Engagement and Work Preparation. Section 3.1 Federal “Engaged in Work” Requirement (Reference 18 NYCRR 385.2 (f)) Section 3.2 Orientation (Reference 18 NYCRR 385.5)
Engagement and Work Preparation.
Section 3.1 Federal “Engaged in Work” Requirement (Reference 18 NYCRR 385.2 (f)) For purposes of satisfying the federal requirement which states that parents or caretakers must be engaged in work as soon as the district determines they are ready, but no later than within 24 months of receiving federally funded assistance, district’s definition of “Engaged in Work” is: Compliance with assessment, employment planning, all activities included in the individual’s Employment/Self-Sufficiency plan including any need to attend treatment/rehabilitation programs, or any of the work activities listed in Section 3.4. Also included is pursuit of other forms of income such as SSI and SSDI. Include any additional information regarding the district’s local “engaged in work” requirements:
Section 3.2 Orientation (Reference 18 NYCRR 385.5) Check one of the following: The district provides orientation in accordance with 18 NYCRR Section 385.5 and no additional information is provided at orientation. In addition to the requirements outlined in 18 NYCRR Section 385.5 of the regulations, the district’s orientation provides the following: Described below is the manner in which the district completes the required orientation for all applicants and recipients of Temporary Assistance (e.g., in a group setting, individually, or a combination of both), including the orientation procedure for exempt individuals and non-exempt individuals, if different: The Job Development staff conducts group orientations once a week, on Wednesdays, for Temporary Assistance applicants/recipients. If individuals are working and not able to attend an orientation, the Job Development staff will schedule a one-on-one orientation at a mutually convenient time. In order to accommodate individual needs/other circumstances (e.g. limited English speaking, medical/mental health issues where individuals cannot function in a group setting) may necessitate a one-on-one orientation by Job Development staff. The Jobs Program Specialist/Job Development staff explain the job search requirements.
Section 3.3 Assessment and Employment Planning Temporary Assistance Assessment (Reference 18 NYCRR 385.6 and 385.7)
a. Check one of the following:
b. Describe the local district procedure for the completion of an employment assessment: An assessment is completed within 90 days from when recipients are determined to be eligible for TA, including 16 and 17 year-olds not in school. Usually, the assessment is completed withi...
Engagement and Work Preparation. Section 3.1 Federal “Engaged in Work” Requirement (Reference 18 NYCRR 385.2 (f))
Section 3.2 Orientation (Reference 18 NYCRR 385.5)
Section 3.3 Assessment and Employment Planning Temporary Assistance Assessment
a. Check one of the following:
b. Describe the local district procedure for the completion of an employment assessment: Applicants for assistance who are requesting exemption for disability, substance abuse, pregnancy within one month of due date, recent (within six months) birth, or the need to care for an incapacitated household member are assessed by job coaches stationed at the TA Intake office. All other applicants (i.e., those who are nonexempt, including 16- and 17-year-olds not in school) are assessed by job coaches at the JOBSplus! office within 90 days of eligibility, or within one year following application in the case of SN non-exempt singles. In most cases, the assessment for nonexempt applicants begins in the JOBSplus! Assessment Workshop, in which participants identify values, interests, and barriers. All assessments include a review of the individuals’ strengths and barriers in the context of employment. No specific screening tools are used to identify participants with potential disabilities.
c. The district administrative unit or contractor responsible for conducting assessments is: JOBSplus!
d. The qualifications of the employees conducting the assessment are at minimum: [Refer to requirements listed in 18 NYCRR 385.6(c) and 385.7(c)] Employees who provide assessment are professional-level (Job Coaches) who possess, at minimum, a baccalaureate degree or equivalent experience and one year professional level experience providing direct service to educationally and/or economically disadvantaged people in at least two of the following areas: intake, assessment, case management, job readiness/job search preparation, and post- employment follow-up services.
e. Applicants in households with dependent children are required to participate in completion of an assessments: Yes No
f. Applicants in households without dependent children are required to participate in completion of an assessments: Yes No
g. Exempt adults in households without dependent children are required to participate in the completion of an assessment: Yes No (Reference 18 NYCRR 385.6(b) and 385.7(b))
Engagement and Work Preparation. Section 3.1 Federal “Engaged in Work” Requirement (Reference 18 NYCRR 385.2 (f))
Section 3.2 Orientation (Reference 18 NYCRR 385.5)
Section 3.3 Assessment and Employment Planning Temporary Assistance Assessment
a. Check one of the following:
b. Describe the local district procedure for the completion of an employment assessment: The one-page Employment Assessment is used at all initial eligibility appointments. The Social Welfare Examiner completes this form individually with the client at the face to face eligibility interview, to ensure that all questions are answered fully and to determine initial employability. Completion of this formal assessment allows the worker to make a determination as to the next direction the case needs to go: the Job Search Workshop, Disability Analyst, or for an Alcohol/Drug Assessment. This assessment is reviewed and updated, if necessary, at every subsequent recertification.
