808.13 NHEP 26 Week Component SR 99-08, 03/99 (FAM-A)

Job Search Component (JSC)

• Job search activity is the primary NHEP activity for applicants and recipients in the JSC. Job search may consist of either group or individual activities, or both.

• Individuals applying for NHEP financial assistance are required to participate in job search and/or job readiness activities when referred as a result of the initial appraisal.

• Individuals who were participants in NHEP activities in the past, but have experienced a break in NHEP work activity participation of 6 months or more, must be referred to the JSC regardless of past activity or Component participation.

• A maximum of 26 weeks of job search and/or job readiness activities is required which includes an initial 4 week job search period. Applicants and recipients must participate in job search activities including:

- Interviews with NHEP team members;

- Orientation sessions and workshops;

- NHEP counseling sessions;

- Employment counseling, career exploration and career decision making;

- Vocational and long term goal setting;

- Vocational, interest, aptitude and literacy testing;

- Employment preparation advancement and enhancement activities in order move the individual quickly into private sector employment and to increase the responsibility and amount of work the individual is able to handle over time;

- Job readiness training and job search assistance;

- Any other appointments or referrals to other agencies designed to improve a individual’s employability, as specified in the employability plan; and

- Contacting employers for employment opportunities.

The job search and/or job readiness activity may be combined with the following NHEP activities and continue to count towards the 26 week requirement:

• Basic educational activities;

• Single training course or courses;

• Vocational skills training;

• Post secondary education;

• AWEP;

• OJT; and

• Unsubsidized employment.

The job search activity may be suspended by other approved NHEP activities as specified on Form NHEP228, Employability Plan. The 26 week count is also suspended when an individual is being sanctioned for non-compliance.

The following describes steps in the NHEP Job Search Component.

1. An individual or group orientation is conducted as part of the initial interview. At orientation, participants are informed of NHEP requirements and are given the opportunity to ask questions about the program.

2. When an individual is referred to NHEP, the individual has an initial assessment interview and an initial Employability Plan (EP) is developed. As a result of that interview, it is determined if the individual needs basic education or barrier resolution, or if the individual is approvable for participation in a self-initiated activity. Individuals needing basic education or barrier resolution are provided with services to meet these needs so that they can advance to step 3.

Once barriers are resolved, basic education is completed, or a self-initiated activity ends, the individual participates in initial job search activities. Others proceed directly to step 3.

3. The initial 4 week job search period consists of job readiness and job search activities that are appropriate to the individual’s needs.

4. After the initial 4 weeks of job search, determine if the individual is making satisfactory progress towards obtaining employment. If not making satisfactory progress (see Section 808.17), evaluate the individual to determine if he or she meets referral conditions for additional activities to enhance employability. This evaluation can happen at any time during the 22 week cycle.

• If no, the individual continues the remaining weeks of job search/job readiness and may concurrently participate in single courses or OJT.

• If yes, the individual continues the remaining weeks of job search, which may be suspended by, or combined with, employment, basic education, single course authorizations, vocational skills training, post secondary education, AWEP, or OJT.

Work for Benefits Component (WFBC)

The Work for Benefits Component (WFBC) is the second 26 week cycle of NHEP. In this component individuals are required to participate in work placement activities for a minimum of 25 hours per week. Work is the primary activity in this component. Other activities may be added once the minimum work requirement is met. The same support services are provided as for the JSC.

Preparation Period to the WFBC

The transition to the WFBC is facilitated by a preparation period beginning no later than the 22nd week of job search/job readiness activities while the individual is still participating in the JSC. During this period participants are provided with information on the WFBC including a description of the requirements, related benefits and support services. An assessment interview is also held to determine the individual’s goals, appropriate work placement activities and support services, and to identify potential barriers. The goal of the preparation period is to:

• Facilitate a smooth and timely transition into the WFBC;

• Assist participants in meeting the requirements of the WFBC; and

• Avoid possible sanctions for the NHEP participant.

During the preparation phase, the following activities will take place:

WFBC Information Provided to Participants

Information on the WFBC must be provided to all participants prior to the end of week 24 of the JSC. Identified individuals are sent Form NHEP235, WFB Assessment Interview Letter, which briefly describes the WFBC and notifies them that they will be expected to participate in an assessment interview prior to beginning the WFBC.

The information on the WFBC must include:

• An explanation of the WFBC and the support services available;

• A review of policy provisions that support work;

• A description of the WFBC work placement activities;

• Referral criteria for OJT placements;

• A review of the 60-month time limit for financial assistance;

• A review of available job search assistance; and

• Individual rights and responsibilities.

Meanwhile, those identified participants continue in their current activities in the JSC, in addition to preparing for the WFBC. If, during the preparation period, they begin (or are already participating in at the start of the preparation period) a work placement activity that meets the requirements of the WFBC, the participant can choose to:

• Not complete the remaining 26 weeks of the JSC and instead begin the 26 week WFBC immediately; or

• Simultaneously finish their remaining weeks of the JSC while beginning the WFBC.

WFBC Assessment Interview

• The WFBC Assessment Interview is conducted prior to the end of week 24 of job search/readiness activities in the JSC. It may be held concurrently with other scheduled appointments during the preparation period.

