Project Summary - COVID-19 DWG - Emergency Funding Request.docx

Project Summary Worksheet – Emergency DWG Funding Request for COVID-19 Response

PROJECT SUMMARY WORKSHEET

Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grants Emergency Funding Request for COVID-19 Response

This is a suggested project summary format for applicants requesting National Dislocated Worker Grant (DWG) funding to address the emergency response to COVID-19. This project summary must be submitted with an SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance. Please see pages 3 and 4 to reference Frequently Asked Questions regarding the DWG COVID-19 response.

Upon receiving a DWG award in response to an emergency application package, grantees must submit a full application, including a budget and implementation plan, within 60 days of a DWG award.

Name of Entity Applying for DWG Funding:

List all counties to be served under this project:

Describe the specific needs resulting from the COVID-19 public health emergency in the geographic region proposed to be served:

Identify the proposed disaster-relief jobs the requested funding will create in order to address the needs identified above. Disaster-relief positions may address cleanup resulting from the impact of COVID-19, along with the humanitarian assistance needs created by this public health emergency.

WIOA sec. 170(d) generally requires that Disaster Recovery DWGs include disaster-relief employment, with the option for grantees to also conduct employment and training activities (which may include career, training, and supportive services) for workers eligible to participate in Disaster DWG activities. These activities may also be added to the project via a subsequent modification. If there is an immediate need to provide employment and training services, please briefly explain here:

Eligible Participants to be enrolled in the project – select all that apply:

Dislocated workers ☐

Workers laid-off as a result of the disaster, including:

· workers who are laid off as a result of a quarantine, because they miss work to care for a family member, or because they cannot come to their regular workplace in order to follow socially distance requirements; and,

· workers laid off after a business closure related to disruptions caused by the outbreak and the efforts to contain it.

A long-term unemployed worker ☐

A self-employed individual who became unemployed or significantly under-employed as a result of the disaster or emergency ☐

Enrollment Summary

Planned Enrollments

Number of Participants to be Enrolled in Disaster Relief Employment Only

Number of Participants to be Enrolled in Both Disaster relief employment and Career and Training Services

Total Number of Participants to be Enrolled

Frequently Asked Questions 1.) Which entities are eligible to apply for a Disaster Recovery DWG under HHS Secretary Azar’s public health emergency declaration for coronavirus?

· Entities eligible to apply for Disaster Recovery DWGs are:

· States

· Outlying areas

· Indian Tribal Governments as defined in the Stafford Act (42 U.S.C. 5122(6))

· Secretary Azar’s declaration is “nationwide,” so any eligible entity in any location may apply.

2.) What activities must states carry out with Disaster Recovery DWGs under the coronavirus public health emergency declaration?

· WIOA sec. 170(d) generally requires that Disaster Recovery DWGs include disaster-relief employment, with the option for grantees to also conduct employment and training activities (which may include career, training, and supportive services) for workers eligible to participate in Disaster DWG activities.

3.) Who can be served by Disaster Recovery DWGs under the coronavirus public health emergency declaration?

· Eligible Disaster DWG participants for both disaster-relief employment and employment and training activities are:

· Dislocated workers

· Workers laid-off as a result of the disaster, including:

· workers who are laid off as a result of a quarantine, because they miss work to care for a family member, or because they cannot come to their regular workplace in order to follow socially distance requirements; and

· workers laid off after a business closure related to disruptions caused by the outbreak and the efforts to contain it.

· Self-employed individuals unemployed or underemployed because of the disaster

· Long-term unemployed individuals 4.) For coronavirus, what types of disaster-relief employment are allowable?

· Under WIOA sec. 170, disaster-relief employment is limited to one of two categories: cleanup activities or humanitarian assistance. Under a public health emergency declaration such as the coronavirus, the types of disaster-relief employment allowable might include:

· Humanitarian assistance activities: WIOA’s allowance for disaster-relief employment to provide humanitarian assistance provides greatest range of potential disaster-relief employment activities for this public health emergency. Disaster-relief employees may assist in addressing many needs created by this public health emergency and the prolonged social isolation that is necessary to curb it, such as:

· Delivering medicine, food, or other supplies to older individuals and other individuals with respiratory conditions and other chronic medical disorders, with appropriate training and precautions. Coronavirus infection has been the most harmful to these populations, and there may be heavy need for such services that traditional volunteer organizations cannot support alone.

· Helping set up quarantine areas and providing assistance to quarantined individuals.

· Organizing and coordinating recovery, quarantine, or other related activities.

· Cleanup activities: WIOA requires that cleanup activities respond to the impacts of the disaster. While this activity is more typical for tornadoes, fires, and floods, some clean-up activities are relevant to coronavirus response. For instance, cleanup activities can include cleaning schools or sanitizing quarantine or treatment areas after their use. If research determines that coronavirus is more likely to spread under certain physical conditions, Disaster Recovery DWG funds could additionally be used to help remedy these conditions.

· By law, disaster-relief employment activities may only respond to or mitigate the impact of the disaster, which means grantees may not use DWG-funded disaster-relief employees to perform work aimed at preventing future disasters. We consider preventative measures—setting up quarantines, cleaning buildings—as mitigation activities because they avoid the further spread of the virus.

5.) In addition to Disaster Recovery DWGs, can states apply for Employment Recovery DWGs in response to layoffs caused by cancellations or shutdowns caused by coronavirus?

· Yes. Any layoffs caused by the virus’ spread, or other economic causes, could be eligible for Employment Recovery DWGs. WIOA limits Employment Recovery DWGs to providing only employment and training activities.

· As already allowed under WIOA statute and regulations, states can apply for Employment Recovery DWGs if the following events occur:

· If there are 50 or more individuals laid off by one employer.

· If there are significant layoffs that significantly increase unemployment in a given community, even if the total layoffs are fewer than 50 individuals. For example, a cancellation of a large event may qualify because several different businesses such as hotels, caterers, area restaurants may lay off workers as a result of the event’s cancellation.

If you have questions related to the DWG program in response to the coronavirus public health emergency declaration, please contact your ETA Regional Office.