c. The district administrative unit or contractor responsible for conducting assessments is: The local district Temporary Assistance/Employment Unit
d. The qualifications of the employees conducting the assessment are at minimum: [Refer to requirements listed in 18 NYCRR 385.6(c) and 385.7(c)] All staff will receive training in assessment and employability development to prepare assessments and plans. Staff will be trained in the agency by experienced supervisory staff and will be required to attend state training specifically for Temporary Assistance and SNAP employment programs, as it is available. All assessment instruments are administered by Social Welfare Examiners who must meet the following qualifications:
i. Graduation from a regionally accredited or NYS recognized college or university with an Associate's Degree (or completion of 60 semester credit hours); OR
ii. Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and two (2) years of full time paid experience or its part-time equivalent in examining, investigating or evaluating claims for assistance, veterans, or unemployment benefits insurance or a similar program operating under established criteria for eligibility; OR
iii. An equivalent combination of training and experience as described in (i) and (ii) above.
e. Applicants in households with dependent children are required to participate in completion of an assessments: Yes No
f. Applicants in households without dependent children are required to participate in completion of an assessments: Yes No
g. Exempt adul...
Engagement and Work Preparation. Section 3.1 Federal “Engaged in Work” Requirement (Reference 18 NYCRR 385.2 (f))
1. For the purposes of monitoring the progress of applicants/recipients mandated to SUD treatment, the district will utilize the Addiction Recovery Employability System (ARES) to monitor individual treatment compliance and progress towards self -sufficiency. Individuals deemed able to work with no other exemption will be required to participate in a variety of other work activities in conjunction with treatment.
2. The Rapid Engagement Demonstration (RED) Team is a collaboration between DHS Temporary Assistance and Monroe County Office of Mental Health. The RED Team assists individuals with a history of a substance use disorder diagnosis to complete the eligibility process for Public Benefits and start the recovery process. Recipients of RED services must have a history of substance use disorder diagnosis and or serious mental health diagnosis; have 3 or more applications for public assistance, or 3 or more Emergency Housing placements in the past 12 months. Individuals must also be eligible for public assistance and be residents of Monroe County. The team meets with clients in the community where they live with a goal of engaging effectively with them. One of the goals of the RED team is for their clients to establish stable housing in the community. If it is determined that an individual is going to be permanently disabled, the RED team works to support the SSI application process.
3. MCDSS reviews medical documentation received to determine whether an individual’s qualified healthcare provider has recommended some form of treatment or therapy to improve their ability to work. Once the disability review has been completed, a Restoration to Self Sufficiency Plan employment assessment is scheduled as appropriate and a RSSP developed with the participation of the individual. This RSSP treatment plan is reviewed and signed by the client and then monitored for compliance. RSSP plans are currently tracked by our local contractor in an access database to ensure updated medical information is provided at the appropriate interval and at MCDSS through a database and our Annex system for individuals that remain with the local district for RSSP. When clients have complied with the RSSP and are still determined to be exempt a referral is made to the DART unit to begin the SSI process. When individuals comply with the RSSP plan and are deemed able to work they are scheduled for an employm...
Engagement and Work Preparation. Section 3.1 Federal “Engaged in Work” Requirement (Reference 18 NYCRR 385.2 (f))
Section 3.2 Orientation (Reference 18 NYCRR 385.5)
Section 3.3 Assessment and Employment Planning Temporary Assistance Assessment
a. Check one of the following:
b. Describe the local district procedure for the completion of an employment assessment: All adults in households with dependent children, and 16 and 17 year olds who are not in school, are assessed by Employment Counselors within 90 days of eligibility. Adults applying for Temporary Assistance and residing in households without dependent children are assessed within a year following the application. Through the use of WTWCMS “Search Folders with Alerts and Ticklers” we monitor to ensure that all applicants are assessed within the specified time frame.
c. The district administrative unit or contractor responsible for conducting assessments is: The Comprehensive Employment Division of the Erie County Department of Social Services.
d. The qualifications of the employees conducting the assessment are at minimum: [Refer to requirements listed in 18 NYCRR 385.6(c) and 385.7(c)] Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree, and one year of experience in either educational or vocational guidance or employment interviewing, employment counseling or employment placement work; and either:
a. One additional year of experience as described above; OR
b. Completion of 30 graduate semester credit hours with specialization in guidance or counseling; OR
c. An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by the limits of (a) and (b).
