Job Preparation and Employment
Job Attainment/Creation
Why can't I access the current Job Opportunities for Low-Income Individuals Program announcement? Please provide access. All I can find is the Initial funding accouncement for CFDA 93.593. Thank you very much. John Bane (Date submitted: 07/27/2005)
[Submit an answer]From Lincoln, Nebraska:
I don't have the URL for the Federal Register, but it was in the July 20 Federal Register. Contact Thom Campbell or Barbara Ziegler-Johnson at 800.281.9519 or ocsgrants@acf.hhs.gov (Date submitted: 08/10/2005)How are other states defining their work activities? Specifically, we would like to hear from states who have their own definition of work activities and how they are defined instead of statutory language. (Date submitted: 12/11/2001)
[Submit an answer]From D.C.:
Have you checked the State Policy Documentation Project data on CLASP's website? It contains several 50-state policy comparison tables on TANF work activities and requirements. Even though the information may be a year or two old, Nevada may still find the summaries useful. You may locate the tables at http://www.spdp.org/tanf/work.htm Check the Welfare Rules Database (WRD) on the Urban Institute's web site (http://anfdata.urban.org/wrd). It is a database of welfare rules from 1996 through 1999 (2000 should be added shortly), taken from state policy manuals. Under the category of "Activities requirements," there are variables indicating whether the state has a requirement for any of several types of activity (e.g., basic or remedial education, job skills training, job search, life skills training), and there is a variable where a description of "other allowable activities" is entered CALIFORNIA STATE WORK ACTIVITIES: « Unsubsidized Employment - self explanatory « Subsidized Private or Public Sector Employment - employment in which the participant's employer is partially or wholly reimbursed for wages and/or training needs. « Work Experience - a welfare-to-work training activity in the public or private sector that is performed under close supervision and helps provide basic job skills, enhance existing skills, or provide a needed community service that will lead to unsubsidized employment. « On-the-Job Training (OJT) - Self-explanatory. « Grant based (OJT )- a welfare-to-work activity that is performed in the public or private sector in which a recipient's cash grant, or portion thereof, or the aid grant savings resulting from employment is diverted to the employer as a subsidy to wholly or partially offset the payment of the wages. « Supported Work Or Transitional Employment - a grant based funded welfare-to-work activity in which a recipient's cash grant, or portion thereof, or the aid grant savings resulting from employment, is diverted to an intermediary service provider totally or partially offset the payment of wages to the recipient. « Work Study - programs established by Title IV of the federal higher Education Act, of Chapter 2 of Part 42 of the California Education Code of the State annual Budget Act. « Self-Employment - defined by the county but must meet the definition of employment, which is defined as work that is compensated at least at the applicable federal or state minimum wage. If neither wage rate applies, the work must be compensated in an amount equal to the lesser of the two rates. « Community Service - welfare-to-work training activity that is temporary and transitional, which is performed in the public or private nonprofit sector under close supervision and provides participants with job skills that can lead to employment while also meeting a community need. « Adult Basic Education - a welfare -to-work activity needed by the individual to become employed and may include instruction in reading, writing, arithmetic, high school proficiency, or general educational development (GED) certificate instruction, and English as a second language. « Job Skills Training Directly Related To Employment - self explanatory « Vocational Education and Training - programs including but not limited to those offered through colleges, community college, adult education and regional occupation centers. « Job Search/Job Readiness - training in basic job seeking and interviewing skills and understanding employer expectations and employee obligations. « Education Directly Related To Employment - self explanatory Additional California Work Activities include: « Programs leading to a general educational development (GED) certificate or satisfactory progress in a secondary school as needed by an individual to become employed. « Mental health counseling, treatment and rehabilitation activities necessary to obtain and retain employment. « Substance abuse counseling, treatment and rehabilitation activities necessary to obtain and retain employment. « Domestic violence services necessary to obtain and retain employment. « An individual's welfare-to-work activity may include the parent's participation required by a school to ensure that a child in the assistance unit attends school as required. « Other activities necessary to assist an individual in obtaining unsubsidized employment. HAWAII AND GUAM: Hawaii and Guam are using the language of the law. Additionally, Hawaii adds in their waiver, so they use the old JOBS definition. ARIZONA STATE: Arizona's work activities are the same as that listed in the Act FLORIDA STATE WORK ACTIVITIES: « Unsubsidized employment. Unsubsidized employment is full-time employment or part-time employment that is not directly supplemented by federal or state funds. Paid apprenticeship and cooperative education activities are included in this activity. « Subsidized private sector employment. Subsidized private sector employment is employment in a private for-profit enterprise or a private not-for-profit enterprise, which is directly supplemented by federal or state funds. A subsidy may be provided in one or more of the forms listed in this paragraph. « On-the-job training. On-the-job training is full-time, paid employment in which the employer or an educational institution, in cooperation with the employer, provides training needed for the participant to perform the skills required for the position. The employer or the educational institution on behalf of the employer receives a subsidy to offset the cost of the training provided to the participant. Upon satisfactory completion of the training, the employer is expected to retain the participant as a regular employee without receiving a subsidy. An on-the-job training agreement may not be continued with any employer who exhibits a pattern of failing to provide participants with continued employment after the on-the-job training subsidy ends. « Subsidized Public Sector Employment. Subsidized public sector employment is employment by an agency of the federal, state, or local government, which is directly supplemented by federal or state funds. The applicable subsidies provided under paragraph (b) may be used to subsidize employment in the public sector, except that priority for subsidized employment shall be employment in the private sector. Public sector employment is distinguished from work experience in that the participant is paid wages and receives the same benefits as a non-subsidized employee who performs similar work. Work-study activities administered by educational institutions are included in this activity. « Community service work experience. Community service work experience is job-training experience at a supervised public or private not-for-profit agency. A participant shall receive temporary cash assistance in the form of wages, which, when combined with the value of food stamps awarded to the participant, is proportional to the amount of time worked. A participant in the welfare transition program or the Food Stamp Employment and Training program assigned to community service work experience shall be deemed an employee of the state for purposes of workers' compensation coverage and is subject to the requirements of the drug-free workplace program. Community service work experience may be selected as an activity for a participant who needs to increase employability by improving his or her interpersonal skills, job-retention skills, stress management, and job problem solving and by learning to attain a balance between job and personal responsibilities. Community service is intended to 1. Assess compliance with requirements of the welfare transition program before referral of the participant to costly services such