135.1 The Road to Economic Self-Sufficiency Through Employment and Training

OPS160703    The Education Leading to Employment and Career Training (ELECT) Program     July 21, 2016

The Road to Economic Self-Sufficiency through Employment and Training (RESET) is designed to engage individuals in activities that prepare them for employment. 55 Pa. Code § 165.2

RESET includes:

 

The goal of RESET is to enable individuals to get a job earning wages that leads to economic independence and self-sufficiency. Eligibility for RESET is open to cash assistance recipients.

 

Under federal regulations, each state is required to meet a Work Participation Rate (WPR) of 50%. Individuals participating in RESET are required to engage in specific core and non-core activity requirements along with hourly participation requirements that assist the state in meeting the WPR. See Section 135.2, Employment and Training Activities.

NOTE:  An individual who receives only Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits may participate in SNAP Employment and Training activities. See SNAP Handbook Chapter 535, Employment and Training Requirements.

 

135.11 RESET Enrollment Status

The CAO and the individual discuss the individual’s skills, prior work experience and employability during the interview process to determine if they are:

NOTE: An informational flyer, Applying for Cash (PA 1909), has been developed to provide an applicant with information on the requirements they can expect when applying for cash assistance. PA 1909 is available on Docushare as a handout for the applicant at interviews and it must be provided with the Job Application Report form (PA 1900).

The CAO should enter RESET enrollment status into the electronic Client Information System (eCIS) as an Employment and Training Program (ETP) status code.  See ETP Codes Desk Reference for appropriate codes. 

Individuals are required to notify the CAO of changes that affect their enrollment status by the 10th day of the month following the month of the change.

Individuals mandatory for RESET and participating in CAO-directed activities are required to register with the local CareerLink as a step in seeking employment. 

NOTE:  If an individual was previously referred to a contractor, the individual already exists in CWDS. However, when enrolled in a CAO-directed activity, the individual must re-register.

Reminder: Diversion should be offered to all applicants who meet TANF and Diversion criteria before authorization of TANF cash assistance. See Section 137.5 Diversion.

 

If the cash assistance applicant, who is mandatory for RESET, does not get a job during their applicant job search (See CAH 104, Application), and all other conditions of eligibility are met, the CAO will authorize the case and proceed as follows:

The CAO will complete a job readiness assessment to identify criteria to determine the RESET program participation requirement and project referral.  A corresponding AMR will be completed.  The CAO assessment should include the questions listed below.  The participation requirement will be based on how the clients answer the questions.

1.    Do you have a recent work history?

2.    Do you have an occupation-specific degree or certification?

3.    Are you currently enrolled in an educational activity or training program?

4.    Are you employed?  How many hours per week do you work?

5.    Are you under age 22 and pursuing a high school diploma or GED?

6.    What have you been doing since you were last required to look for work, during your sanction period or exemption period?

7.    Are there barriers that prevent you from getting a job?

(a)  Do you or your children receive any social services from other agencies such as Children & Youth, MH/MR, DV Provider, or school district?

(b)  Is your housing situation stable?

(c)   Do you have regular doctor visits for yourself or children related to an ongoing medical condition or concern?

 

IF

THEN

An individual is determined mandatory (ETP Code 60) and the job search does not result in employment and the individual:

• Is under age 22 pursuing a high school diploma or GED;

• Has exhausted their enrollments in a contracted program;

• Is meeting the hourly requirement in unsubsidized employment;

• Is enrolled in a self-initiated educational or training activity;

• Does not meet criteria for any other track;

• Client meets Work Ready criteria, but WR not accepting additional referrals

 The individual will participate in a CAO- Directed activity

 

An individual is enrolled in one of Pennsylvania’s 14 Community Colleges and has not exhausted their 12 months of Voc-Ed limit,

 

Refer the individual to KEYS

 

The job search does not result in employment and the individual:

• Has a recent work history;

• Has an occupation-specific degree, certification or job skill;

• Is employed less than 20 hours per week;

• If E-TANF, is employed less than 30 hours per week

 

Refer the individual to EARN provider

 

The job search does not result in employment and the individual:

• Has Good Cause 53 – and has been identified as having “limited employability” refer to Work Ready provider for the number of hours the individual is capable of participating;

• Is an exempt volunteer;

• Is in their third trimester of pregnancy when the PA 635 indicates employable;

• Meets the requirement for referral to MPP (Attachment 2);

 

Refer the individual to a Work Ready provider

(Note: In Philadelphia, clients will continue to be referred to MPP)

Enrollment Limitations introduced in OPS 111004 no longer apply to participation in or referrals to Work Ready.

 

The CAO should complete the job readiness assessment at each renewal, partial redetermination, compliance review contact or change in RESET participation status.

CAOs and contractors will continue to provide equal access to all E&T programs and services to individuals with Limited English Proficiency (LEP), including providing information on non-core ESL services that may be available in the community.  All RESET rules apply to LEP individuals.

OPS-14-06-01 Changes in Employment and Training Determination of RESET Program Participation Requirements  (linked July 7, 2014)

EPP 17218-135 Appropriate Referrals – EARN vs. Work Ready (linked July 7, 2014)           

Updated August 31, 2016   replacing  July 22, 2016