NASWA Newsletter - March 2021 | Volume 6

Thank you to the thirty-nine state workforce agencies and many individual state agency staff who dedicated time to complete the national pulse survey upon which this report is based.

This report and the national pulse survey were developed under a grant to the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA) through the Coleridge Initiative. This report supplements a 2017 national scan of state workforce agency research capacity developed by NASWA and funded by the U.S. Department of Labor. It will inform conversations and action steps by states and their research partners focused on improving state workforce development research capacity and practices to address the pandemic recession and resulting jobs crisis.

View Full Report

NASWA SUPPORTS AND PARTICIPATES

IN NATIONAL CONVENING

The Jobs Data for Evidence-Based Policy and Practice National Convening was held March 3-5, 2021. The opening day of the Convening was emceed by President and CEO Scott Sanders, who also participated in a panel discussion. A number of NASWA members led sessions or presented on panels, including Anna Hui (MO), Deniece Thomas (TN), George Putnam (IL), Jessica Cunningham (KY), Diana Barrett (IN), and Lesley Hirsch (NJ).

NASWA Policy Directors Pam Gerassimides and Yvette Chocolaad, with support from Policy Analyst Liam Sullivan, co-lead NASWA’s engagement in the partnership that organized the convening and also facilitated the program. Several hundred individuals attended, including many NASWA members and partners.

View Photos | Watch Session Recordings

NEW PUBLICATION ON

EMPLOYMENT AND EARNINGS RECORDS

The Chamber Foundation has issued the report “Developing and Using Public-Private Data Standards for Employment and Earnings Records,” the culmination of part of NASWA's work with the Chamber Foundation last year.

A true group effort, Policy staff Julie Squire and Yvette Chocolaad, and Policy Analysts Hillary Hewko and Liam Sullivan contributed substantially to this work.

VETS COMMITTEE HOSTS TRIAGE TRAINING SESSION

A total of 203 state workforce agency and federal staff attended a one-hour NASWA webinar March 4 on Veterans Triage – the process where American Job Center customers are assessed for potential eligibility for Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) specialist services. A new triage tool that covers all of the DVOP service eligibility criteria was recently developed by a NASWA Vets Committee work group led by Mike Miller, the Chief of Veterans Services for the Utah Department of Workforce Services. The new tool can be customized with each state’s logo, and the content will be maintained by NASWA to maintain accuracy and compliance with USDOL VETS policy. Other presenters on this virtual session were Sam Mitchell (WA), the chair of the NASWA Vets committee, and Lori Adams, NASWA Veterans Policy Director. This session was recorded, and a link provided to everyone who attended along with copies of the tool. For more information, contact Lori Adams.

NASWA Services

VIRTUAL INSTRUCTOR-LED FRAUD INVESTIGATIONS COURSE AVAILABLE

Virtual Instructor Led Fraud Investigations course is available from NASWA Learning and the UI National Integrity Academy.

Learn more

TIPS: TOP INTEGRITY PRACTICES & SOLUTIONS

To assist NASWA in its mission to "enhance the state workforce agencies’ ability to accomplish their goals, statutory roles, and responsibilities," NASWA Learning offers a series of curriculum programs designed to help state workforce agency staff members enhance their knowledge and skills.

Learn More

UI IT SUPPORT CENTER

Oregon Business Analyst Boot Camp for UI and Paid Family Medical Leave

The UI ITSC training team conducted a series of nine 2-hour webinar sessions to deliver the Business Analyst Boot Camp training to the State of Oregon. The Boot Camp, normally held in person, was delivered virtually to about 30 participants who are working on modernizing their UI system and implementing a new Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) system.

What's Happening in the States

ALABAMA

ADOL Recognized by Regional Census Office

2021 Alabama Interstate Talent Development Convening | Learn More & Register

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

The Office of Unemployment Compensation Bi-Weekly Webinar and live Q&A Session View Invitation | Register

MASSACHUSETTS

Workforce Skills Cabinet Announces New Career Technical Initiative Grants

South CaroIina

Department of Employment and Workforce Launches Refreshed Website Press Release | Video demonstration

COVID-19 Resources

ACCESS THE COVID-19 PLAYBOOK

A new tool for NASWA members (state workforce agency personnel), the COVID-19 Playbook is a compilation of resources for state workforce agencies by state workforce agencies.

NOTE: NASWA Member login is required to access.

COVID-19 RESOURCES FOR REEMPLOYMENT AND RECOVERY AND UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE

You can also search Reemployment & Recovery COVID-19 topics in addition to Unemployment Insurance topics.

NASWA Members (state workforce agency personnel) have additional resources and solutions available for internal use only. This requires your NASWA Member login to access.