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Background: The Unemployment Insurance Service (UIS) established the ITSC in September 1994 as a national resource to assist the State Employment Security Agencies (SESAs) in applying automation and information technology solutions to meet the needs of the UI program. The ITSC is a joint project between the Department of Labor and a consortium consisting of the State of Maryland, the Mitretek Corporation, Lockheed Martin Corporation, and the University of Maryland. The Maryland SESA administers the cooperative agreement, which is funded through a grant to the State via Region III, which acts as the grantor. The ITSC's goals are to help the SESAs: improve program performance and services to claimants and employers, lower operating costs, and improve coordination and interaction with other employment and training and related programs. The ITSC's projects focus on using information technology to facilitate automation advances for the largest number of SESAs at the lowest possible cost. The ITSC has directed its primary efforts toward using information technology to improve service in appeals, tax operations, and claims processing. The ITSC Steering Committee, consisting primarily of SESA ADP Chiefs and UI Directors, acts as a board of directors for the ITSC and establishes policies and guidelines for the ITSC's projects and activities. The ITSC Charter, which specifies that the ITSC's projects should benefit the entire UI system and not just specific SESAs, recognizes that SESAs may wish to use the unique technical assistance capabilities of the ITSC. Article VI of the ITSC Charter allows for the separate funding of State-specific projects by States provided that the Steering Committee review and approve such projects in advance to ensure consistency with the ITSC Charter and ITSC goals and objectives. ETA has been asked to provide guidelines on how States may obtain technical assistance regarding UI and UI-related activities directly from the ITSC. Direct State Use of ITSC Services: SESAs may use either of the two methods to obtain the ITSC's services directly: a. SESAs may contract directly for the ITSC's services with Mitretek Corporation, which is the lead entity in the ITSC consortium. After obtaining ITSC Steering Committee approval, these SESAs should contact Mitretek Corporation and directly negotiate a mutually agreeable contract agreement. SESAs interested in this method should contact Mr. Henry James at 301-982-1575. b. SESAs may request deobligation of UI administrative grant funds for transfer to the Maryland SESA for use by the ITSC. SESAs wishing to use this method should send to their Regional Office: (1) a request that specifies the amount of State Administration resources that it wishes to transfer to the Maryland SESA for use by the ITSC; (2) a statement of work along with a statement of rationale and supporting documentation; and (3) a revised SF 424 that reflects the adjusted base allocation. The Grant Officer must approve all proposed shifts in resources. For such approved requests, the UIS Director will coordinate the re-allocation of the obligational authority to Region III for further transfer to the Maryland SESA for use by the ITSC. The Region III Grant Officer will monitor the transferred grant in accordance with ETA regulations and policies. Caveats: It is the SESAs' responsibility to: (1) obtain the ITSC Steering Committee's approval of projects prior to the Grant Officer's approval; (2) determine that the selected procedure is in accordance with State procurement and other applicable regulations and policies; and (3) monitor progress and determine satisfactory performance. b. It is the Region III Grant Officer's responsibility to monitor the transferred grant in accordance with ETA regulations and policies. Action Required: SESAs are requested to share this information with appropriate staff.

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Reference. UI Reports Handbook No. 401, ETA 191 Statement of Expenditures and Financial Adjustments of Federal Funds for Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees and Ex-Servicemembers Action Required: State agencies are requested to provide the attached directory to appropriate staff.

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Reference: Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) No. 3-96, dated January 28, 1997, entitled "Program Guidance and Allocations for the Calendar Year 1997 Summer Youth Employment and Training Program (SYETP)." Background: As stated in TEGL No. 3-96, the Department of Labor (DOL) contracted with Westat, Inc. to produce a casebook which details the diverse experiences of 19 service delivery areas (SDAs) in establishing and operating summer jobs programs for economically disadvantaged youth that involve private employers and/or contributors. The sites selected for this casebook represent all 10 Regions; urban, suburban and rural locations; large and small programs; different organizational models; and a variety of innovative features. By showcasing such a cross-section of programs, the casebook presents a variety of successful strategies and models for involving the private sector in creating summer jobs. DOL also contracted with the Maryland Institute for Employment and Training Professionals to produce a "how-to" manual providing information to assist SDAs in involving the private sector in summer jobs programs. This "how-to" guide contains different approaches for engaging businesses as well as suggested marketing strategies, sample marketing materials, and plans which can be adapted for local use. Distribution: Copies of the casebook and resource guide are being provided under separate cover to all State JTPA liaisons for distribution to SDAs, as well as the State JTPA agency.

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