as career education; 2. Maintain work activity status while the participant awaits placement into paid employment or training; 3. Fulfill a clinical practicum or internship requirement related to employment; or 4. Provide work-based mentoring. As used in this paragraph, the terms ¡§community service experience," ¡§community work," and ¡§workfare" are synonymous. « Work Experience. Work experience is an appropriate work activity for participants who lack preparation for or experience in the workforce. It must combine a job training activity in a public or private not-for-profit agency with education and training related to an employment goal. To qualify as a work activity, work experience must include education and training in addition to the time required by the work activity, and the work activity must be intensively supervised and structured. Regional workforce boards shall contract for any services provided for clients who are assigned to this activity and shall require performance benchmarks, goals, outcomes, and time limits designed to assure that the participant moves toward full-time paid employment. A participant shall receive temporary cash assistance proportional to the time worked. A participant assigned to work experience is an employee of the state for purposes of workers' compensation coverage and is subject to the requirements of the drug-free workplace program. « Job Search and Job Readiness Assistance. Job search assistance may include supervised or unsupervised job-seeking activities. Job readiness assistance provides support for job-seeking activities, which may include: 1. Orientation to the world of work and basic job-seeking and job retention skills. 2. Instruction in completing an application for employment and writing a resume. 3. Instruction in conducting oneself during a job interview, including appropriate dress. 4. Instructions in how to retain a job, plan a career, and perform successfully in the workplace. Job readiness assistance may also include providing a participant with access to an employment resource center that contains job listings, telephones, facsimile machines, typewriters, and word processors. Job search and job readiness activities may be used in conjunction with other program activities, such as work experience, but may not be the primary work activity for longer than the length of time permitted under federal law. « Vocational Education or Training. Vocational education or training is education or training designed to provide participants with the skills and certification necessary for employment in an occupational area. Vocational education or training may be used as a primary program activity for participants when it has been determined that the individual has demonstrated compliance with other phases of program participation and successful completion of the vocational education or training is likely to result in employment entry at a higher wage than the participant would have been likely to attain without completion of the vocational education or training. Vocational education or training may be combined with other program activities and also may be used to upgrade skills or prepare for a higher paying occupational area for a participant who is employed. 1. Unless otherwise provided in this section, vocational education shall not be used as the primary program activity for a period, which exceeds 12 months. The 12-month restriction applies to instruction in a career education program and does not include remediation of basic skills, including English language proficiency, if remediation is necessary to enable a participant to benefit from a career education program. Any necessary remediation must be completed before a participant is referred to vocational education as the primary work activity. In addition, use of vocational education or training shall be restricted to the limitation established in federal law. Vocational education included in a program leading to a high school diploma shall not be considered vocational education for purposes of this section. « Job Skills Training. Job skills training includes customized training designed to meet the needs of a specific employer or a specific industry. Job skills training shall include literacy instruction, and may include English proficiency instruction or Spanish language or other language instruction if necessary to enable a participant to perform in a specific job or job training program or if the training enhances employment opportunities in the local community. A participant may be required to complete an entrance assessment or test before entering into job skills training. (i) Education services related to employment for participants 19 years of age or younger. Education services provided under this paragraph are designed to prepare a participant for employment in an occupation. The agency shall coordinate education services 46 with the school-to-work activities provided under s. 229.595. Activities provided under this paragraph are restricted to participants, 19 years of age or younger who have not completed high school or obtained a high school equivalency diploma. « School Attendance. Attendance at a high school or attendance at a program designed to prepare the participant to receive a high school equivalency diploma is a required program activity for each participant 19 years of age or younger who: 1. Has not completed high school or obtained a high school equivalency diploma; 2. Is a dependent child or a head of household; and 3. For whom it has not been determined that another program activity is more appropriate. (k) Teen parent services. Participation in and other services that are part of a comprehensive program are a required activity for each teen parent who participates in the welfare transition program. « Extended Education and Training. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section to the contrary, the board of directors of Workforce Florida, Inc., may approve a plan by a regional workforce board for assigning, as work requirements, educational activities that exceed or are not included in those provided elsewhere in this section and that do not comply with federal work participation requirement limitations. In order to be eligible to implement this provision, a regional workforce board must continue to exceed the overall federal work participation rate requirements. For purposes of this paragraph, the board of directors of Workforce Florida, Inc., may adjust the regional participation requirement based on regional caseload decline. However, this adjustment is limited to no more than the adjustment produced by the calculation used to generate federal adjustments to the participation requirement due to caseload decline. « GED Preparation and Literacy Education. Satisfactory attendance at secondary school or in a course of study leading to a graduate equivalency diploma, if a participant has not completed secondary school or received such a diploma. English language proficiency training may be included as a part of the education if it is deemed the individual requires such training to complete secondary school or to attain a graduate equivalency diploma. To calculate countable hours attributable to education, a participant may earn study credits equal to the number of actual hours spent in formal training per week, but the total number of hours earned for actual hours spent in formal training and studying may not exceed a one to one and one-half ratio for the week. Countable hours are subject to the restrictions contained in 45 C.F.R. s. 261.31. « Providing Child Care Services. Providing child care services to an individual who is participating in a community service program pursuant to this section. DELAWARE STATE: Work activities are defined in the annual report. Below is a summary of work definitions for each of the states below: « Work Readiness/Life Skills: Helping participants obtain the life skills necessary to prepare for the world of work, e.g. Time management skills, socialization skills, stress management skills. « Job Search/Job Placement: Assisting participants in their efforts to seek employment that is appropriate with their education, skills and abilities « Job Retention: Helping participants in their efforts to keep and maintain employment. « Work Experience/OJT: Placement of participants in either paid or unpaid positions for the expressed purpose of providing them with an experience of work or providing them specific training to learn a specific