a) Education Directly Related to Employment
Adult clients who have not received a high school diploma or
GED and need further education to obtain a specific occupation, job, or job
offer are placed in this program. It consists of Adult Basic Education (ABE),
and English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) programs. Clients may be required, in
coordination with the education schedule, to participate in Job Readiness
activities, job skills training, Job Search, and/or Work Experience at the same
time they are attending the education/training program to the extent resources
will allow.
1) Assignment to Education
Directly Related to Employment
A) Individuals
to be assigned to Education may include but are not limited to individuals:
i) who have limited English proficiency;
and
ii) who do not read at or above
a 9.0 grade level.
B)
Educational activities may be combined with other activities if it is
determined appropriate.
2) Approval Criteria for Education Directly
Related to Employment
A) The program selected
by the individual must be accredited under State law.
B) The individual's program must be needed
for the participant to complete his or her Responsibility and Services
Plan.
C) The individual must be
enrolled full-time as defined by the institution or part-time if a full-time
program is not available or appropriate.
D) When programs of comparable quality are
available in more than one geographical area, the program selected will be the
least costly in supportive service costs to the Department. When programs of
comparable quality are available in the same geographical area, the individual
may select a preferred program.
3) Participation Requirements
A) Participation must be full-time unless a
full-time program is not readily available or a part-time program is most
appropriate based on the individual's or family's circumstances.
B) Clients attending a program administered
by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) must maintain satisfactory
progress as determined by the following:
i)
active participation and pursuit of educational objectives;
ii) teacher's written remarks;
iii) grades;
iv) demonstrated competencies;
v) classroom exercises; and
vi) periodic test/retest results.
C) ISBE educational providers
determine satisfactory progress based on a combination of the indicators listed
above and test/retest results. The determination of satisfactory progress
including test/retest results must be reported upon completion of the academic
term or twice a year if the program is continuous for 12 months.
D) Clients attending a program not
administered by ISBE must maintain satisfactory progress as determined by the
written policy of the institution. The determination of satisfactory progress
including test/retest results must be reported upon completion of the academic
term or twice a year if the program is continuous for 12 months.
E) Curriculum changes must be made with the
prior approval of TANF staff and will be approved when the change is consistent
with the Responsibility and Services Plan.
F) Participation in Education Directly
Related to Employment is a secondary activity that can be counted for a maximum
of 10 hours per week when the client is also engaged in work or a countable
work or training activity for 20 hours per week.
b) Vocational Training
Vocational Training is designed to increase the individual's
ability to obtain and maintain employment. Vocational Training activities will
include vocational skill classes designed to increase a participant's ability
to obtain and maintain employment. Vocational Training may include certificate
programs. Participants who are not working are limited to short-term Vocational
Training programs lasting less than 12 months and may be required, in
coordination with the education/training schedule, to participate in Job
Readiness activities, job skills training, Job Search, and/or Work Experience
at the same time they are attending the education/training program to the
extent resources will allow.
1)
Approval Criteria For Vocational Training
A)
The individual's program must be accredited under requirements of State
law.
B) The individual must be
underemployed or unemployed and in need of additional training and the training
will better prepare the participant to enter the labor force.
C) Co-enrollment in Education Directly
Related to Employment and Vocational Training is encouraged if the individual
does not have a high school diploma or GED.
D) The individual must apply for all
available educational benefits such as the Pell Grant and scholarships from the
Illinois Student Assistance Commission as well as any scholarship or grants
identified by the education or training facility for which the participant may
be eligible.
E) The individual must
be enrolled full-time as defined by the institution or part-time if full-time
is not available or appropriate.
F)
Clients who are working at least 20 hours per week (10 hours per week if their
youngest child is under age six) and whose combined work plus credit hours or
class hours, as appropriate, equal at least 30 hours (20 hours if their
youngest child is under age six) each week may be approved for vocational
training after the 12-month limitation.
G) The individual must be in a program needed
for the individual to obtain employment in a recognized occupation.
H) Jobs must be available in the chosen field
in a specific geographical area where the individual intends to work consistent
with the individual's Responsibility and Services Plan upon
completion.
I) When programs of
comparable quality are available in more than one geographical area, the
program selected will be the least costly in supportive service costs to the
Department. When programs of comparable quality are available in the same
geographical area, the individual may select a preferred program.
