JFES Procedures Manual Jobs First Employment Services
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JFES Procedures Manual Jobs First Employment Services DOL JFES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR JOBS FIRST EMPLOYMENT SERVICES PROGRAM POLICY AND PROCEDURES MANUAL Date: 11-01-19 Transmittal 19-03 Section: 1000 Topic: Table of Contents and Appendices TABLE OF CONTENTS 1000 Table of Contents 1010 Introduction 1020 Mission Statement 1030 Goals of Employment 1040 Operating Principles 1100 Definitions 1200 Employment Services 1205 General Provisions 1210 Entry into CT Works 1215 Intake 1220 Case Management 1225 Employment Plan 1228 Plan Review & Modification Sessions 1230 Additional Employment Services Issues 1230.05 Refugee Program Employment Services 1230.10 Treatment of Undocumented Non-citizens 1230.15 Special Employment Services Circumstances 1235 Case Closure 1240 (Section has been omitted) 1245 Re-entry into Employment Services Program 1300 Sanctioning Process 1400 Support Services 1405 Child Care Assistance Program Care-4-Kids 1410 Special Benefits 1415 Community Resources 1415.05 Substance Abuse 1415.10 Mental Health 1415.15 Domestic Violence 1415.20 Department of Children & Families Referrals 1415.25 Bureau of Rehabilitation Services 1500 Recording Data 1505 Electronic Case Record Maintenance 1510 CTHires Case Management Information System 1515 Case Notes DEPARTMENT OF LABOR JOBS FIRST EMPLOYMENT SERVICES PROGRAM POLICY AND PROCEDURES MANUAL Date: 11-01-19 Transmittal 19-03 Section: 1000 Page: 2 Topic: Table of Contents and Appendices Table of Contents cont. 1600 Additional Policy Issues 1605 Confidentiality 1610 Exemptions from Participation in Jobs First Employment Services 1615 Employer Tax Credit 1615.05 Hiring Incentive Tax Credit 1620 Interpretive Services 1625 Application of Wage Laws 1630 Complaint Procedure 1640 Case Transfer Protocol 1700 Relationship to Other Programs 1705 WIOA 1710 (Section has been omitted) APPENDICES A. TANF Participation Requirements B. Forms C. Directories/Contact List (DOL, WDB, DSS, C4K Liaisons) D. Tables (FPL, PSA) E. Document Management and “Paperless” Initiative for the Jobs First Employment Services Program F. Special Benefits to Support Employment Related Activities Collecting and Using Sensitive, Personal Information Suggested Script for Collecting and Using Sensitive, Personal Information DEPARTMENT OF LABOR JOBS FIRST EMPLOYMENT SERVICES PROGRAM PROCEDURES MANUAL Date: 4-1-02 02-01 Section: 1010 Topic: Introduction Introduction This policy and PROCEDURES MANUAL provides guidance to the field staffs of the Department of Labor (DOL), the Regional Workforce Development Boards (RWDB) and the RWDB case management subcontractors on the implementation of the DOL Jobs First Employment Services. It was developed with input from representatives from the Jobs First Employment Services partner agencies: DSS and RWDBs. Wherever applicable, the Jobs First Employment Services Delivery Model as agreed upon by representatives of DOL, DSS and the RWDBs (The Design Group) has been incorporated in this guidance. Due to the evolving nature the employment services program, the need for additional policy or modifications to existing policy will occur. As these additions or modifications occur, this manual will be revised. The manual is structured such that sections can be added, modified or rescinded easily without disrupting the content of the remainder of the document. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR JOBS FIRST EMPLOYMENT SERVICES PROGRAM PROCEDURES MANUAL Date: 4-1-02 02-01 Section: 1020 Topic: Mission Statement Mission Statement In keeping with the Department’s overall mission, the Jobs First Employment Services Program strives to assist participants to become competitive workers in the ever-changing employment environment. We provide comprehensive, integrated employment services that enable these workers to become and remain independent of assistance by preparing them for the next step in their continuum of lifelong learning. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR JOBS FIRST EMPLOYMENT SERVICES PROGRAM PROCEDURES MANUAL Date: 4-1-02 02-01 Section: 1030 Topic: Goals of Employment Goals of Employment 1. Enable TFA participants, through employment, to become independent from cash assistance by the end of the 21-month time limit established by law. 2. Enable TFA participants who become independent from cash assistance to remain employed and independent of TFA. 3. Ensure that federally-established participation rates are met through employment of TFA participants and engagement in other allowable TANF work activities deemed appropriate based on assessments of clients’ needs. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR JOBS FIRST EMPLOYMENT SERVICES PROGRAM PROCEDURES MANUAL Date: 4-1-02 02-01 Section: 1040 Topic: Operating Principles Operating Principles 1. The primary focus of the Jobs First Employment Services Program is to assist participants to become independent from assistance through employment. 