job skill. « Vocational Skills Training: Job Skills training for specific job positions, e.g., computer operator, carpenter, etc. « Retention Basic Skills Training: Training participants in the skills necessary to keep and maintain employment. « Education: As described in SB101 (State Plan Attachment D), this bill allows participants to participate in secondary, post-secondary or vocational education. Secondary education would include high school, GED and Adult Basic Education. Post-secondary would include an approved program or education leading to either an associate's degree or a baccalaureate degree. It would not include a graduate degree or a "second" four-year degree program. Vocational education would be education for a specific job skill, e.g. nursing, child care worker, etc. MARYLAND STATE: « Unsubsidized Employment: This category includes full-time or part-time employment where the person's wages are not being subsidized with any government funds. Employment as a member of the Armed Forces on active duty, self-employment, and entry into a registered apprenticeship program are considered to be work activities falling into this category. The term "subsidized" does not include tax credits to which the employer may be entitled for employing the person. « Subsidized Private Sector Employment: This category includes full-time or part-time employment in any private-for-profit or private-non-profit sector job where the person's wages are being subsidized with government funds. An example of this type of activity is Grant Diversion, where part of the person's entire grant is diverted to reimburse the employer for some or all of the wages paid to the person. « Subsidized Public Sector Employment: This category includes full-time or part-time employment in any public sector job where the person's wages are being subsidized with government funds. An example of this type of activity is Grant Diversion, in which part or the person's entire grant is diverted to reimburse the employer for some or all of the wages paid to the person. « Work Experience: This category includes public or private sector work situations where the person has the opportunity to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to perform a specific job, including learning about appropriate work habits and behaviors. Typically, the person is not paid for participating in a work experience activity, although he or she may receive a needs-based payment to cover the incidental costs of participating. « On the Job Training: This category involves training that is given to a person by an employer in the public or private sector. The training is provided while the person is engaged in productive work with the employer, and provides knowledge or skills essential to the full and adequate performance of the position into which he/she was hired. The person receives a wage from the employer, which is considered to be a training wage. « Job Search: Job Search activities include instruction on the effective strategies that can be used by persons in seeking/obtaining their own jobs. Services include, but are not limited to, resume writing, interviewing skills, labor market information, telephone techniques, information on job openings, and job acquisition strategies, as well as the provision of office space and supplies for the job search. « Job Readiness Assistance: Job Readiness Assistance includes instruction in career exploration, instruction on basic work place expectations and behaviors. Also, substance abuse treatment can be considered t be a form of Job Readiness Assistance. « Community Service: This category includes any work that provides a benefit to the public and is not otherwise described in this list of activity categories. Generally, the person is not paid for his or her work; the person may be asked to locate his/her own community service position or be placed in an existing position by the program operator. « Vocational Education: This category includes instruction in an institutional or work-site setting, designed to upgrade a person's technical skills and information required to perform a broad array of related jobs. « Child Care Services: This category involves child care provided by a person, for the child (or children) of another person who is participating in the Community Service activity, as defined above. « Secondary Education/GED: This category includes educational instruction provided by a secondary school or an alternative educational program leading to achievement of a high school diploma or high school equivalency (e.g., GED). « Education: This category includes education that is directly related to employment. Note: According to State requirement, a person may participate in Education activities for a maximum of 12 months. According to State requirement, State and/or federal funds provided to the program may not be used to pay for the education, unless the person is a teen parent. Persons are expected to obtain loans or grants if they need financial assistance. However, the State will offer the person child care assistance and other appropriate support services. « Job Skills Training: This category includes training which is provided in an institutional or work-site setting and is designed to upgrade a person's technical skills and information required to perform a specific job. « Other Activities: This category includes any other activity that can not be reasonably identified as fitting into one of the federally recognized (previous) 12 categories. PENNSYLVANIA STATE: « Unsubsidized Employment: A job (20 hours per week) « Job Search: The activity of seeking full-time or part-time employment with the required documentation of attempts to secure employment. « Job Readiness or Preparation Activities: Training that prepares the recipient for the workplace by teaching interviewing techniques, preparation of resumes and employer expectations. This activity may also include instruction in basic life skills and career exploration. « Subsidized Employment: Work in which all or a portion of the wages paid to the recipient are provided to the employer either as a reimbursement of the extra costs of training or as an incentive to hire the recipient are provided to the employer either as a reimbursement for the extra costs of training or as an incentive to hire the recipient. « Work Experience: Subsidized employment of not more than six months duration, which is combined with classroom study or other training. « On-the-Job-Training: Employment experience that combines a subsidized period of employment with instruction necessary to perform specific job functions in which the recipient is hired by the employer, who is reimbursed up to fifty percent of the wages paid during the contracted subsidy period. The training is to be provided to recipients who do not have the related education or specific work experience required for the job. « Workfare: Unpaid work used to provide work experience for clients in the public or non-profit sector. « Community Service: Non-paid work for a unit of Federal, State or local government or a nonprofit organization arranged by the cash assistance recipient. The organization receiving the work must agree to report to the appropriate county assistance office regarding the number of hours worked per week by the cash assistance recipient. « Job Skills Training: Preparation that is designed to provide a recipient with the knowledge necessary to perform the duties of a specific job. « General Education: Education designed to qualify a client for a high school diploma or equivalency certificate. « Vocational Education: A specific curriculum of training provided by an accredited training organization, which is designed to prepare a recipient for a specific occupation. « English -as-a-Second Language: Any formal education specifically designed to improve proficiency in English. Except for unsubsidized employment, there is no hourly requirement of participation during the first 24 months that a client receives cash assistance. After clients have received cash assistance for 24 or more months, their participation on e of the work activities must be for an average of 20 hours per week. These activities would include: Unsubsidized Employment, Subsidized employment, Work Experience, On-the-job-training, Workface and Community Service. NEW JERSEY STATE: « Employment and Job-Readiness Activities: Most cash assistance recipients are required to participate in employment and work readiness activities. These