UI Connectivity Workgroup

1. UI Connectivity Workgroup NYATEP Albany, New York October 18, 2011

2. The Context Remote claims processes continue to distance claimants from the One-Stop service delivery structure An uneven approach by the workforce system in making UI claimants a priority A patchwork of reemployment services (WPRS, REAs, etc.) today that do not fully address the needs of UI claimants

3. Reemployment Boston Region PY 09/FY 10

4. Background Region I Reemployment Conference Latham, New York June 26-27, 2007 2 National Reemployment Conferences WPRS improvement grants: 23 states Info. Compiled: Bibliography of all reemployment research & evaluations 6 regional focus groups 5 Webinars conducted on reemployment topics Reemployment Works! website established http://reemploymentworks.workforce3one.org/ UI/Workforce Connectivity Workgroup

5. UI/Workforce Connectivity Workgroup Our Mission • To support states in developing new strategies to connect and integrate unemployment insurance (UI) claimants into the publicly-funded workforce system, by: • Defining and supporting a collaborative Federal/state vision for connecting the two systems for the benefit of employers and individual UI customers; • Defining the continuum of services available to a UI claimant for reemployment services; and, • Identifying tools and solutions, and informing policy to support the system in achieving that vision.

6. An Emerging National Vision … • The workforce system and the UI system are seen as a single comprehensive workforce system -- with UI as one of the core critical elements • UI claimants are customers of the comprehensive workforce system and are inherently job seekers • We would offer a common “front door” to the comprehensive system that is supported by integrated registration • Beyond that initial integrated registration, customers can move on immediately to file a UI claim, access workforce services, or flow in and out of various service offerings.

7. Recommendations Overview Organizing Principle: Unemployment Insurance claimants (whether eligible or ineligible for benefits), are “job seekers” too.

8. Features Four Transformational Elements: • Single, Comprehensive Workforce System Concept • UI is critical element • Common “front door” to system • Common Customer Record • “Real-time Triage” • Drives reemployment actions throughout service delivery cycle • Focus on Skills Transferability • Reemployment Social Network • Use of social media

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11. Potential Barriers • Resistance to change based on program loyalties (“turf”) • Resources • Competing staff priorities • IT development costs • Training – staff capacity issues • Perceived legislative barriers • Obstacle for UI claimants • Change to profiling function • Others?

12. Workgroup Recommendations Overview ETA should serve as an advocate to implement the National Emerging Vision and encourage the use of tools to facilitate the four transformational aspects of the vision. ETA should consider incentives to encourage states to adopt these changes necessary for the system to realize the vision – including investments in staff development and system upgrades. ETA should consider funding pilot projects to develop open source platforms for the Integrated Workforce Customer Record, Real Time Triage and Transferability of Skills/Job Match features that could then be adopted by states on a voluntary basis. ETA should consider aligning its policies in support of the vision.

13. Next Steps Phase II • Deployment as a national “call for innovation” • Technical Assistance • Outreach • Planning • Tools and technology support • Pilots • RFP released • Possible Region I pilot(s)

14. Questions? Tim Martin Director Office of State Systems US Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration Region I martin.timothy@dol.gov 617-788-0121