DESCRIPTION

Education/training is an activity recommended by the Employment Development Team (EDT) or a Vocational Assessor for participants who need further education/training to realize their employment goal. In addition to vocational education/training programs, GED, High School Diploma, ESL, and basic reading and math classes may also be included in the employment plan.

KEY POINTS

• An education/training assignment must correspond with the employment goals outlined in the participant's employment plan. 
  
  
• Education/training programs tend to be short in duration, usually less than six months. 
  
  
• The duration of the education/training program cannot exceed the participant’s remaining time on aid.
  
  
• As opposed to traditional long-term education programs advancing growth and development, vocational education/training programs are geared for adults. They provide both soft and hard skills which can be quickly applied on the job. 
  
  
• While hard skills are trade/occupation related (e.g., apprenticeship programs), soft skills include work behaviors and interpersonal relations. 
  
  
• After enrollment is verified, work-related expenses (beyond transportation) can be authorized. 
  
  
• For education/training participants who are also employed part-time, assigned to  Intensive Case Management(ICM) and/or in supportive services, the combined activities cannot exceed 20 hours. 
  
  
• Participants must inform his/her Case Manager of any problems that may prevent him/her from participating in any activity within 3 work days of signing the ABP 1463, Welfare-To-Work Plan Activity Assignment.
  
  
• There is also a 30-day grace period after a post-assessment activity begins for the participant to request a change in selected provider type of post-assessment activity.  This is also to be evaluated by the Case Manager.  These changes may occur only once during each activity.
  
  
• The participant's attendance and progress is verified every 30 days with the ABP 1469, Progress Report, a computer-issued notice to the participant. If the participant is attending but not progressing, a reassignment to ICM may be appropriate. 


NOTE: Some providers may refuse to complete the ABP 1469; if so, other documentation may be accepted (e.g., report cards, school document with grades, etc.). If the participant has no documentation and there is no conflicting evidence, a PA 853, Affidavit, may be accepted. 
 

• Upon completion of an education/training program, the participant is considered job-ready for an entry-level position and can be assigned to ICM (based on what is in employment plan). 
  
  
• The participant's attendance/completion is tracked/entered on the GROW system. 
  
  
• For participants who complete education/training, the GROW system will automatically schedule the participant for an appointment with the Case Manager to discuss the next activity.
   
• For participants who fail to participate in or to complete education/training, the GROW system will automatically initiate noncompliance and schedule a pretermination hearing with the Case Manager. 

 

• Discuss employment plan and education/training activity with the participant, motivating and encouraging the participant to attend, participate and complete the program.
   
• Using the Provider Inventory on the GROW system: 
  
  
• Refer the participant to an appropriate education/training provider. 
  
  
• Assign concurrent activity if recommended in the employment plan.
  
  
• Assign a participant only to an activity that will not exceed his/her remaining time on aid.
  
  
• If the EDT or the assessor identified any barriers to employment, make appropriate supportive services referrals. 
  
  
• Explain and have the participant sign the ABP 1463, Welfare-to-Work Plan Activity Assignment.
  
  
• Provide participant with the ABP 1468, Two-Way Referral Gram, and request verification of enrollment within 10 days after the expected start date. 
  
  
• Update GROW component assignment screen. 
  
  
• Authorize work-related expenses, including transportation, for the expected duration of the activity. 
  
  
• Complete/Update ABP 821, GROW Case Manager Checklist.


NOTE:Transportation is to be issued in advance of the activity; other work-related expenses, such as books/supplies/fees, are issued after enrollment is verified. 

• Review the participant's progress via the ABP 1469, Progress Report generated by GROW to the participant, every 30 days. 
  
  
• If the participant dropped out or is not progressing satisfactorily, the GROW system will automatically put the case into noncompliance. 
  
  
• At the pretermination hearing: 
  
  
• If there is good cause for not progressing, reassign the participant to ICM. 
  
  
• If the participant dropped out without good cause (and this is the first instance of noncompliance), return the participant to the activity. 

Upon assignment to education/training, the outcomes should be: 

• The participant was motivated to attend and complete the assigned program. 
  
  
• The participant and Case Manager signed the ABP 1463. 
  
  
• Any recommended concurrent activity/ supportive services referrals were made. 
  
  
• The component assignment screen was completed on the GROW system. 
  
  
• Transportation was authorized, in advance, for the duration of the activity. 
  
  
• Work-related expenses were authorized.