This report is based on data from site visits conducted to 48 local One-Stop Career Centers in 2004 and from mid-2005 through the summer of 2006 as well as to state-level offices of 23 states in which the centers are located. The report is part of a longer-term project to conduct a national net-impact evaluation of the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program.

This report examines services provided to TAA participants at all stages of their involvement with the TAA program—from initial introduction to workforce services by the Rapid Response team, through job search, initial assessment, case management, training, and post-training placement services. The report discusses how restrictions on the use of TAA funds are a decisive factor in some states regarding the amounts of, and organizational arrangements for, delivering these services. The report also highlights promising practices in the provision of these services.

The report found that assessment and case management are much more extensive for TAA customers who are interested in undertaking training. Further, these services are provided in greater depth for TAA trainees who co-enroll in WIA than for non-co-enrolled participants. In 25 of the 40 local sites studied in greatest depth, WIA staff primarily guide a TAA participant’s training choices, while TAA staff take care of meeting TAA’s technical requirements, such as eligibility determination, approval of training plans, and data entry to the state’s management information system. In seven other sites, ES staff members, partly funded by TAA, play the primary role, but the assessment, counseling, and case management services are often limited to self-services or entail limited staff help. In eight other sites, ES/TAA and WIA staff members share responsibility for guiding participants in their training choices. Post-training placement services are also more expansive for participants co-enrolled in WIA, but some sites are providing very limited placement help, regardless of program enrollment.