1 welfare transition work activity definitions august 2007

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Welfare Transition Welfare Transition

Work Activity DefinitionsWork Activity DefinitionsAugust 2007August 2007

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PRWORAPRWORA Personal Responsibility and Work Personal Responsibility and Work

Opportunity Reconciliation Act Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) of 1996(PRWORA) of 1996

Changed welfare from an entitlement Changed welfare from an entitlement into a work programinto a work program

12 work activity categories were 12 work activity categories were namednamed

The work activity categories provided by The work activity categories provided by the federal government under this Act did the federal government under this Act did not have definitions, states determined not have definitions, states determined what services and activities would be what services and activities would be allowed under each categoryallowed under each category

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Deficit Reduction ActDeficit Reduction Act In 2006, the Deficit Reduction Act In 2006, the Deficit Reduction Act

reauthorized the original TANF block reauthorized the original TANF block grantgrant

Directed Secretary of Health and Human Directed Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to publish regulationsServices (HHS) to publish regulations States were defining the work activities States were defining the work activities

differentlydifferently

Some states allowed very broad definitions, Some states allowed very broad definitions, which allowed a lot of different services as which allowed a lot of different services as countable work activitiescountable work activities

For example, caring for a sick family member or going For example, caring for a sick family member or going to substance abuse treatment was considered to substance abuse treatment was considered community service in some statescommunity service in some states

The states were not being compared equally The states were not being compared equally based on the work activity definition based on the work activity definition differencesdifferences

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Deficit Reduction ActDeficit Reduction Act Regulations must ensure consistent Regulations must ensure consistent

measurement of work participation measurement of work participation rates byrates by Defining work activities and what types of Defining work activities and what types of

services were allowable to receive credit services were allowable to receive credit for hours under work activitiesfor hours under work activities

Defining who is required to participate in Defining who is required to participate in work activities and will be included in the work activities and will be included in the work participation rates, “work eligible”work participation rates, “work eligible”

Establishing equal and stringent Establishing equal and stringent supervision and documentation supervision and documentation requirements for all statesrequirements for all states

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Deficit Reduction ActDeficit Reduction Act Interim Final RegulationsInterim Final Regulations

Required each state to develop Required each state to develop work activities consistent with work activities consistent with definitions based on the federal definitions based on the federal definitions of the work categoriesdefinitions of the work categories

Required each state to submit a Required each state to submit a work verification planwork verification plan

Required the state’s plan to be Required the state’s plan to be approved and implemented by approved and implemented by September 30, 2007September 30, 2007

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Deficit Reduction ActDeficit Reduction Act The State’s Work Verification Plan mustThe State’s Work Verification Plan must

Describe Describe all all of the services included under of the services included under each work activityeach work activity

To receive credit for hours participating in the work To receive credit for hours participating in the work activity, the services must meet federal definitionsactivity, the services must meet federal definitions

Describe how countable hours are identified, Describe how countable hours are identified, credited and provencredited and proven

Describe the supervisory process for each Describe the supervisory process for each unpaid activityunpaid activity

Describe documentation requirements for Describe documentation requirements for each activityeach activity

Describe monitoring and internal controlsDescribe monitoring and internal controls

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Participation RatesParticipation Rates States are required to engage all States are required to engage all work eligiblework eligible

TANF recipients in the employment and TANF recipients in the employment and training programtraining program

States are to engage participants in work States are to engage participants in work activities that help the participants reach their activities that help the participants reach their goals and ultimately self-sufficiency goals and ultimately self-sufficiency

Success is gauged by the percentage of Success is gauged by the percentage of participants that actually attend certain participants that actually attend certain activitiesactivities Engaged in specific “countable” work activitiesEngaged in specific “countable” work activities

Engaged in a specific number of hours in “core” Engaged in a specific number of hours in “core” activitiesactivities

May be engaged in additional hours in “core plus” May be engaged in additional hours in “core plus” activities once the “core” requirement is met for the activities once the “core” requirement is met for the familyfamily

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Participation RatesParticipation Rates

The number of The number of hours required in hours required in a core activity a core activity depend depend

On the family type On the family type

The participation The participation rate being rate being calculatedcalculated

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Credit for Participation Credit for Participation RatesRates

All Family RateAll Family Rate 20 hours in core 20 hours in core

activity(ies)activity(ies) 30 hours total30 hours total

InclusionsInclusions All two-parent familiesAll two-parent families All single-parent familiesAll single-parent families

ExclusionsExclusions Subject to sanctionSubject to sanction Single parent family with Single parent family with

a child under 12 months a child under 12 months (time limited)(time limited)

ExceptionsExceptions Child under the age of six Child under the age of six

requires only 20 hours requires only 20 hours total (all in core activities)total (all in core activities)

Two-Parent Family RateTwo-Parent Family Rate If subsidized childcare is If subsidized childcare is

received and neither parent is received and neither parent is disableddisabled

50 hours in core activity(ies)50 hours in core activity(ies) 55 hours total55 hours total

Subsidized childcare is not Subsidized childcare is not received and neither parent is received and neither parent is disableddisabled

30 hours in core activity(ies)30 hours in core activity(ies) 35 hours total35 hours total

ExclusionsExclusions Families with a parent that has a Families with a parent that has a

documented limitation/disability documented limitation/disability lasting greater than 30 days and lasting greater than 30 days and entered in OSST as a medical entered in OSST as a medical deferral lasting greater than 30 deferral lasting greater than 30 daysdays

Subject to sanctionSubject to sanction

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Participation RatesParticipation Rates The State must prove that half of The State must prove that half of

all families with a all families with a work eligiblework eligible adult receiving assistance are adult receiving assistance are participating in work activities participating in work activities that arethat are

Designed to engage the parent in Designed to engage the parent in reaching goalsreaching goals

Designed to engage the parent in Designed to engage the parent in gaining skillsgaining skills

Designed to move the family from Designed to move the family from welfare to workwelfare to work

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Participation RatesParticipation Rates

The State must demonstrate that 90 The State must demonstrate that 90 percent of two-parent families with percent of two-parent families with work eligiblework eligible adults receiving adults receiving assistance are participating in work assistance are participating in work activities that areactivities that are Designed to engage the parents in Designed to engage the parents in

reaching goalsreaching goals

Designed to engage the parents in Designed to engage the parents in gaining skillsgaining skills

Designed to move the family from Designed to move the family from welfare to workwelfare to work

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What is Assignment Versus What is Assignment Versus Credit?Credit?

