click here.

You can submit your questions in advance by using the hashtag #VetsJobsChat or by sending them via email to Contact.VETS@dol.gov. We look forward to a lively discussion!

ETA Provides Guidance on the Reauthorization of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit Program and Continuation of the VOW to Hire Heroes Act Veteran Groups and Provisions

The Employment and Training Administration has published Training and Employment Guidance Letter 24-12:

Reauthorization of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit Program and Continuation of the VOW to Hire Heroes Act Veteran Groups and Provisions

This TEGL specifically informs the State Workforce Agencies (SWAs) of the retroactive legislative reauthorization of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) for non-veteran target groups and the Empowerment Zones that expired on December 31, 2011, and continuation of the WOTC for veteran groups, including the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011 (VOW Act) expanded veteran groups. The TEGL also provides guidance to SWAs, participating agencies and other Federal and State partners for processing WOTC certification applications.

Administration of the Survey of Workforce Investment Act Services Provided to Youth with Disabilities for Local Workforce Investment Board Executive Directors

The Employment and Training Administration has alerted State Workforce Agencies and Local Workforce Investment Board (LWIB) Executive Directors about a study being conducted on services to youth with disabilities in the public workforce system.

Training and Employment Notice 32-12 contains this notice and encourages voluntary responses to the ?Survey of Workforce Investment Act Services Provided to Youth with Disabilities.? �A combined effort of the Department of Labor?s (Department) Employment and Training Administration (ETA) and Office of Disability Employment Policy, the primary purpose of the Survey is to get an analytical overview of services provided by local workforce agencies to this population.�The responses to the Survey will be analyzed and used to gain a better understanding of how young people with disabilities are being served within the workforce system and to identify mechanisms for enhancing these efforts.

For questions specific to completing the survey, please contact Abt Associates, via e-mail at dolyouthwia@abtassoc.com or call 1-855-295-5528 (toll free). �For more information about the youth with disabilities study, please contact Gloria Salas-Kos in ETA?s Office of Policy Development and Research at 202-693-3596 or salas-kos.gloria@dol.gov.

Also see:

Disability and Employment Community of Practice
Department of Labor?s Office of Disability Employment Policy

ETA Issues PY 2013 Allotments for WIA Adult, Dislocated Worker and Youth Activities; Wagner-Peyser Act Employment Service (ES) Program; and, Workforce Information Grants to States

The Employment and Training Administration has published Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) 32-12.

This TEGL provides States and outlying areas with:

WIA Title I Adult, Dislocated Worker and Youth Activities program allotments for PY 2013; Final allotments for PY 2013 for the Wagner-Peyser ES Program, as required by section 6(b)(5) of the Wagner-Peyser Act, as amended; and
Workforce Information Grants to States allotments for PY 2013.

The TEGL contains the following attachments:

A - WIA and Wagner-Peyser Statutory Formula Descriptions
B - WIA Youth Activities Allotments, PY 2013 vs PY 2012
C - WIA Adult Activities Allotments, PY 2013 vs PY 2012
D - WIA Adult Activities Allotments, July 1 and October 1 Funding
E - WIA Dislocated Worker Activities Allotments, PY 2013 vs PY 2012
F - WIA Dislocated Worker Activities Allotments, July 1 and October 1 Funding
G - Employment Service (Wagner-Peyser) Allotments, PY 2013 vs PY 2012
H - Workforce Information Grants Allotments, PY 2013 vs PY 2012
I - WIA Agreement
J - ES Agreement