Application for Layoff Aversion Funds 2024 - 2025 Rapid Response Program

UPDATE: Grant applications for "Layoff Aversion" will be accepted on a rolling basis until all available grants have been awarded.

Overview

The Connecticut Department of Labor (CTDOL) has provided funding to Capital Workforce Partners (CWP) for the purpose of assisting employers to design and implement strategies for layoff aversion. Companies may apply for small grants of up to $20,000 to conduct the activities listed below.

 

    • Employers may request funding by completing this application. CWP may approve the application as submitted, or negotiate changes as needed to ensure compliance with grant requirements and budget availability.

    • Grant applications for “Layoff Aversion” will be accepted on a rolling basis until all available grants have been awarded.

    • Activities funded by these layoff aversion grants must be completed by April 30, 2025.

Your Title Goes Here

Employers must meet the following Criteria:

  1. Compliant with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Unemployment
    Insurance (UI) tax requirements, and Wage and Workplace Standards as verified by CTDOL.
  2. Certifies compliance with non-discrimination provisions and Section 188 of Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).
  3. Has no Conflict of Interest as defined and assessed by CWP.

Applicants that meet the following criteria will receive priority for funding:

  1. Woman-owned, veteran-owned and minority-owned small businesses.
  2. Employers that demonstrate re-entry hiring practices.
  3. Employers that demonstrate disability-friendly practices.
  4. Employers that are certified as a Recovery Friendly Workplace, or that demonstrate
    interest in obtaining that certification.
  5. Employers that have participated or are participating in the Shared Work model.
  6. Employers that provide:
      • Jobs that pay a wage that exceeds the local prevailing wage for an occupation in the region, and
      • Basic benefits (e.g., paid leave, health insurance, retirement/savings plan), and/or
      • Unionized jobs, and
      • Opportunities for the employee to develop the skills and experiences necessary to
        advance along a career path.

Funds awarded through this application may be used for the following activities.

  1. Worker Upskilling, including Incumbent Worker Training to enable employees to retain employment.
  2. Feasibility studies to determine if the employer’s operations may be sustained through a buyout or other means to avoid or minimize layoffs.
  3. Contracts with business-focused organizations to assess risks to the employer, propose strategies to address those risks, implement services, and measure impacts of services delivered.
  4. Proactive measures to identify opportunities for potential economic transition and training needs in growing industry sectors or expanding businesses.
  5. Strategies to enhance the marketability of the employer.
  6. Management of reductions in force.
  7. Conducting an analysis of risks and vulnerabilities from a potential closing or shift in production of a major customer of the employer.

View a printable PDF of this Layoff Aversion Grant documentation here:

Download PDF

Contact

Dan Garewski

Manager, Business Engagement

Step 1 of 3

Business Info

Business Address(Required)
Employer Status(Required)

Small Business Priority Indicators

Small business is defined by the US Small Business Administration based on annual revenue or number of fulltime employees, depending on the industry classification.
To find a NAICS code go to https://www.census.gov/naics/

The Layoff Aversion Rapid Response program is made possible in part by Capital Workforce Partners and supported by WIOA Dislocated Worker-Rapid Response funds awarded by the Connecticut Department of Labor. 100% of this program is financed with federal funds. This publication does not express the views of the DOL or the State of Connecticut. The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors.