; and (B) the reference in such section to funds shall be considered to be a reference to funds reserved by the Secretary under section 242(b)(1). (11) Secretary The term Secretary means the Secretary of Labor. (12) Threatened The term threatened , with respect to total or partial separation, means that an individual is aware of imminent total or partial separation from employment with an applicable firm or with a company with which the applicable firm is contracted to provide goods or services. (13) Total separation The term total separation means the layoff or severance of an individual from employment with an applicable firm. (14) Totally separated The term totally separated means, with respect to an individual, that such individual is experiencing total separation. A Adjustment assistance program I Group certification 211. Petitions (a) In general A petition for a group of workers to be certified under section 213 for eligibility to apply for adjustment assistance may be submitted to the Secretary by any of the following: (1) Not less than 3 workers on behalf of the group of workers petitioning for such certification. (2) A certified or recognized labor organization, or any other duly authorized representative of such workers (as determined by the Secretary), representing not less than 3 of the workers in the group. (3) The applicable firm. (b) Actions by the Secretary On receipt of a petition submitted under subsection (a), the Secretary shall— (1) ensure that rapid response activities and appropriate career services (as described in section 134 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act ( 29 U.S.C. 3174 )) authorized under other Federal laws are made available to the workers covered by the petition to the extent authorized under such laws; (2) verify the information included in the petition