808.15 Orientation SR 04-11, 05/04 (FAM-A)

Orientation is required for all individuals who are referred to NHEP and may be conducted as a group or individual activity. Individual orientation is always provided upon request. At orientation, the NHEP team member informs the individual about the NHEP program, their rights and responsibilities, participation and compliance requirements, and the results of non-compliance, as well as the support services available to them under NHEP.

Core Elements of Orientation

The following information must be provided:

Policy

• the NHEP mission;

• that the primary activity is job search and that the NHEP team will provide assistance to the individual in their pursuit of employment;

• an explanation of the Job Search and the Work For Benefits components of NHEP; and

• that NHEP is a collaboration of 3 agencies: Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), New Hampshire Employment Security (NHES), and Southern New Hampshire Services (SNHS).

Team Responsibilities and Services Provided

• a full explanation of all program activities and support services both while participating in NHEP and after employment is obtained;

• eligibility policies that make it easier to be employed;

• an explanation of referral criteria;

• an explanation of NHEP activities;

• the role of the Employment Counselor Specialist (ECS) and their involvement in providing services. Use Form 244, TANF’s Road to Employment, provided at the individual’s initial eligibility interview, to further clarify the difference between the role of the ECS and the role of the Family Services Specialist;

• the steps the individual will take when participating in NHEP. Refer the participant to Form 244 for a visual of the sequence of steps taken in the employment process;

• a description of case management and extended case management services; and

• the availability of additional job search assistance, including NH Works, Job, and Information Centers.

Individual Rights and Responsibilities

• that voluntarily quitting a job without good cause or failure/refusal to comply with work program requirements without good cause will result in sanctions for mandatory participants;

• that NHEP volunteers who voluntarily quit a job without good cause or fail or refuse to comply with work program requirements will not be allowed to participate in NHEP for 3 months;

• the good cause policy;

• a description of work program exemptions;

• the conciliation and administrative appeals process; and

• the name and phone number of the ECS.