599 Program Transition to the One Stop System Pilot

1
599 Program Transition to the One Stop System
Pilot 

• Wanda Santiago
• Carol Elwell
• Mariangela Viglucci
• Mary Blais

2
Training Objectives

• Understand 599 Program and Approval Criteria
• Understand Roles of One-Stop System Staff and
  Special Programs Unit
• Able to complete required forms
• Understand Documentation Requirements
• Know when and how to communicate with claimant,
  SPU, One Stop Staff

3
Anticipated Benefits of Transition to One Stop
System

• Coordination of services through the One Stop
  system will
• Ensure that individuals who start training are
  better able to finish
• Enhance NYs labor force making the state more
  attractive for economic development.
• Target a larger pool of UI claimants
• Better market the 599 Program to UI claimants to
  increase numbers that apply and are approved for
  the Program
• Fully obligate available 599.2 funding

4
Anticipated Benefits of Transition to One Stop
System (cont.)

• Utilize experienced One-Stop staff to assist UI
  claimants to
• Choose appropriate training programs
  w/consideration of local labor market conditions
• Coordinate support services
• Provide information on funding availability for
  training
• Improved program outcomes for the system (All
  programs - UI, WIA, ES, Reemployment)
• Improved individual outcomes for participants
• successful completion of training
• successful employment following training (higher
  wages, job retention, skills upgrading, career
  advancement)

5
599 Phase In Strategy Transition to One Stop
System

• Phase I
• SPU
• Continued responsibility for processing 599
  Applications from claimants self-identified as
  in-training at time of their UI Original Claim
  (OC)
• Responsible for follow-up with all claimants
  approved for 599
• One Stops
• Responsible for review/processing 599
  Applications and approval recommendations
  identified after the OC process
• Responsible for outreach to claimants in training
  at time of OC and disapproved by SPU

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Phase I Timeline
8
Phase I Role of the SPU

• Continuing to process 599 applications from
  claimants identified in training at OC
• Reviewing the recommendations from One Stop staff
  for approval/disapproval
• Issuing all 599 Determinations to the claimant
• Calculating individual eligibility for additional
  599.2 benefits
• Follow-up on progress of training to ensure
  continued eligibility and satisfactory progress
• Monitoring the 599.2 funds availability
• Assessing effectiveness of process, forms,
  communication methods

9
Phase I Role of the One Stop Staff

• Increasing claimant awareness of 599 program
• Identifying UI claimants interested or in need of
  training
• Assessing training needs, developing individual
  training plans
• Assisting UI claimant/customer in making informed
  decisions regarding training.
• Coordinating One Stop services as needed (LMI,
  Training funds, support services, etc..)
• Review and Recommendation of approval/disapproval
  of 599 Applications identified after OC
• Scheduling Follow-up with 599 Applicants
  identified as part of OC and disapproved by SPU
• Assess effectiveness of process, forms,
  communication methods

10
One-Stop Customer Flow

• Claimants in need of training identified through
  current customer flow process
• Initial Assessment (UI orientation)
• Comprehensive Assessment
• Workshops
• Job Match
• Identify as early as possible to maximize
  training opportunities and benefits

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Increase Awareness of 599

• Initial Assessment UI Orientation
• Brochure
• Talking Point in presentation
• Section 599 Training Fact Sheet
• Comprehensive Assessment, Workshops, Employment
  Plan development
• Detail 599 approval criteria for informed
  decision making

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599 Program - Purpose

• The 599 Program provides an opportunity for
  eligible UI claimants who lack competitive job
  skills to receive UI benefits while attending an
  approved training and or retraining program.
• Allows claimants to collect UI benefits while in
  approved training without having to
• Search for work
• Be available for work
• Accept suitable work
• 599.2 allows for up to 26 weeks of additional UI
  benefits, after exhausting regular UI, if funding
  is available.
• 599 refers to the specific section of Article 18
  of the NYS Labor Law

13
599 Approval Criteria

• 1. The training is needed by the claimant
  because
• a). Claimants employment opportunities limited
  or
• b). Training likely to lead to more regular long
  term employment or
• c). Training will upgrade existing skills
• And
• 2. At least 12 hrs/week classroom attendance or
  12 credit hours of training, And
• 3. Training or remaining training period not more
  than 24 months, And
• 4. Competent and reliable training facility, And
• 5. Training relates to an occupation or skill,
  And
• 6. Training relates to an occupation or skill
  with reasonable employment opportunities, And
• 7. Claimant has the qualifications to complete
  training successfully

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Training is needed

• The training is needed by the claimant because
• (a) It will upgrade the claimants existing
  skill or
• (b) It will train the claimant for an occupation
  likely to lead to more regular long term
  employment or
• (c) Employment opportunities for the claimant
  are limited.

15
Training will upgrade existing skills

• Claimant needs additional training to obtain work
  in their regular occupation (occupation for which
  they have training and/or work experience).
• Claimant needs additional training to advance in
  the same field or field related to regular
  occupation, i.e. to obtain higher skilled/higher
  wage work.
• If claimant already has in-demand occupational
  skills but lack of English proficiency, high
  school diploma, or basic skills is a barrier to
  reemployment in that occupation, ESL, GED, or
  Basic Skills training may be considered an
  upgrade of claimants existing skills

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Training will Upgrade Existing Skills

• Example 1 Claimants regular occupation is
  office administrative support worker. He needs to
  improve his computer skills in order to obtain
  work in this occupation. He is attending school
  to obtain a Microsoft Office Specialist
  Certificate.
• Training will upgrade his current skills.
• Example 2 Claimant studied acupuncture in a
  foreign country, and she lacks English
  proficiency. She had been working in as a
  housekeeper in hotel for the past 6 months. To
  become a licensed acupuncturist in NYS, she must
  demonstrate proficiency in English. She is
  attending an ESL course for this purpose.
• Training will upgrade her current skills.
• Example 3 Claimants regular occupation is
  nursing aide. She is attending school to obtain a
  Practical Nursing license in order to become a
  LPN.
• Training will upgrade her current skills.

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Training for occupation leads to more regular
long term employment

• Claimants regular occupation, although not
  necessarily limited in the current labor market,
  is a low wage/high turnover occupation. This may
  be evidenced by
• Multiple UI claims
• Multiple jobs with different employers
• Low skills, low wages
• ESL , GED, or Basic Skills training may be
  approvable if training would position claimant to
  pursue more regular, long-term employment.

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Training for occupation leads to more regular
long term employment

• Available Resources
• Low wage criteria (NYC benefit rate 250
  Outside NYC benefit rate 200)
• Need for Low Wage Alternative Definition? Looking
  for local feedback/specific cases.
• Job Zone (Career Exploration tool) job
  description skills, training and education
  required by occupation.
• USDOL Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) job
  description skills, training and education
  required by occupation turnover information.
• Need for High Turnover List? Looking for local
  feedback/specific cases.

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Training for occupation leads to more regular
long term employment

• Example 1 Claimants regular occupation is
  retail salesperson at department stores.
  Information in OOH indicates this occupation
  requires few skills to enter. Claimants benefit
  rate is 177. Claimant is attending school to
  obtain an Associates Degree in Health
  Information Management in order to become a
  Medical Records Technician a higher skilled,
  higher paying occupation.
• Criterion is met

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Training for occupation leads to more regular
long term employment

• Example 2 Claimant has difficulty obtaining
  and/or retaining employment due to a lack of
  English proficiency. ESL training will position
  him to pursue more regular, long term employment.
  
• Criterion is met.

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Claimants employment opportunities are limited

• Reduced employment opportunities in the
  claimants occupation or skill.
• Technological change, plant closing/removal,
  discontinuance of specific plant operations, or
  similar reasons.
• Seasonal nature of claimants regular occupation.
• Claimants personal traits

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Claimants employment opportunities are limited

• Available Resources
• NYS Workforce Industry Data, Employment
  Prospects 2004-2014 can be searched statewide
  or by region. Occupations rated as less favorable
  or least favorable are impaired.
• Notice of Mass Layoff or Closing WARN
• Local Labor Market Analyst

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Claimants employment opportunities are limited

• Example 1 Claimants regular occupation is
  landscaping and grounds keeping. He is laid off
  every year during the winter months.
• Due to the seasonal nature of his occupation, his
  employment opportunities are limited.
• Example 2 Claimants regular occupation is
  carpenter. She suffered an injury which prevents
  her from returning to this occupation.
• Due to her physical condition, her employment
  opportunities are limited.

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12 Classroom or 12 Credit Hour Criterion

• Two Options
• 12 Credit Hours
• No exception for Summer Sessions
• OR
• 12 Classroom Hours per week
• Cannot include homework, non-credit labs, or
  self-study time
• No exception for Summer Sessions

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12 Classroom or 12 Credit Hour Criterion

• Example 1 Claimant is attending school to obtain
  a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education. The
  number of class hours per week is 16.
• 12 hour criterion is met
• Example 2 Claimant is attending school to obtain
  an Associates Degree in Accounting. Although the
  number of class hours per week is 10, the
  claimant will receive 12 credits at the end of
  the semester.
• 12 hour criterion is met
• Example 3 Claimant is attending school to
  prepare for a GED. The class meets 8 hours a
  week.
• 12 hour criterion is not met

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24 Months to Complete

• To measure the 24 months, determine how many
  months of training are remaining on the date the
  599 application is reviewed for approval.
• When training begins at a future date, the
  remaining training period is calculated from the
  training start date
• Scheduled training breaks are counted as part of
  the training period.

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24 months to Complete

• Example 1 Claimant filed a UI claim effective
  3/10/08, and indicated that he is attending
  training to be completed on 4/17/10. The 599
  application is reviewed for approval on 4/20/08.
• There are less than 24 months of training
  remaining on the date the 599 application is
  reviewed (4/20/08) training meets the 24 month
  criterion.
• Example 2 Claimant filed a UI claim effective
  5/5/08. On 6/4/08, he informs the One Stop he was
  accepted to training, which is scheduled to begin
  on 8/18/08 and end on 8/10/10. The 599
  application is reviewed for approval on 6/26/08.
• There are less than 24 months of training
  remaining on the date the 599 application is
  reviewed (6/26/08), since training does not start
  until 8/18/08 training meets the 24 month
  criterion.

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Competent and Reliable Agency

• NYS training provider
• on ETPL (http//www.labor.state.ny.us/etp/default.
  asp)
• SED list of approved degree granting institutions
  (www.highered.nysed.gov/ocue)
• SED Bureau of Proprietary School Supervisions
  list of non-degree granting schools and programs
• (www.highered.nysed.gov/bpss/home.html)
• SED list of Distance Learning Providers
• (www.highered.nysed.gov/ocue/ded/database.html)
• Out of State training provider
• Appropriate SED approved lists in the State of
  the provider

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Training relates to occupational goal

• The training provides the skills and
  qualifications required to work in the claimants
  occupational goal.
• Liberal Arts may be approvable if with a
  concentration that directly relates to
  occupational goal.
• General Liberal Arts are not approvable
• ESL, GED, or Basic Skills training may be
  approvable if
• prerequisite for occupational skills training
• combined with occupational skills training as
  training package
• needed in combination with existing occupational
  skills to work in claimants occupational goal

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Training relates to occupational goal

• Example 1 Claimants occupational goal is police
  officer. She is attending school to obtain an
  Associates Degree in Criminal Justice.
  Information in Job Zones Career Exploration
  indicates this degree prepares individuals to
  become police officers.
• Training satisfies the educational requirement
  to work in the stated occupational goal.
• Example 2 Claimants occupational goal is a
  paralegal. He is attending school to obtain a
  Bachelors Degree in History. Information in
  USDOLs OOH indicates usually an Associates or
  Bachelors Degree in Paralegal Studies or a
  program leading to a Certificate in Paralegal
  Studies prepares individuals for this occupation.
  
• Claimants training program does not provide the
  skills or qualifications to work in his
  occupational goal.