J) Vocational Training may be combined with
other activities if it is determined appropriate.
K) The individual must possess the aptitude,
ability and interest necessary for success in the selected program as
determined by such factors as test results and educational/training
background.
2)
Participation Requirements
A) Participation
must be full-time unless a full-time program is not readily available or a
part-time program is most appropriate based on the individual's or family's
circumstances.
B) The individual
must maintain a "C" average if this measurement is used by the institution to
determine satisfactory progress. The individual will be allowed one semester
below a "C" average to bring the grades up to a "C" average. When grades are
not used, progress will be determined by the written policy of the institution
to establish a comparable grade level upon completion of the academic
term.
C) The individual must
participate the assigned number of hours each week.
D) The client must complete all scheduled
program enrollment hours each academic term to maintain satisfactory progress,
except in the following situation. If the client withdraws from one or more
scheduled courses during an academic term, the client must complete all
scheduled enrollment hours during the following academic term. The client may
withdraw from one or more scheduled classes in more than one academic term, but
must complete all scheduled enrollment hours the following academic term to
maintain satisfactory progress.
E)
Curriculum changes must be made with the prior approval of TANF and will be
approved when the change is consistent with the Responsibility and Services
Plan.
c)
Education at Secondary School
1) A minor
parent age 19 or under who has not completed secondary school or received his
or her GED is placed in this program. Regular attendance at a secondary school
or in a course of study leading to a GED is required. The client must make
satisfactory progress as defined by a passing grade. Grades must be reported
upon completion of the academic term or twice a year if the program is
continuous for 12 months. If it is determined that secondary school is
inappropriate or not the best option for an 18 or 19 year old parent, the 18 or
19 year old parent may be assigned to work activities or training.
2) Adult Client
The Department shall approve participation in high school or
a high school equivalency program upon written or oral request of the adult
client if he or she has not already earned a high school diploma or a high
school equivalency certificate. However, participation may be delayed as part
of an applicant's or recipient's personal plan for achieving employment and
self-sufficiency if it is determined that the benefit from participating in
another activity would be greater to the client than participation in high
school or a high school equivalency program. The availability of high school or
high school equivalency programs may also delay enrollment in these programs.
The Department shall treat these activities as a core activity as long as
satisfactory progress is made, as determined by the high school or high school
equivalency program. (See subsections (a)(3)(B) through (E) for criteria to
determine satisfactory progress.) Proof of satisfactory progress shall be
provided by the client or the school at the end of each academic term. The
Department shall treat participation in high school or a high school
equivalency program as a core activity and shall count participation in high
school or a high school equivalency program toward the first 20 hours per week
of participation.
d) Job Skills Training Directly Related to
Employment
1) Description of Job Skills
Training
Job skills training directly related to employment is
training and education for job skills required by an employer to provide an
individual with the ability to obtain employment or to advance or adapt to the
changing demands of the workplace. This can include literacy instruction or
language instruction when the instruction is explicitly focused on skills
needed for employment.
2)
Assignment to Job Skills Training
A client may be assigned to Job Skills Training when:
A) The client is working or in another
countable work or training core activity at least 20 hours per week.
B) The client needs additional training to
qualify for or to retain employment in a recognized occupation that will make
the family self-supporting.
C) The
client has a GED or high school diploma, if it is required for training or
employment in the chosen field.
D)
The client has the ability and interest needed for success in the training.
This is determined by test results, educational/training background, and
talking to the client.
E) Jobs are
available in the chosen field in which the client intends to work.
e) Job Readiness
1) The Job Readiness activities are designed
to enhance the quality of the individual's level of participation in the world
of work while learning the necessary essentials to obtain and maintain
employment. These activities help individuals gain the necessary job finding
skills to help them find and retain employment that will lead to economic
independence.
2) Assignment to Job
Readiness
Job Readiness activities may be combined with other
activities if it is determined appropriate.
3) Participation requirements
A) Participation must be full-time unless a
full-time program is not readily available or a part-time program is most
appropriate based on the individual's or family's circumstances.
B) The individual must attend all scheduled
classes or sessions. The individual must be making satisfactory progress as
defined by the written policy of the job readiness provider and approved by the
Department.
C) The individual must
participate the number of assigned hours each week.
