CHANGES

• Approval for vocational or job skills training will be given for only one year at a time.  All future Individual Training Account forms (DESE-6) should NOT request funding for the second year.  A second DESE-6 form will be required to request funding for the participant for the additional year.
• Vocational/Job Skills Training funds may be requested for Certified Nurse Technician (CNA) effective with the receipt of this memorandum.  Funding will be allowed up to $350.00 for 100 hours of course training.  However, if the participant is taking other courses along with a CNA course, the requested funding may exceed the $350.00 limit.
• Effective immediately, all completed DESE-6 forms will be sent to Central Office to the attention of Cindy Wehmeyer.  Any DESE-6 forms receive by DESE will be forwarded to Central office for review.

• The DESE-6 form is an application for accessing DFS funds allocated to DESE, or it is used to revise the initial request due to changes in circumstances.
• Funding is to be used to initiate training and education to help participants obtain employment.  DESE-6 forms must be completed before the participant begins classes for consideration of assistance.
• Participants shall only be enrolled in training up to and including the Associates Degree level.
• DFS Welfare Reform coordinators may make exceptions, on a case by case basis, for payment of classes beyond the Associates Degree level as long as the training is completed within two years.
• The coordinators may approve, on a case by case basis, payment to individuals who have begun their educational activities prior to participating in the Temporary Assistance program if needed in addition to their private sources.
• A written authorization from the local DFS Welfare Reform Coordinator must accompany the DESE-6 form on all exceptions.
• Participants requesting funding must apply for a pell grant prior to completing the DESE-6.  Pell grant funds must be used prior to utilizing Vocational/Job Skills Training funding.
• Staff should explore other various options of funding for participants to access vocational and skill training.  Funding resources may include student loans, or student funding by the institution, etc.  Some institutions provide student funding.  Staff is encouraged to collaborate with other agencies or community sponsors to provide training funds.
• Reimbursement for training costs (tuition, fees and supplies) shall not exceed $3000 per participant per year.
• DO NOT guarantee this funding source to participants for their education/training prior to approval by DESE.
• The case manager must receive a DESE-6a before a participant may attend any training that is dependent upon funding from DFS.  There is no guarantee that payment will be authorized to the school the participant is attending if the DESE-6a has not been received.
• All referrals must contain the signature of a DFS case manager AND the signature for the approval of local supervisory staff.
• In situations where the participant does not attend training, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education may be reimbursed.  The DFS case manger completes and signs the DESE-6 immediately upon receipt of the information, obtains supervisory approval, and submits to the Temporary Assistance Unit in DFS Central Office for review.  This is important because the allocated funds can then be released for use by another student.
• When possible, education activities should be in conjunction with employment goals.  Employment remains the priority for those individuals who possess skills and are employable.
• Section 0285.005.15 - Vocational/Job Skills Training of the Temporary Assistance/Case Management manual has been updated to incorporate changes.  Please review this section in the manual. 

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

• Request Vocational/Job Skills funds for one year at a time.

• Certified Nurse Technician (CNA) training will be allowed up to $350.00 for 100 hours of course training effective with the receipt of this memorandum.  Other courses along with CNA training may exceed the $350.00 limit.

• Effective immediately, all completed DESE-6 forms will be sent to Central Office to the attention of Cindy Wehmeyer.

• Review Section 0285.005.15 - Vocational/Job Skills Training of the Temporary Assistance/Case Management manual.

• Destroy the old manual pages and file the revised manual pages in the Temporary Assistance/Case Management Manual.