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Training relates to occupational goal

• Example 3 Claimants occupational goal is
  lobbyist/public relations specialist. Her chosen
  program of study is an Associates Degree in
  Womens Studies. OOH indicates entry level
  positions usually require a college degree in
  public relations, journalism, advertising, or
  communication.
• Claimants training program does not provide the
  skills or qualifications to work in her
  occupational goal
• Example 4 Claimants occupational goal is LPN.
  Claimant requires a basic skills refresher in
  Math prior to starting the LPN program.
• The combination of basic skills and occupational
  skills training provides skills and
  qualifications to work in the claimants
  occupational goal.

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Training relates to occupational goal

• Available Resources
• Job Zone (Career Exploration tool)
• Education and training required for occupation
• School programs associated with occupation
• USDOL Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH)
• Education and training required for occupation
• School/Training facility website
• Information about training course or program

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Reasonable Employment Opportunities

• Reasonable opportunities in the claimants
  occupational goal are expected in the immediate
  future
• Use statewide and/or regional labor market
  information.
• Be cognizant of employment opportunities in the
  area not reflected in regional/statewide LMI.

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Reasonable Employment Opportunities

• Available Resources
• NYS Workforce Industry Data, Employment
• Prospects 2004-2014
• Statewide or by Region
• Occupations rated FAVORABLE or VERY FAVORABLE
  meet this criterion.
• http//www.labor.state.ny.us/workforceindustrydat
  a/apps.asp?regnysappdescriptor
• Recent trends, hiring patterns, events in the
  local area
• Regional Labor Market Analysts
• http//www.labor.state.ny.us/workforceindustrydata
  /lmas.asp

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Claimant resides in Utica. Her occupational goal
is Computer Support Specialist. Employment
prospects in Mohawk Valley Region are Favorable.
Criterion is met
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Claimant lives in Rochester. His goal is
Librarian. Employment prospects in Finger Lakes
are Least Favorable and Favorable Statewide.
Criterion is met
38
Claimant lives in Capital Region. Job prospects
for Machinists are considered least favorable for
Region and Statewide. However, General Electric
in Schenectady needs Machinists and is
continuously recruiting.
Criteria is met.
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Claimant has Required Qualifications and
Aptitudes

• Claimant has the required qualifications and
  aptitudes to complete the course or training
  successfully. This may be evidenced by
• Acceptance into training program
• Grades
• Completion of previous training courses/programs
• Work history
• This criterion especially important if claimant
  applying for 599 when part way through training
  program (i.e. 2 years remaining of 4 year
  program). Should make sure that grades/progress
  to date in program indicates reasonable chance of
  successful completion in time remaining.

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Automatic Approval under 599

• TAA approved training
• WIA approved training, provided
• The training requires attendance of at least 12
  hours per week, or leads to 12 credits and
• The training or remaining training period does
  not require more than 24 months to complete.
• Difference between TAA and WIA approved
• No separate 599 Application required if TAA
• 599 Application required even if WIA approved

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Other Approval Considerations

• ESL/Basic Skills/GED may be approved as
  stand-alone training
• Prerequisite ESL/Basic Skills/GED can also be
  approved in Combination with Occupational Skills
  Training as a training package
• Must meet other criteria (ie. 24 months to
  complete full training package and must lead to
  occupational goal)
• If the claimant fails to satisfactorily complete
  the Basic Skills/ESL prerequisite and therefore
  can not continue with the Occupational component
  of the training, then the 599 approval would be
  terminated for unsatisfactory progress.

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Other Approval Considerations

• Distance Learning
• If not listed on SED list, the following
  elements must be present for Distance Learning to
  be approved
• Course duration is the same for all students.
• Completion time for assignments is the same for
  all students.
• There is an instructor teaching the course, who
  is available to answer questions.
• Student participation and progress are monitored
  regularly.
• Minimum grade is required for successful
  completion.
• Credential issued is accepted by industry and
  certifying/licensing agency (when applicable)
• Self-Paced Training - cannot be approved

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Other Terms needed for Completion of 599 Approval
Recommendation

• Most Recent Occupation may or may not be
  related to past/current skills and training
• Regular Job/Occupation suited for by training
  or skills
• Occupational Goal expected outcome obtained
  from training
• ONet Code (of occupational goal) same as SOC

