2. Reference. UIPL 28-92 (June 4, 1992). Background: During each of the past four fiscal years the National Office (NO) has provided an increasing number of SESAs with the resources necessary to implement QC Program Improvement (PI) recommendations. The implementation of the PI recommendations has contributed greatly in enhancing the SESAs overall UI operations, covering a wide range of UI activities. Policy: In FY 94 the NO will continue to provide limited funding for SESAs to implement QC/PI recommendations within their UI program. States are invited to submit proposals for additional funds for FY 94. Eligibility is open to all States that have documented problems identified through QC findings that need to be corrected to improve operations. This includes both the Benefits and Revenue QC programs. The SESAs submitting requests for additional funding should describe: problems identified from QC findings; the changes, actions, etc., to be accomplished in the proposed project; the type of personnel that will be involved; and the additional resources in staff and material (e.g., programming and equipment) that will be required, including one-time start-up costs. The proposal must also contain the timeframes for the process including development, training and implementation. In addition, where outside contractor assistance is necessary, the proposal must include an estimate of the level of contractor effort. States should have developed and started the initial implementation phase of the project by October 1, 1994. After one year of operation, SESAs must submit a report describing the implementation effort and the resulting outcomes. This report should be received in the NO by December 16, 1995. The SESA must also agree to periodic Regional Office/National Office monitoring of progress. Funds granted for PI implementation are for the express purpose presented in the agency's proposal as approved, including any clarifications or stipulations made by the Department. By accepting funding for this initiative, States are agreeing to the conditions and timeframes set forth in the proposal. Failure to implement funded proposals, or redirection of any portion of the funds allocated for this purpose, may subject the funding to recapture or audit exception. The SESAs which are unable to initiate PI projects and/or obligate the funds should return those funds to the NO as soon as they become aware of the inability to implement the project, so that other approved projects may be funded. In the event that unforeseen circumstances prevent the State from obligating these funds by December 31, l994, a formal extension request must be submitted to the NO, Office of Quality Control. The extension request should provide a detailed explanation of the circumstances, and should be for a limited time period only. PI Implementation Funding: The total dollar amount to be set aside for this project has not yet been decided. However, the NO will provide funding to those SESAs selected until the amount dedicated to the initiative is exhausted. The NO must obligate the funding by September 30, 1994. Procedures for Submitting and Reviewing Proposals: a. State Agency Procedures. The SESAs wishing to undertake QC/PI implementation projects should submit a comprehensive proposal based on the criteria above. Attachment A provides an outline for proposals. The proposal must be received in the appropriate Regional Office (RO) no later than ninety (90) days from the date of this UIPL. The RO will forward these proposals to the NO within seven (7) calendar days from receipt. b. NO Proposal Review Procedures. Proposals received timely will be evaluated according to the procedure contained in Attachment B. The panel will review each proposal to determine whether the proposal is consistent with the format contained in Attachment A. All applicants will be notified concerning the outcome of this review. Action Required: Proposals are to be sent to the appropriate RO. Upon completion of the PI Implementation Grant, the State should send the final report to the NO. The final report should be received in the NO no later than December 16, 1995. A copy of this report should be sent to the RO. The SESA administrators are requested to provide this information to appropriate staff.

Reference: TEIN 43-93, Capacity Building Challenge Grants. Background: The need for system-wide capacity building has been discussed for years. Both the Title III Amendments of 1988 and the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) Amendments of 1992 emphasized the need for better staff training. Sixteen States have established statewide JTPA Training Institutes. The International Association of Personnel in Employment Security administers a professional certification program in three major employment and training disciplines that is open to anyone who is interested. Further, the Clinton Administration's new initiatives in the areas of school-to- work transition, one stop centers and dislocated worker program consolidation will require existing staff to take on new responsibilities and learn new skills. The time is right, therefore, for ETA to implement an integrated, long range capacity building strategy which addresses the common needs of managers and professionals involved with JTPA, Job Service, Dislocated Worker, and other related programs. Strategy Document: Capacity building, for the employment and training system as a whole, means the "expansion of the ability of the employment and training system to deliver high quality services to its customers." The initial focus of this project will be to improve the job skills, knowledge and expertise of the "front line" workers who staff the agencies and programs which make up our employment and training system. The attached paper details ETA's Capacity Building Strategy. This strategy contains the following major themes: -- Extensive consultation with ETA customers: This continuing effort will solicit extensive input from State and local program practitioners, front-line staff, public interest groups (PIG's), recognized experts, clients and employers. The goal is to sharpen our understanding of the technical assistance and training (TAT) needs of the nation's employment and training system. We envision using a combination of focus groups, surveys, and expert panels to accomplish this task. -- Solicitation of new ideas: As described in TEIN No. 43-93, ETA has issued a solicitation for grant applications to States for the development and/or improvement of cross-agency training delivery systems as well as innovative and replicable program models and training products that have broad application throughout the system. Approximately ten grants totalling approximately $1.0 million are planned for PY94. -- Improvement and support of existing TAT capacity: ETA will offer support to local and regional associations, State training institutes and other technical assistance providers who are already engaged in capacity building among their members. Public Interest Groups and other national level ETA grantees will redirect their future activities to support this capacity building project among their constituents. -- Use of an electronic network: Use of electronic communication throughout the employment and training system will be emphasized. A central clearinghouse of information on "best practices" will be set up and linked electronically to program practitioners throughout the country. -- Pilot Projects: ETA will immediately fund three capacity building pilot projects which are already in the planning stages. These are (1) a peer- to-peer technical assistance model, (2) a self-evaluation instrument for local programs, (3) a set of computer based training modules for the recently developed subject specific Technical Assistance Guide's. ETA's Regional Offices will be extensively involved in the development of these three projects. Distribution: The widest possible distribution of this strategy to all segments of the employment and training community is encouraged. Please share the attached document with local and state employment and training agencies, Private Industry Councils, elected officials and others who have an interest in employment and training or human services programs.

Background: Program letters, or the five letter series, are considered temporary directives containing instructions or information of a short-term nature which complement one of the five parts of the ES Manual. Rather than rewrite and reissue expiring program letters which still contain relevant information or instructions, the expiration date is extended. Attached is a listing of program letters with extended expiration dates for the above period.

References: a. Job Training Partnership Act, as amended. b. Interim Final JTPA Regulations, 20 CFR Part 631, published in the Federal Register on December 29, 1992. c. Training and Employment Information Notice No. 22-93, dated November 15, 1993. d. Training and Employment Information Notice No. 27-93, dated January 11, 1994. Background: Pursuant to 20 CFR 631.36 and 631.40, this document provides instructions to the States for JTPA Title III State Plans. Draft planning instructions were transmitted in Training and Employment Information Notice (TEIN) No. 27-93. OMB Approval and Reporting Burden: The Planning Instructions for Title III State Plans have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) according to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 under OMB Approval No. 1205-0273 to expire June 30, 1996. Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 20 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the Office of IRM Policy, Department of Labor, Room N-1301, 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D. C. 20210; and to the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project (1205-0273), Washington, D. C. 20503. Title III Planning Process for PY 1994 and PY 1995: The draft planning instructions issued under TEIN 27-93 have undergone several minor changes and one major change as a result of comments received and the OMB review process. Attachment A is the draft instructions with redline and strikeout indicating the changes for the final instructions, to aid in locating them. Attachment B is the final instructions reflecting those changes. The major change in the instructions was the deletion of Section III from the draft State plan, which discussed program improvement strategies for PY 1994. A number of commentors asked that this section be taken out of the State plan because the May 1 submittal date would not allow enough time to prepare this information. The program improvement strategies will now be a part of the Technical Assistance and Training (TAT) Initiative. In support of State efforts to improve program quality and capacity, the Department will make available a limited amount of TAT funds to support special TAT projects identified by States and substate grantees to be completed by the end of PY 1994. These projects must address one or more of the program emphases included in the program improvement strategies section of the draft State planning instructions, and must be in addition to ongoing State TAT activities and responsibilities. Procedures for applying for these funds will be described in a forthcoming TEIN. The focus of the planning activities continues to be expanding and improving the quality of services to, and outcomes for, dislocated workers and employers, as discussed in the introduction to the planning instructions. State planning should also consider the implementation of the Worker Profiling and Reemployment Services Initiative authorized under P.L. 103-152 in States during PY 1994 and PY 1995. Under this initiative, UI claimants who are identified as dislocated workers will be required to participate in reemployment services based on a comprehensive Statewide strategy coordinated by the Governor. Depending upon the specific arrangements in each State, these dislocated UI claimants may be referred to EDWAA substate grantees for reemployment services. Specific guidance on the implementation of Worker Profiling and Reemployment Services Systems is provided in FM 35-94, Implementation of a System of Profiling Unemployment Insurance (UI) Claimants and Providing Them with Reemployment Services. Plan Submission: The plans are to be submitted to the Department on or before May 1, 1994. State Title III Plans should be sent to: James D. Van Erden, Administrator, ATTN: Title III Plans, Office of Work-Based Learning, Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N4649, 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D. C. 20210. Each State should also submit a copy of the plan to the appropriate DOL Regional Office. Action: The States should share the final planning instructions with all appropriate parties, including the Dislocated Worker Unit, State Job Training Coordinating Council or State Human Resource Investment Council, and Substate Grantees.

