Item 09 - Biennial Modification to the PY 2021-24 Regional and Local Workforce Plan

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Orange County WDBs 2023 Biennial Modification to PY 2021-24 Unified Local Plan 18 Staff training and professional development are a high priority for the local boards. The local boards and AJCC partners work together to provide frontline staff training. The Orange RPU has a training plan that includes a host of topics. The Orange RPU has successfully collaborated with partners and other organizations and leveraged training in the region. Any training hosted by the local board is open to partner staff and organizations in the Orange County Leadership Council. Training planned over the remaining period of the Local Plan includes, but is not limited to: cultural competency, trauma-informed care, motivating and building staff capacity, and sector strategies. C. Coordination of Rapid Response and Layoff Aversion Activities The Anaheim, Santa Ana, and Orange County Workforce Development Boards continue to support statewide rapid response activities by providing rapid response and layoff aversion services to businesses and outplacement services to dislocated workers in the region. Rapid Response teams offer services to employers and workers affected by layoffs and mass closures in the Orange County region. The rapid response team is made aware of large layoffs through California's Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) system. Local boards also receive notice of smaller layoffs from AJCC partners, chambers of commerce, industry association meetings, and news outlets. The rapid response team includes the local board, EDD, education and training providers, and community-based organization staff. Local board staff is responsible for making initial and follow-up contact with employers and coordinating with partner agencie s to organize rapid response events. The three boards coordinate rapid response events when a large regional employer has notified them of a mass layoff that affects residents throughout Orange County. If businesses in adjacent workforce areas are affected, the Orange County boards also coordinate with WDB staff in these areas. The local boards' rapid response teams have developed a common rapid response presentation that ensures they deliver a consistent message throughout the county. The teams also participate in Southern California Rapid Response Roundtable meetings. Local boards also assist businesses at risk of displacing employees by providing layoff aversion services. The boards receive businesses' referrals and use the Econovue system to identify at-risk companies for targeted layoff aversion services. Rapid response and layoff aversion services include: • Online or on-site outplacement services for affected workers • Coordination with EDD on Trade Adjustment Assistance and Work Sharing programs • Customized training or incumbent worker training • Conducting individual needs assessment of companies ' "business retention" needs • Assistance with securing tax credits, incentives, and cost-containment programs • Coordination of utility and technology services • Assistance in accessing public financing programs (local, state, and federal) and Industrial Development Bonds • Identification of traditional financing opportunities EXHIBIT 2