SR 05-29 Dated 08/05 (FAM)

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

INTER-DEPARTMENT COMMUNICATION

SUMMARY

This SR releases an on-the-job training (OJT) pilot program for the Berlin and Manchester NHEP Offices only.

The pilot OJT program, HomeCare Works, is a comprehensive, employer-based training program that provides NHEP recipients an opportunity to pursue a career in the home care field by teaching the skills necessary to succeed as home care workers.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW OJT PROGRAM

HomeCare Works provides career opportunities for NHEP recipients to enter the home care field through a comprehensive, employer-based, training initiative, complete with support services and incentives.

Potential results from the HomeCare Works program include:

·   home care career opportunities for NHEP recipients;

·   an expanded workforce that will enable more seniors to remain in independent living situations; and

·   Medicaid program cost efficiencies for taxpayers.

Initially, only the Manchester and Berlin NHEP Offices will be piloting this new OJT program. By December of 2006, if the Commissioner recommends continuation of the program to the Governor, it may be expanded statewide.

PROCEDURES FOR THE BERLIN AND MANCHESTER NHEP OFFICES ONLY

Assessment and Screening

NHEP Employment Counselor Specialists (ECS) in Manchester and Berlin will use the normal assessment process to determine each NHEP recipient’s interests and abilities. Once the assessment process is complete, individuals will be screened to determine if home care is a good employment match.

NHEP recipients who possess the skills that are taught through the Lifeskills for Employment, Achievement and Purpose (LEAP) program will be considered candidates for the HomeCare Works program. Individuals not possessing these skills must be encouraged to attend the LEAP program to obtain the skills necessary to become a candidate for the HomeCare Works program.

ECS will refer viable candidates to HomeCare Works job openings for an employment interview. A listing of these openings will be maintained in each pilot office.

Supports for Employment

If selected for a HomeCare Works job opening, participants receive support services to ensure a successful transition into the home care field. These supports include:

·   assignment of a Child Care Resource and Referral Specialist to work with all participants to ensure child care arrangements are in place; and

·   Employment & Training Services, such as auto repair, tools of the trade, clothing, dental care, etc.

Employee Incentives

Once hired by a participating home care agency through an OJT, HomeCare Works participants receive a $50 training stipend at the end of the first 2 weeks or upon completion of orientation training, whichever is later. Additionally, participants are eligible to receive two additional training stipends of $200 each after the 3rd and 5th month of participation in HomeCare Works.

Employer Responsibilities

OJT employers participating in the HomeCare Works pilot program will interview and select HomeCare Works program candidates. Once a candidate is selected, the ECS initiates the 6-month OJT contract with the employer using the normal NHEP OJT process.

The minimum participation requirement for an OJT placement in the HomeCare Works program is 24 hours a week. It is suggested, but not required, that the ECS request that the employer increase the NHEP recipient’s hourly wage by the end of the OJT placement, in order to enhance the earning capacity of the candidate once they have successfully completed the OJT.

Employers providing training services to HomeCare Works participants are eligible to receive payments in addition to regular OJT reimbursements. The employer will receive $200 at the end of the 2nd week of training, as well as at the end of the 3rd and 5th month of training, provided the participants remain employed.

To initiate the payments, an agreement designed by a contracted agency must be signed by the employer, the employee, and the agency. The document will specify the training to be provided by the employer and will indicate that the Department of Health and Human Services, through the contracted agency, may make 3 payments to the employer as described above.

To receive the payments, the employer must invoice the contracted agency, using invoices developed by the agency, at the end of the training intervals described above.

NHEP OFFICES OTHER THAN MANCHESTER AND BERLIN

If a client in another NHEP Office other than Manchester or Berlin requests to participate in HomeCare Works, ECS must obtain Field Support Manager approval prior to enrolling the client in the program. Approval for program participation is determined on a case-by-case basis, and the individual must travel to Manchester or Berlin to participate. Individuals who have been approved to participate will receive the same support services as those clients from the Berlin and Manchester NHEP Offices.

SYSTEMS CHANGES

Effective August 22, 2005, New HEIGHTS added a new NHEP activity named "HomeCare Works," available in the "Activity" screen on the "Activity Details" tab.

A new screen, "HomeCare Works Payment" screen, has been created to allow authorization of HomeCare Works stipends to clients. NHEP workers will be notified via dashboard alerts each time a stipend is to be authorized for payment. Once the authorized amount is entered and saved, the system will issue a check to the HomeCare Works participant in the nightly batch.

Check Stop Payment Requests, Cancellations and Reissues can be done for HomeCare Works stipends using the Benefit Issuance screens. The Benefit Issuance Payment History screen will display these stipends under the category of HomeCare Works and a Benefit Type of Stipend 1, Stipend 2, or Stipend 3.

New HEIGHTS will also generate a monthly report, "HomeCare Works Payment Report" (NWP151RA), which provides details of stipend payments issued for HomeCare Works participants.

Although the HomeCare Works program is a pilot activity for the Manchester and Berlin NHEP Offices only, NHEP Offices throughout the state will have access to the new activity and the "HomeCare Works Payment" screen. However, workers in all other NHEP Offices must receive Field Support Manager approval prior to enrolling a client in the HomeCare Works program within the pilot regions. Approval for program participation is determined on a case-by-case basis.

IMPLEMENTATION

The implementation date for the HomeCare Works pilot program, for the Manchester and Berlin NHEP Offices only, is August 22, 2005.

CLIENT NOTIFICATION

ECS will notify NHEP recipients in the Berlin and Manchester NHEP Offices of the opportunity to participate in the HomeCare Works program at the next case contact.

TRAINING

The Field Support Managers, NHEP Team Members in Manchester and Berlin, and State Office, coordinated the development of this pilot in the two NHEP Offices. Because of the coordination with all staff from the early stages, no additional special training is needed at this time.

DISPOSITION

Since HomeCare Works is a pilot program, procedures to enroll participants in this activity are not being added to the Family Assistance Manual.

This SR must be retained in its electronic form until it is posted to the "SR’s Retained" section of the On-Line Family Assistance Manual, effective with the October 1, 2005 On-Line Manual distribution. Hard copy holders of the manual must retain the hard copy version of this SR until informed that it has been obsoleted.

DISTRIBUTION

This SR will be distributed according to the electronic distribution list for Division of Family Assistance policy releases. This SR will be available for agency staff in the On-Line Manual Library, and for public access on the Internet at http://www.dhhs.nh.gov/DHHS/DFA/LIBRARY, effective October 1, 2005.

This SR will be distributed to all hard copy holders of the Family Assistance manual.

DFA/DMS:s