D) The individual must respond to a job
referral, accept employment and respond to mail-in contact.
f) Job Search
1) Description of Job Search
Job Search may be conducted individually or in groups. Job
Search may include the provision of counseling, job seeking skills, training
and information dissemination. Group Job Search may include training in a group
session.
2) Assignment to
Job Search
A) If assessed as job ready,
participants will be assigned to Job Search. If job ready clients are unable to
find employment on their own, they will be reassessed and may be placed in a
more appropriate activity within six months.
B) Individuals completing education or
vocational training or Job Readiness training may be assigned to Job
Search.
C) Job Search may be
combined with other activities if it is determined appropriate.
3) Participation Requirements
A) Participants must attend all scheduled
classes or sessions. Participants will be notified in writing of all
meetings.
B) Individuals must
contact employers in an effort to secure employment.
C) Acceptable employer contacts may include
but are not limited to:
i) a face-to-face
contact with an employer or the employer's representative;
ii) the completion and return of an
application to an employer, including an online application;
iii) the completion of a civil service test
required for employment with State, local, or the federal government or the
completion of a Department of Employment Security (DES) screening
test;
iv) the completion and
mailing of a resume with a cover letter to a recognized employer;
v) reporting to the union hall for union
members verified to be in good standing; or
vi) registration with DES/Illinois Employment
and Training Center (IETC).
g) Community Work Experience
TANF participants who have not found employment and who need
orientation to work, work experience or training are placed on a supervised
work assignment to improve their employment skills through actual Work
Experience at private or not-for-profit employers, organizations and
governmental agencies. Participants are referred to work assignments as
vacancies are available. Participants in Work Experience may perform work in
the public interest (which otherwise meets the requirements of this Section)
such as enrollment as a full-time AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer or Job Corps
participant under Title I of the 1973 Domestic Volunteer Services Act
(42 USC
4951 et seq.) for a Federal office or agency
with its consent, and, notwithstanding
31 USC
1342 or any other provision of law, such
agency may accept such services but such participants shall not be considered
to be federal employees for any purpose.
1) Assignment to Community Work Experience
A) Community Work Experience is for:
i) participants who will benefit from working
for an employer who provides a subsidized employment assignment to improve the
individual's opportunity to attain self-sufficiency; or
ii) participants who need experience to
prevent deterioration of, or to enhance, existing skills (for example,
typing).
B) Entry into
Community Work Experience
Participants are determined to be appropriate for Community
Work Experience activity based on an assessment of their education, training
and employment history. Procedures used in the assessment are a face-to-face
meeting with the participant and a review of all available information on the
participant (including, but not limited to, the individual's case record and
Responsibility and Services Plan).
C) Community Work Experience Positions
Participants shall be assigned to a Community Work Experience
position to increase the potential for attaining employment. The date
participants are scheduled to begin the work assignment marks the beginning of
participation in Community Work Experience. Community Work Experience
activities may be combined with other activities if it is determined
appropriate.
D) Enrollment
as a full-time Americorps VISTA volunteer or Job Corps participant under Title
I of the 1973 Domestic Volunteer Services Act (42 USC
4951 et seq.) is an allowable work activity.
Paid work study and some paid Workforce Investment Act (WIA) programs are also
allowable.
2)
Participation Requirements
A) The hours of
the work assignment for a calendar month shall not exceed the family's monthly
TANF grant and food stamp allotment divided by the higher of the State or
federal minimum wage. When this calculation results in less than 20 hours, the
20 hour TANF work requirement will be deemed met when the individual is working
the maximum number of hours permitted under this calculation.
B) During work assignment, participants shall
be required to perform Job Search activities unless a participant is in an
education and training program. Participants are required to accept bona fide
offers of employment pursuant to Section
112.72.
C) Participants are also required to report
as scheduled and on time to their Work Assignment Sponsor when notified of an
assignment. When they cannot report to their work assignment or if they will be
late, they are to immediately notify their Work Assignment Sponsor.
D) Participants must participate the number
of assigned hours each week.
3) Review
Every six months, the participant's Responsibility and
Services Plan will be reviewed. If continuing the work assignment will benefit
participants in terms of furthering work skills (see subsections (g)(1)(A) and
(B)), participants shall be reassigned to the same or another work assignment.
In addition, participants will be assessed for assignment to another TANF
activity.
