106.15 Assistance for dislocated workers.

(1) Definitions. In this section:

(a) “Council" means the council on workforce investment established under 29 USC 2821.

(b) “Dislocated worker" has the meaning given in 29 USC 2801 (9).

(c) “Dislocated worker committee" means the committee or other subunit of the council that assists the governor in providing employment and training activities to dislocated workers under 29 USC 2862 to 2864.

(d) “Local plan" means a local plan required under 29 USC 2833 as a condition for a grant.

(3) Grants. From the appropriation under s. 20.445 (1) (m), the department shall make grants to persons providing employment and training activities to dislocated workers including all of the following:

(a) Job search assistance, including participation in job clubs.

(b) Training in job skills.

(c) Support services, including but not limited to transportation assistance, relocation assistance, financial counseling, personal counseling and programs conducted in cooperation with employers or labor organizations.

(4) Grant approval. The department may award a grant under this section only if both of the following occur:

(a) The dislocated workers committee approves the local plan or application for funding and refers its decision to the secretary.

(b) After receiving a referral under par. (a), the secretary approves the local plan or application for funding.

(5) Local plan or application review. In reviewing local plans and applications for funding under this section, the dislocated workers committee and the secretary shall consider all of the following:

(a) The severity of the need for the program in the community to be served when compared with the severity of need in other communities.

(b) The appropriateness of the skill development or training to be provided, including whether the demand for that skill exceeds the supply.

(c) Whether the program provides for labor organizations to participate in program planning.

(d) Whether the program provides for coordination with other employment and training programs offered in the community in which the program will be offered.

(6) Rule making. The department shall promulgate rules to administer this section. The rules shall address eligible applicants and program providers, application requirements, criteria and procedures for awarding grants, reporting and auditing procedures and administrative operations.

(7) Funding. From the amounts appropriated under s. 20.445 (1) (m), all moneys received under 29 USC 2862 to 2864 shall be expended to fund grants and operations under this section.

History: 1985 a. 153; 1987 a. 27; 1989 a. 31, 44; 1995 a. 27 ss. 3714, 3715; Stats. 1995 s. 106.15; 1999 a. 9; 2003 a. 33; 2011 a. 32.