Rapid Response Team Aids Local Company
   

The PA Dept. of Labor & Industry's Rapid Response Team, YCEDC and CareerLink met at Leggett & Platt to address the recent announcement that the furniture manufacturer would soon lose close to 60 jobs. The team addressed issues of unemployment compensation, training, resume writing, job search assistance and counseling for the displaced workers. Assistance was also offered to the transition the York manufacturer's operations to a distribution facility. The local Career Link participated in the meeting.

Rapid Response is an early intervention service that assists workers and employers affected by layoffs, plant closures, or natural disasters. It provides access to the Commonwealth's CareerLink system of user-friendly resources and information to transition workers into reemployment.

Rapid Response activities are triggered when the Department of Labor and Industry receive notification of planned closures or layoffs. There is no charge to the employer or employees for these services and they are provided regardless of the reason for the layoff.

The Rapid Response Team designates a specialist to meet with employers and employees. The Rapid Response specialist pulls together a team of experts to provide workers with information about and access to services, such as the following, in a centralized and convenient location before the closure occurs:

  • Unemployment Insurance
  • Health and Pension Benefits
  • Job Search Activities
  • Education Services
  • Training Program
  • Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) and NAFTA/TAA programs
  • Social Services Programs
  • Community and Economic Development Activities
  • Emergency Assistance
  • Crisis Counseling

Rapid Response also offers assistance to local communities so that a proactive and coordinated response can be designed, and access to Pennsylvania's economic development assistance resources can be obtained. Economic development assistance programs are designed to help businesses that are at risk of closing to keep the doors open. In addition, these programs can help businesses reduce the size of a layoff. The Rapid Response Program offers benefits to the community, employer and the employees.