The PRWORA (from which the Federal The PRWORA (from which the Federal Regulations are derived)Regulations are derived)

Requires a family receiving cash assistance Requires a family receiving cash assistance to be engaged in a work programto be engaged in a work program

Further limited to work eligible individuals in Further limited to work eligible individuals in 20062006

Requires work eligible individuals in a Requires work eligible individuals in a family receiving cash assistance to engage family receiving cash assistance to engage in work activities defined under Federal in work activities defined under Federal Regulations Regulations

Gives states credit for engaging a work Gives states credit for engaging a work eligible participant in a minimum number eligible participant in a minimum number of hours in certain work activities defined of hours in certain work activities defined by the Federal Regulationsby the Federal Regulations

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We assign participants to activities based We assign participants to activities based on on

GoalsGoals

NeedsNeeds

Work activity definition/requirementsWork activity definition/requirements

A participant cannot be required to do A participant cannot be required to do more than 40 hours per week based on more than 40 hours per week based on Florida StatutesFlorida Statutes

We do not assign hours based on what the We do not assign hours based on what the participant may get credit for under participant may get credit for under deeming (Community Service/Work deeming (Community Service/Work Experience)Experience)

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We assign We assign participants to participants to hours in work hours in work activities to ensure activities to ensure participants are participants are moving in the right moving in the right direction direction Most RWBs require Most RWBs require

that each work that each work eligible parent eligible parent complete between complete between 35 and 40 hours per 35 and 40 hours per weekweek

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But what do we get credit But what do we get credit for?for?

Engaging families in the Engaging families in the minimum number of hours in minimum number of hours in work activitieswork activities

Based on family typeBased on family type

Recording that the families Recording that the families completed the minimum completed the minimum number of hours in countable number of hours in countable work activitieswork activities

Retaining documentation Retaining documentation that the families completed that the families completed the minimum number of the minimum number of hours in countable work hours in countable work activitiesactivities

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We record what a participant We record what a participant actuallyactually completed based oncompleted based on The number of The number of supervisedsupervised hours a hours a

participant actually completes participant actually completes The number of supervised hours recorded The number of supervised hours recorded

on on signed documentationsigned documentation Deeming requirements (Work Experience Deeming requirements (Work Experience

and Community Service only)and Community Service only)

Sometimes a participant completes Sometimes a participant completes more than (s)he is assignedmore than (s)he is assigned

Sometimes a participant is credited Sometimes a participant is credited with more hours than they actually with more hours than they actually completed (Deeming)completed (Deeming)

Assignment Versus Assignment Versus Credit?Credit?

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Critical elements for Critical elements for accountabilityaccountability Participants need toParticipants need to

RecognizeRecognize the assigned activities the assigned activities RecognizeRecognize assigned hours assigned hours Recognize and understandRecognize and understand expectations expectations

to complete steps to achieve goalsto complete steps to achieve goals

Hourly requirementsHourly requirements Must be in writingMust be in writing Must be agreed on by both partiesMust be agreed on by both parties


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QuestionQuestion

The participant The participant has not come to has not come to an appointment. an appointment. This is his first This is his first meeting/orientatiomeeting/orientation. The n. The requirement is not requirement is not in writing. Can he in writing. Can he still be held still be held accountable for accountable for not attending?not attending?

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AnswerAnswer

YesYes There will be some circumstances There will be some circumstances

when a requirement may not be in when a requirement may not be in writing and signed in the IRPwriting and signed in the IRP Orientation letterOrientation letter

Appointment letterAppointment letter

Activity agreed on over the phone after Activity agreed on over the phone after a counseling contacta counseling contact

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AnswerAnswer However, if we meet with However, if we meet with

the participant, the participant, requirements should be requirements should be reviewed, put in writing, reviewed, put in writing, agreed on and signed by agreed on and signed by both partiesboth parties

Written requirements Written requirements demonstrate an agreement demonstrate an agreement with the participantwith the participant

Written requirements Written requirements provide a reminder for the provide a reminder for the participantparticipant

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Case managers should discuss with Case managers should discuss with participants how to document their hours participants how to document their hours using time sheets, pay stubs, job search using time sheets, pay stubs, job search forms, etc. forms, etc.

Case managers should review with Case managers should review with participantsparticipants

How to fill out the documentHow to fill out the document

How to secure signatures from the correct How to secure signatures from the correct partyparty

What information is required for the What information is required for the document to be accepteddocument to be accepted

When the documentation is dueWhen the documentation is due

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Case managers should Case managers should encourage participants to encourage participants to complete required hours complete required hours

Case mangers should Case mangers should encourage participants not to encourage participants not to exceed hours required exceed hours required forfor the the programprogram

Especially for worksite activitiesEspecially for worksite activities

The RWB may opt to create a The RWB may opt to create a disclosure document regarding disclosure document regarding completing hours above the completing hours above the number assigned by the RWBnumber assigned by the RWB

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Work ActivitiesWork Activities

Need Work!

