GROW Overview

GENERAL RELIEF OPPORTUNITIES FOR WORK (GROW)
PROGRAM OVERVIEW

BACKGROUND

GROW was implemented in February 1999, as approved by the Board of Supervisors under Section 17000.6 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. On August 21, 1998, a law change extended the time limit on eligibility for General Relief (GR) to nine months in any 12 month period and made participation in a welfare-to-work program mandatory for employable GR recipients.

Effective July 2006, GROW implemented a redesign that enhances its services and eliminates the gap between Orientation and Job Skills Participation Class (JSPC), as well as other time gaps in-between components. This redesign provides new components including Rapid Employment and Promotion (REP), Early Job Search (EJS) and Short Term Training (STT). The Fastrak component has been modified to include services to the employable chronically homeless population, providing a life skills module that addresses this group’s specific needs. Other enhancements include changing vocational assessment to an optional, rather than a mandatory component to allow the case managers more flexibility to address each individual’s needs. Participants can be referred to Intensive Case Management (ICM) at any time the case manager anticipates a gap of one week or more in-between components.

As a result of the GROW Redesign, participation in the GROW Program meets the Food Stamps Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents’ (ABAWD) education/training and work requirements. Therefore, GR participants who are actively and continuously participating in a GROW activity are no longer required to complete Workfare Project assignments.

GROW PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The goal of GROW is to transition employable GR recipients into the labor market. Participation is mandatory for all employable GR recipients. Following a brief Orientation, the Case Manager evaluates participants for job readiness during Job Skills Assessment and assigns them to ongoing activities including Job Skills Preparation Class, Rapid Employment and Promotion, Fastrak and others described below. These activities are designed to prepare the participants for employment. Supportive services are included as needed. Components include:

EMPLOYMENT NEEDS EVALUATION - Prior to enrollment in GROW, and as part of the GR application process, all employable applicants are screened to gather information regarding their education and job skills, as well as any potential barriers to employment that may affect their participation in the program. This information is recorded into the GROW computer system and later on utilized by the case manager to determine the GROW activities that are appropriate for each individual.

ORIENTATION and JOB SKILLS ASSESSMENT (JSA) - A half-day motivational component which provides participants with an overview of the program and its services. Beginning on August 3, 2000, attending Orientation became a condition of GR eligibility.
This component is the first activity in GROW. During Orientation, participants learn about the program and take part in a literacy assessment. JSA is the participant’s first meeting with the assigned case manager. During this activity the case manager evaluates the individual needs of the participant in order to initiate ongoing assignments to GROW components. Voluntary enrollment in literacy classes is recommended for individuals who do not pass the literacy test.

RAPID EMPLOYMENT AND PROMOTION (REP) - This is a voluntary component offered to participants right after Orientation while the case status is pending. Participants must have a California ID or driver’s license, social security card and registration with the Employment Development Department (EDD) in order to be considered for this component. Additionally, there is a selection process to determine if they are job ready and available to start employment immediately if they receive a job offer.

EARLY JOB SEARCH - This is a voluntary component offered to any interested participants who are willing to participate in intensive job searching activities while they wait for their case to be approved. Transportation is issued for traveling to job interviews as needed.

JOB SKILLS PREPARATION CLASS - A three-week activity consisting of a one-week job skills workshop and two weeks of directed, intense job search activities. The Employment Development Team (EDT) comprised of the case manager, job developer and facilitator provide support and determine the best way to assist each individual participant in his/her career path, based on information gathered on the Participant Employment Profile (PEP).

VOCATIONAL ASSESSMENT - Upon recommendation made by the Employment Development Team (EDT) participants are referred to this optional component. A professional vocational assessor develops an agreed-upon employment plan for participants who remain unemployed after participation in the components listed above. Upon completion, they may be assigned to Intensive Case Management, Short-Term Training or Education/Training.

INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT (ICM) -This component consists of intensive job searching activities under the guidance of the job developer and/or case manager. ICM services are provided as follows:

a.	During any down-time of a week or more, in-between components.
b.	Concurrently with any other activities which combined add up to 20 hours per week.
c.	Once all other required components have been completed and until time limits expire

SHORT TERM TRAINING - Participants receive referrals to training programs that can be completed within sixty days. There is no requirement for Vocational Assessment in order to participate in this component.

