N.M. Admin. Code § 8.102.460.12 - INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY PLAN (IRP)

A. Requirement: All participants are required to develop an IRP with the assistance of the NMW service provider no later than 15 days from the date of approval of assistance.

B. General purpose: The IRP is:

(1) a personal planning tool, intended to assist the participant in long-term career planning, address barriers and secure and maintain employment;

(2) intended to assist the participant in setting realistic long-term employment goals and to identify those steps which must be taken to achieve the stated goals;

(3) not intended to fulfill the limited purpose of identifying work activities which will meet NMW work program participation requirements; the participant is encouraged to use the IRP to choose work activities which will meet work program participation requirements and, at the same time, will assist in setting long-term employment goals; and

(4) designed to move the participant into whatever employment the participant is capable of handling, and to provide the support services necessary to increase the responsibility and amount of work the participant will handle over time.

C. Elements: The IRP shall include the following:

(1) a specific achievable employment goal or goals and a plan for securing and maintaining employment;

(2) commitments by the participant which will assist in meeting long-term goals; such commitments may include, but are not limited to: school attendance, maintaining certain grades, keeping school-age children in school, immunizing children, undergoing substance abuse treatment, or any other activity that will help the participant become and remain employed;

(3) a signature by the participant acknowledging the importance of the IRP, the identified activities and goals which will assist in achieving self-sufficiency and the commitment to participate in activities which will achieve the stated goals; and

(4) a signature by the department's representative certifying that there was a discussion of the activities and goals with the participant, and that the department shall provide on-going support services as needed so that the participant may achieve the participant's stated goals.

D. IRP reviews: The department, the NMW service provider and the participant shall review and update the IRP at least every six months. The review consists of a meeting to review the activities and goals set forth in the IRP, to review and document the participant's progress in achieving the stated goals, and to amend activities and goals as determined necessary and appropriate by the participant. The participant and NMW service provider must initial or sign the updated IRP.

E. Conciliation and sanction: Failure or refusal to develop, sign or attend the six-month review of the IRP may result in conciliation or sanction, unless good cause exists. See 8.102.620 NMAC.

F. HUD family self-sufficiency agreements: Some housing authorities administer self-sufficiency programs under which residents develop a self-sufficiency plan and agreement with the housing authority. A participant with a HUD family self-sufficiency plan may use the plan for his or her IRP. The participant must supply a copy of the plan to the department.

Notes

N.M. Admin. Code § 8.102.460.12

8.102.460.12 NMAC - Rp, 8.102.460.15 NMAC, 4/1/2012