FAIRPAY!

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Work Activity CategoriesWork Activity Categories Twelve federal work activity categoriesTwelve federal work activity categories

Unsubsidized EmploymentUnsubsidized Employment Subsidized Private Sector EmploymentSubsidized Private Sector Employment Subsidized Public Sector EmploymentSubsidized Public Sector Employment Work ExperienceWork Experience Job Search and Job Readiness AssistanceJob Search and Job Readiness Assistance Community Service ProgramsCommunity Service Programs Vocational Educational TrainingVocational Educational Training On-the-Job TrainingOn-the-Job Training Providing ChildcareProviding Childcare Education Directly Related to EmploymentEducation Directly Related to Employment Job Skills Training Directly Related to EmploymentJob Skills Training Directly Related to Employment Satisfactory Attendance in a Secondary Education Satisfactory Attendance in a Secondary Education

ProgramProgram

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Work Activity CategoriesWork Activity Categories Federal core activitiesFederal core activities

Unsubsidized EmploymentUnsubsidized Employment

Subsidized Private Sector Subsidized Private Sector EmploymentEmployment

Subsidized Public Sector EmploymentSubsidized Public Sector Employment

Work ExperienceWork Experience

Job Search and Job Readiness Job Search and Job Readiness AssistanceAssistance

Community Service ProgramsCommunity Service Programs

Vocational Educational TrainingVocational Educational Training

On-the-Job TrainingOn-the-Job Training

Providing ChildcareProviding Childcare

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Work Activity CategoriesWork Activity Categories

Federal core plus activitiesFederal core plus activities

Job Skills Training Directly Job Skills Training Directly Related to EmploymentRelated to Employment

Education Directly Related to Education Directly Related to Employment*Employment*

Satisfactory Attendance at a Satisfactory Attendance at a Secondary School or in a Secondary School or in a Course of Study Leading to a Course of Study Leading to a GED*GED*

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What Counts for Teens?*What Counts for Teens?* Teens Teens without without a diploma or GED and are a diploma or GED and are

under age 20 will be included in the under age 20 will be included in the numerator of the participation rate if they numerator of the participation rate if they are aare a

Single parent familySingle parent family

And satisfactorily attend a GED or diploma And satisfactorily attend a GED or diploma program each weekprogram each week

And participate in 20 hours a week in Education And participate in 20 hours a week in Education Directly Related to EmploymentDirectly Related to Employment

Two-parent familyTwo-parent family

And both satisfactorily attend a GED or diploma And both satisfactorily attend a GED or diploma program each weekprogram each week

And both participate in 20 hours a week in And both participate in 20 hours a week in Education Directly Related to EmploymentEducation Directly Related to Employment

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QuestionQuestion Can the teen parents without a Can the teen parents without a

GED or diploma participate in GED or diploma participate in different activities (for a two-different activities (for a two-parent family)?parent family)? One parent may be in a GED program One parent may be in a GED program

and the other in 20 hours of Education and the other in 20 hours of Education Directly Related to EmploymentDirectly Related to Employment

The activity is based on the The activity is based on the participant’s age, receipt of a high participant’s age, receipt of a high school diploma or an equivalency school diploma or an equivalency diploma, and the participant’s goalsdiploma, and the participant’s goals

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Work Activity DefinitionsWork Activity Definitions

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Unsubsidized EmploymentUnsubsidized Employment Is a full or part-time job in the Is a full or part-time job in the

public or private sector public or private sector Wages are paid by the employer and Wages are paid by the employer and

are not subsidized by are not subsidized by anyany public public programprogram

Included in this definition areIncluded in this definition are Employers who receive tax subsidies for Employers who receive tax subsidies for

hiring lower income individualshiring lower income individuals

Individuals who are self-employedIndividuals who are self-employed

IncludesIncludes Employers claiming a tax credit Employers claiming a tax credit

Labor in exchange for services (“in-kind” Labor in exchange for services (“in-kind” work)work)

Self-employmentSelf-employment

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Unsubsidized Unsubsidized EmploymentEmployment

Hours spent in unsubsidized Hours spent in unsubsidized employment are assumed to be employment are assumed to be supervised based on wagessupervised based on wages

Employment verification must be Employment verification must be received prior to recording the job received prior to recording the job on the on the Skill DevelopmentSkill Development screen screen

Documentation verifying employment Documentation verifying employment must include wages at hire, hours at must include wages at hire, hours at hire, start date, employer’s name, etc. hire, start date, employer’s name, etc.

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Unsubsidized Employment-Unsubsidized Employment-Self EmploymentSelf Employment

The individual is both the employee The individual is both the employee and employerand employer

May include “in-kind” work (work May include “in-kind” work (work for services rendered, rent, etc.)for services rendered, rent, etc.)

Countable hours are determined byCountable hours are determined by Dividing the individual’s Dividing the individual’s documenteddocumented

income (gross income less business income (gross income less business expenses) by the higher of the Florida or expenses) by the higher of the Florida or federalfederal minimum wageminimum wage

Case managers cannot take a Case managers cannot take a participant’s statement of hours and pay participant’s statement of hours and pay when recording self-employmentwhen recording self-employment

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Subsidized EmploymentSubsidized Employment The employer receives a subsidy from The employer receives a subsidy from

TANF or other public funds to offset TANF or other public funds to offset wages and/or costs of employing a wages and/or costs of employing a recipientrecipient Private subsidized employment means the Private subsidized employment means the

subsidy comes from a private entity or programsubsidy comes from a private entity or program

Public subsidized employment means the Public subsidized employment means the subsidy comes from a public entity or programsubsidy comes from a public entity or program

