References: a. The Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA), as amended; b. JTPA Final Rules, as published in the Federal register on September 2, 1994; c. Training and Employment Guidance Letter No. 4-95 (February 21, 1996): "Instructions for Submission of State Plans under Title II and Title III of the Job Training Partnership Act for Program Year (PYs) 1996 and 1997; and PY 1996 Wagner-Peyser Act Program Planning Guidance". d. Training and Employment Information Notice No. 33-92 (June 1, 1993): "Child Labor Restrictions Applicable to Youth Participants in Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) Funded Programs". e. Training and Employment Information Notice No. 23-95 (April 11, 1996): "Calendar Year 1996 Summer Youth Initiatives". Background: a. Summer Jobs Funding Level. The Department of Labor is obligating $625 million to the States for the CY 96 Summer Youth Employment Program (SYETP) under Title II-B of the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA). (State allocations are contained in Attachment A.) These funds are being obligated as Fiscal Year (FY) 96 funds, not as Program Year 96 funds. Notices of Obligation will be issued under the current PY 95 JTPA grant agreement to obligate these funds to the States, and they will not be combined with Title II-A and Title II-C funds. Thus, States will be required to submit a separate JTPA Title II Quarterly Status Report (JQSR) for these FY 1996 Title II-B funds, and they will not be combined with Title II-A and Title II-C PY 1996 data. Additionally, States will draw cash under the Payment Management System (PMS) for Title II-B FY 1996 funds, and these II-B funds will not be combined with other Title II funds under PMS. A further explanation and reporting instructions are contained in Attachment B. b. Program goals. In this year's summer program, the Department maintains its commitment to providing the nation's disadvantaged youth with solid work experiences, which for many youth represent the first step into the labor force. The Department of Labor's vision of the summer program is one where new entrants to the labor force and those with limited job histories: 1. build and refine a strong foundation of work, employment competencies, and the discipline of work; and, 2. gain an appreciation of the inextricable connection between work and learning which is critical to a long-term attachment to and success in a rapidly changing labor market. This message regarding the connection between education and work is consistent with the on-going school-to-work message communicated by the Departments of Labor and Education to States, SDAs, local school systems, employers and youth. We recognize that we need to help youth acquire the knowledge, skills, abilities, and labor market information they need to make a smooth transition from school to career-oriented work or further education or training. Program Emphases: This summer's program emphases focus on the need for States and SDAs to: Maximize the number of economically disadvantaged youth participating in SYETP; Fully utilize all available funding, including new FY 1996 monies as well as any carryover from previous years, to provide maximum opportunities for participation in SYETP; Provide meaningful worksites with capable, trained supervisors; Provide educational enrichment, including life skills training; Strengthen linkages between SYETP and the year-round youth program under Title II-C and the School-to-Work initiatives; and, Work with the private sector to provide more unsubsidized employment opportunities for economically disadvantaged youth.

References. P.L. 97-300, Section 4(8) (JTPA); and Internal Revenue Code, Section 51 (TJTC). Background. JTPA regulations at 20 CFR 632.4 provide for the use of either of two sets of data in determining economically disadvantaged persons and program eligibility: the Health and Human Services Poverty Guidelines or the LLSIL. The attached Federal Register Notice (Vol. 61, No. 65) contains updated LLSIL and detailed instructions for their use, effective April 3, 1996. Action. Grantees will use one of the three tables on pages 14825 and 14826 of the Notice to find their 70 percent LLSIL for a family of four. Those grantees in one of the 25 Metropolitan Statistical Areas will use Table 3; grantees in Alaska or Hawaii will use Table 2; all other grantees will use Table 1. Grantees using Table 1 can find which region they are in by referring to the list on page 14824. Grantees using Tables 1 or 2 must also determine if they are in a metro or non-metro area; this information can be obtained from the grantee's State JTPA. Having found the applicable 70 percent LLSIL for a family of four on Tables 1, 2 or 3, the grantee can then find the 70 percent LLSIL for a family larger or smaller than four on Table 4. For example: a grantee in a non-metro area of Arizona is in the "West" region. On Table 1 its 70 percent LLSIL is 18,270. To find the applicable 70 percent for a family of six, the grantee finds 18,270 in column "four" of Table 4 and reads across that line to Column "six" to find 25,210. Grantees should note the disclaimer on page 14825 that the figures in this notice are valid only for eligibility determination under the JTPA and TJTC programs and should not be used for any statistical purposes. DINAP grantees are to disregard the instructions to Governors on page 14825 in the paragraph entitled "Use of These Data." Questions. Contact your DINAP Federal Representative at (202) 219-5511

