Reemployment Support Centers

Eva Harper, Program Manager
Department of Commerce
P.O. Box 42525
Olympia, WA 98504-2525
Telephone: 360.725.4145
E-mail: eva.harper@commerce.wa.gov

State Website: http://www.commerce.wa.gov/site/183/default.aspx

Participation: 5,348 participants were served by Reemployment Support Centers between July 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011.

Who is Served: Those who receive lay-off notices or are recently unemployed due to community economic distress or plant closures are eligible. The program is not designed for the chronically unemployed or as a youth training program.

Program Description: The program provides coordinated services to reduce emotional, physical, medical, and financial barriers keeping clients from conducting an effective job search. A second purpose is to increase the local community’s capability to help its unemployed by building the capacity of the existing service delivery network. Types of services include job search assistance and job referral, training referral, financial counseling, utility payment assistance, and other support services.

Other Program Characteristics: Three locally based contractors provide services.

Worker Center—Seattle.
Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Council—Aberdeen.
Olympic Community Action Program—Port Angeles.

Program History: Created by the Legislature in 1987, the Reemployment Support Center program provides direct and referral services to people who have recently lost their jobs. The program was originally a response to the timber and salmon crisis in rural counties, as well as large-scale layoffs in urban areas.

Planning Cycle: Every two years.

Outcome Measures: Outcome measures include units of service and client characteristics.

Funding and Regional Division: The program has no sub-state or regional districts. Three reemployment centers submit a spending plan and a plan for units of service delivered. Each center receives equal funding. Currently, Clallam, Jefferson, Grays Harbor, Pacific, and King counties are served by reemployment centers in Port Angeles, Aberdeen, and Seattle. Originally a program of the Employment Security Department, the Legislature later transferred the program to the Department of Commerce.

State Funding: $235,000 (July 1, 2010-June 30, 2011) Employment Security Department Penalty and Interest Fund.

Federal Funding: None.

Statutory Authority: State - WAC 43-330-130. Administered by the Department of Commerce.