The importance of this legislation and the role of the States in Implementing it cannot be exaggerated. Recognizing the enormous demands on you and your staff, we hope you will be able to join with us in assuring a smooth and rapid implementation of the program in your State. It is with great satisfaction that I write this letter to you, providing an opportunity for us to address the severe problems faced by those we call "dislocated workers." These individuals, facing unemployment of long duration, have lost their jobs because of structural changes in our economy. Thoughtful and innovative approaches are called for to return these workers to productive employment. The Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) reflects the Administration's recognition of this problem in Title III - Employment and Training Assistance for Dislocated Workers." To permit well planned development of this effort, $25 million in Fiscal Year 1983 funding has been made available through Public Law 97-377. Seventy-five percent of these funds are now being allotted to States by formula pursuant to Section 301(b) of the Act to assist dislocated workers in finding new employment. The remaining 25 percent of the funds will be allotted on a discretionary basis pursuant to Sections 301(a) and (c) of the Act. Information regarding application procedures for discretionary funding will be available in the very near future. We are pleased to be able to offer a grant to your State. Your allotment amount is contained in the grant package attached to this letter. In order to obtain this grant, either the attached signed letter of intent to apply, or, a completed grant must be received by the Department of Labor no later than March 1, 1983. This should be addressed to: Grant Officer, Dislocated Worker Program Employment and Training Administration 601 D Street, N. W. Washington, D. C. 20213 If you return the attached letter of intent indicating that you will not apply for these funds, or, if you have not responded to this letter by March 1, 1983, the funds shown here as available to your State will be reallotted and used elsewhere. Draft JTPA regulations were published January 18, 1983. Comments are now being accepted on these regulations. We anticipate that final regulations will be published by March 15, 1983. These final regulations will be the governing regulations for any program conducted under this grant. In the interest of obtaining funding at the earliest possible date, you may now sign the attached grant with the proposed regulations and special conditions. This will mean that you agree to operate according to the draft regulations until March 15, 1983. Alternatively, you may choose to wait for publication of the March 15, 1983, final JTPA regulations, and sign and return the grant based on those final regulations. In either event, obligation of funds will occur as soon as possible after return of the grant document. Of course, receipt of funds is contingent upon your agreement to the terms of the regulations and the special provisions in the attachment. I want to bring the Title III matching requirement, in particular, to your attention. The JTPA requires that you match Federal funds provided, with a provision for reduction of the match based on the unemployment rate in your State. We have computed the amount of match required for your State, and it too is shown on the attachment. Your statement of intent to provide this match will be sufficient to obtain this grant. Should you have any questions concerning this grant, assistance may be obtained by calling this "hot-line" number 202-376-7240. I believe that employment and training programs will flourish with the State involvement mandated by JTPA and I am confident that this first JTPA grant will provide meaningful employment assistance to dislocated workers. I recently wrote you regarding the immediate availability of funds allotted by formula under Title III of the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) to provide assistance to dislocated workers. At that time I indicated that additional information would be made available in the near future with respect to discretionary funding for dislocated worker programs. The Department has now completed its plans for the release of these discretionary funds. The funds must be used to serve individuals who are affected by mass layoffs, natural disasters, Federal Government actions, or who reside in high unemployment areas or federally designated enterprise zones. These funds have been appropriated under Title III of the JTPA, and projects operated with these funds are subject to the provisions of that Act and Federal regulations promulgated under that Act. To apply for these funds applications for individual projects meeting Discretionary Dislocated Worker Program 601 D Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20213 There is no deadline for the submission of applications. Proposals will be reviewed and approved or rejected based on their compliance with the criteria contained in Enclosure No. II. It is the Department's intention, however, to obligate all of the $6.25 million available for these activities by no later than September 30, 1983. You will be contacted concerning your proposal after it has been reviewed. If your proposal is selected for funding, a grant package will be negotiated and forwarded to you. (A) |