DESCRIPTION

The Literacy component is an activity designed to assist participants with literacy barriers develop basic reading and writing skills prior to participation in other GROW activities. Participants who lack the basic literacy skills or declare that they are unable to read and/or write will be encouraged to enroll in Adult Basic Education (ABE) or English as a Second Language (ESL) class.  

KEY POINTS

• Participants in Orientation complete a practice employment application as part of the literacy test.

• Prior to the Job Skills Assessment interview with the GROW Case Manager, the test is reviewed and scored by the participant's case manager utilizing a scoring key.  The passing score is 12 correct answers.

• Depending upon the test results, the Case Manager will take one of the following actions: 

• For applicants/participants who pass the test, the GCM will determine the next appropriate GROW activity.   

• For applicants/participants who do not pass the test, the GCM is to determine if the reason for not passing is due to a vision or literacy problem.   

• If it is determined the applicant/participant has a possible vision problem, the GCM shall encourage him/her to have an eye exam.

• For applicants/participants who do not appear to have a vision problem, the GCM will determine if the participant has a literacy problem and encourage the participant to enroll in a literacy class in one of the Community Colleges or Adult Schools.

• Literacy will also be evaluated when the individual goes to Vocational Assessment. 

• Transportation expense may be authorized prior to enrollment.  Once enrollment has been verified, other expenses such as books/fees/etc. may be authorized. 

• Participants who are enrolled less than 20 hours per week may be assigned to other GROW activities such as Intensive Case Management (ICM), One Stop, and other activities.  Employment and participation in supportive services are also counted towards the 20 hour weekly participation requirement.  The combined activities cannot exceed 20 hours per week.

• 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.  This will be evaluated by the Case Manager.  This change may occur only once during the 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 the Literacy component, 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 the Literacy class, the GROW system will automatically initiate noncompliance and schedule a pretermination hearing with the Case Manager. 

CASE MANAGER DUTIES

• 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 provider offering the ABE or ESL class. 
• Assign concurrent activity if recommended in the employment plan.


• Explain and have the participant sign the ABP 1463, Welfare-to-Work Plan Activity Assignment.


• Provide participant with the ABP 1463 and request verification of enrollment within 10 days after the expected start date. 


• Update the Literacy (LIT) Component assignment screen in MAPPER. 


• 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 place the case into non-compliance.   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. 

RESULTS

Upon assignment to Literacy Component, 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.