CLAIMANT PLACEMENT PROGRAM

Barbara Flaherty
Employment Security Department
P.O. Box 9046
Olympia, WA 98507-9046
Telephone: 360.438.4164
E-mail: bflaherty@esd.wa.gov

State Website: http://www.esd.wa.gov/

Participation: 61,465 participants were served by the Claimant Placement Program during July 1, 2006-June 30, 2007.

Who is Served: All of those identified by a “profiling system” are eligible to participate in the program. Priority is given to people who are likely to exhaust their Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits, older workers, and potentially long-term unemployed persons.

Program Description: Claimant Placement services are provided to people most likely to exhaust their UI benefits. Types of services include employability and skill assessments, labor market research, résumé assistance, interview skills training and help finding a job. When appropriate, referrals are made to other employment and training providers within WorkSource or outside the system to ensure more intensive services and retraining opportunities are explored to assist the person’s return to work. Participants face a potential denial of benefits if they fail to meet requirements of the program.

Other Program Characteristics: Shifts in program design are anticipated to boost performance and use new information technology tools developed to match individuals with local job openings.

Program History: The program was authorized by the Washington state Legislature in 1987 to provide early intervention reemployment services to state unemployment insurance claimants. Priority was designated to claimants who were likely to be to become “long-term unemployed." Changes were made to the program in subsequent years. In 1993, the program merged with new federal requirements to “profile” claimants most likely to exhaust their UI benefits before returning to work. Reemployment services are currently provided through the 29 WorkSource centers located across the state.

Planning Cycle: Annual.

Outcome Measures: Federal, state, and agency measures are entered employment rates, wages at employment and the amount of time it took to return to work after receiving a service. Different methodologies apply for calculating and reporting data.

Funding and Regional Division: Funding is part of the Employment Services Administrative account appropriation from the legislature to the Employment Security Department.  Funds are targeted to maximizing technology and tools, as well as providing staff strategically in WorkSource centers throughout the state.

State Funding: $6,006,000 in 2007-2008 (July 1, 2007-June 30, 2008).

Federal Funding: None.

Statutory Authority: State - RCW 50.62 and 50.24.014. Administered by the Employment Security Department.