| TO: | ALL COUNTY OFFICES |
| FROM: | JANEL R. LUCK, DIRECTOR |
| SUBJECT: | IMMEDIATE ENGAGEMENT FOR TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE APPLICANTS |
DISCUSSION:
Effective January 1, 2008, Temporary Assistance (TA) applicants who are not exempt or excluded from work participation activities will be required to begin the process to engage in work activities with Division of Workforce Development (DWD) as an eligibility factor prior to approval of the TA application. This new policy is called Immediate Engagement. This memorandum briefly introduces Immediate Engagement to let staff know what to expect. The purpose of Immediate Engagement is to introduce the individual to the workforce system quicker in order to maximize the delivery of services. Immediate Engagement encourages full participation by the TA applicant as soon as possible and in the process, helps to reinforce the obligations of the program. This change is a result of an amendment to 13 CSR 40-2.370.
Beginning January 1, 2008, all TA applicants who are mandatory to participate in work activities will be referred to the DWD's Career Assistance Program (CAP). The mandatory applicant must meet with a CAP case manager, develop an Individual Employment Plan (IEP) or have good cause for not doing so. Volunteers and applicants who meet an exemption, exclusion, or have a pending assessment will not be referred to CAP during the application process.
When the mandatory applicant complies or has good cause, a CAP case manager will alert FAMIS through DWD's Toolbox system. Good cause for not complying with Immediate Engagement can also be made by FSD staff after the date of application. The application will be approved if DWD alerts FAMIS that the applicant complied or has good cause if all other eligibility factors for TA are met and verified. If the applicant fails to comply and does not have good cause for not complying with the requirements of Immediate Engagement, FAMIS will take action to reject the TA application on the night of the 30th day from the date of application.
Policy and systems changes are forthcoming in a separate memorandum.
NECESSARY ACTION:
- Review this memorandum with all appropriate staff.
- Consider these upcoming policy changes as you plan your work.
- Implement changes only after notification policy changes are made.
- Work with local CAP services providers to implement this policy.