The Supported Work Component provides education, training,
employment and support services that an individual needs to obtain and maintain
employment. This component consists of Pre-worksite training and Worksite
placement. Participation is subject to available program resources, the
individual's approved Employment Development Plan (EDP) and the criteria in 106
CMR 707.160(A)(2) and (B).
(A)
Pre-worksite Training. A participant in Pre-worksite
training may engage in the following activities to prepare him or her to obtain
and maintain employment.
(1) Activities may
include, but are not limited to:
(a)
orientation;
(b)
assessment;
(c) job search
training;
(d) job retention
strategies;
(e) resume
preparation;
(f) job development
and placement services; and
(g)
other job related training such as vocational skills training, English for
Employment and basic literacy instruction.
(2)
Participation
Criteria. The following are the criteria for participation in
Pre-worksite training:
(a) a participant shall
be an active client as determined by the Department;
(b) an individual may participate in a
Pre-worksite training on a full-time or part-time basis but the training
program must be scheduled for at least 20 hours of activity per week;
and
(c) the participant must attend
the scheduled hours per week, unless good cause applies as defined by
106 CMR
701.380:
Good Cause
Criteria.
(B)
Worksite
Placement.
(1) A participant who
has completed at least 40 hours of Pre-worksite training shall participate in
Worksite employment.
An eligible Worksite participant shall engage in a highly
supervised, subsidized or unsubsidized job placement at a public or private
sector worksite.
(2) The
following are the criteria for participation in Worksite employment:
(a) the Department requires at least 30 hours
full-time work participation on a Worksite job; or
(b) if 30 hours of Worksite work is not
available, full-time participation can be a combination of training or
education programs offered by the Supported Work contractor and a minimum of 20
hours of work at a Worksite.
(3) TAFDC eligibility for Worksite
participants shall be determined by considering the following:
(a) an individual who is participating in
Worksite employment shall be paid by the Supported Work contractor, if it is a
subsidized placement, or by the Worksite employer, if it is an unsubsidized
placement;
(b) wages received
through Worksite employment are countable earned income; and
(c) the grant of a Worksite participant shall
be calculated in accordance with 106 CMR
704.500:
Calculation of the
Grant Amount.
However, if the participant's financial eligibilty for TAFDC
ends because the participant's Worksite earnings are increased, the TAFDC case
will stay as active, but with a "zero" TAFDC payment amount, as long as the
participant works at the Worksite Placement.
The participant and all members of the assistance unit shall be
considered to be receiving TAFDC.
