[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 20, Volume 3]
[Revised as of April 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 20CFR665.320]

[Page 774]
 
                      TITLE 20--EMPLOYEES' BENEFITS
 
 CHAPTER V--EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
 
PART 665--STATEWIDE WORKFORCE INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES UNDER TITLE I OF THE WORKFORCE INVESTMENT ACT--Table of Contents
 
                  Subpart C--Rapid Response Activities
 
Sec. 665.320  May other activities be undertaken as part of rapid response?

    Yes, a State or designated entity may provide rapid response 
activities in addition to the activities required to be provided under 
Sec. 665.310. In order to provide effective rapid response upon 
notification of a permanent closure or mass layoff, or a natural or 
other disaster resulting in a mass job dislocation, the State or 
designated entity may:
    (a) In conjunction, with other appropriate Federal, State and Local 
agencies and officials, employer associations, technical councils or 
other industry business councils, and labor organizations:
    (1) Develop prospective strategies for addressing dislocation 
events, that ensure rapid access to the broad range of allowable 
assistance;
    (2) Identify strategies for the aversion of layoffs; and
    (3) Develop and maintain mechanisms for the regular exchange of 
information relating to potential dislocations, available adjustment 
assistance, and the effectiveness of rapid response strategies.
    (b) In collaboration with the appropriate State agency(ies), collect 
and analyze information related to economic dislocations, including 
potential closings and layoffs, and all available resources in the State 
for dislocated workers in order to provide an adequate basis for 
effective program management, review and evaluation of rapid response 
and layoff aversion efforts in the State.
    (c) Participate in capacity building activities, including providing 
information about innovative and successful strategies for serving 
dislocated workers, with local areas serving smaller layoffs.
    (d) Assist in devising and overseeing strategies for:
    (1) Layoff aversion, such as prefeasibility studies of avoiding a 
plant closure through an option for a company or group, including the 
workers, to purchase the plant or company and continue it in operation;
    (2) Incumbent worker training, including employer loan programs for 
employee skill upgrading; and
    (3) Linkages with economic development activities at the Federal, 
State and local levels, including Federal Department of Commerce 
programs and available State and local business retention and 
recruitment activities.