Alternative Work Experience Program (AWEP) SR 07-25, 10/07 (FAM-A) |
This core activity is for participants who cannot find unsubsidized employment and assists the participant in acquiring the general skills, training, knowledge, and work habits necessary to obtain employment.
NHEP staff negotiates with the Work Host sites to develop each Alternative Work Experience Program (AWEP) placement. An agreement is reached when it includes:
§ the duties and responsibilities to be performed by the AWEP participant;
§ the scheduled days and hours of the work placement for both a 4-week and 5-week month;
§ that the Work Host site meets all Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requirements, if applicable;
§ the reporting and supervision responsibilities of the Work Host site; and
§ the skills to be attained by the AWEP participant.
AWEP Activity Requirements
• completion of Form NHEP232, Work Experience Program (WEP) Agreement, between the Work Host site, AWEP participant, and NHEP specifying the tasks to be performed by the AWEP participant, hours of the work placement for both a 4-week and 5-week month, and duration of the agreement; and
• an approved Employability Plan (EP) which includes the AWEP placement information.
AWEP Verification Requirements
This activity must be verified and documented * no less than once every two weeks. Form NHEP270, Work Experience Program (WEP) Verification Form, or other verifications approved by NHEP, can be used but must be signed by the onsite Work Host supervisor and returned to the NHEP worker. There is no limit to the length of time an AWEP participant may participate in the AWEP activity.
Participant Requirements
AWEP participants are responsible for:
• honoring the provisions of Form NHEP232, Work Experience Program (WEP) Agreement;
• recording and verifying participation;
• submitting attendance information for review by the Work Host site and NHEP representative upon request;
• informing the team member or other NHEP representative and the Work Host site in the event of an injury while working in an AWEP work placement; and
• attending a reassessment interview with a NHEP representative prior to the end of an AWEP work placement or placement extension.
Work Host Site Requirements
The Work Host site of an AWEP work placement is responsible for the following:
• honoring the provisions of Form NHEP232, Work Experience Program (WEP) Agreement;
• providing supervision to the participant;
• verifying * the AWEP participant’s attendance in the activity by signing a completed Form NHEP270, Work Experience Program (WEP) Verification Form; and
• informing the team member or other NHEP representative if an AWEP participant is injured while working in an AWEP work placement.
AWEP Support Services
AWEP participants may be authorized for the following support services for this activity:
• child care assistance; and
• transportation assistance (payment to enrolled public/private carriers, mileage, and auto repair reimbursement).
Termination of an AWEP Placement
An AWEP placement can be terminated prior to the end of the agreement period if the Work Host site or AWEP participant fails or neglects to comply with the requirements of the agreement. Every attempt should be made to resolve the problem. However, if this is not possible, follow the procedures described below:
• The NHEP team member notifies the Work Host site in writing at least 7 calendar days prior to the termination, stating the reason(s) for the termination.
• The Work Host site or the participant then has 7 calendar days to remedy the violation or complaint prior to the agreement termination.
• When the NHEP team member terminates the agreement, the team member notifies the Work Host site.
AWEP Work Place Protections
Individuals in AWEP work placements have the same work place protections as all other employees. All individuals participating in AWEP activities or work placements are provided with Form NHEP101, Your Rights in the Workplace. NHEP participants in AWEP work placements are entitled to the protections regarding sexual harassment, and work conditions such as safe environment, non-discrimination, and adequate rest and meal periods.
Limitation of Hours in an AWEP Work Placement Based on Minimum Wage
Individuals participating in an AWEP work placement cannot be required to participate more hours than the number of hours equal to the amount of their full monthly assistance grant (including any amounts removed due to DFA applied sanctions), plus the total food stamp allotment received for the current month, divided by the state or federal minimum wage, whichever is higher.
If the resultant number of hours ends in a decimal that is greater than or equal to 0.5, round up to the next whole number. If the resultant number of hours ends in a decimal that is less than 0.5, round down to the next whole number. If the rounded number of hours is more than the current minimum participation requirement of 20 or 30 hours, the rounded number of hours equals the maximum number of hours per month that can be required of that individual (not to exceed 40 hours per week).
If the rounded number of hours is less than the current minimum participation requirement of 30 hours, require the individual to meet federal minimum participation requirements. The participant can engage in other non-WEP related NHEP activities in addition to the AWEP activity.
FLSA requirements apply to AWEP participants. Count any family that participates the maximum hours they are allowed under the minimum wage requirement of the FLSA as having satisfied the 20-hour per week core activity requirement if actual participation falls short of 20 hours per week.
Workers’ Compensation
Workers’ Compensation (WC) coverage is provided to all participants in AWEP who have completed Form NHEP232, Work Experience Program (WEP) Agreement. This coverage applies to injuries sustained while in an AWEP work placement only. Form NHEP102, Notice About Workers’ Compensation Coverage, is provided to participants before beginning their AWEP placement and describes the benefit and reporting requirements. Work Hosts receive Forms NHEP103, Work Experience Program (WEP) Pamphlet, and NHEP104, The Work Experience Program (WEP): Frequently Asked Questions, which describe the benefits and requirements of an AWEP Work Host site. When an incident occurs, the AWEP participant must contact a NHEP team member immediately. If the individual meets WC coverage criteria, the NHEP team member will provide direction in filing a claim.