activities under New Jersey's WFNJ/TANF program include the following: « Unsubsidized employment: Employment in the private or public sector, which is not subsidized in any way. « On-The-Job Training (OJT): OJT is an employment opportunity, which includes training. The participant is hired by a private or public employer, and receives training that provides knowledge or skills essential to the full and adequate performance of the job. At the end of the OJT, the participant shall be retained by the employer as a regular employee if the individual has made satisfactory progress during the OJT contract period. « Community Work Experience Program (CWEP): CWEP is utilized to provide work and training to enable the recipient to adjust to, and learn how to function in, an employment setting. Placements are with either a public, private non-profit, or private charitable employer. CWEP placements are directed towards organizations and agencies directly involved in useful public service areas, such as health, recreation, child and adult care, education, environmental protection, social services, etc. A CWEP participant is not placed with a private-for-profit employer. « Alternative Work Experience Programs (AWEP): AWEP consists of work and training for WFNJ/TANF recipients on a temporary basis with a public, private non-profit or private charitable employer that provides a recipient with the experience necessary to adjust to, and learn how to function in, an employment setting and the opportunity to combine the work experience activity with an education activity (which may include English as a Second Language), substance abuse treatment as indicated in the treatment Plan, vocational exploration and/or job training. An AWEP participant's work experience placement shall not be with a private-for-profit employer. « Community Service Programs: Community service programs are self-directed or scheduled preparatory work activities in which participants may provide an array of vital services designed to increase the common good and/or improve the condition of the community in which he or she resides. Examples include, but are not limited to, the provision of child care as a community service project, mentoring, tutoring, or other appropriate activities conducted under the auspices of organizations such as Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Americorps, or Habitat for Humanity, physical or administrative labor performed on behalf of a community organization/group, and volunteer work in hospitals, battered women's shelters, libraries, schools, or other such public institutions. « Supported Employment: Supported employment is an employment activity tailored to meet the needs of those recipients who demonstrate serious barriers to employment (such as learning disability or illiteracy, drug and alcohol problems, and/or physical/mental disabilities). Supported on-the-job employment opportunities and sheltered workshop approaches (modeled after successful programs in the mental health and developmental disabilities field) will serve persons with such barriers. When the participant is experiencing difficulties in the job, a job coach interacts with the participant and the employer to resolve problems that may affect the participant's continued employment. « Job Search and Job Readiness Assistance: Participants engage in employment-directed activities with the immediate goal of obtaining full-time employment. Job search is directed to the individual participant's needs and local job market conditions, and may serve participants in either group, individual, or self-directed job-seeking activities, or a combination thereof. Job search is an appropriate up-front activity for applicants, as well as for job-ready recipients who have basic workplace skills and experience applicable to the labor market. Job readiness activities such as life skills training, substance abuse treatment, and domestic violence intervention may be combined with job search to enhance the effectiveness of job search activities for those in need of additional skills development or for those in later stages of treatment for domestic violence or substance abuse problems. Job search and job readiness activities are counted for a maximum of six weeks (four of which may be consecutive) unless New Jersey's unemployment rate is 50 percent greater than the unemployment rate of the United States, in which case this activity may be extended to 12 weeks. « Vocational Educational Training: This is an activity involving institutional or other classroom training conducted by an instructor in either a worksite or non-worksite setting. Participants receive instruction in specific occupational areas, which reflect the current local labor market demand. Providers of this type of activity include, but are not limited to, community based organizations, private-for-profits, community/county colleges, vocational-technical schools, Work Investment Boards, and adult high schools. This activity is not utilized for more than 12 months for any WFNJ/TANF individual. « Job Skills Training Directly Related To Employment: This is an activity tailored for those recipients who demonstrate serious barriers to employment (such as a learning disability or illiteracy, drug and alcohol problems, and/or physical/mental disabilities), and may include such activity components as pre-employment job coaching and mentoring (modeled after successful programs in the mental health and developmental disabilities field). « Education Directly Related To Employment: This is an activity that is utilized in situations where a WFNJ/TANF recipient has not received a high school diploma or a general equivalence diploma (GED). The activity involves the participant in a course of study leading to a certificate of general equivalency, and is combined with community work experience participation or other approved work activities, including employment. Satisfactory attendance at secondary school or in a course of study leading to a certificate of general equivalence: This is an activity that is utilized in the case of a recipient who is a teenage parent or a recipient under the age of 19 who is expected to graduate or complete the course of study by his or her 19th birthday. INDIANA STATE: « Indiana Work Activities include the following: Impact activities (also called components) are the employment, training and educational activities in which a client might participate to achieve self-sufficiency. These activities may be furnished by community service providers a t no charge, contractors or local office staff. The TANF Impact activities are Job Search, Job Readiness, Unsubsidized Employment, Grant Diversion, On-the-Job-Training, Work Experience Training (WET), Community Work Experience (CWEP), Job skills Training, Self-Initiated Vocational Educational Training, Vocational Educational Training, and Educational Activities. « For the purposes of On-the-Job-Training, and Community Work Experience placements, individuals receiving TANF and/or Food Stamps may not be used to fill established, vacant employment positions (1) when any other individual is on layoff from the same or any substantially equivalent job, or (2) if the employer has terminated the employment of any regular employees or (3) otherwise caused an involuntary reduction of its workforce in order to fill the vacancy so created, with an individual or receiving TANF and/or Food Stamps. Vacancies created through other means may be filled with an individual receiving TANF and/or Food Stamps after the employer has made a demonstrated effort to fill the position, « Job Search: A Job Search program may serve recipients or applicants in either individual or group job-seeking activities. Two hours of participation are credited for each in-person employer contact. The purpose of Job Search is to assist a client to immediately apply for and find work; thus reducing the time assistance is received. It is particularly suited to a client who has recent work experience and may be able to re-enter the work force with minimal time or assistance from the local office. Job Search includes telephoning employers, completing applications, providing resumes, going to interviews, following up on job contacts, job counseling and job seeking skills training. A phone bank where clients can gather to contact potential employers, share job leads, and encourage each other may be part of Job Search. Clients that are assigned to Job Search must be given the booklet What You