4) Length of
Assignment
Participants must participate in Work Experience for as long
as the Responsibility and Services Plan reflects the need for this
activity.
5)
Anti-Displacement
Community Work Experience is subject to the provisions of
Section 112.78(q).
h) On the Job Training (OJT)
In OJT, a participant is hired by a private or public
employer and while engaged in productive work receives training that provides
knowledge or skills essential to full and adequate performance of the
job.
1) Assignment to OJT
A) Job ready individuals may be assigned to
OJT.
B) OJT participants shall be
compensated at the same rate and with the same benefits as other
employees.
C) Wages to participants
in OJT shall not be less than the higher of the State or federal minimum
wage.
D) Wages to participants in
OJT are considered earned income.
E) OJT may be combined with other component
activities if it is determined appropriate.
2) Participation Requirements
The individual must participate the assigned number of hours
each week.
3) Supportive
Services
Participants in OJT receive child care and Medicaid
benefits.
i) Work
Supplementation Program
1) The Work
Supplementation Program develops employment opportunities for TANF recipients
by paying wage subsidies to employers who hire program participants. The
program is funded by diverting the cash grant an individual would receive if
not employed and using the diverted grant to pay a wage subsidy to the employer
who hires the recipient. The goal of the Work Supplementation Program is to
obtain jobs for TANF recipients, who might not be hired without a subsidy, with
sufficient pay to take them off TANF.
2) Eligible Participants
A) TANF participants who meet the selection
criteria listed in subsection (i)(2)(B) are eligible to participate in the Work
Supplementation Program. Participation in the program is voluntary. A TANF
recipient who wants to participate in the Work Supplementation Program must
agree to all provisions in this Section during the time of participation in the
program.
B) In order to place
special emphasis on people who would not be likely to obtain a job without work
supplementation, TANF recipients must meet the following criteria for selection
to participate in the Work Supplementation Program:
i) the recipient must be the parent of at
least one of the children in the TANF unit;
ii) the recipient must have completed the Job
Search work activity; and
iii) the
recipient must have no income other than TANF benefits.
C) Recipients identified for employment must
be determined eligible for participation by their worker. The worker will
recommend for participation in the Work Supplementation Program those
participants who are likely to encounter difficulty in obtaining employment
(for example, lack of skills for which jobs are available in the area, lack of
work history).
D) Nothing in this
Section should be construed as providing any recipient the right to participate
in the program.
3)
Benefits and Reporting Requirements While Participating in the Work
Supplementation Program
A) Participants in the
Work Supplementation Program are considered to be TANF recipients and remain
eligible for Medical Assistance for the duration of their Work Supplementation
Program participation. Child care, for cases that are eligible for a cash
grant, will be regarded as employment child care.
B) The participant must agree to accept wages
from employment, which will be at least an amount which would be earned by
working full time (30 hours minimum) at the prevailing minimum wage, less
applicable payroll taxes.
C)
Participants are required to file reports every six months as a requirement for
continuing eligibility.
D) Wages
paid under a Work Supplementation Program shall be considered to be earned
income for purposes of any provision of law (42 USC
1614(e)(3)) .
4) Duration of Program
Participation
A) Participants may not exceed a
total of six months in the Work Supplementation Program subsidized placements
regardless of the number of times an individual becomes a TANF recipient. The
period of a single assignment is dependent upon the terms of the Work
Supplementation Program contract that has been developed with the employer.
Recipients will be informed of the length of the Work Supplementation Program
subsidy period prior to placement.
B) Participants who leave a supported work
position without good cause (as defined in Section
112.80)
are removed from the Work Supplementation Program and are subject to
sanction.
5) Contracts
with Employers
A) Employers that participate
in the Work Supplementation Program must enter into a written contract with the
Department prior to receiving referrals.
B) Employers must be in good standing (that
is, in compliance with all applicable federal, State, county and local laws,
regulations and ordinances) with the Illinois Department of Revenue, the
Secretary of State and any and all regulatory agencies that have jurisdiction
over their activities.
C) Employers
agree to screen clients to hire on their own payroll after six months. Failure
to do so will result in the employer being terminated from the
program.
6) Calculation
of the Diverted Grants
A) The level of grant
to be diverted is determined on a prospective basis when a work assignment
under the Work Supplementation Program is made. The effective date of the
diverted grant is the first day of the first full month of Work Supplementation
Program wages.