EDUCATION/TRAINING - Additional education or training provided by local/community schools and training programs. Under the recommendation of the Employment Development Team (EDT) and if needed, a Vocational Assessment employment plan, participants make a selection from a wide inventory of programs that help them fulfill their employment plan.

SELF-INITIATED PROGRAM (SIP) - Attendance at education or training programs may be approved in lieu of JSPC if the participant was enrolled prior to Orientation and:

*	the program involves a minimum of 20 hours activity per week,
*	is likely to lead to employment in a demand occupation, and
*	can be completed within the remaining time on aid

FASTRAK - A four-week component designed to increase participant job readiness and career motivation by reducing potential barriers to employment. Fastrak specifically targets participants who are chronically homeless, those who have previously been in GROW, and those age 50 and older. Classes are small and utilize an interagency team approach. Staff from Los Angeles County Office of Education conducts classes with collaboration of DPSS case managers who provide support to the participants.

OFFICE OCCUPATIONS - A twelve-week course designed for participants who express an interest in working in an office environment. Participants will acquire hands-on experience with computers and use of office-related software programs

ONE-STOP/WORKSOURCE - This component is available to participants who are returning to GROW after being time-limited off and they have completed REP, JSPC or Fastrak in their current enrollment period. Activities include short-term training programs, employment resources, job referrals and job retention services.

NON-CUSTODIAL PARENT - Designed to assist participants who have children that are not living with them, this component helps them find employment and meet their child support obligations. Activities include short-term training programs, employment resources, peer support groups, counseling sessions that encourage participants to provide financial and emotional support for their children, job referrals and job retention services.

YOUTH - Designed to assist participants who have children that are not living with them, this component helps them find employment and meet their child support obligations. Activities include short-term training programs, employment resources, peer support groups, counseling sessions that encourage participants to provide financial and emotional support for their children, job referrals and job retention services.

POST-EMPLOYMENT SERVICES - Offers job retention services, continued education development, rapid re-employment and supportive services provided by the Case Manager. Additionally, participants may get assistance with transportation for up to thirty days after securing employment as long as their GR case remains active.

SUPPORTIVE SERVICES - Include screening for potential substance abuse, domestic violence and mental health needs at application, Orientation/JSA and during Vocational Assessment. Case Managers may also make referrals at any time a participant expresses the need for such assistance.

WORK RELATED EXPENSES - Provided as needed for transportation and other employment related needs, including, but not limited to uniforms, shoes, tools, etc. These are also provided for education and training costs such as books, fees and supplies

GROW ENROLLMENT

Individuals are given information on the GROW program when they apply for GR. On the same day, and at the district office, applicants without documented physical or mental disabilities meet one-on-one with an Employment Specialist (Eligibility Worker) who describes the program and explains that participation is mandatory as a condition of receiving GR. An Employment Needs Evaluation is made to gather information concerning the applicant’s job skills, educational background, work history, etc. The applicant is then scheduled for an Orientation appointment. Time limits begin on the date of the Orientation appointment.

THE GROW PARTICIPANT’S TEAM

A.	Case Manager – Provides case management services during the individual’s participation in the program. He/she conducts the initial appraisal; works with participants to ensure their service needs are met; plans the necessary program activities to achieve the employment goals; and provides intensive case management assistance to participants who remain unemployed.
B.	Job Developer - Works with employers in the local community to identify employment opportunities and match participants with the labor force need. The Job Developer also assists participants in directed job search efforts and reviews their progress.
C.	Job Coach – Contracted staff. He/she provides guidance to participants enrolled in the REP component.
D.	Facilitator – Contracted staff. He/she conducts Orientation and JSPC classes and assists participants during their enrollment in these components.
E.	Employment Development Team (EDT) – The individuals listed above are members of this team. Together, they determine the best way to assist the participants with their employment goals based on information gathered in the Participant Employment Profile

NONCOMPLIANCE

Participation is tracked throughout the program. Aid for individuals who fail to comply with any required activity without good cause is terminated and sanctions are imposed. For the first occurrence, the participant receives a warning, but may reapply without a penalty. On the second occurrence, a 30-day period of ineligibility is imposed. Subsequent occurrences result in a 60-day period of ineligibility. Participants have the opportunity to have the sanction lifted if they can prove “good cause” during a scheduled hearing to discuss the issues that prevented their participation in the program.

GROW Main | GROW Contacts & Locations | Case Management Guidelines
Updated July 2006