Jeffrey Mosher welcomes Melissa Jones, Rapid Response State Coordinator, for Michigan’s LEO, the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity along with Tekea Norwood, COO, CAMW! the Capital Area Michigan Works!, Lansing, MI, but serving Ingham Eaton and Clinton Counties.
Hear Melissa, Tekea and Jeffrey discuss Michigan’s Rapid Response program, supporting businesses and workers facing layoffs, in the YouTube video shared below:
In their conversation, Jeffrey looked to find out several things from Melissa and Tekea;
THEME: Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity Rapid Response State
Coordinator, Melissa Jones, and CAMW! COO, Tekea Norwood, explain the Rapid Response program at the state level and how it supports businesses facing potential layoff situations.
Question 1: What is Rapid Response? What is the goal of the program and why is it an
important resource for employers across the state?
The primary purpose of the Rapid Response is to help employees affected by layoffs or plant
closures quickly access the workforce services they need to regain employment as soon as possible.
This support aims to minimize the negative impacts of job loss, such as prolonged unemployment or skill obsolescence.
Rapid Response provides timely and targeted support to workers and employers during times of significant workforce disruptions. The primary objective of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, Workforce Development (LEO-WD’s) Rapid Response Team is to facilitate a smooth transition for both workers and employers during periods of workforce disruptions. By offering:
1. Timely and targeted assistance,
2. Resources to reduce the negative impacts of job loss,
3. and access to training to support the overall economic well-being of the community.
Rapid Response acts as both a provider of direct reemployment services and as a facilitator of
additional services and resources.
Question 2: What does the Rapid Response team do following the notice of a potential
layoff? How do you support affected employees and what strategies do you use to help
employers prevent layoffs?
The first thing we do is initiate a Rapid Response meeting with the company and union
officers. When a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) notice is issued by
the employer, the CAMW! Chief Operating Officer (COO) will coordinate with the
Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, Workforce Development (LEO-WD) Rapid
Response Coordinator to arrange for an initial meeting with the employer. Appropriate
sub-recipient staff including Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Dislocated Worker
(WIOA DW), Employment Services, and Trade Act will also attend the meeting. If the
employer has less than 100 employees that are required to qualify for a WARN notice,
CAMW! will still contact the LEO-WD Rapid Response Coordinator to ensure these entities
have access to services operated under the CAMW! system to assist displaced workers.
Private, for-profit employers and private, nonprofit employers are both eligible to receive
assistance through Rapid Response.
Layoff Aversion
Plant closings and mass layoffs can occur for a variety of reasons in periods of both economic
expansion and decline. These reasons may include financial difficulty, mergers and acquisitions, loss of market share, consolidations, foreign competition, product or service obsolescence, shift in parent company focus, or other factors. Opportunities may exist to save jobs and avoid resulting hardships imposed on individuals and communities when a plant or business closes.
● Early Response is Critical. Adequate Lead Time is Essential
Over the past 25 years, there have been numerous examples of companies that were
scheduled to close, but continued operations because of a response initiated by one or more
interest groups such as employees, management representatives, government and
community groups, and labor organizations. These responses have included management or
employee buyouts, sales to other parties, business restructuring and incumbent worker
training. In order for RR to work effectively, early intervention is critical. For a layoff aversion
effort to succeed, there must be sufficient time to organize an effective response.
● Layoff Aversion Is a Cooperative Effort
An important initial step in Rapid Response is to assess the reason for the plant closing or
mass layoff. If there is an indication that the business closing or mass layoff might be
averted, LEO-WD, in conjunction with the local MWA and other partners can provide
technical assistance to interested parties to investigate possible layoff aversion strategies.
How to Submit a Notice?
Company officials may submit a WARN to the State of Michigan by submitting to the WARN
PORTAL or emailing LEO-RapidResponseCommunications@Michigan.gov
Question 3: What does the relationship look like between the Department of Labor and
Economic Opportunity, businesses and local Michigan Works! agencies? How do you work
together to address layoffs and help those impacted?
Rapid Response is a coordinated effort of the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity,
Workforce Development (LEO-WD), the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA), United Way and Capital Area Michigan Works!
When we (LEO or CAMW!) hear of a layoff or closure, Melissa and I will email one another and
decide who will reach out to the employer. Contact is first made via email or a phone call. There are other times CAMW! Business Service Team members will contact Tekea along with the employer’s HR person to ignite the rapid response meeting. From there if the employer is willing, we hold an Onsite Worker Orientation.
Topics include the following:
● Unemployment Insurance Benefit & Claims Information
● Job Reemployment Assistance Information
● WIOA Training Information
● Community Support Resources
● One-Stop Partner Information
CAMW! Reemployment Services may include:
● Job Search Workshops
● Employment Skills Testing and Assessments
● Resume Workshop
● Interviewing Skills
● Career Guidance
● Labor Market Information
Other Partners May Include:
● Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS)
● Veteran Services
● Social Services
● Local Financial Empowerment Partners
● Other topics as requested
Question 4: How do you measure the success of the Rapid Response program, and what
positive outcomes have you seen so far?
The success of the Rapid Response program is measured by tracking performance and
outcome data, and by developing partnerships with other agencies and organizations
Last fall, we worked with an auto supplier who had laid off their employees due to the Big
Three Striking. The supplier reached out to CAMW! BST members to see what resources were
available for their employees. The supplier decided to have a resource luncheon where LEO,
UIA, United Way, Refugee Navigator, and CAMW! WIOA team came onsite to provide
services. The biggest win for the day was individuals who were able to talk to UIA about their
benefits and what resources were in the community to assist them during this layoff with food,
transportation, childcare, utilities etc.
Question 5: Where can people go to learn more about the Rapid Response program?
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