Should Know About Getting a Job. Clients must complete the Master Job Application. MICHIGAN STATE: Below is what Michigan has in their State Plan on Work Activities: « Michigan's employment and training program is called Work First. Work First is administered by local Michigan Works! Agencies under agreement with the Michigan Department of Career Development. After the orientation, clients who are not deferred from immediate participation are assigned to job search or job search in combinations with other activities. Some clients may be deferred from participation for a time, but will be required to participate in employment-related activities if their circumstances change so that they are no longer deferred. Employment-related activities include the following: « Unsubsidized employment is employment in which the wages are not supported by TANF funds. « Subsidized employment is employment in the public or private sector in which the wages are supported by TANF funds. « Work Experience is an unpaid training assignment for individuals who lack previous employment experience and/or job readiness and are difficult to place in unsubsidized employment. « Job Search and Job Readiness help participants become familiar with general workplace expectations and learn behavior and attitudes necessary to compete successfully in the labor market. Job search includes job clubs, counseling and job-seeking skills training. « On-the-Job-Training provides participants employment in an occupation requiring hand-on training. The participant is an employee of the employer and training is done on the job. Reimbursement of the training costs is provided to the employer with TANF funds. The employee is expected to retain employment with the employer. « Secondary Education is satisfactory attendance in high school or in a course of study to attain a General Education Development certificate. « Community Service programs provide participants with work experience in projects which serve a useful purpose for the community or the public interest in fields such as health, social services, environmental protection, education, urban and rural development and redevelopment, welfare, recreation, public facilities, public safety, day care, and other purpose identified by the state. Participants may only be placed with public or nonprofit agencies. Participants in this activity are subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act and other Federal Labor laws. « Job skills Training is classroom activity for recipients who have a high school diploma or equivalent but have have a specific barrier to employment. Examples of activities include English as a second language, basic math and redial education. « Education Directly Related to Employment is classroom activity for participants who do not have a high school diploma or equivalent, but who have a specific barrier to employment. Examples of activities are English as a second language, basic math and remedial education. « Education and training opportunities for participants in the Work First program include vocational occupational training, condensed vocational training programs, internships, practicums and clinical. « The provision of child care services to an individual who is participating in a community services program. COLORADO STATE: « Unsubsidized Employment - is part-time or full-time work for wages, which are paid in total by the employer. Employment may occur with any profit, non--profit or private employer. « Subsidized Private Sector Employment - is part-time or full-time work with any private sector employer for which wages are paid by the employer and for which the employer receives a subsidy. « Subsidized Public Sector Employment - is part-time or full-time work with any public sector employer for which wages are paid by the employer and for which the employer receives a subsidy. « Work Experience - is unpaid work experience in any non-profit, public or for profit organization or such work experience in combination with a training or education plan. If combining training or education, such training or education activities may not exceed 35% of the scheduled hours per week. Participation in this activity must enhance a participant's employability, offer exploration in a new career or strengthen their existing work history. « On-The-Job-Training - is a subsidized work activity. Participation in this activity offers the opportunity to learn a new trade in a supportive environment, while transitioning into a regular, unsubsidized employee status. On-the-Job-Training may be subsidized through Workforce Investment Act (WIA), U.S. Department of Labor Welfare-to-Work Program, Colorado Works, or another training program. « Job Search and Job Readiness Assistance - Job Search may be conducted in either a group or individual setting and may include employer contacts either in person, by telephone or by electronic methods. Job readiness assistance provides participants with skills to enhance overall employability, including exposure to job-seeking skills, resume writing, improve job retention, conflict management, goal setting, and self esteem building. « Community Service Programs - Community service is an unpaid activity in which the participant provides a service to the community at large. This includes programs such as Ameri-corps, Job Corps, and Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA). Counties may define in their county performance plan, additional community service program activities which may include a combination of community service and education, training or family stability or enhancement activities. If combine education, training or family stability/enhancement activities, such activities may not exceed 35% of the scheduled hours per week. « Vocational Educational Training - is a short-term educational activity intended to prepare an individual for employment. Vocational educational training shall not exceed twelve (12) months with respect to any individual. Providers of this training include, but are not limited to, community colleges, post secondary institutions, proprietary schools and non-profit organization. « The Provision of Child Care Services to a participant in a community service Program - Child Care provided in individuals in community service must adhere to established child care licensing rules and statutes. « Job Skills Training directly related to Employment - is vocational, educational or technical training designed to meet the labor market needs of the local community. « Education Directly Related To Employment - is for those participants who have not received a high school diploma or a certificate of high school equivalency. « Satisfactory Attendance At Secondary School Or In A Course Of Study Leading To A Certificate Of General Equivalence - is for those participants who have not completed secondary school or received such a certificate. MONTANA STATE: « Job Readiness Training - Activities designed to familiarize participants with work place expectations and help them develop appropriate work behavior. « Short-Term Skills Training - Activities which include vocational training in technical job skills and equivalent knowledge and abilities in a specific occupational area. The training lasts for six (6) months or less. « On-the-Job-Training - While working, the participant acquires knowledge and job skills that assist them to eventually perform the job fully and be retained as a regular employee. The training typically lasts for six months. « Group and Individual Job Search « Work Experience - Activities which involve formal job site experience to develop or enhance the participant's basic work habits and/or improve specific work skills. « Employment « Internship - An activity at an expanded work experience site offering the opportunity to obtain hands-on training paired with educational skills training designed to enhance the skills obtained on the site which in turn improve the trainee's work history. « Basic Education Activities - such as high school or equivalency diploma (GED) classes, basic and remedial education and English as a second language. « Post-Secondary Education - limited to individuals who meet the Community Operating Plan's screening criteria. « Referred to and Enrollment with the Employment and Training Contract (WORC) for intensive case management for those participants with multiple barriers to employment and/or in need of intensive family stabilization activities. « Referred to and Enrollment with the Tribal