American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009

Bonnie Elsey, Director, DEED Workforce Development Division

March 24, 2009

Intent of ARRA

•Preserve and create jobs•Speed up nation’s economic

recovery•Assist those most impacted

by recession

Guiding Principles of ARRA• Implement and spend money quickly• Use resources effectively – increase

service capacity (double)• Be accountable for all money and

measures• Be transparent – it’s the tax payers’

money, report widely and frequently

Respond to Dual Customer

•Workers•Employers

Intended Outcome of ARRA

• Substantially increase # of customers in training (70%)

• Concurrently spend PY09 allocation• Substantially increase # of

customers served (double)• Move low-income adults to middle

class or sustain middle class

Alignment Strategies

• Regional Economies – existing and emerging employers

• Adult Basic Education• Institutions of Higher Education• Registered Apprenticeships• Economic Development• Employment &Training Providers

Job Seeker Customer Support

• Training that leads to credential, diploma, or certification.

• Provisions of support services to complete objective

• Provisions of needs-based payments to complete objective

• Articulate career pathways leading to middle class

Regional Strategies

• High-demand industry sectors• Renewable energy (green jobs)• Advanced manufacturing• Healthcare • Infrastructure projects like

telecommunications, roads, broadband

• Support green economy

Allowable Activities ARRA

• Activities that differ from WIA– Allows contracts with institutions of

higher education– Allows LWIBs to pay full cost of training

up front– Allows performance-based contracts

with institutions of higher education– Any institution of higher education

automatically on approved vendor list

Priority of Service all Programs

• Veterans and eligible veteran spouses top priority all programs

• WIA Adult – public assistance recipients and low-income adults (veterans within this population)

• WIA Youth – increase age to 24 to include youth not disconnected to work or school, (veterans within this population)

Unemployment Insurance Claimants

• Re-Employment Assessment program (UI)

• Re-Employment Services program (Wagner-Peyser)

• Regular Wagner-Peyser program

Wagner-Peyser Employer Services

• Matching job requirements with job seekers

• Specialized recruitment services• Analyze hard-to-fill job orders• Assist with job restructuring• Assist with job retention services

Integrated Services

• Seamless delivery of services between UI, REA, RES, Wagner-Peyser, WIA, Veteran Services, and Workforce Information

• Minnesota includes Rehabilitation Services, State Services for the Blind, MFIP, and Adult Basic Education wherever possible

Allowable Activities

• Upgrading Information Technology Systems– CRS– WF1– Job Bank– UI – LMI projections– HR systems– Finance systems

State Plan Modifications

• Request to Modify due 4/15/2009• Plan modification due 6/30/2009• Substantial change in assumptions in

approved plan• Influx of stimulus money• Foundational investments• Higher service strategy

High Expectations/High Accountability

• Staff– Exceptional customer service– Exhibit empathy with high customer

expectations– Flexibility – things will be different– Exceptional knowledge to benefit

customer– Communication with customer, partners,

and management

High Expectations/Accountability

• Staff– Listening Skills– Problem Solving Skills– Multitasking– Respect for customers, co-workers, and

management

High Expectations/Accountability

• Managers/Supervisors– Communications vertical and horizontal,

regular staff meetings– Focus on staff and customer flow– Mentor, coach, and encourage staff– Limit outside activities, meetings,

organizational involvement except WIB — ask yourself how it contributes to customer service.

High Expectations/Accountability

• Managers/Supervisors– Performance Management

• Reward outstanding behavior• Conduct regular performance reviews• Conduct employee development plan annually• Take immediate action in dealing with conflict or

performance issues• Document performance issues• Offer training and document results• Develop and monitor correction action plans

High Expectations/Accountability Public Employment system has no

option but to perform. WIA reauthorization and future of public employment system depends on it. The unemployed depend on us. We have the resources and tools to develop the system of the future

Franklin D. Roosevelt• Words engraved in national monument in

Washington DC

“There is no greater demoralizing experience for mankind than unemployment.”

– It’s our job to humanize the experience and help us out of the Great Recession of 2009.

History in the Making

Let our future generations remember us for our service…let’s get to work helping others.

Thank you for your service.Bonnie

www.positivelyminnesota.com