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Other Terms needed for Completion of 599 Approval
Recommendation

• Issue w/ Availability
• Claimant not approved for 599 must meet the UI
  work search criteria
• Demonstrate ready willing and able to accept work
  in regular occupation while in school
• Actively seeking work, keep record
• If recommending disapproval of training, One Stop
  staff must
• Give Availability Advisory and document in OSOS
  Comment
• Specific advisory language provided in OSOS
  activity chart under Recommend Disapproval
  activity
• SPU makes final Availability Determination in
  conjunction with 599 Determination

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Other Terms needed for Completion of 599 Approval
Recommendation

• Supporting Documents
• Official School documents that illustrate
• For Approval
• Training acceptance date
• Training start and end date
• 12 classroom hours or 12 credit hours
• Transcript/Grades (only if already attending
  training)
• For Disapproval
• training schedule illustrating days and times in
  class

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Acceptance Date
Start and End Date
Class Schedule
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Documentation for 12 credit hours must show
course title and corresponding credit hours.
Disapproval must submit document illustrating
days/times in class
Official College Stamp
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599 Terms Timely

• Under Section 599 of the Labor Law, the UI
  claimant has the responsibility for Timely
  Disclosure of the fact that they are in training.
  
• The Departments interpretation of this section
  of the law has been changed so that claimants may
  be eligible for a greater amount of 599.2
  benefits, provided that
• the training is disclosed timely, and
• the claimant submits a completed training 599
  application including all supporting
  documentation timely
• SPU is responsible for calculating the number of
  weeks of 599.2 benefits that each claimant may be
  eligible for. In order for SPU to make this 599.2
  benefit calculation, certain dates must be
  documented

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599 Terms Timely

• Is the training disclosed timely
• Claimants are asked during the UI Original Claim
  (OC) application if they are currently in
  training or have been accepted into training
• if they fail to disclose training at that time,
  subsequent application for 599 is considered
  untimely
• Claimants that are accepted into training after
  OC are advised in the UI claimant handbook that
  they must immediately disclose training to the
  One Stop.

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599 Terms Timely

• If the claimant is accepted into training after
  the date of OC and date that the claimant first
  discloses training to the One Stop
• Is prior to the training start date, then the
  disclosure of training is considered timely and
  there is no reason to document the Training
  Disclosure Date
• Is after the training start date, then the One
  Stop staff must document the Training Disclosure
  Date
• the claimant must be advised that they have 14
  calendar days to submit a completed 599
  application to the One Stop
• In OSOS One Stop staff must record
• the Training Disclosure Date as an activity and a
  comment confirming claimant was advised of 14 day
  due date for submittal and potential impact on
  599.2
• The date that the 599 training application was
  subsequently received
• an OSOS comment indicating whether One Stop staff
  consider the receipt of the 599 application as
  timely

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599 Terms Timely

• Other Timely Considerations
• Complete Application - a 599 Application is not
  considered complete unless it includes all
  required supporting documentation.
• When required supporting documents are not
  provided with the 599 application
• The claimant can be given 14 additional calendar
  days to submit required documentation
• The claimant must receive and sign a 599 Pending
  Documents Advisory form listing all documentation
  required and 14 day due date established
• One Stop staff must document in OSOS and upon
  receipt of documents indicate in OSOS comment
  whether receipt is considered timely

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599 Terms Timely

• Other Timely Considerations
• Correction Needed to Application after
  submittal to SPU
• If SPU reviews 599 application and One Stop
  recommendation and disagrees with One Stop
  recommendation for approval, SPU can not issue
  disapproval determination until agreement reached
  between SPU and One Stop
• Under certain circumstances SPU and One Stop
  staff may agree that minor correction to
  application may make it approvable
• the One Stop must discuss the proposed correction
  with the claimant and get the claimants
  agreement to change and resubmit as proposed
• The One Stop has 14 days to make minor correction
  and resubmit application/recommendation to SPU
  with claimants approval
• Note definition of minor correction is very
  limited, can only be done if no change to
  training program or training provider