Types of subsidized employment includeTypes of subsidized employment include Work supplementationWork supplementation

Incentive paymentsIncentive payments

Third party contractorThird party contractor

Supported work for individuals with disabilitiesSupported work for individuals with disabilities

Work study (public only)Work study (public only)

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Subsidized EmploymentSubsidized Employment Must be supervised daily Must be supervised daily

Supervision is assumed based on Supervision is assumed based on documentation of pay for all subsidized documentation of pay for all subsidized employmentemployment

If employment is subsidized by TANF funds, the If employment is subsidized by TANF funds, the participant must be supervised daily and hours participant must be supervised daily and hours must be documented by the designated must be documented by the designated supervising partysupervising party

Justifies the use of TANF fundsJustifies the use of TANF funds

Documents the hours completed to support the use of Documents the hours completed to support the use of fundsfunds

Daily supervision must be documented and Daily supervision must be documented and submitted no later than every two weekssubmitted no later than every two weeks

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Is training provided to a paid Is training provided to a paid employee while (s)he is working employee while (s)he is working full-timefull-time

The employer or an educational The employer or an educational institution provides training to the institution provides training to the participant to gain skills for job positionparticipant to gain skills for job position

The employer (or education institution on The employer (or education institution on behalf the employer) receives a subsidybehalf the employer) receives a subsidy

The employer is expected to retain the The employer is expected to retain the participant as a regular employee participant as a regular employee (without a subsidy) after training is (without a subsidy) after training is completedcompleted

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The difference The difference between between Subsidized Subsidized Public or Private Public or Private Employment is Employment is the focus of the the focus of the activityactivity

OJT is paid OJT is paid training while training while working full-timeworking full-time

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On-the-Job TrainingOn-the-Job Training Contracts must be developed for TANF Contracts must be developed for TANF

funded OJT programsfunded OJT programs

Expectation of retaining employee upon Expectation of retaining employee upon completion completion

Job title of the participantJob title of the participant

Goals of training and employmentGoals of training and employment

Skills required to learn for the job Skills required to learn for the job positionposition

Reasons for immediate terminationReasons for immediate termination

OJT begin and end datesOJT begin and end dates

Parties responsible for supervising Parties responsible for supervising progress and documenting participationprogress and documenting participation

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Work ExperienceWork Experience Is defined as structured work in Is defined as structured work in

exchange for public benefits (specifically exchange for public benefits (specifically cash assistance and food stamps)cash assistance and food stamps)

It is engagement with an employer for It is engagement with an employer for individuals whoindividuals who

Are not able to gain employment and lack work Are not able to gain employment and lack work experienceexperience

Must provide an opportunity to gain Must provide an opportunity to gain

General employability skillsGeneral employability skills

Work habits necessary for obtaining employment Work habits necessary for obtaining employment

Training Training

Specific job knowledgeSpecific job knowledge

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Prior to placementPrior to placement

Work experience providers must be Work experience providers must be evaluated to match the participantevaluated to match the participant

With a position that is related to With a position that is related to his/her goals his/her goals

With an employer who has related With an employer who has related needs needs

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Work Experience must beWork Experience must be

Intensely supervisedIntensely supervised

Designated by a contract or Designated by a contract or agreementagreement

Work Experience may be Work Experience may be performed withperformed with

A public or private not-for-profit A public or private not-for-profit entityentity

A public or private for-profit entityA public or private for-profit entity

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DisplacementDisplacement Employers must notify their Employers must notify their

employees of their rights employees of their rights To report and dispute displacement To report and dispute displacement

from employment as a result of Work from employment as a result of Work Experience or Community Service Experience or Community Service

How to report acts of displacementHow to report acts of displacement Cannot fire a paid employee to fill the Cannot fire a paid employee to fill the

position with a Work Experience participantposition with a Work Experience participant

Cannot fail to fill an open position to use a Cannot fail to fill an open position to use a Work Experience participantWork Experience participant

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Work ExperienceWork Experience The contract regarding the The contract regarding the

participant’s worksite must includeparticipant’s worksite must include Party(ies) responsible for supervising the Party(ies) responsible for supervising the

participant on a daily basisparticipant on a daily basis Party(ies) responsible for signing time Party(ies) responsible for signing time

sheets/documentation of completed hourssheets/documentation of completed hours The contract for the participant’s The contract for the participant’s

worksite participation should includeworksite participation should include Job titleJob title Clear job descriptionClear job description The connection between the worksite and The connection between the worksite and

the participant’s goalsthe participant’s goals

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Work experience contracts Work experience contracts mustmust also include also include Performance benchmarksPerformance benchmarks

What will the participant be required to What will the participant be required to achieve prior to completion?achieve prior to completion?

What skills the participant must gain What skills the participant must gain during the Work Experience?during the Work Experience?

What are the expectations of the What are the expectations of the employer?employer?

GoalsGoals OutcomesOutcomes Time limitsTime limits


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Hours assigned for the monthHours assigned for the month

Cannot be greater than the calculationCannot be greater than the calculation

Cash assistance amount + Food Stamp Allotment / the Cash assistance amount + Food Stamp Allotment / the higher of the two minimum wage (Florida or federal)higher of the two minimum wage (Florida or federal)

Hours the participant is required to Hours the participant is required to complete each week must be included in complete each week must be included in the IRPthe IRP

Currently, the monthly total may be further Currently, the monthly total may be further divided by 4.3 to assign weekly hours and divided by 4.3 to assign weekly hours and develop a scheduledevelop a schedule

Those hours must be agreed on by the Those hours must be agreed on by the participant and career specialistparticipant and career specialist

Should be written in the steps-to-self-Should be written in the steps-to-self-sufficiencysufficiency


