JOB READINESS/ PREPARATION
Job Readiness/Preparation is a training component, which prepares the individual for the workplace by teaching interviewing techniques, preparation of resumes, employer expectations and basic life skills. This component may also include career exploration and activities designed to improve self-esteem. These activities may be conducted in Job Clubs, workshops, seminars or classroom sessions.
Activity Code 43.
ENGLISH-AS-A-SECOND LANGUAGE (ESL)
ESL is an educational component, which includes any formal education training specifically designed to improve an individual's proficiency in English needed to compete in the current job market.
Activity Code 11
ADULT BASIC EDUCATION (ABE) / LITERACY
ABE/Literacy is an educational component, which provides an individual with a basic literacy level, equivalent to successful completion of grade eight, in order to fulfill an employment goal.
Activity Code 12
GENERAL EQUIVALENCY DIPLOMA (GED) / HIGH SCHOOL / REMEDIATION
GED/High School/Remediation is any educational component designed to prepare a person for a high school diploma or equivalency certificate. This includes any formal education training provided to an individual functioning at an eighth grade level or above. High school remediation involves repetition of such instruction previously given to the participant in order to improve the individual’s educational functioning level. Enrollment and participation in high school is not included as an allowable activity in this component.
Activity Code 13
SKILL / VOCATIONAL TRAINING
Skill/Vocational Training will provide individuals with specific occupational skills needed in the current job market to lead the individual to employment resulting in self-sufficiency. Participation in this component has a 12-month lifetime limit and will NOT be supported with SPALs, including child care, beyond the 12 months. Vocational skills can include a wide range of training programs designed to prepare an individual for the workforce.
NOTE: The combined total of time spent in activity codes 14, 15, 16 and 24 counts toward the 12-month lifetime limit for vocational education.
Activity Code 24 - Vocational education
WORK EXPERIENCE
Paid Work Experience (PWE) and Vocation-Specific Work Experience (VWE) are both paid work activities intended to enhance an individual's employability by developing good work habits and basic skills needed for the work environment. Both activities are paid by the Employment and Training program at minimum wage for a maximum of 20 hours per week. PWE is typically an appropriate activity for individuals who have never worked or have been unemployed for a considerable length of time.
VWE is work experience, which is directly related to an individual’s field of study during their enrollment in vocational or post-secondary education. As in many adult education models, it is important that classroom theories are applied in a “real life” environment to ensure that students can more readily connect theory and practice, which results in helping them become more employable. VWE is intended to offer the individual the opportunity to apply their current course of vocational or post-secondary education in a vocation-specific work setting.
Activity Code 26 - PWE
Activity Code 51 - VWE
ADVANCED DEGREE PROGRAM (ADP) or POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION
ADP is an educational component leading to a credit-bearing certificate, career specific associate degree or baccalaureate degree. Participation in this component as an approved activity has a 12-month lifetime limit and will not be supported with SPALs, including child care, beyond the 12 months. Advance Degree Programs include attendance at a community college (KEYS) offering an associate’s degree program intended to prepare the participant for a specific occupation, attendance at a four year college which offers an associate’s degree intended to prepare the participant for a specific occupation if a community college is not located within a reasonable distance and attendance at a four year college which offers a Baccalaureate degree intended to prepare the participant for a specific occupation.
Activity Code 15
NOTE: The combined total of time spent in activity codes 14, 15, 16 and 24 counts toward the 12-month lifetime limit for vocational education.
JOB SEARCH
Job Search is a component directed by the CAO or contracted provider, which serves work ready participants engaged in job-seeking activities, either individually or in a group. An individual is eligible for up to 60 days of job search activity once in a 12 month period. If an individual finds employment or stops participating anytime within the 60 days, the job search activity is closed and the individual is not eligible for the 60 day job search again until the 12 month period has passed. Duplication of the Job Search activity between CAO- directed and contractor-directed job search may not occur within the 12 month period. The 60 day job search activity is not to exceed a maximum of 60 days.
Activity Code 46- Contractor directed (data entry on CWDS)
Activity Code 48 - CAO directed (data entry on eCIS)
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Community Service is an unpaid work component used to provide work experience in Local, State and Federal government or nonprofit sector. Community Service is coordinated by the SNAP recipient with assistance from their case manager. Community Service enhances an individual's employability by developing good work habits and basic skills or to improve existing skills needed for the work environment. Monthly participation will not exceed the number of hours obtained by dividing the monthly SNAP household benefit by the minimum wage. Review of participation in this component will be done at each renewal. See the Cash Assistance Handbook 135.213 Self Employment and Community Service Hours
Activity Code 20
Issued August 8, 2014, replacing December 22, 2010