Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area Team Stands Ready to Assist Employers and Workforce as Community Feels Impact of Coronavirus
Mar 15, 2020
Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area
CEDAR PARK, Texas ⎯ As Governor Greg Abbott has declared a state of disaster in Texas due to novel coronavirus (COVID-19), and our communities continue to feel the increased impact of its global effects, the Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area (WSRCA) team has mobilized to ensure the health and safety of customers and staff, while ensuring that our business services, early childhood development programs and workforce services, continue throughout our Rural Capital Area communities.
“Our hearts are with all of those who have been affected,” said WSRCA CEO Paul Fletcher. “We recognize that circumstances of this nature are concerning, and we would like to reassure our fellow Texans that WSRCA is here to serve our communities in the best possible way.”
The WSRCA team is committed to meeting the needs of job seekers and employers in our nine-county region, and we want to ensure that the health and safety of our customers and staff are taken into consideration in these difficult times. Although our career centers currently remain open, there are several options in how you may choose to receive services: in person at our locations, by visiting our website at www.workforcesolutionsrca.com, logging in to www.workintexas.com, or via phone toll free, at 1-844-344-2780.
For our business community, WSRCA can assist with customized proactive outplacement services or layoff aversion strategies at no cost. Rapid Response provides early business-focused intervention assistance designed to transition affected workers to their next employment. Our services are tailored to each company, based on the needs of the affected employees. Please email rapidresponse@ruralcapital.net, for more information on Rapid Response services for employers.
If you are a worker whose employment has been disrupted by economic changes caused by COVID-19 concerns, we can assist you in finding new work or training for a higher-skilled role in related industries. WSRCA provides an array of services and programs that are designed with career development at every stage of your workforce journey, including up-skilling opportunities with local training providers. We can also provide information on unemployment benefits from the Texas Workforce Commission.
For families taking part in our child care and early childhood learning programs throughout the Rural Capital Area, we are working with our child care services providers to ensure a continuum of care for currently enrolled children, as events arise that may lead to a temporary change in a parent’s work, education, or training status. If you have questions, please contact our WSRCA Child Care Services team for assistance toll free, at 1-877-223-0404, or by email at rcachildcareservices@ruralcapital.net.
The U.S. Department of Labor has published the "Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19" to help reduce the impact of coronavirus. The guide also provides information to help employers and workers regarding issues they may face, including effects on wages and hours worked under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and job-protected leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Access that guide at: https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/osha/osha20200309
“Thank you for your continued patience and support as we work to minimize any impact to our region’s workforce development efforts. We are committed to working with our federal, state and local partners, to offer the necessary services to continue empowering our communities to compete at a global level,” added Fletcher.
WSRCA will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and share important updates and resources on our website at www.workforcesolutionsrca.com, and through our social media network.
Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area is a nonprofit community partnership providing no cost recruitment, employment services and childcare assistance, to businesses, employers and job seekers in the Rural Capital Area of central Texas. This nine-county region includes Bastrop; Blanco; Burnet; Caldwell; Fayette; Hays; Lee; Llano; and Williamson counties. For more details on WSRCA, and the services it offers, visit www.workforcesolutionsrca.com.