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Agenda: The UIS National Meeting for UI Appeals Management and Support Staff will begin at mid-day on Wednesday, June 8, 1994 and end at mid-day on Friday, June 10, 1994. The Annual Conference of NAUIAB will begin on Monday morning, June 6, 1994 and end at mid-day on Wednesday, June 8, 1994. A copy of each agenda is attached. Participants: The agenda for the National Meeting for UI Appeals Management and Support Staff has been designed for the managers of the lower and higher authority appeals units and the chief appeals clerks and/or appeals support staff supervisors of the lower and higher authority appeals units. The goal is to have an agenda of topics which will provide forums for the management and support staff audiences to exchange their ideas and experiences in managing the high level of appeals workloads that have occurred in recent years. The Annual Conference of NAUIAB will be of interest to unemployment insurance appellate boards and commission members, chief hearing officers responsible for lower authority appellate adjudications, and the chief counsel and chief executive officers of the various higher authority boards and commissions. Meeting Particulars and Inquiries. Travel and per diem costs for State Employment Security Agency (Staff) participants will have to be paid from available State FY 94 allocations: additional funds from ETA are not available for this purpose. Details about the meeting site, costs, and contact persons for additional information are in the attached materials. The Michigan Employment Security Board of Review is hosting the NAUIAB Annual Conference and has graciously agreed to handle the logistics of registration and related matters for the UIS' National Meeting for UI Appeals Management and Support Staff. Action Required: SESA Administrators are requested to provide this information to the appropriate SESA personnel and appellate board members and staff.

Agenda: The UIS National Meeting for UI Appeals Management and Support Staff will begin at mid-day on Wednesday, June 8, 1994 and end at mid-day on Friday, June 10, 1994. The Annual Conference of NAUIAB will begin on Monday morning, June 6, 1994 and end at mid-day on Wednesday, June 8, 1994. A copy of each agenda is attached. Participants: The agenda for the National Meeting for UI Appeals Management and Support Staff has been designed for the managers of the lower and higher authority appeals units and the chief appeals clerks and/or appeals support staff supervisors of the lower and higher authority appeals units. The goal is to have an agenda of topics which will provide forums for the management and support staff audiences to exchange their ideas and experiences in managing the high level of appeals workloads that have occurred in recent years. The Annual Conference of NAUIAB will be of interest to unemployment insurance appellate boards and commission members, chief hearing officers responsible for lower authority appellate adjudications, and the chief counsel and chief executive officers of the various higher authority boards and commissions. Meeting Particulars and Inquiries: Travel and per diem costs for State Employment Security Agency (Staff) participants will have to be paid from available State FY 94 allocations: additional funds from ETA are not available for this purpose. Details about the meeting site, costs, and contact persons for additional information are in the attached materials. The Michigan Employment Security Board of Review is hosting the NAUIAB Annual Conference and has graciously agreed to handle the logistics of registration and related matters for the UIS' National Meeting for UI Appeals Management and Support Staff. Action Required: SESA Administrators are requested to provide this information to the appropriate SESA personnel and appellate board members and staff.