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Work ExperienceWork Experience Hours assigned/calculated should be Hours assigned/calculated should be

included in the case notesincluded in the case notes

Hours assigned must be entered on Hours assigned must be entered on the activity screen (weekly)the activity screen (weekly)

Because the benefits may change Because the benefits may change monthly, the hours assigned to a monthly, the hours assigned to a worksite must be reviewed and worksite must be reviewed and updated monthlyupdated monthly Update the steps to self-sufficiencyUpdate the steps to self-sufficiency

Update case notesUpdate case notes

Update the Update the Skill DevelopmentSkill Development screen screen

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Community Service Community Service ProgramsPrograms

Are structured programs at not-Are structured programs at not-for-profit organizations for-profit organizations

Projects must serve a Projects must serve a useful useful community purposecommunity purpose in one of the in one of the following fieldsfollowing fields

Health, social services, Health, social services, environmental protection, environmental protection, education, urban and rural education, urban and rural redevelopment, welfare, redevelopment, welfare, recreation, public facilities, public recreation, public facilities, public safety and childcaresafety and childcare

Must be designed to improve Must be designed to improve employability/help participant employability/help participant reach employment goalsreach employment goals

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Community ServiceCommunity Service DisplacementDisplacement

Employers must notify their Employers must notify their employees of their rights employees of their rights To report and dispute displacement To report and dispute displacement

from employmentfrom employment

How to report acts of displacementHow to report acts of displacement Cannot fire a paid employee to fill the Cannot fire a paid employee to fill the

position with a Work Experience participantposition with a Work Experience participant

Cannot fail to fill an open position to use a Cannot fail to fill an open position to use a Work Experience participantWork Experience participant

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Community ServiceCommunity Service The contract regarding the The contract regarding the

participant’s worksite must includeparticipant’s worksite must include Party(ies) responsible for supervising the Party(ies) responsible for supervising the

participant on a daily basisparticipant on a daily basis Party(ies) responsible for signing time Party(ies) responsible for signing time

sheets/documentation of completed hourssheets/documentation of completed hours The contract for the participant’s The contract for the participant’s

worksite participation should includeworksite participation should include Job titleJob title Clear job descriptionClear job description How the worksite serves a useful How the worksite serves a useful

community purposecommunity purpose

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Community Service Community Service ProgramsPrograms

Hours assignedHours assigned

Cannot be greater Cannot be greater for the month for the month than the than the calculation allowscalculation allows

Cash assistance + Cash assistance + Food Stamp Food Stamp allotment / the allotment / the highest of the highest of the federal or State federal or State minimum wageminimum wage

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Community ServiceCommunity Service

Hours the participant is required to Hours the participant is required to complete each week must be included in complete each week must be included in the IRPthe IRP

Currently, the monthly total may be further Currently, the monthly total may be further divided by 4.3 to assign weekly hours and divided by 4.3 to assign weekly hours and develop a scheduledevelop a schedule

Those hours must be agreed on by the Those hours must be agreed on by the participant and career specialistparticipant and career specialist

Should be written in the steps-to-self sufficiencyShould be written in the steps-to-self sufficiency

Should be entered in the case notesShould be entered in the case notes

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The Gift of DeemingThe Gift of Deeming Applies only to the worksite Applies only to the worksite

activitiesactivities


Community ServiceCommunity Service

Has three principle Has three principle componentscomponents

Core hours based on the Core hours based on the family typefamily type

Calculated monthly hours at Calculated monthly hours at the worksite for the familythe worksite for the family

Actual hours completed at the Actual hours completed at the worksite(s) by the familyworksite(s) by the family

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DeemingDeeming A family may be given credit A family may be given credit

for the “core” hours for the “core” hours Currently, the JPR screen records Currently, the JPR screen records

weekly hours. The family may be weekly hours. The family may be given credit for all core hoursgiven credit for all core hours if the if the family completes all required family completes all required hours for the week hours for the week

Some regions have developed local Some regions have developed local operating procedures to give the operating procedures to give the family core credit for completing family core credit for completing required hours during the monthrequired hours during the month

The procedure must be writtenThe procedure must be written

All staff should follow the local procedureAll staff should follow the local procedure

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Deeming-Assigning Deeming-Assigning versus Creditversus Credit

AssigningAssigning

Family is assigned Family is assigned hours based on the hours based on the calculationcalculation

Two-parent family may Two-parent family may share hours or one share hours or one parent may complete all parent may complete all hours provided the hours provided the parent is not required parent is not required to complete more than to complete more than 40 hours per week40 hours per week

No family must be No family must be required to complete required to complete more than the hours more than the hours calculatedcalculated

No individual must be No individual must be required to complete required to complete more than 40 hours per more than 40 hours per weekweek

CreditCredit

Family completes all Family completes all required hours for the required hours for the week or monthweek or month

The required hours are The required hours are based on the calculationbased on the calculation

The career specialist enters The career specialist enters the “core” hours on the JPR the “core” hours on the JPR screen for the weeks/month screen for the weeks/month based on the family typebased on the family type

The career specialist enters The career specialist enters a case note includinga case note including

Calculated hours for the Calculated hours for the month and the weekmonth and the week

The hours completedThe hours completed

The number of hours The number of hours deemeddeemed

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Deeming-Assigning versus Deeming-Assigning versus CreditCredit

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Some RWBs may implement Some RWBs may implement monthly deemingmonthly deeming

This allows the RWB to maximize This allows the RWB to maximize deeming based on the number of deeming based on the number of weeks in the month the weeks in the month the participant will engage in a participant will engage in a worksite rather than dividing by worksite rather than dividing by an average number of weeks in an average number of weeks in the month of 4.3the month of 4.3

