Workforce Services

Dislocated Worker Taskforce

Layoff or Closure Help Is Available!

Arkansas’ Rapid Response Team within the Dislocated Worker Services Unit assists workers who lose their jobs due to business closures or workforce reductions due to the economic climate or natural disasters. The Rapid Response Team helps employees during business closures or workforce reductions by providing information about retraining, job opportunities, filing for unemployment insurance benefits, and other local, state, and federal services.

The Dislocated Worker Services Unit engages the resources of the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services, area health services, the U.S. Department of Labor, the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC), the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), and other agencies, as appropriate, to meet the needs of dislocated workers and employers.

Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN)

The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN) protects workers, their families, and communities by requiring most employers with 50 or more employees to provide notification sixty (60) calendar days in advance of plant closings and mass workforce reductions. This does not include employees who have worked less than six months in the last 12 months and those who work an average of fewer than 20 hours a week.

Employees entitled to notice under WARN include managers and supervisors, as well as hourly and salaried workers. Advance notice gives workers and their families some transition time to adjust to the prospective loss of employment, to seek and obtain other jobs, and, if necessary, to enter skill training or retraining that will allow these workers to compete successfully in the job market.

Regular federal, state, and local government entities that provide public services are not covered by WARN.

WARN requires that notices should be addressed to the Director of the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services. More information and instructions on how to file WARN with the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services.

If you have information about a company needing assistance or contemplating business closure or workforce reductions, please contact:

Regina Moss
Program Operations Manager
Dislocated Worker Services Unit
Email: Regina.Moss@arkansas.gov
TEL: 501-683-1412
FAX: 501-682-4263

Immediately upon receiving notice of closure or workforce reduction, Rapid Response contacts company officials. Whenever possible, a community meeting is scheduled with elected officials and business leaders to create action plans to assist both the community and dislocated workers.

The Rapid Response Team may conduct a Worker Assistance Workshop for representatives of local and state agencies to share information about available resources with affected workers. Services and needs discussed at the workshop may include retraining and educational opportunities, unemployment insurance, social service programs, credit counseling, insurance options, and resources to find a new job.

Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) 

If applicable, Rapid Response will provide information on Trade Adjustment Assistance and associated benefits. TAA is a benefit for those workers who lose their jobs or whose hours of work and wages are reduced as a result of the impact of international trade. This program includes a variety of benefits and reemployment services to help unemployed workers prepare for and obtain suitable employment. Workers may receive assistance in skill assessment, job search workshops, job development/referral, and job placement. In addition, workers may be eligible for training, job search allowance, a relocation allowance, and other reemployment services.  For additional information, click here.

Mobile Workforce Centers

The Rapid Response Team operates five Mobile Workforce Centers. Each Mobile Workforce Center has full internet connectivity and is equipped with computers, printers, copiers, and fax machines. All of the Mobile Workforce Centers include a computer with access to Jobs Application With Speech (JAWS) software, and most mobile units are handicapped accessible.

Mobile Workforce Centers may be transported to supplement local resources, as needed. Workers may be provided assistance in drafting résumés and letters of application, effective interviewing skills, productive job search techniques, and Arkansas Career Readiness Certificate (CRC) assessments.

The units can be requested by completing and submitting the online form by clicking here.

Offline form submission is available: Mobile Workforce Centers Application Form.

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION

FROM THE ARKANSAS DIVISION OF WORKFORCE SERVICES​

Looking for a job?

Visit Arkansas JobLink and set up your job-seeker account to create and post resumes, search for jobs and training opportunities, receive notifications when certain jobs are posted, and learn about upcoming hiring events!

Whether you are unemployed and searching for work, or looking to increase your skillset to further your career, we can help. Visit an Arkansas Workforce Center to meet with a career counselor, get help with job search and applications, learn about training opportunities, get certified as "work-ready", and more. We can provide services and connect you to resources that will help you achieve your employment and career goals.

New FOIA Request Portal

Now Arkansas citizens can submit FOIA requests to ADWS through an easy-to-use online portal! Click the link below to submit a request.

Submit a FOIA Request

ADWS provides interpretation and translation services, at no cost, for clients who need assistance in accessing and participating in available services and programs. To request an interpreter or translator, please contact your nearest local office. 

ADWS ej lewaj jerbal in ukok ilo jeje im kennaan, ilo ejjelok wōnāān, ñan client ro am ak ro kimij jerbal ippair im rej aikuij jipañ ñan bok kunairilo jerbal ko iim pirokiraam ko. Ñan am kajjitōk juon ri-ukok, jouij im kepaake opij eo epaake ijo kwoj pād ie.

ADWS proporciona servicios de interpretación y traducción, sin costo alguno, para clientes que necesitan asistencia accediendo y participando en servicios y programas disponibles. Para solicitar un intérprete o traductor, por favor póngase en contacto con su oficina local más cercana.

ADWS cung cấp dịch vụ thông dịch và phiên dịch miễn phí cho khách hàng cần trợ giúp trong việc tiếp cận và tham gia các dịch vụ và chương trình hiện có. Để yêu cầu thông dịch viên hoặc phiên dịch viên, yêu cầu liên lạc với văn phòng địa phương gần nhất.

ພະແນກ ADWS ຈັດຫາບໍຣິການນາຍພາສາແລະການແປເອກະສານ ໂດຍບໍ່ຄິດຄ່າບໍຣິການ ສຳລັບຄົນງານທີ່ຕ້ອງການຄວາມຊ່ວຍເຫລືອເພື່ອເຂົ້າເຖິງ ແລະເຂົ້າຮ່ວມໃນ ການຮັບບໍຣິການແລະໂຄງການຕ່າງໆທີ່ມີຢູ່ສຳລັບທ່ານ. ຂໍໃຫ້ທ່ານຈົ່ງຕິດຕໍ່ຫ້ອງການທ້ອງຖິ່ນທີ່ໃກ້ທ່ານທີ່ສຸດ ເພື່ອຂໍຮັບບໍຣິການຈາກນາຍພາສາຫລືນັກແປເອກະສານ.