TEN_03-16-Change1_Acc.pdf

ETA Advisory File Text

TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT NOTICE NO. 3-16 Change 1 DATE July 27 2016 EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ADMINISTRATION U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR WASHINGTON D.C. 20210 TO STATE LABOR COMMISSIONERS STATE WORKFORCE ADMINISTRATORS STATE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE DIRECTORS STATE AND LOCAL WORKFORCE BOARD CHAIRS STATE AND LOCAL WORKFORCE BOARD DIRECTORS FR OM PORTIA WU s Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training S UBJECT The Employment and Training Administration s Toll Free Help Line 1. P urpose. This Change 1 replaces and makes corrections to the previously issued Training and Employment Notice 3 16 to inform workforce system agencies about the free resources available through the Employment and Training Administration s ETA Toll Free Help Line TFHL 1-877 -US2 JOBS 1-877 -872 -5627 TTY 1-877 -889 -5627 and to encourage the increased usage by American Job Centers and state and local governments.2. B ackground. In 1999 the Secretary of Labor created the Toll Free Help Line as a nationalresource for dislocated workers employers and workforce professionals. The TFHL is easily accessed by phone and acts as a front door to an information rich database of DOL services and resources. It provides a consistent accurate and current message to customers. The TFHL uses over 3 000 scripts and has the ability to react swiftly to create and activate scripts to assist in state and local and federal emergencies. It connects individuals to employment and training opportunities and answers frequently asked questions and will initiate research requests if additional information is needed.TFHL top requested information requests include J ob Employment Tr aining Needs Une mployment Insurance S enior Employment Programs Youth S ervicesETA related information available through the TFHL includes Ame rican Job Center locations and services around the country Empl oyment and Training Administration Programs Appr enticeship Programs Tr ade Act Programs including Health Coverage Tax Credit F oreign Labor Certifications W orker Adjustment and Training Act WARN and other layoff information 2 Federal Bonding Program Re integration Programs Veteran and Military Programs Older Worker Programs including the Senior Community Service Employment Program Youth Programs Unemployment Insurance and Disaster Unemployment Assistance National Programs such as National Dislocated Wor ker Grants Migrant and Seasonal Workers Work Opportunity Tax Credit Program and Indian and National American Programs Additional Resources for the Workforce Community are Script Development emergencies employment announcements etc. Special Research Requests The TFHL is part of the D OL National Contact Center . It is available 8 00 am to 11 00 pm EST Monday through Friday with the exception of Federal holidays. Information is available in over 140 languages and the line has TTY capabilities for th e hearing im paired. The National Contact Center is an integral part of the DOL s emergency preparedness plans in the event of a significant national emergency. 3. The TFHL In Action . For 15 years the TFHL program has answered questions about many Federal pr ograms and served the needs of state and local service organizations. For example the TFHL Supported the Department of Treasury and Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide information on the Making Homes Affordable Program and the HOPE N OW Alliance. Responded to emergencies such as Super Storm Sandy Hurricane Katrina and September 11 th providing customers with information for services and locations of mobile units for help. Responded quickly with new scripts to advise customers for short term state specific situations such as floods power outages and fires. Connected job seekers with specific national in -demand job opportunities and responded to the needs of employers seeking national assistance for major layoffs and hiring opportunities. 4. Action Requested . We encourage American Job Center staff and state and local workforce professionals to direct their custom ers with questions to the TFHL 1-877 -US2 JOBS 1 -877 - 872 -5627 TTY 1 -877 -889 -5627 . We also encourage workforce system professionals to use the TFHL as a resource to provide information to the public. The TFHL can create and update scripts quickly to react to specific situations including state emergencies temporary closures or employment announcements. 5. Inquir ies. Pl ease direct questions to the appropriate regional office.