The governor's office has announced a coordinated response. His memo is reprinted in full here:
January 6, 2009
TO: Department Directors
FROM: Governor
RE: Rapid Response Coordination
Montana's economy has shown great resilience, but the impacts of the national downturn are now being felt in our Montana communities. In the last several weeks, hundreds of Montanans received lay-off notices from their jobs. Most projections indicate that this trend will continue through the first half of 2009 and very possibly longer with unemployment levels rising to near double digit levels nationally.
At a minimum, the U.S. Department of Labor funds States to provide Rapid Response services that connect laid off workers to unemployment insurance, career counseling, and job search assistance.
I know that we can do better for Montana workers.
Montana's Rapid Response activities must be elevated to the level of a critical service. Our Rapid Response program must work closely with business and industry and labor organizations to coordinate the design of a range of proactive strategies- including economic development - for addressing dislocation.
Rapid Response activities that should be completed within the month:
- Commitment from DLI, DPHHS, OPI, OCHE, DOA and Commerce to ongoing participation in the design and implementation of the State's Rapid Response program to ensure timeliness, quality and consistency in state services.
- The compilation and dissemination to all state agencies of a comprehensive list of existing services available to assist dislocated workers and their families.
- Creation/maintenance of a master database listing all state jobs available to dislocated workers.
At my request, the Department of Labor and Industry will be the lead agency in collecting this information and making it available on-line as well through its One Stop Centers statewide.
I know that you and your agency will continue to work with my office and the Department of Labor and Industry to create a well-defined role for the State that will ensure timely, consistent and effective services are provided to every Montanan who needs our help. I look forward to a report on your progress.