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How to count 14 days represents calendar days
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OS44PD
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Forms

• New forms Created for OS Staff use
• SPU use existing forms
• Training Approval (316.1) is NEW
• Recorded in OSOS Tracked in LWIA - MR
• Numbered and Dated
• Ensure Confidentiality

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Forms
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Forms
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Maintaining 599 Eligibility

• Satisfactory progress
• Providing grades timely at the end of each
  marking period/semester
• Providing new/revised class schedule timely
• Returning DOL correspondence for periodic
  training verification timely

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Forms
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Section 599 of the UI Law

• Individuals approved under Section 599 may
  receive up to a maximum of 26 weeks of additional
  benefits under Section 599.2 provided
• The claimant has exhausted 104 effective days of
  regular UI benefits.
• Entitlement to a new UI claim cannot be
  established.
• The claimant has exhausted all rights to TRA
  benefits.
• The claimant has exhausted any other extended
  benefits that may be in effect at the time of
  training approval.
• The claimant is still attending the approved
  training.

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Section 599 of the UI Law

• The number of additional weeks a claimant may
  receive depends on
• Availability of funding (only 20 million
  available statewide annually)
• The number of regular UI weeks remaining as of
  the calculation date

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Calculation Date

• OC effective date
• The claimant discloses training at time of OC
  and
• The claimant provides supporting documentation
  timely
• Date of Acceptance into training
• The claimant is accepted into training after OC
  and
• Training is disclosed timely and
• The claimant reports timely for scheduled
  services and
• The claimant provides supporting documentation
  timely to the One-Stop

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Calculation Date

• Date of Disclosure
• The training is not disclosed timely
• Date Claimant reports
• The claimant does not report to the One-Stop
  timely
• Date claimant provides supporting documentation
• The claimant does not provide supporting
  documentation
• timely
• Date of disclosure
• The claimant is accepted into training after OC
  and
• The claimant does not provide evidence to
  document date of acceptance into training

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Calculation of Additional Benefits

• The amount of additional benefits potentially
  payable is twice the number of effective days
  remaining in the UI claim as of the calculation
  date up to a maximum of 104 effective days or 26
  weeks.
• Example UI effective days remaining is 52
• 52 X 2 104 effective days or
• 26 weeks

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Calculation of Additional Benefits

• When training start date is more than six weeks
  from the calculation date, maximum number of
  additional benefits that may be credited is
• Twice the number of effective day as of
  calculation date up to a maximum of 48 effective
  days or 12 weeks plus
• twice the number of effective days remaining when
  claimant begins training (total number cannot
  exceed 104 effective days or 26 weeks)

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Phase I Data Recording RequirementsUse of the
One Stop Operating System (OSOS)

• OSOS will be used as a shared tracking system
• New OSOS Activities have been established to
  record 599 processing steps
• OSOS Activities will be entered in OSOS both by
  One Stop and by SPU staff
• New web based OSOS Local WIA-Management Reports
  (LWIA-MR) have been created based on these OSOS
  activity entries that will allow both SPU and One
  Stop staff to track the status of 599
  applications
• OSOS Quick Guide

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OSOS/LWIA-MR/FAF Webinar

• August 29 from 1000 a.m. to 1130 a.m.
• September 19 from 1000 a.m. to 1130 a.m.
• Watch for e-mail detailing registration and
  log-on information

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RESOURCES

• 599 Page on WorkforceNewYork
• reference materials
• training materials
• forms
• FAQs
• Mailbox for all 599-related questions or concerns
  should be emailed the following email addresses
  for response
• dews599_at_labor.state.ny.us (for those outside
  DOL's network
• labor.sm.dews.599 (for those inside DOL's
  network)

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RESOURCES

• Each LWIA will designate a 599 Liaison.
  Responsibilities will include
• Key point of local contact for dissemination of
  599 program information, policy/procedural
  changes
• Local program expert, first point of contact
  for staff questions
• Key liaison with SPU staff to resolve any issues
  related to approval recommendations

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RESOURCES

• Division Liaisons will mediate issues that cannot
  be resolved between one-stop staff and SPU staff
  regarding recommendations.