2. Every participant shall be assigned to activities that will enable him/her to become and remain independent of TFA. Whenever possible, activities shall be combined in a way which will meet the federally established participation rates. 3. Each service delivery area shall manage its caseload in such a way as to meet the state target levels for the participation rates for all families as stated in the TANF contract with the RWDBs. If the caseload is managed by smaller “units” of case managers, each case management unit supervisor is to ensure that their unit’s caseload is meeting the participation rate. (See Appendix A for a description of allowable and countable activities). 4. An individualized employment plan based on assessment of skills, abilities, work experience, education level, aptitudes, interests and program goals is developed for every participant. The individual employment plans for parents in a two-parent family are coordinated with each other in order to meet program goals. The combination of both parents’ plans constitutes a plan for the family. 5. If, based on the assessment, it is determined that the family is capable within the first 21 months or anytime during an extension period of obtaining employment at earnings equal to the Federal Poverty Level for their family size, the participants are required to find and/or maintain employment at the Federal Poverty Level as soon as possible. Although these participants will no longer be eligible for TFA, they should be encouraged to continue to pursue additional education and training. 6. If it is determined that the family cannot obtain earnings at the Federal Poverty Level (in the case of a two-parent family, both parents wages or potential wages are combined) without further training and/or education, the participants are assigned to work, education and/or training activities that will maximize the families' income level within the first 21 months of assistance. For participants in extensions, work, education and/or training that will maximize the family income level as soon as possible are assigned. Whenever possible, employment shall be combined with education and training in such a way that the combination is countable toward the federally established participation rate. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR JOBS FIRST EMPLOYMENT SERVICES PROGRAM PROCEDURES MANUAL Date: 4-1-02 02-01 Section: 1040 Page: 2 Topic: Operating Principles Operating Principles cont. 7. As long as consistent with the program goals, employment plan activities are based on the participant’s interests, ability, availability of resources and labor market demands. Motivation is key to success. 8. If it is evident that the family will not be able to become or remain independent of TFA through current employment or future employment that is secured (such as seasonal employment) without additional education and/or training, new or additional activities designed to increase the family income may be assigned, which may preclude continuation of existing employment or self-employment. 9. The operating principles listed above apply to all participants according to their needs, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, disability or sexual orientation. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR JOBS FIRST EMPLOYMENT SERVICES PROGRAM PROCEDURES MANUAL Date: 11-1-05 05-03 Section: 1100 Topic: Definitions Definitions Adult Basic Education (ABE) - Literacy instruction in a life skills or employability context to adults who are unable to read, write, compute and problem-solve at levels of proficiency necessary to function on the job, in the family and/or in society. Allowable Activity - Activities in which participants may engage as part of their employability plan. Such activities may or may not be considered countable activities for the purpose of meeting federal participation rates. Assessment - A review of a participant’s abilities and circumstances for the purpose of developing an employability plan. Specific areas covered in the assessment include but are not limited to: education, employment and training history, basic educational needs and other social services needs including transportation, child care, child support, domestic violence, substance abuse and mental health. Assessment occurs in several phases. An initial assessment is conducted by DSS staff. Further assessment is conducted by CT Works or subcontracted staff during orientation and subsequent times as needed. Case Management - Case management services under the JOBS First Employment Services program consist of: participating in the assessment process, developing an employment plan, arranging services, tracking and monitoring participant activities. Community Service - Voluntary work placement in