| The purpose of this memorandum is to discuss
the transition of Temporary Assistance employment and training functions
to the Division of Workforce Development (DWD) effective July 1, 2003.
The transition of employment and training activities from Division of Family
Services (DFS) to DWD will bring a range of employment opportunities and
social support systems together in a coordinated, seamless fashion.
Division of Family Services' staff have
done an excellent job in the past in assisting families in overcoming barriers
to employment. This was proven last year with the receipt of the
high performance bonus. This responsibility will not change because
of this transition. DFS will continue to be responsible for assessing
the employment and training readiness of all families applying for and
receiving Temporary Assistance.
Employment and training ready means a recipient
of Temporary Assistance who is assessed by DFS as a mandatory work participant
is ready to begin a work related activity, prepare for work or is ready
to begin a job. Those individuals will be referred to DWD.
Exempt volunteers may also be referred.
Case management will continue to be the
responsibility of DFS for families who are assessed as having barriers
to employment and training. DFS will also continue case management
for the following families:
-
Child only,
-
Payees exempt for children under the age of
12 months,
-
Teen parents in school,
-
Payees who are permanently disabled,
-
Payees 60 years or older,
-
Payees who received 60-months Temporary Assistance
and currently coded for Extension due to Hardship (H), and
-
Individuals in Refugee/Resettlement Agency
(Component 20).
DFS staff will provide services to those individuals
determined eligible for Temporary Assistance but not subject to participate
in a work activity (not employment & training ready). Those services
will include but are not limited to:
-
development of Self-Sufficiency PACT,
-
intensive case management to assist individuals
to overcome barriers to employment,
-
referral to mental health providers, substance
abuse service providers, domestic violence service providers, Children's
Services, support groups and other treatment services.
DWD staff, which includes subcontractors and
WIB staff, will provide services to those individuals subject to participation
in a work activity (employment & training ready). Services could
include but are not limited to:
-
development of service/employability plan,
-
update Missouri WORKS!,
-
job readiness workshop activities,
-
skills training,
-
job search assistance,
-
vocational skill set assessments,
-
authorization of work related expenses and/or
transportation expenses,
-
assistance with locating child care providers,
-
job development, and
-
development of work experience or transitional
job opportunities.
The following cases will be transferred to
DWD for case management:
-
Individuals in the following components:
-
Assessment (01),
-
GED Test (02),
-
Vocational Education & Training (04),
-
Job Readiness Activities (05),
-
Job Search (07),
-
On-the-Job Training (08),
-
Community (CWEP)/Alternative (AWEP) Work Experience
(12), and
-
Unsubsidized Paid Employment/Paid Work Experience
(13)
NOTE: Individuals with
the following open components will NOT be transferred to DWD:
-
The only open component is Treatment/Support
Activity (19),
-
The only open component is Refugee/Resettlement
Agency (20),
-
The individual is currently in Conciliation
(11),
-
The only open component is Unsubsidized Employment
(13) and 90 days supportive services are being provided after the Temporary
Assistance case has closed,
-
The payee is a Teen parents in school (T work
requirement code),
-
The payee has received 60-months Temporary
Assistance and is Extension due to Hardship (H), or
-
There is an open Children's Services case.
-
The individual is in an unassigned reason,
EXCEPT when the unassigned reason is Waiting to be Called-In (Z).
-
Sanctioned cases coded Failed to comply with
Work Activity (F) and Failed to comply with Child Support (C).
DWD will receive the funding currently used
for TRE, WRE, community initiatives, participant's assessments, and funding
for vocational or job skills training. Other resources will be used
to serve families through DFS.
Begin discussing these changes in a positive
manner with active participants at monthly contacts, food stamp recertifications,
and interim contacts. The attached Fact Sheet is being provided to assist
in that discussion.
A separate memorandum is being prepared
to explain DFS policy regarding the transition to DWD and Notices/Alerts
that will be produced to workers. |