NEW (Native Employment Works) contractors for participants who are enrolled tribal members residing on the reservation and who meet the NEW target group criteria. « Referred to and Enrollment with other service providers for individuals currently engaged in an employability/self-support program such as Vocational Rehabilitation counselors or workforce investment act one stop centers. « Family Strengthening Activities - Activities which focus on preparing the family for the parent's/caretaker relative's absence from the home for employment or job training or activities needed to stabilize the family to ensure employment and/or training can be obtained or maintained. NORTH DAKOTA: « Unsubsidized Employment - Work in the private or public sector for wages or wages and tips that are equal to or that exceed the federal minimum wage. Unsubsidized employment also includes self-employment. « Subsidized Public or Private Sector Employment - Paid employment in which the employer is paid a cash subsidy for a portion of wages paid to the participant for a specific period of time for the purpose of training and assisting the participant in obtaining unsubsidized employment. This includes both Work supplementation and On-the-Job Training placements. « Work Experience - A unpaid work activity designed to teach participants both hard and soft work skills. Individuals involved in work experience are considered trainees. « Job Search and Job Readiness - Unpaid work activities designed to help participants overcome barriers to employment, become job ready and secure paid employment. Individuals may be allowed or required to participate in job search or job readiness for as long as such involvement is appropriate. However, only four consecutive or six non-consecutive weeks of a participants involvement in job search and/or job readiness in a fiscal year are counted when calculating the federal work participation rate. « Vocational education - An unpaid work activity that offers an organized sequence of course work directly related to preparation of a participant for employment in a current or emerging occupation. the state allows individuals to participate in vocational education for a maximum of 24 months but only 12 months are counted when calculating the federal work participation rate. « Job skills Directly Related to Employment - Includes paid or unpaid activities designed to enhance a participant's skills for employment. It includes but is not limited to apprenticeship and the development of basic job skills through adult basic education in English proficiency, basic computer skills, communication and computational skills. « Education Directly Related to Employment - Includes involvement in high school, alternative high school, adult learning programs, general equivalency diploma programs or basic or remedial education programs, for individuals that have not already received a high school or general equivalency diploma. « Provision of child Care for an Individual Participating in Community Service - Individuals participating in community service may be eligible for assistance at 100 percent of child care expenses up to maximums allowed under the Child Care Assistance Program. « Community Service - Community Service is an unpaid work activity designed to teach participants soft work skills needed for success in the workforce. SOUTH DAKOTA STATE: « Unsubsidized Employment - A job or employment with either public or private sector that is not supplemented by federal, state or tribal funds. « Subsidized Private Sector Employment - A job or employment in the private sector, which is subsidized by federal, state or tribal funds. Subsidized private sector employment is limited to the following components: « Try-Out Employment: Employment in the private sector for an available job opening. The department shall reimburse the recipient for work-related expenses for a period of not more than four weeks. Try-out employment must be for at full-time position unless special circumstances merit part-time work of at least 20 hours a week. the department may approve part-time employment when circumstances beyond the individual's control, such as verifiable disability or illness, limits employment to less than full time. « On-the Job training: Full-time paid employment in which the employer provides the training needed for the individual to perform the skills required for the position and receives a subsidy to offset the costs of the training provided. Upon completion of the training, the employer is expected to retain the participant as a regular employee. « Subsidized Public Sector Employment - A Job or employment in the public sector which is subsidized by federal, state, local or tribal funds. On-the-job-training (see section above) may be used to subsidize employment in the public sector; however, the TANF program gives priority to using this activity for subsidizing employment in the private sector. « Job Search and Job Readiness (limited to 4 consecutive weeks and a maximum of 6 weeks) - Job seeking activities as well as support services are designed to assist the individual when applying for a job. Support services include services such as orientation to the world of work, basic job seeking and job retention skills, instruction in completing an application for employment writing a resume and instructions on conducting oneself during a job interview. An individual in job search must complete the following activities: (1) register for the work with the Department of Labor (2) apply for unemployment insurance benefits, if eligible (3) attend the training and workshops specified in the individual's personal responsibility plan and (4) make employer contacts in person. « Community Work - In lieu of a paid employment, this activity allows the client to receive their TANF cash assistance while gaining "job-related experience". This is a job training experience at a supervised public or private non-for-profit agency, including federal, state, county, local and tribal governments and colleges, universities and school districts. Managed work is an activity under community work that contains a strong work evaluation component. The TANF program reimburses the work site for the cost of hiring a supervisor who will have daily contact with each client. Each client will average 10 weeks in this component and the supervisor will average 10 clients. The supervisor is responsible to improve client work performance and help resolve work-related problems/barriers, such as how to relate to employers and co-workers, how to deal with sick children, how to keep child care, how to arrange for transportation, etc. Community work is an extremely important training aspect of the state's TANF program because in many cases it is the first step that allows the client to learn important basic work skills. « Vocational Education (limited to 12 months) - Vocational education training is designed to provide an individual with the skills and certification needed for employment in a specific occupational area. Vocational education training is approved based upon the following criteria: « The individual is enrolled in a vocational training course of study which is not for the purpose of attaining a bachelor's degree or for any degree beyond a bachelor's degree; « The course is consistent with the individual's personal responsibility plan and is direct toward a goal of employment; « The individual is attending a full-time curriculum of study or training as determined by the institution the individual is attending; « The individual is maintaining acceptable performance as defined by the institution the individual is attending; « The potential earnings form the proposed occupation are at least 125 percent of the federal poverty level for a family of three; « The job outlook in the local labor market for people who have completed the proposed training is favorable for the participant is willing to relocate; and « There is a training slot available from the limited number of slots the department has available for its use. « Program may approve part-time training when circumstances beyond the participant's control, such as a verifiable disability or illness, limits attendance to less than full-time. « Teen Parent Education - Teen parent education is educational activities directed toward the attainment of a high school diploma or its equivalent. Teen parent education is an activity for an unmarried teen parent (who is caring for a child who is at least 12 weeks