e. Applicants in households with dependent children are required to participate in completion of an assessments: Yes No
f. Applicants in households without dependent children are required to participate in completion of an assessments: Yes No
g. Exempt adults in households without dependent children are required to participate in the completion of an assessment: Yes No (Reference 18 NYCRR 385.6(b) and 385.7(b))
Engagement and Work Preparation. Section 3.1 Federal “Engaged in Work” Requirement (Reference 18 NYCRR 385.2 (f))
Section 3.2 Orientation (Reference 18 NYCRR 385.5)
Section 3.3 Assessment and Employment Planning Temporary Assistance Assessment
a. Check one of the following:
b. Describe the local district procedure for the completion of an employment assessment:
c. The district administrative unit or contractor responsible for conducting assessments is:
d. The qualifications of the employees conducting the assessment are at minimum: [Refer to requirements listed in 18 NYCRR 385.6(c) and 385.7(c)]
e. Applicants in households with dependent children are required to participate in completion of an assessments: Yes No
f. Applicants in households without dependent children are required to participate in completion of an assessments: Yes No
g. Exempt adults in households without dependent children are required to participate in the completion of an assessment: Yes No (Reference 18 NYCRR 385.6(b) and 385.7(b))
Engagement and Work Preparation.
Section 3.1 Federal “Engaged in Work” Requirement (Reference 18 NYCRR 385.2 (f)) For purposes of satisfying the federal requirement which states that parents or caretakers must be engaged in work as soon as the district determines they are ready, but no later than within 24 months of receiving federally funded assistance, district’s definition of “Engaged in Work” is: Compliance with assessment, employment planning, all activities included in the individual’s Employment/Self-Sufficiency plan including any need to attend treatment/rehabilitation programs, or any of the work activities listed in Section 3.4. Also included is pursuit of other forms of income such as SSI and SSDI. Include any additional information regarding the district’s local “engaged in work” requirements: N/A
Section 3.2 Orientation (Reference 18 NYCRR 385.5) Check one of the following: The district provides orientation in accordance with 18 NYCRR Section 385.5 and no additional information is provided at orientation. In addition to the requirements outlined in 18 NYCRR Section 385.5 of the regulations, the district’s orientation provides the following: N/A Described below is the manner in which the district completes the required orientation for all applicants and recipients of Temporary Assistance (e.g., in a group setting, individually, or a combination of both), including the orientation procedure for exempt individuals and non-exempt individuals, if different: Orientation is provided by the TA Examiners individually, at case opening, recertification, and at client entry to work eligible employment status or at time deemed exempt.
Engagement and Work Preparation. Section 3.1 Federal “Engaged in Work” Requirement (Reference 18 NYCRR 385.2 (f))
Section 3.2 Orientation (Reference 18 NYCRR 385.5)
Section 3.3 Assessment and Employment Planning TA Assessment (Reference 18 NYCRR 385.6 and 385.7) Check one of the following:
a. The district conducts assessments as required by 18 NYCRR 385.6(a) and 385.7(a): The district enters assessments directly into WTWCMS The district uses the LDSS 4980 (New York State Assessment) and later enters information into WTWCMS. The district conducts assessments using a local equivalent tool, and later enters information into WTWCMS. Attached is the local equivalent. The local equivalent does not contain additional elements other than what is required. The local equivalent does contain additional elements beyond what is required, listed below:
b. Describe the district procedure for the completion of an employment assessment:
c. The district administrative unit or contractor responsible for conducting assessments is:
d. The qualifications of the employees conducting the assessment are at minimum: [Refer to requirements listed in 18 NYCRR 385.6(c) and 385.7(c)]
e. Applicants in households with dependent children are required to participate in completion of an assessment: Yes No
f. Applicants in households without dependent children are required to participate in completion of an assessment: Yes No
g. Exempt adults in households without dependent children are required to participate in the completion of an assessment: Yes No
h. How often and under what circumstances is the assessment updated? (Reference 18 NYCRR 385.6 and 385.7)
a. Check one of the following: The district develops individual employment plans as required by 18 NYCRR 385.6(a) and 385.7(a): The district enters employment plans directly into WTWCMS. The district uses the LDSS 4978 (New York State Employment Plan) and later enters information into WTWCMS. The district develops individual employment plans using a local equivalent tool and later enters information into WTWCMS. Attached is the local equivalent. The local equivalent does not contain additional elements other than what is required. The local equivalent does contain additional elements beyond what is required, listed below:
b. Check one of the following: The same administrative unit or contractor that conducts employment assessments also develops employment plans. A different district administrative unit or contractor develops employment plans, and their qualifications inc...