B) Work
Supplementation Program participants are eligible only for the earned income
budgeting disregards provided in Sections
112.141
and
112.143.
The difference between the flat grant amount and revised amount is diverted to
the wage pool.
C) The difference
between the payment level and the grant the participant receives is diverted
and used in whole or in part to pay a wage subsidy to the
employer.
7) Program
Completion
If the participant is no longer eligible for TANF benefits
after the Work Supplementation Program period, a determination of continued
medical eligibility shall be made in accordance with Section
112.330.
8) Anti-Displacement
The Work Supplementation Program is subject to the provisions
of Section 112.78(q).
j) Bachelor Degree Program
A Bachelor Degree Program must be administered by an
educational institution accredited under requirements of State law including,
but not limited to, the Barber, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Hair Braiding, and Nail
Technology Act of 1985 [225 ILCS 410 ], the Real Estate License Act of 2000
[225 ILCS 454 ], the Public Community College Act [110 ILCS 805 ], the
University of Illinois Act [110 ILCS 305 ], the Chicago State Universities Law
[110 ILCS 660 ], the Eastern Illinois University Law [110 ILCS 665 ], the
Governors State University Law [110 ILCS 670 ], the Illinois State University
Law [110 ILCS 675 ], the Northeastern Illinois University Law [110 ILCS 680 ],
the Northern Illinois University Law [110 ILCS 685 ], the Western Illinois
University Law [110 ILCS 690 ] and the Southern Illinois University Management
Act [110 ILCS 520 ].
1) Approval
Criteria For a Bachelor Degree Program
A) The
individual must have a high school diploma or a GED.
B) Approval of a Bachelor Degree program is
part of the process of developing the Responsibility and Services Plan (RSP)
with the client. Factors to consider when determining whether a Bachelor Degree
program is appropriate include, but are not limited to, the client's
educational and work history, the client's aptitude for further education, the
client's career goal, the client's ability to finance tuition and other
expenses not provided by the Department, and the client's ability to arrange
transportation, child care and other family obligations.
C) The individual must be enrolled full-time
as defined by the institution or part-time if a full-time program is not
available or appropriate to upgrade skills for current employment.
D) The individual must be in a program needed
for the individual to obtain employment in a recognized occupation or upgrade
skills for current employment.
E)
The individual does not already possess a baccalaureate degree or an associate
degree if the Responsibility and Services Plan goal is an associate
degree.
F) If the participant
possesses a baccalaureate degree, no additional education may be
approved.
G) The individual's
program must be accredited under requirements of State law.
H) If needed, the individual must apply for
all available educational benefits, such as the Pell Grant and scholarships
from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, as well as any scholarship or
grants identified by the education or training facility for which the
participant may be eligible.
I)
Jobs, consistent with the individual's Responsibility and Services Plan, must
be available in the chosen field in a specific geographical area where the
individual intends to work upon program completion.
J) When programs of comparable quality are
available in more than one geographical area, the program selected will be the
least costly in supportive service costs to the Department. When programs of
comparable quality are available in the same geographical area, the individual
may select a preferred program.
K)
The program selected may be no more than a program that will result in the
receipt of a baccalaureate degree consistent with the Responsibility and
Services Plan.
L) For category 04
(one parent) cases, the individual, unless exempted under subsection (i)(1)(N)
of this Section, must also be employed in unsubsidized work for at least 20
hours each week or be participating for at least 20 hours per week in one or
more of the paid or unpaid work activities listed in this subsection (j)(1)(L).
In addition, the combined work or work activities plus credit hours or class
hours, as appropriate, must equal at least 30 hours per week.
i) Work study;
ii) Practicums, clinicals, or vocational
internships such as student teaching, if required by the institution to
complete the educational program;
iii) Apprenticeships;
iv) Self-employment; or
v) Enrollment as a full-time Americorps VISTA
volunteer or Job Corps participant under Title I of the 1973 Domestic Volunteer
Services Act (41 USC
4951 et seq.).
M) For category 06 (two parent) cases, the
parents in the case must be working or involved in approved work activities for
a total of 35 hours per week, individually or combined.