Monthly DeemingMonthly Deeming

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The calculation for monthly deeming is The calculation for monthly deeming is Cash assistance combined with the monthly Cash assistance combined with the monthly

Food Stamp allotment divided by the higher of Food Stamp allotment divided by the higher of the two minimum wages (Florida or federal)the two minimum wages (Florida or federal)

This total number of monthly hours is then This total number of monthly hours is then divided by the number of weeks left in the divided by the number of weeks left in the month or the number of weeks the family will month or the number of weeks the family will participate in work activitiesparticipate in work activities

This allows for make-up hours to be completed This allows for make-up hours to be completed in a week if hours are missed in another week in a week if hours are missed in another week provided a participant is not required to provided a participant is not required to complete more than 40 hour per weekcomplete more than 40 hour per week

Monthly DeemingMonthly Deeming

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I met with the family on May 21, 2007 I met with the family on May 21, 2007 to begin the work activity process, to begin the work activity process, Participant 1 has just finished the Participant 1 has just finished the assessment processassessment process

P1 is in need of work experience and P1 is in need of work experience and has clarified her employment goals, so has clarified her employment goals, so she is a good candidate for our work she is a good candidate for our work experience programexperience program

P1 is a single parent and will complete P1 is a single parent and will complete all the work activities for her familyall the work activities for her family

Monthly Deeming-Monthly Deeming-ExampleExample

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Carla received 241 in cash and 181 in food Carla received 241 in cash and 181 in food stamps for June 2007stamps for June 2007

Based on the calculation, Carla is required to Based on the calculation, Carla is required to complete 63 hours at a worksite for this monthcomplete 63 hours at a worksite for this month

Because one week of June 2007 is over and there Because one week of June 2007 is over and there are only four weeks in June 2007, there are only are only four weeks in June 2007, there are only three weeks for Carla to complete the 63 hours three weeks for Carla to complete the 63 hours for the monthfor the month

The 63 hours are divided by three weeks The 63 hours are divided by three weeks Carla is assigned to 21 hours a week for the next Carla is assigned to 21 hours a week for the next

three weeks at a worksite and 15 hours in three weeks at a worksite and 15 hours in computer classes designed to help her gain skills computer classes designed to help her gain skills to become a secretary (based on her goal)to become a secretary (based on her goal)

If she does all of her hours and provides the If she does all of her hours and provides the appropriate documentation, what do we enter on appropriate documentation, what do we enter on her JPR screen?her JPR screen?


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We would enter her exact education We would enter her exact education hours (15 hours)hours (15 hours)

If she completes her required worksite If she completes her required worksite hours for the month, we can enter hours for the month, we can enter eithereither the core hours of 20 per week or the core hours of 20 per week or

the monthly total the last week of the the monthly total the last week of the month month

Monday must be in the same month (June 2007)Monday must be in the same month (June 2007)

Four Mondays in June at 20 core hours each Four Mondays in June at 20 core hours each week is 80 hours for the monthweek is 80 hours for the month

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When is Deeming not When is Deeming not Appropriate?Appropriate?

The family is assigned to fewer The family is assigned to fewer hours than the calculation hours than the calculation requiresrequires

The family does not complete all The family does not complete all required hours even though the required hours even though the hours were assigned based on the hours were assigned based on the calculationcalculation

In all these situations, the JPR In all these situations, the JPR screen should reflect the screen should reflect the actual actual hourshours completed completed

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Quirks of Quirks of ImplementationImplementation

The JPR screen records weekly The JPR screen records weekly hours not monthly, so how do we hours not monthly, so how do we record this?record this?

RWBs must develop Local RWBs must develop Local Operating ProceduresOperating Procedures Some regions have stated they would Some regions have stated they would

deem monthly (LOP required)deem monthly (LOP required)

Otherwise, regions must deem Otherwise, regions must deem weekly until OSST is updated to weekly until OSST is updated to accommodate monthly deemingaccommodate monthly deeming

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QuestionQuestion But, her education But, her education

hours will be 15 per hours will be 15 per week (completed) week (completed) combined with 80 combined with 80 hours at a worksite hours at a worksite (total deemed)(total deemed)

This is over 40 This is over 40 hours a week, are hours a week, are we breaking the we breaking the law?law?

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AnswerAnswer

No, the RWB did No, the RWB did not not assign assign over over 40 hours per 40 hours per weekweek

The participant The participant receivedreceived credit credit for over 40 hours for over 40 hours per week based per week based on the deeming on the deeming provisionsprovisions

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Job Search and Job Job Search and Job Readiness Readiness AssistanceAssistance The act of seeking or obtaining The act of seeking or obtaining

employment, as well as learning how to employment, as well as learning how to find a jobfind a job

Orientation to the world of workOrientation to the world of work

Learning how to complete an applicationLearning how to complete an application

Applying for jobsApplying for jobs

Resume developmentResume development

Interviewing skillsInterviewing skills

Learning about appropriate dressLearning about appropriate dress

Career planningCareer planning

Soft skills (including job retention skills)Soft skills (including job retention skills)

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May includeMay include Workshops Workshops

Classroom activitiesClassroom activities

Working with job developersWorking with job developers

Job matching and receiving job referralsJob matching and receiving job referrals

Access to resource centersAccess to resource centers

Submitting applications and resumesSubmitting applications and resumes

Completing follow-up callsCompleting follow-up calls

Attending interviewsAttending interviews

Job Search and Job Job Search and Job Readiness Readiness AssistanceAssistance

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May include May include

Substance abuse treatmentSubstance abuse treatment

Mental health treatmentMental health treatment

Rehabilitative activitiesRehabilitative activities

Only for individualsOnly for individuals

Who are certified to need care by a Who are certified to need care by a professional and professional and