Reference: 20 CFR Part 658.410, 29 CFR Parts 31.5 and 31.7, 20 CFR 653.109, and 29 CFR Part 32.45. Background: As a result of a settlement agreement in the case of NAACP v. Brennan (Civil Action No. 2010-72, U.S.D.C.), the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) published Federal regulations 20 CFR Parts 651, 653, and 658 onJune 10, 1980. These regulations set forth the role and responsibilities of the United States Employment Service (USES) and State Employment Security Agencies (SESAs) regarding compliance of said regulations. In compliance with 20 CFR 653.109, DOL established recordkeeping requirements to allow for the efficient and effective monitoring of SESAs' regulatory compliance. Pursuant to these recordkeeping requirements, Federal regulations at 20 CFR 658.410 established the State Agency Job Service complaint system and its administrative and processing procedures. ETA Form 8429 was developed for recording complaints filed with the State Employment Service Agencies. The completion of this form is required in order for a complaint to be considered and processed by State agency officials. Further, discrimination complaints (except for handicap complaints) alleging violation(s) of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, Title IX of the Education Amendments, the Age Discrimination Act, and/or Section 167 of the Job Training Partnership Act, are to be filed with the U.S. Department of Labor, Directorate of Civil Rights. OMB Approval: The reporting requirements for Form ETA 8429 are approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) according to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980, under OMB approval No. 1205-0039, to expire June 30, 1996. Action Required: State Administrators are required to provide the above information to appropriate staff.

Reference: 20 CFR 653.108(k) and 1988 National Monitor Advocate Conference. Background: Federal regulations published January 25, 1977, established the Monitor Advocate position and provided guidelines for the provision of employment services to migrant and seasonal farmworkers (MSFWs). The 1977 regulations were the result of the court order in the case of NAACP v. Brennan (Civil Action No. 2010-72). These regulations were later amended on June 25, 1980, as a result of the settlement agreement in that litigation. Since the 1980 regulations were implemented, the Department of Labor (DOL) through monitoring, field visits, and public comment has been aware of the need to provide continued training to ensure the provision of adequate services to MSFWs and to maintain an effective Monitor Advocate program as established by referenced regulations. In addition, every effort must be made to promote job placement of U.S. farmworkers and positive coordination with other farmworker advocates. On September 20-23, 1988, the first National Conference of Monitor Advocates was held in San Antonio, Texas. The conference was conducted in consultation with the National Governors' Association and the National Council of La Raza. From the workshops and panel discussions conducted at the 1988 conference, several recommendations were generated and presented to the U.S. Department of Labor by the National Council of La Raza. The recommendations covered concerns in the following categories: Enhancing Recruitment of U.S. Farmworkers; IRCA: Its Impact on Agricultural Workers and Employers, Evolution of the Monitor Advocate System; and partnerships of Federal, State, and Community Based Organizations which provide services to farmworkers. Conference Objectives: The theme of the conference is "Farmworkers in the 90's: Confronting New Challenges, Charting New Paths". The major objectives of the conference will be: (a) Follow-up on the recommendations of the previous Monitor Advocate Conference, especially those relating to the major goal of improving DOL services to MSFWs; (b) Identify and coalesce service providers on a national scope; and (c) Enhance the communication and cooperation between farmworker advocacy groups and DOL. Accommodations: The Conference site has been confirmed. It will be held at the Marriott River Walk, 711 East River Walk, San Antonio, Texas 78205. Reservations should be made and confirmed by October 31. All conference attendants are responsible for their reservations. The hotel rates are $61.00 single and double, $71,00 triple, and $81.00 quadruple occupancy. The tax rate is 13% but will be waived with a tax exempt form. Reservations may be made by contacting hotel at (512) 224-4555. Participants: It is important that all Monitor Advocates, State Administrators and other individuals directly involved in agricultural recruitment attend the conference. Action Required: SESA Administrators are requested to ensure attendance of appropriate staff at this conference.

This study is based on the findings of researchers who traveled to 70 substate areas and 10 special projects in 24 different States to observe the design, organization, and provision of services to dislocated workers from Program Year 89 through Program Year 92. Findings should improve communications among program operators and help them to assess the responsive-ness of their services. The report includes examples of services developed in a variety of environments. This guide is intended for EDWAA practitioners -- including State and substate area policymakers, program planners, and providers serving dislocated workers -- as a vehicle for sharing information about effective strategies to serve dislocated workers. It provides information about early intervention services, assessment and career exploration, supportive services, job search, crisis adjustment, relocation services, classroom and on-the-job training, and specific organizational issues. State Worker Adjustment Liaisons should distribute the reports to appropriate officials within the State. Bulk supplies of the report to State Worker Adjustment Liaisons