1. (a) Boards shall develop intervention strategies for providing Texas Workforce Center services, which ensure rapid, suitable, and long-term employment for trade-affected workers and dislocated workers eligible for Trade benefits.

2. (b) Boards shall ensure that layoff assistance is provided in the local workforce development areas (workforce areas) consistent with WIA Title I Rapid Response services, including the following:

   1. (1) contacting the employer immediately on receipt of a filed Trade petition, WARN letter, or other notification of pending layoff;
   2. (2) scheduling an on-site meeting with the employer and workers to ensure notification of Rapid Response services, including availability of UI mass claims;
   3. (3) assisting with filing a Trade petition with DOL, including a request for certification under ATAA;
   4. (4) providing initial assessment of the workers English, math, and reading levels as well as transferable skills and interests;
   5. (5) registering for work for purposes of entering information in the Commission's automated job matching system;

   6. (6) scheduling on- or off-site services for workers, including:

      1. (A) orientation to federal Trade Act benefits, which includes the following:

         1. (i) TRAs;
         2. (ii) Trade Act-funded employment and training activities;
         3. (iii) Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC);
         4. (iv) A bona fide application for training ensuring that the worker has been notified of all available benefits to which he or she may be eligible; and

         5. (v) A signed waiver of training ensuring eligibility for HCTC and other Trade benefits that have regulatory time limits. A waiver is appropriate if the worker has significant barriers to reemployment, such as

            1. (I) obsolete skills in the worker's most recent occupation;
            2. (II) similar skills to other workers representing an excess supply of similarly skilled workers in the labor market area; and
            3. (III) limited English language proficiency coupled with limited or no skills in demand in the local labor market area.
      2. (B) orientation to labor market information, including wage data and the availability of demand and targeted occupations as defined by the Board.

Source Note:The provisions of this §849.21 adopted to be effective November 24, 2003, 28 TexReg 10510.