old) who has not obtained a high school diploma or a high school equivalency diploma. « Short-Term Job Skills Training directly related to employment - Training in a specific occupation for which there is a written commitment by the employer to offer employment to an individual who successfully completes the training. The employer participates in the development of projects for the training course. The training course may not exceed 10 weeks. « Secondary Education - Aside from teen parent education (see above), this is an educational activity directed towards helping adults develop basic literacy (reading) skills attainment of a high school diploma or its equivalent, or related education program, such as English as a second language. « Child Care Community Work - As part of the Community Work component, an individual may receive credit for hours spent providing child care services for an individual who is participating in a work activity. UTAH STATE: « Employment Unsubsidized - Counts at either 30 hours per week or a combination of 20 hours work plus 10 training/schooling (unsubsidized employment). « Subsidized Private Employment - Utah does not have any. « Subsidized Public Employment - Utah does not have any. « Work Experience - Counts at either 30 hours per week or a combination of 20 hours work plus 10 training/schooling (work site learning, apprenticeships, employment support, private/public paid internship, private/public unpaid internship, Younger Youth occupational skills goal, youth Summer employment opportunity). « On-the-Job Training (OJT) - Counts at either 30 hours per week or a combination of 20 hours work plus 10 training/schooling (Work Site Learning, On-the-job-training). « Job Search and Job Readiness - counts at either 30 hours for 4 consecutive weeks and a total of 6 weeks in any fiscal year or a combination of 20 hours work plus 10 training/schooling. (Individual Job search, Pre-employment skills training workshop, Resume Building workshop, Job Readiness, Job Retention Skills Training, Job connection Activities, Youth Work Readiness Skill,) « Community Service Programs - Utah does not have any. « Vocational Education Training - Counts at either 30 hours per week up to 12 months in a lifetime or a combination of 20 hours work plus 10 training/schooling. (Employment Related Education, Applied Technology ). « Providing Child Care - Utah does not have any. The next three activities are counted after 20 hours of the previous nine activities above. « Job Skills Training directly related to Employment - Counts after first 20 hours (limited to individuals with no GED or High School diploma) (Employment related education, Associate's Degree, Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Other Employment Related Training, Refugee Re-certification Training, Basic Education, GED/HS diploma, Basic Skills Remediation, English as second language, Younger Youth Basic Skills). « Education related to Employment for Individuals without GED or High School Diploma - Counts after the first 20 hours. If recipient is under age 20, and are participating in education directly related to employment for an average of a least 20 hours per week during the month, they count as engaged in work in the month (Basic Education, Basic skills/Remediation, Younger Youth Occupational Skills Goal, Classroom Occupational Skills training, English as a second language, other basic skills training). « School Attendance for Individuals without GED or High School Diploma - counts after first 20 hours. If recipient is under age 20 and they are maintaining satisfactory attendance at a secondary school, they count as engaged in work in a month (Basic Education, GED/HS diploma, Youth Tutoring/ Dropout Prevention, Younger Youth Basic Skills Goal, Basic Skills Remediation). Not more than 30% of individuals engaged in work in a month may be included in the numerator because they are participating in vocational educational training, or participating in education related to employment and under age 20 or participating in satisfactory attendance at a secondary school and under age 20. WYOMING STATE: « Unsubsidized Employment - Employment where the wages are earned by the job seeker, directly form the employer. We consider a job seeker to be working full-time if she/he is working 35 more hours per week with earnings equivalent to the federal minimum wage. Part-time employment is less than 35 hours per week, or employment of more than 35 hours per week with earnings less than the federal minimum wage. Self-employment hours are determined by dividing the gross income by the federal minimum wage. « Subsidized Private/Public Sector Employment - Employment in which all or part of the wages are financed through some type of public funding. Examples of subsidized employment are Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) on-the-job-training, employment through the Green thumb program and training provided by the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). « Work Experience - Work experience activities fall into three general categories: 1. Work experience as a DVR Assignment - When a job seeker is accepted for DVR services, we consider their individual Written Rehabilitation Plan (IWRP) to be our plan. The POWER Individual Responsibility Plan (IRP) is written to support the DVR plan. Failure to cooperate with any responsibility required hy DVR is viewed as failure to comply with the work program. 2. Work Experience as Practice Employment - Job seekers are placed in real employment settings and perform real work for employers. Job seekers are never paid during these work experience assignments. During work experience assignment, job seekers have an opportunity to: « develop basic work habits « practice specific employment skills « practice job readiness and retention skills « demonstrate skills to a prospective employer « acquire on-the-job experience « gain confidence to enter or return to the workforce All work experience assignments are covered by an official work experience agreement, signed by the job seeker, the case manager and the supervisor from the job site. The agreement outlines the skills the job seeker is expected to be taught and learn. The agreement also details the number of hours of participation required. Work experience assignments are limited to 90 days. Extensions may be granted for up to one year if the need to continue work experience is thoroughly assessed and documented. 3. Work Experience As Progress toward Self-Sufficiency - Work experience in this category occurs when the POWER case manager provides supervision of self-directed learning of skills that will transfer to the workplace, increase job readiness, job retention or job enhancement skills or otherwise progress toward self-sufficiency. These activities are very individualized and creative so they are specific to the person's challenges. The POWER work program has developed activities to help job seekers progress toward self-sufficiency by: « Keeping journals that might assist in enhancing health « Doing workbooks/worksheet at home to learn of any of the job readiness, job retention or job enhancement skills. « Developing a plan to assist with child support enforcement efforts « Engaging in activities that address the client's medical problems and needs « Providing labor market research for others « Locating necessary advocates and support systems « Developing and participating in a plan to correct circumstances that have contributed to domestic violence « Developing ways to be paid for caring for an incapacitated immediate family member. The potential activities and plans are limitless as long as the need and justification is thoroughly documented. The work experience agreement is used in this setting, but the case manager or other service provider serves as the supervisor. « On-the-Job-Training - Subsidized on the -job training is provided by the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). On the- job-training under all other funding sources is classified under subsidized employment. « Job Search - Job Search preparation training includes assisting the job seeker in (1) preparing applications and resumes (2) preparing and practicing for interviews (3) building self-esteem during the job seeking experience (4) obtaining feedback on the quality of the job search efforts (5) understanding what employers look for in an applicant (6) locating available job openings both formally and informally (7) doing labor market research (8) seeking employment « Job Readiness - Job Readiness preparation training includes assisting the job seeker in: 1. preparing for general workplace expectations 2. understanding what employers want in an employee 3. exhibiting work behavior and attitudes necessary to compete successfully in the labor market 4. preparing for work by having transportation, child care, etc. in place, including back up plans 5. making the connection between employment and self-sufficiency 6. participating in job-shadowing opportunities « Job Retention - Job retention skills training includes assisting the job seeker in: 1. assuring transportation and child care back-up plans are in place 2. exhibiting work behaviors and attitudes necessary to remain on the job 3. resolving conflict on the job 4. applying assertiveness techniques 5. learning to negotiate 6. knowing when and how to ask for help 7. using the Food Stamp, Child Care and Medicaid programs as steps in progressing toward full self-sufficiency 8. using job coaching assistance when needed « Job Enhancement/Advancement - Job enhancement skills training includes assisting the job seeker in: 1. setting and implementing goals for advancement 2. learning to budget money and resources 3. making sound decisions 4. committing to life-long learning 5. taking care of self and dealing with stress 6. balancing priorities 7. learning time management techniques 8. seeking available and affordable health insurance 9. budgeting for, choosing and preparing nutritional food for the family « Vocational Training - Vocational Training can be approved when: 1. The training is directly related to the preparation of the job seeker for employment in a nonprofessional career or the training will upgrade skills for a nonprofessional career. 2. Assessment shows the job seeker needs the training to progress toward employment or self-sufficiency. 3. It is the first training program for the job seeker or the job seeker is upgrading skills to obtain or maintain certification or employment. 4. The labor market assessment shows the job seeker understands the job requirements and has done research to determine if jobs are available in the training area. 5. The job seeker agrees to relocate if jobs are not readily available in the home area. While in training, the job seeker must maintain full-time enrollment and a "C" grade average or equivalent and complete the program within 12 months. « High School/GED - The high school or GED activity is treated differently for parents of different age groups. Satisfactory school attendance includes maintaining continuous enrollment and a "C" grade point average or equivalent. « Under age 18: A teen parent under age 18 must maintain satisfactory school attendance to be in compliance with POWER. « Ages 18 and 19: A teen parent ages 18 and 19 can continue in high school or GED only if she/he has maintained continuous enrollment and has at least "C" grade point average, will complete the requirements within six months or will graduate with her/his graduation class. « Adults: the high school or GED activity is approved for adults only when they are participating in other countable work activities first for the number of hours required by federal regulation. « Job Skills Training - Job skills training is short term skill training designed to increase the skills of an employee. The training is available in the community and occurs outside the regular work hours. It is not the same as vocational training. Job Skills training is only appropriate if the training is essential for the job seeker to obtain, maintain or increase employment. It is approved for adults only when he/she is participating in other countable work activities first for the number of hours required by federal regulation. (Date submitted: 01/22/2002)Are any States or organizations using the Department of Labors Welfare to Work(WtW) funding to enroll eligible participants as AmeriCorps members? If so, does AmeriCorps placement count as a WtW placement or as a training program? (Date submitted: 03/27/2000)
[Submit an answer]The National Association of Service and Conservation Corps (NASCC) runs a 9 site national welfare-to-work project funded by the Department of Labor. Corpsmembers at four sites are co-enrolled in AmeriCorps and welfare-to-work. As a "work first" project, the corpsmembers' placement in AmeriCorps is considered a "work placement" rather than a "training placement". For more information, please contact Marty O'Brien, NASCC WtW Project Director, at mobrien@nascc.org or 202-737-6272. (Date submitted: 03/27/2000)
What types of job development programs and strategies have States found to be most effective, especially in rural communities? Please provide examples and descriptions of successful job development programs in your State or county. (Date submitted: 03/06/2000)
[Submit an answer]From Harford County, Maryland:
Harford County DSS has formed a partnership with the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulations (DLLR). DLLR is responsible for marketing TCA/TANF customers to employers and identifying and soliciting job openings appropriate for TCA/TANF customers. (Date submitted: 03/07/2000)From Baltimore County, Maryland:
The Baltimore County DSS operates a variety of job development programs and placement services. The Employment Success Project is one example of a work experience program where job developers utilize temporary agencies to provide TCA/TANF customers temporary jobs as interns and/or work experience. Baltimore County Job Network also utilizes temporary agencies to provide job placements for TCA/TANF customers. Emergency Medical Technical (EMT) placements can come through various Medical Temporary Placement Agencies for hospitals, government agencies and nursing homes. (Date submitted: 03/07/2000)From St. Mary's County, Maryland:
St. Marys County DSS will establish a Job Center facility within the county for TCA customers. The center will provide assessment of vocational skills, assist in job search activities and job placement, monitor employment progress, and provide post employment and retention services. The Job Center will also develop and maintain a database/job bank containing information regarding the TCA customers prior work experience history. Approximately 300 TCA customers will be served at an average cost of $677 per participant. (Date submitted: 03/07/2000)From Montgomery County, Maryland:
Marketing, Job Development and Post-Employment Vendor services will provide job development and post employment services to program participants. The Vendor markets the TCA customer employment program to employers and the community. The vendor educates employers about tax advantages and develops placement opportunities for program participants. The vendor also provides support, mediation services and employment follow-up services to program participants. Approximately 1,950 job openings will be identified, 624 TCA customers served, and 370 placed at an average cost of $336 per participant. (Date submitted: 03/07/2000)From Allegany County, Maryland:
The Allegany County Department of Social Services and the Board of Education of Allegany County-Career and Technical Center have formed a partnership to provide skills training classes for TCA customers. The skill areas range from air conditioning refrigeration training to sewing. Approximately 15 TCA customers will be served through skills training classes at an average cost of $6,000 per participant. Approximately 15 TCA customers will be served through skills training classes for an average cost of $6,000 per participant. (Date submitted: 03/07/2000)From Caroline County, Maryland:
The Job Developer is the primary coordinator of the Employment Services Program and functions as a liaison between the local business community, the Department of Social Services (DSS) and Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) customers. The Job Developer tracks the local labor markets needs and refers customers directly to companies for employment. In addition to outreach to local businesses and industries, an important component of the job development program is outreach to community-based organizations, such as state and local economic development agencies. The Job Developer works closely with TCA case managers and Child Support Enforcement agents in order to facilitate work placements and also troubleshoot routine employer problems to maintain agency credibility in the business community. (Date submitted: 03/07/2000)