Average Weekly Benefit Amount (AWBA) Utilization: As required by 20 CFR 625.6, the attached listing sets forth the 50 percent of AWBA computation applicable for major disasters declared during the third quarter of FY 1999, from April 1 through June 30, 1999. Action Required: SESA Administrators are requested to provide this information to appropriate staff and insure that the correct AWBA is utilized in determining the weekly DUA amount.

Click on the link below to view, save, or print out the document.

Background: A review of Benefit Timeliness and Quality (BTQ) non-monetary determination quality scores of the SESAs indicates a need for improvement in certain areas of the adjudication process. In an attempt to assist States with improving performance in these selected areas (see attached draft agenda), the National Office is offering two ¿Train the Trainer¿ seminars. Participants and Objectives: The seminars are designed to assist SESA staff who are responsible for training State staff in areas of non-monetary determinations with training material and preparation. The seminars will be held in 1999 in Washington, D.C., and in San Diego, California. While prior training experience is not necessary, each participant should be knowledgeable of the adjudication process in his/her State. A package of training materials will be provided to each participant which may be used to conduct training within his/her respective State. Each participant will be expected to practice presenting the material during these sessions. Group workshops will be conducted in areas which have been identified based on analyses of the BTQ data as needing specific attention. Conference Locations/Reservations: The sessions will be held as follows: States in Regions I thru V: A session will be held June 7 -11, 1999, in Washington, D.C., at One Washington Circle Hotel, One Washington Circle NW, Washington, D.C., 20037. Room rates are $115.00 plus 14.5% tax per night for a single and $130 plus 14.5% tax each night for a double. Each participant is responsible for contacting the hotel at (800) 424-9671 or (202) 872-1680 to make his/her own reservation. Please reference ¿Department of Labor (DOL) Group¿ when making a reservation to ensure the correct rate is quoted. Reservations must be made no later than May 8, 1999. Ground Transportation : The hotel is located directly across the circle from the Foggy Bottom-George Washington University Metro station on the blue line. The blue line is available from National Airport without a change of trains. Super Shuttle and taxi cabs are also available from all three area airports (National, Dulles, Baltimore-Washington). States in Regions VI thru X: A session will be held July 26 -30, 1999, at the Westgate Hotel, 1055 Second Avenue, San Diego, California. Room rates are $98.00 (includes all taxes) per night for a single/double room. Each participant is responsible for contacting the hotel at (619) 238-1818 to make his/her own reservation. Please reference ¿Department of Labor (DOL) Group¿ when making a reservation to ensure the correct rate is quoted. Reservations must be made no later than July 5, 1999. Ground Transportation: The hotel provides complimentary airport transportation. The San Diego Trolley stops at the hotel. Auto parking is available for an additional $12 per day for those who may wish to drive. Action Required: SESA Administrators are requested to: (a) Encourage attendance of State staff who are responsible for training in the area of non-monetary determinations. (b) States in Regions I thru V -provide the names of each staff member planning to attend the June training to the appropriate Regional Office no later than May 8, 1999. States in Regions VI thru X -provide the names of each staff member planning to attend the July training to the appropriate Regional Office no later than July 5, 1999.

Click on the link below to view, save, or print out the document.

Click on the link below to view, save, or print out the document.

Agenda: A copy of the agenda is attached. Participants: 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 participants will have to be paid from available State FY 96 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. Action Required: SESA Administrators are requested to provide this information to the appropriate SESA personnel and appellate board members and staff.

Click on the link below to view, save, or print out the document.

Click on the link below to view, save, or print out the document.