N) Clients in a category 04 case with an
approved RSP for full-time Bachelor Degree program and a cumulative 2.5 or
better grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) may not be subject to the minimum
work requirement, described in subsection (i)(1)(L), as follows:
i) For the first semester, while the client
is establishing a grade point average, the client will not be subject to the
minimum work requirement. If a 2.5 grade point average is not achieved in the
first semester, the client will be subject to the minimum work requirement in
the second semester.
ii) As long as
the client's cumulative GPA remains at least 2.5, the client will not be
subject to the minimum work requirement.
iii) If the client's cumulative GPA falls
below 2.5 at any time, the client may continue to go to school full-time for
another semester without being subject to the minimum work
requirement.
iv) If the cumulative
GPA is below 2.5 two semesters in a row, the client will be subject to the
minimum work requirement.
O) Individuals who lose employment, unless
due to a temporary scheduled employer shutdown, can continue in a Bachelor
Degree program and receive supportive services, if eligible, during the current
semester while they seek employment. If the individual has not reentered
employment by the end of the current semester, the individual will not continue
in post-secondary education and receive supportive services, but will be
reassigned to another appropriate activity.
2) Participation Requirements
A) The individual must maintain a "C" average
if this measurement is used by the institution to determine satisfactory
progress. The individual would be allowed one semester below a "C" average to
bring the grades up to a "C" average. When grades are not used, satisfactory
progress will be determined by the written policy of the institution to
establish a comparable grade level upon completion of the academic
term.
B) The client must complete
all scheduled program enrollment hours each academic term to maintain
satisfactory progress, except in the following situation. If the client
withdraws from one or more scheduled courses during an academic term, the
client must complete all scheduled enrollment hours during the following
academic term. The client may withdraw from one or more scheduled classes in
more than one academic term but must complete all scheduled enrollment hours
the following academic term to maintain satisfactory progress.
C) Curriculum changes must be made with the
approval of the TANF worker and will be approved when the change is consistent
with the Responsibility and Services Plan.
k) Job Development and Placement (JDP)
1) TANF staff shall develop through contacts
with public and private employers unsubsidized job openings for participants.
Job interviews will be secured for clients by the marketing of participants for
specific job openings.
2)
Assignment to JDP
Job ready individuals may be assigned to
JDP.
l) Job
Retention
Job Retention is designed to assist participants in retaining
employment. Job Retention expenses are provided. The individual's supportive
service needs are assessed and the individual receives counseling regarding Job
Retention skills. Counseling or job coaching may continue after employment
begins as long as the individual continues to receive TANF.
m) Community Service
Community Service is a structured program of activities in
which the client performs work for the direct benefit of the community.
Community Service programs serve a useful community purpose in fields such as
health, social service, environmental protection, education, urban and rural
redevelopment, welfare, recreation, public facilities, public safety, and
childcare. Community service can occur at locations such as libraries, area
schools, soup kitchens, food pantries, senior citizen centers, nursing homes,
hospitals, social service agencies and homeless shelters.
1) Community Service Positions
Clients shall be assigned to a Community Service position to
increase the potential for attaining employment. Each Community Service
position will have a position description that describes the duties and the
expectations of clients assigned to Community Service. The date a client is
scheduled to begin the Community Service assignment marks the beginning of
participation in Community Service. Community Service activities may be
combined with other activities if it is determined
appropriate.
2)
Participation Requirements
A) The hours of the
Community Service assignment for a calendar month shall not exceed the family's
monthly TANF grant and food stamp allotment divided by the higher of the State
or federal minimum wage. When this calculation provides less than 20 hours, the
20 hours will be deemed met when the individual is participating in the maximum
number of hours permitted under the minimum wage provision.
B) During Community Service assignment,
participants shall be required to perform Job Search activities unless a
participant is in an education and training program or is not job ready.
Participants are required to accept bona fide offers of employment pursuant to
Section 112.72.
C) Participants are
also required to report as scheduled and on time to their Community Service
sponsor when notified of an assignment. When they cannot report to their work
assignment or if they will be late, they are to immediately notify their Work
Assignment Sponsor.
D) Participants
must participate in the number of assigned hours each week.