Who are “otherwise employable”Who are “otherwise employable”

Meaning the participant has no other major Meaning the participant has no other major barrier to employment except one of the barrier to employment except one of the above- mentioned itemsabove- mentioned items

Job Search and Job Readiness Job Search and Job Readiness

AssistanceAssistance

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Question?Question? Does the medical Does the medical

professional have to sign off professional have to sign off on every hour in treatment?on every hour in treatment? NoNo Every hour must be verified by Every hour must be verified by

a responsible partya responsible party Depends on the activity Depends on the activity

AA meeting leaderAA meeting leader

Therapy counselorTherapy counselor

Other counselorOther counselor

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Job Search and Job Job Search and Job Readiness Readiness AssistanceAssistance

Hours in treatment are Hours in treatment are recorded as job search hoursrecorded as job search hours

Remember-weeks in job Remember-weeks in job search are time limitedsearch are time limited

Weeks of job search are limited Weeks of job search are limited to four consecutive weeks in a to four consecutive weeks in a FFY or six cumulative weeks in FFY or six cumulative weeks in a FFYa FFY

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Job Search and Job Job Search and Job Readiness AssistanceReadiness Assistance

So, use time in Job So, use time in Job Search and Job Search and Job Readiness Assistance Readiness Assistance wiselywisely

Job Search and Job Job Search and Job Readiness AssistanceReadiness Assistance Is not a back-up Is not a back-up

activityactivity

Is not an activity for Is not an activity for those that are not those that are not ready to seek and ready to seek and obtain employmentobtain employment

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Job Search and Job Job Search and Job ReadinessReadinessDiscussionDiscussion

SupervisionSupervision HHS has stressed that Job Search HHS has stressed that Job Search

and Job Readiness Assistance must and Job Readiness Assistance must by supervised daily by a responsible by supervised daily by a responsible partyparty Career specialistCareer specialist

Contracted providerContracted provider

Teacher or program administratorTeacher or program administrator

Job development staffJob development staff

Etc.Etc.

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Job Search and Job Job Search and Job ReadinessReadinessDiscussionDiscussion

Credit for hoursCredit for hours HHS has stated that HHS has stated that

the State may not enter the State may not enter hours for credit on the hours for credit on the JPR screen unless the JPR screen unless the hours in Job Search hours in Job Search and Job Readiness and Job Readiness Assistance are Assistance are supervised daily and supervised daily and are documented hour are documented hour for hourfor hour

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Vocational Educational Vocational Educational TrainingTraining

Prepares the participant for Prepares the participant for employment in current or employment in current or emerging occupations through emerging occupations through organized trainingorganized training

Gives the participant knowledge Gives the participant knowledge and skills to perform a and skills to perform a specificspecific occupationoccupation

Must be State approved training in Must be State approved training in Florida’s vocational technical Florida’s vocational technical centers, community college and centers, community college and proprietary schoolsproprietary schools

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Vocational Educational Vocational Educational TrainingTraining Currently does not include Currently does not include

Baccalaureate or other advanced Baccalaureate or other advanced degreesdegrees

Unsupervised homeworkUnsupervised homework

May includeMay include

Basic skills remediation if it is Basic skills remediation if it is embeddedembedded in the vocational program in the vocational program

Participants dually enrolled in GED Participants dually enrolled in GED and vocational program can only and vocational program can only receive credit for vocation hours receive credit for vocation hours under this categoryunder this category

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Vocational Educational Vocational Educational TrainingTraining

Participants engaged in Participants engaged in Vocational Educational Training Vocational Educational Training that will be included in the that will be included in the participation rate mustparticipation rate must

Be supervised dailyBe supervised daily

Have documentation signed Have documentation signed demonstrating daily supervisiondemonstrating daily supervision

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Question?Question? So what does it include now?So what does it include now?

Programs established forPrograms established for Vocational institutionsVocational institutions

TradesTrades

Employers (customized training) Employers (customized training) organized by a vocational or organized by a vocational or educational institutioneducational institution

CertificationsCertifications

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Education or training to Education or training to obtain skills required by an obtain skills required by an employeremployer so the participant so the participant can can

AdvanceAdvance

Adapt to the changing demands Adapt to the changing demands of the workplace of the workplace

Obtain employmentObtain employment

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May includeMay include

Customized training for an Customized training for an employeremployer

OrOr

General training that General training that prepares an individual for prepares an individual for employment with an employment with an employeremployer

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This may includeThis may include

English proficiency instruction or English proficiency instruction or other language instruction, if other language instruction, if necessary, to enable the necessary, to enable the participant to perform a participant to perform a specificspecific job by an employerjob by an employer

Must be explicitly focused on Must be explicitly focused on skills needed for a job or skills needed for a job or combined in a training programcombined in a training program

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How do we know what an How do we know what an employer needs?employer needs? Customer surveys that the RWB may Customer surveys that the RWB may

already be usingalready be using

CommerceCommerce

ConsortiumsConsortiums

Written surveysWritten surveys

Direct engagement by employer Direct engagement by employer servicesservices

Engagement by job development Engagement by job development staffstaff

Information secured through job Information secured through job descriptionsdescriptions

Information in Employ Florida Information in Employ Florida MarketplaceMarketplace

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Education Directly Education Directly Related to Employment*Related to Employment*

Limited to participants who do not Limited to participants who do not have a high school diploma or GEDhave a high school diploma or GED

Education directly related to a Education directly related to a specific occupation, job or job specific occupation, job or job offeroffer

May include adult basic education, May include adult basic education, language instruction, or education language instruction, or education leading to a GED when required by leading to a GED when required by an employeran employer

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Education Directly Related Education Directly Related to to