Assessment procedures applicable to this interview are the same as those detailed in FAM 808.17, for assessment in the JSC, with the exception that no new Form NHEP227, Employment Program Assessment Form, is required.

Component Clock

What Advances the 26 week "Clock"

In the WFBC, participants must complete 26 weeks in approved work placement activities. The WFBC 26 week Component "clock" advances only when the individual is participating in an approved WFBC work placement activity(ies).

What Stops the "Clock"

The WFBC clock "stops" when the participant is not participating in an approved WFBC activity and the NHEP team member terminates the activity via Form 214.

When the Work Placement Requirement Is Suspended.

Under certain circumstances, the WFBC participation requirement may be suspended. In most cases, the individual ceases participation in the WFBC activity, and the 26 week clock for WFBC participation stops "ticking." The work placement requirement is suspended when the individual is:

• Participating in barrier resolution as the sole NHEP activity;

• Participating in an approved full-time vocational skills training program only when coupled with a bona fide offer of unsubsidized employment or OJT offered by the participant’s AWEP sponsor; or

• Sanctioned.

Note: Count any weeks of participation in an approved WFBC activity when in the Component, even while the requirement is suspended, toward the 26 week requirement.

Resuming the WFBC Clock

When a participant resumes participation in an approved WFBC work placement activity, the Component clock will resume at the point where the 26 week counter had been when the work placement stopped.

Example: At the end of week 12 of an AWEP placement, Fred refused to show up for work. The team completed Form 214 to close Fred from the AWEP activity, and the "clock" stopped effective with the End Activity date indicated on Form 214. Fred was sent Form 220, no Good Cause was determined, and a Level 1 sanction was imposed.

After three weeks, Fred decides to comply and is placed back in his AWEP position. His WFBC clock starts again at week 13, effective with his resumed participation, even though the Level 1 sanction remains in place until he has complied with NHEP work requirements for 2 weeks.

Work Placement

In WFBC, the participant must complete 26 weeks of a mandatory work placement for a minimum of 20 hours a week in one of the following activities, listed in order of priority:

• Unsubsidized employment;

• OJT; and/or

• AWEP (see Section808.39, NHEP Activities)

All individuals in the WFBC must also meet federal minimum participation requirements. These are a federal per week minimum of 25 hours, up to a maximum of 40 hours, in approved activities.

Example: John is employed for pay for 20 hours per week at K-Mart. He will also do an AWEP for a 5 hours per week at the Salvation Army. This meets the minimum 25 hour per week requirement.

Once the work placement requirement has been met, the WFBC work placement can be expanded to meet the minimum 25 hours per week requirement, or other approved activities can be added to the 20 hour work placement to reach the federal minimum.. See FAM 808.27, Hourly Participation Requirements.

Combining Other NHEP Activities With the WFBC Work Placement

When an individual is participating in an approved work placement activity for at least 20 hours per week, and is meeting the minimum NHEP participation requirement of 25 hours per week, the work placement may be accompanied by other approved NHEP activities, if the following criteria are met:

• The approved NHEP activity is specified and supported by the EP, and

• The participant meets the general and specific criteria for referral to the approved NHEP activity.

If the Work Placement is Terminated or Temporarily Suspended

Work placements may be terminated or temporarily suspended due to a variety of causes, including client noncompliance or lack of satisfactory performance, temporary interruptions such as normal business closings for vacations, plant inventory, or seasonal job layoffs.

• When the activity is temporarily interrupted due to circumstances beyond the control of the participant (e.g. the entire operation is shut down for 2 weeks for annual inventory) make no changes to the EP. If the participant will be returning to the same or a similar position when business resumes, consider the Component clock to be advancing during a short-term, temporary hiatus.

• If the activity ends due to circumstances beyond the control of the participant, terminate the activity on the EP and work with the participant to secure a new work placement that meets the WFBC minimum requirements. The Component clock stops when the activity is ended on the EP and does not advance until the individual begins participating in the new activity.

• If the activity is terminated due to participant noncompliance, terminate the activity on the EP and proceed with the NHEP sanction process. The Component clock stops when the activity is ended on the EP and does not advance until the individual begins participating in the new activity.

Required Contact

The NHEP team member contacts the WFBC participant at minimum once every 4 weeks during the 26 week component to determine if satisfactory progress is being made. If not, the individual’s work placement is reviewed for:

• Appropriateness of the placement;

• Compliance issues;

• Barriers that may need resolution; and

• Adherence by the individual and the employer to the AWEP agreement and OJT contract.

Based on the review, modifications or changes may be made to the individual’s placement, support services, or job duties.

Determining Satisfactory Progress

In the WFBC, satisfactory progress means that the individual is placed in an approved work placement activity and is meeting the steps outlined on the EP. This includes, but is not limited to, attendance and acceptable work performance as determined by employer or sponsor evaluations.

Failure or Refusal to Meet NHEP Participation Requirements

Existing notification, conciliation, and sanctioning policy and procedures, including Good Cause reasons, apply to individuals in the WFBC who have failed or refused to comply with work requirements.

Completion of the WFB Component

If at the completion of the full 26 week WFBC the individual is unemployed, the 26 week JSC is repeated.