3) Review
At the reassessment the participant is assigned to the more
structured Work Experience activity when the participant becomes more job
ready.
n)
Substance Abuse
1) Selection of Participants
If alcohol or substance abuse is suspected as a barrier to
employment during the family assessment process or at an intake interview, the
client will be referred for a clinical assessment by an alcohol/substance abuse
counselor. If treatment is indicated, the client will be required to follow-up
as a condition of eligibility, unless the client is employed more than 30 hours
per week or if treatment resources are not available.
2) Barrier Reduction Activity
Clients participating in alcohol/substance abuse treatment in
accordance with their Responsibility and Services Plan are participating in a
barrier reduction activity.
3) Supportive Services
Supportive services, i.e., child care and transportation,
will be provided to enable clients' participation in treatment, to the extent
resources are available.
4)
Sanctions
A) Reconciliation will be attempted
with clients who fail to cooperate with their treatment plan. Cooperation with
the treatment plan will be defined by the alcohol/substance abuse provider,
based on uniform guidelines.
B)
When reconciliation is unsuccessful, the TANF sanctions will apply.
o) Domestic or Sexual
Violence
1) Selection of Participants
All clients receiving TANF will have a family assessment
completed. If domestic or sexual violence is a barrier to employment, the
client will be referred to a domestic or sexual violence service
provider.
2) Barrier
Reduction Activity
Clients participating in domestic violence abuse treatment in
accordance with their Responsibility and Services Plan are participating in a
barrier reduction activity.
3) Supportive Services
Supportive Services, i.e., child care and transportation,
will be provided to enable clients' participation in treatment, to the extent
resources are available.
4)
Sanctions
If the individual does not comply with the Responsibility and
Services Plan relating to domestic or sexual violence, a sanction will not be
imposed. The Responsibility and Services Plan will be reviewed, and other work
related activities will be developed. Compliance will be required for the new
activities.
p)
Anti-Displacement and Grievance Procedure
1)
An employer may not utilize a work activity participant if such utilization
would result in:
A) the displacement or
partial displacement of current employees, including but not limited to a
reduction in hours of non-overtime or overtime work, wages, or employment
benefits; or
B) the filling of a
position that would otherwise be a promotional opportunity for current
employees; or
C) the filling of a
position created by or causing termination, layoff, a hiring freeze, or a
reduction in the workforce; or
D)
the placement of a participant in any established unfilled vacancy;
or
E) the performance of work by a
participant if there is a strike, lockout, or other labor dispute in which the
employer is engaged.
2)
An employer who wishes to utilize work activity participants shall notify the
appropriate labor organization in accordance with Section 9A-13 of the Public
Aid Code.
3) Participants, other
employees at the work site or their representative, may file a grievance with
the Department if they believe the participant's work assignments are causing
displacement. In order for the Department to consider a grievance, it must be
in writing and contain the following information:
A) the name and address of the participant or
other employee at the work site (the grievant);
B) the participant's case number (if grievant
is participant);
C) the grievant's
Social Security number;
D) Work
Experience (work site); and
E) a
statement as to why the grievant believes the participant is causing
displacement.
4) Within
ten days after receipt of a written grievance, the Department shall arrange an
in-person conference with:
A) the
grievant;
B) the grievant's
representative, if any;
C) the Work
Experience Sponsor;
D) the Work
Experience Sponsor's representative, if any; and
E) the Department's representative.
5) At the in-person conference,
the Department shall solicit and receive from the grievant and the Work
Experience Sponsor any documents and statements relevant to the matters alleged
in the grievance. The Work Experience Sponsor shall provide whatever documents
or other information is requested by the grievant and/or the
Department.
6) Within 15 days after
the in-person conference, the Department shall advise the participant or other
employee at the work site and the Work Experience Sponsor in writing of the
information obtained in the investigation and of the findings and conclusions
as to the matters alleged in the grievance.
7) If the Department concludes that
displacement occurred (as described in subsection (q)(1)), the Department shall
terminate the participant's assignment to that Work Experience Sponsor. If the
Department concludes, as a result of the evidence presented at the conference,
that the Work Experience Sponsor has caused displacement by use of TANF
participants in addition to the participants involved in the grievance, the
Department shall terminate those TANF participants' assignment to that Work
Experience Sponsor.
8) The
Department, its employees or the Work Experience Sponsor shall not retaliate
for filing a grievance or otherwise proceeding under this policy. Retaliation
will result in the termination of the Work Experience Sponsor
contract.
