QUEST dislocated worker grant deadline extension, Change 1

CLASSIFICATION
   EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ADMINISTRATION                  DWG
               ADVISORY SYSTEM                             CORRESPONDENCE SYMBOL
          U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR                         OWI-DASG
             Washington, D.C. 20210                        DATE
                                                           August 4, 2022

ADVISORY:        TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT GUIDANCE LETTER NO. 2-22,
                 Change 1

TO:              STATE WORKFORCE AGENCIES
                 STATE WORKFORCE ADMINISTRATORS
                 STATE WORKFORCE LIAISONS
                 STATE AND LOCAL WORKFORCE BOARDS AND CHAIRS
                 STATE LABOR COMMISSIONERS
                 INDIAN AND NATIVE AMERICAN PROGRAM GRANTEES

FROM:            BRENT PARTON
                 Acting Assistant Secretary

SUBJECT:         Deadline Extension to Submit Request for Funding under Quality Jobs, Equity,
                 Strategy, and Training (QUEST) Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker
                 Grants (DWGs) Funding Announcement

1. Purpose. To advise eligible entities that the deadline for submitting a grant application for
   the QUEST Disaster Recovery DWGs is extended to August 15, 2022.

2. Action Requested. The U.S. Department of Labor’s (Department) Employment and
   Training Administration (ETA) requests that interested and eligible entities share this
   guidance with all staff who administer DWGs, Unemployment Insurance, and Employment
   Services in order to plan responsive funding applications.

3. Summary and Background.

   a. Summary – On July 5, 2022, the Department issued Training and Employment Guidance
      Letter (TEGL) No. 2-22, advising eligible entities of the availability of up to $140 million
      for QUEST DWGs to enhance the public workforce system’s ongoing efforts to empower
      America’s unemployed and underemployed workers through worker and business
      engagement, elevate equity, and connect jobseekers with high-quality jobs. In that
      TEGL, eligible entities were advised that grant applications should be submitted no later
      than August 4, 2022. The Department has determined that eligible entities may need
      additional time to submit such applications and is extending the deadline to August 15,
      2022.

   b. Background – ETA is committed to furthering high-quality jobs and supporting a skilled
      workforce with up to $140 million in QUEST Disaster Recovery DWGs. These grants
      are Disaster Recovery DWGs authorized under Title I, Section 170 of the Workforce
   RESCISSIONS                                              EXPIRATION DATE
   None                                                     Continuing

       Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), implementing regulations at 20 CFR 687.100–
       200, and guidance published in Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) No.
       16-21, Updated National Dislocated Worker Grant Program Guidance.

4. Guidance. TEGL No. 2-22 outlined the required actions that eligible entities must complete
   in applying for a grant under this funding opportunity, and provided the deadline of August
   4, 2022 for submission of applications. However, the Department has determined that
   eligible entities may need additional time to review TEGL No. 2-22 and to develop an
   application in response to the funding opportunity. Therefore, the Department is extending
   the deadline for submission of grant applications to August 15, 2022. All other guidance
   and information in TEGL No. 2-22 remain the same.

5. Inquiries. Questions regarding this guidance should be directed to Grant Specialist at
   [email protected] with QUEST DWG in the subject line.

6. References.

   •   Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), sec. 170, Pub. L. No. 113-128, 128
       STAT. 1425, 1573-1576 (July 22, 2014);
   •   20 CFR pt. 687;
   •   Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) No. 16-21, Updated National
       Dislocated Worker Grant Program Guidance (June 16, 2022);
   •   TEGL No. 14-18, Aligning Performance Accountability Reporting, Definitions, and
       Policies Across Workforce Employment and Training Programs Administered by the U.S.
       Department of Labor (DOL) (March 25, 2019); and
   •   TEGL No. 19-16, Guidance on Services provided through the Adult and Dislocated
       Worker Programs under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and the
       Wagner-Peyser Act Employment Service (ES), as amended by title III of WIOA, and for
       the implementation of the WIOA Final Rules (March 1, 2017).

7. Attachment(s). None.