Employment*Employment*

Individuals Individuals engaged in an engaged in an activity under activity under this category this category must be making must be making satisfactory satisfactory progress to progress to receive credit receive credit for the for the participation participation raterate

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If there is a secondary education If there is a secondary education component component

Satisfactory progress using standardized Satisfactory progress using standardized tests (e.g., TABE) for programs including tests (e.g., TABE) for programs including basic education elements must be usedbasic education elements must be used

The participant must take a pre-test or a test The participant must take a pre-test or a test to establish a baseline once the participant to establish a baseline once the participant enters the WT programenters the WT program

The assessment must be administered using The assessment must be administered using appropriate methods appropriate methods

Avoid over assessingAvoid over assessing

Avoid manipulating scores by changing the Avoid manipulating scores by changing the level of the TABE drasticallylevel of the TABE drastically

Record test type and results on Plan Record test type and results on Plan Development screenDevelopment screen

Education Directly Related to Education Directly Related to


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If the education is If the education is employment/job specific and employment/job specific and does not contain basic does not contain basic education components education components

Secure progress from instructor Secure progress from instructor on a regular basison a regular basis

This is in addition to attendanceThis is in addition to attendance

This must include progress towards This must include progress towards completing training with a certificate completing training with a certificate and skills to secure employmentand skills to secure employment

Education Directly Related to Education Directly Related to


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Remember, this activity may be used Remember, this activity may be used for a participant that does not have a for a participant that does not have a high school diploma or a GEDhigh school diploma or a GED

The participant will be counted if (s)he The participant will be counted if (s)he engages in the activity for a minimum engages in the activity for a minimum of 20 documented hours per weekof 20 documented hours per week

This activity may count as full-time This activity may count as full-time participation for teens without a high participation for teens without a high school diploma or GEDschool diploma or GED

Teens must also demonstrate Teens must also demonstrate satisfactory attendancesatisfactory attendance

Education Directly Related to Education Directly Related to Employment*Employment*

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Satisfactory Attendance at aSatisfactory Attendance at aSecondary School*Secondary School*

Regular attendance at a secondary Regular attendance at a secondary school or in a course of study leading school or in a course of study leading to a certificate of general equivalenceto a certificate of general equivalence

Is limited to participants without a high Is limited to participants without a high school diploma or GEDschool diploma or GED

Participants must attend classes Participants must attend classes regularlyregularly

GED or secondary diploma GED or secondary diploma

Regular attendance is based (for Regular attendance is based (for teens) on the educational institutions teens) on the educational institutions definition of satisfactory attendancedefinition of satisfactory attendance

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Satisfactory Attendance Satisfactory Attendance at aat a

Secondary School*Secondary School* May include other literacy education May include other literacy education

if required to secure a high school if required to secure a high school diploma or a GEDdiploma or a GED

May include adult basic education May include adult basic education directly related to obtaining high directly related to obtaining high school diploma or GEDschool diploma or GED

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Individual must be making Individual must be making satisfactory progresssatisfactory progress Satisfactory progress using Satisfactory progress using

standardized tests (e.g., TABE) standardized tests (e.g., TABE) for programs including basic for programs including basic education elements must be usededucation elements must be used

The participant must take a pre-test The participant must take a pre-test or a test to establish a baseline once or a test to establish a baseline once the participant enters the WT the participant enters the WT programprogram

Satisfactory Attendance at aSatisfactory Attendance at aSecondary School*Secondary School*

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The assessment must be administered The assessment must be administered using appropriate methods using appropriate methods

Avoid over-assessingAvoid over-assessing

Avoid manipulating scores by Avoid manipulating scores by changing the level of the TABE changing the level of the TABE drasticallydrastically

Record test type and results on Plan Record test type and results on Plan Development screenDevelopment screen

Satisfactory Attendance Satisfactory Attendance at aat a

Secondary School*Secondary School*

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Providing Childcare Providing Childcare ServicesServices

Participant provides childcare for Participant provides childcare for another participant who is another participant who is completing Community Service completing Community Service hourshours

Staff must communicate with each Staff must communicate with each individual by telephone or in person individual by telephone or in person to provide supervision and offer any to provide supervision and offer any assistance that may be helpfulassistance that may be helpful

Evidence of daily supervision must Evidence of daily supervision must be maintained by staff and retained be maintained by staff and retained in the case filein the case file

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The Community Service participant The Community Service participant must maintain his/her own time sheet must maintain his/her own time sheet for worksite hours to demonstrate the for worksite hours to demonstrate the number of hours completed at a number of hours completed at a worksite and the number of hours a worksite and the number of hours a childcare provider was neededchildcare provider was needed

The Community Service participant or The Community Service participant or parent must sign off on the Childcare parent must sign off on the Childcare Provider’s timesheet documenting the Provider’s timesheet documenting the number of hours childcare was provided number of hours childcare was provided


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Hours for providing Hours for providing childcare cannot be childcare cannot be greater than the greater than the completed completed Community Service Community Service hourshours

Does not include two-Does not include two-parent families parent families watching their own watching their own childrenchildren

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If you have any questions, If you have any questions, comments, or comments, or

concerns, please contact the concerns, please contact the Welfare Welfare

Transition Team through the Transition Team through the Agency for Agency for

Workforce Innovation’s Call Center Workforce Innovation’s Call Center at at

1-866-352-23451-866-352-2345An equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. All voice telephone numbers on

this document may be reached by persons using TTY/TDD equipment via the Florida Relay Service at 711.

1 welfare transition work activity definitions august 2007

Documents

work categoriesrequired

work activityto

work activitiesdefining

work activities consistent

work verification planrequired

work eligible tanf recipients

countable hours

additional hours