PY 20-21 Rapid Response and Layoff Aversion Funds

Workforce Services Information Notice
WSIN20-04

Issued: July 7, 2020

Rapid Response and Layoff Aversion fund allocations for each Local Workforce Development Area (Local Area) for the period of July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021, are being announced with funding detail by Local Area. The allocations include both “formula” Rapid Response funding and Layoff Aversion funding, consistent with the policy detailed in Workforce Services Directive Rapid Response and Layoff Aversion Activities (WSD16-04) (PDF).

This notice is being issued for planning and budgeting purposes only. Once the state receives federal and state authority for these funds, the allocations will be released.

Use of Rapid Response and Layoff Aversion Funds

These funds can only be used to defray the cost of required and allowable Rapid Response activities in response to layoffs, business closures, and natural disasters. Only expenditures for activities described in 3(51) and 134(a)(2)(A) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) will be reimbursed under the formula Rapid Response grant codes. Other activities not described in these sections must be paid with other funds.

As referenced in Workforce Services Directive Rapid Response and Layoff Aversion Activities (WSD 16-04), baseline, layoff-based, and hold-harmless Rapid Response funds will continue to be issued to each Local Area in their master subgrant, as grant codes 540 and 541. These funds must be spent on the wide range of required and/or allowable activities.

Local Areas should continue to report Incumbent Worker Training participant enrollments funded with Rapid Response formula funds, under grant code 2285.

Layoff Aversion funding will be issued to each Local Area in their master subgrant, as grant codes 292 and 293. These funds are to be spent exclusively on Layoff Aversion activities, which includes Incumbent Worker Training.

Participants receiving Additional Assistance services must be enrolled in grant code 241. Funds used for training services when serving Additional Assistance participants qualify as “leveraged resources,” which will assist Local Areas in meeting the training expenditure requirement, as described in Workforce Services Directive WIOA Training Expenditure Requirement (WSD18-10) (PDF).

If you have any questions regarding this information, contact your Regional Advisor.

/s/ JAIME L. GUTIERREZ, Chief
Central Office Workforce Services Division

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