Charles D. Baker, Governor

Ronald L. Walker, II, Secretary 

Alice Sweeney, Director

Rapid ResponseLayoff Aversion/Business Services

Helping Businesses throughout their Business Cycle !!

Ensuring Businesses know and understand all of the options and advantages we bring to the table !

Building Business relationships one business at a time !!!

What is the function of Rapid Response ?

• To provide Information and services for companies and employees that are effected by business transitions.

• To offer Layoff Aversion strategies

• To connect other services / agencies that can assist in these transitions

• To provide direct services for both business and employees

• Act as a gateway into the One Stop System

What is Rapid Response

It is NOT event-driven! It is a pro-active approach to planning for and managing economic transitions.

Rapid Response requires:

• Ongoing efforts to build relationships with employers and other community stakeholders

• Knowledge of labor market trends and economic forecasts

• Strategic planning, data gathering and analysis designed to anticipate, prepare for, and manage economic transition

• Understanding workforce assets and needs

• Convening, facilitating, and brokering connections, networks, and partners

• Planning for and responding to layoffs, minimizing their impacts wherever possible

One Statewide TeamRapid Response Locations

• Boston

• Leominster

• Lawrence

• Brockton

• Cambridge

• North Hampton

• AFL/CIO Union Staff

Rapid Response Consistency is the key

• All RR staff are cross trained in all business services, Unemployment Assistance services, Career Center services, WIA/ WIOA

• Consistent workshop materials

• Statewide reporting RR Business services system (MOSES)

• By-weekly RR coordinator meetings

• BizWorks involvement

Rapid Response initiated programs

• Response to company closures and layoffs

• Layoff Aversion/ Company matching

• Rapid Response (RR) Set Aside

• National Emergency Grants

• Trade Adjustment Assistance

Pro-active Rapid Response Networking and early warning systems

“Strategies for aversion that start with the first contact”

(what does this mean? )

• Never acknowledging that the event will result in layoff or closure

- explore and review all options with all parties involved.

• When explaining options relate real time examples

• Make sure Rapid Response staff understand all of the available options and when to broker activities

Tracking of Rapid Response services

• All Company information and services

• All employee registration and services

• MOSES system Massachusetts One Stop Employment System

• TAA/RR/NEG - system

Rapid Response Set Aside Funding

Department of Career Services

Set Aside Funds

• Allows Rapid Response 25% funds to be utilized for additional assistance to local area’s experiencing events that substantially increase the number of unemployed individuals

• Direct services to participants (such as, intensive and training services) if there are not adequate local funds available

Utilization of Set-Aside Funds

• Funds for a layoff or layoffs that would be to small to apply for a National Emergency Grant (NEG)

• For use as a bridge while waiting for NEG funds to arrive

• Assistance with Trade related companies

Quick Turnaround Funding

• Once a proposal is approved the field is notified immediately

• In addition, the goal of the set aside process is that funding is issued within a two week time frame.

Grant Tracking

• All programmatic grant information is captured on the Massachusetts One-Stop Employment system (MOSES)

• All fiscal information is tracked separately through the finance department (FSR’s)

Mass BizWorks

Connecting business to state and federal resources to meet business needs

www.mass.gov/bizworks

Expanding Business Engagement

The Expanding Business Engagement (EBE) Initiative was a federal initiative commenced in June 2012 and involved thirteen states. States that participated in the Initiative focused on the goal of improving program performance through the delivery of enhanced business-focused services stemming from a statewide business engagement strategic plan.

ColoradoFloridaIndianaMarylandMassachusettsMinnesotaMississippiMontanaNew JerseyNorth CarolinaOhioOklahomaSouth Carolina

Flow ChartFlow Chart

Mass BizWorks

Providing Services Throughout the Business CycleProviding Services Throughout the Business Cycle

Mass BizWorks

Contact

www.mass.gov/bizworks

bizworks@detma.org

800-252-1591

Direct Contact:Ken Messina, Business Services Manager kmessina@detma.org 617-626-5703

We can help you.

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