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Home My WebLink About20202337.tiffRESOLUTION RE: APPROVE EMPLOYMENT FIRST PLAN FOR FEDERAL FISCAL YEAR 2021 WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado, pursuant to Colorado statute and the Weld County Home Rule Charter, is vested with the authority of administering the affairs of Weld County, Colorado, and WHEREAS, the Board has been presented with an Employment First Plan for Federal Fiscal Year 2021 from the County of Weld, State of Colorado, by and through the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, on behalf of the Weld County Department of Human Services, Division of Employment Services, to the Colorado Department of Human Services, with terms and conditions being as stated in said plan, and WHEREAS, after review, the Board deems it advisable to approve said plan, a copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado, that the Employment First Plan for Federal Fiscal Year 2021 from the County of Weld, State of Colorado, by and through the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, on behalf of the Weld County Department of Human Services, Division of Employment Services, to the Colorado Department of Human Services be, and hereby is, approved. The above and foregoing Resolution was, on motion duly made and seconded, adopted by the following vote on the 29th day of July, A.D., 2020. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WELD COUNTY, COLORADO ATTEST: diavo;ef�,� ^J Weld County Clerk to the Board ounty Attorney Date of signature: Og/o4/2-0 Mi e freeman, Chair Steve Moreno, Pro-Tem arbara Kirkm Kevin D. Ross cc: HSO og/oN/2 2020-2337 HR0092 PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL MEMORANDUM DATE: July 22, 2020 TO: Board of County Commissioners — Pass -Around FR: Jamie Ulrich, Director, Human Services RE: Fiscal Year 2021 Employment First Plan Please review aid indicate if you would like a work session prior to placing this item on the Board's agenda. Request Board Approval of the Department's Fiscal Year 2021 Employment First Plan. The Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) requires each participating county or region to submit an Employment First Plan annually. The Weld County Employment First Plan has been updated and prepared for submission. Weld County has operated the Employment First (EF) Program since the Welfare Reform Law of 1996. EF participants are engaged in activities designed to meet individual goals and assist participants in attaining full-time employment. Such activities may include Workfare, Basic Education, English as a Second Language (ESL), High School Equivalency (HSE/GED) Vocational Training, Post -Secondary, and/or co -enrollment with Department of Vocational Rehabilitation and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Weld County continues to require EF participants to be actively engaged in employment related activities in order to receive benefits. This year's plan includes the option to contract with two (2) community partners. These contracts would be funded 50% by the partner with the remaining half from federal funds. The two community partners under consideration are Jobs of Hope and the Immigrant and Refugee Center of Northern Colorado. If approved, these contracts will be brought before the Board at that time. The plan and associated appendices are attached. This plan must be submitted by no later than July 31, 2020. Pass -Around Memorandum; July 22, 2020 — Not in CMS 2020-2337 ©7./21 14Roc, PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL I do not recommend a Work Session. I recommend approval of this plan, its submission, and authorize the Director and Senior Fiscal Advisor to sign. Mike Freeman, Chair Scott James Barbara Kirkmeyer Steve Moreno, Pro-Tem Kevin Ross Approve Schedule Recommendation Work Session Vek Other/Comments: Ok Wet, Pass -Around Memorandum; July 22, 2020 — Not in CMS Page 2 SO COLORADO Office of Economic Security Division of Employment b Benefits Weld County Department of Human Services Employment First Plan Federal Fiscal Year 2021 October 2020 - September 2021 Date of Submission / Revision: 7/31/2020 Weld County Department of Human/Social Services FFY 2021 t.. a:Iva PAGE ti PROGRAM TYPE ti A TIAORtiZATSON SIGNATURES For Federal Fiscal Year (FEY) 2021, Weld County Department of Human Services selects the following Program Operation type: X #1 COUNTY OPERATED PROGRAM Your county directly operates the program and receives the Employment First (EF) funding allocation. Your county may choose to directly contract out he program wstith a sub -contractor or de'sekop gartnershps vitith third -party partners when selecting this option. If your county is contracting out services with a sub- contractor(s) or third -party partner(s), please fill out the table below (add rows If needed): Type (Sub -Contractor or Third -party partner) Name of Sub-Contractor/Third-Party Partner(s) Contract Amount O #2 .REGIONAL OPERATED PROGRAM Your county chooses to partner with a neighboring county(ies) for program operations, becoming a regionally operated program. The operating county will be known as the regional operator. The regional operator receives the EF funding allocation for all counties in the region. Counties within the region shall collaborate on all program requirements, including referrals. 0 #2.A REGIONAL OPERATOR. Your county will be the regional operator for one or more other counties and will be operating on behalf of the following counties: ❑ #2.B PARTICIPATING IN A REGION, BUT NOT AN OPERATOR Your county will not be the regional operator for one or more other counties and understands only the regional operating county will receive a funding allocation this year. Your county is only required to return pages 1 through 3 of this plan to your State E&T Regional Representative. ❑ #3: WAIVE OPERATING AN EF PROGRAM FOR FFY 2021 Your county will nat be operating an EF program and understands that your county will not be receiving a funding allocation this year. Your county is only required to return pages 1 through 3 of this plan to your State E&T Regional Representative. lied By: Cot rty Human Services Director (or Designee) County HumFiscal Reviewer 1'LL13 Dae 7/ 23 jam, z Date Page 2 of 14 Weld County Department of Human/Social Services FFY 2021 II. ASSURANCE STATEMENTS Check the boxes at the right to indicate you have read and understand each statement. I. The county department is accountable for the content of the County Employment First plan and will provide oversight ofany sub -grantees. X II. The county department is fiscally responsible for Employment First activities funded under the plan and is liable for repayment of unallowable costs. X III. County education costs will not be supplanted with Federal E&T funds. X IV. Cash or in -kind donations from other non -Federal sources have not been claimed or used as a match or reimbursement under any other Federal program. X V. If in -kind goods and services are part of the budget, only public, in -kind services are included. There are no private, in -kind goods or services claimed. X VI. Documentation of county department costs, payments, and donations for approved Employment First activiles are maintained by the county department and available for USDA review and audit. X VII. Contracts are procuFed through appropriate procedures governed by county procurement regulations. X VIII. Program activities are conducted in compliance with all applicable Federal laws, rules, and regulations including Civil Rights and OMB regulations governing cost issues. X IX. E&T education activities directly enhance the employability of the clients; there is a direct link between the education activities and job -readiness. X X. Program activities and expenses are reasonable and necessary to accomplish the goals and objectives of SNAP E&T. X XI. The County Employment First Program is implemented in a manner that is responsive to the special needs of American Indians on Reservations. The county shall: consult on an ongoing basis about portions of the county plan which affect them; submit for comment all portions of the county plan that affect the ITO; if appropriate and to the extent practicable, include ITO suggestions in the county plan. (This is for counties with Indian Reservations only.) • By signing on the cover page of this document, the County Department Director (or Designee) and financial representative certifies that all of the above assurances are met. County Departments who select 2.B PARTICIPATING IN A REGION, BUT NOT AN OPERATOR on the cover page of this plan are not required to certify that all of the above assurances are met. The Regional Operator will certify these assurances on the County Department's behalf. Page 3 of 14 III. COUNTY POINT OF CONTACT County Weld County County Department Department of Human Services, Employment First Program Approval Date Primary County Contact Name/Title Phone Email John Kruse Adult Programs Manager EF/TANF 970-400-6726 Krusexie(a)weldgov.com IV. ACRONYMS Below is a list of common acronyms associated with the Weld County Department of Human Services, Employment First Program and utilized within this plan: ABAWD Able -Bodied Adult without Dependents CBMS Colorado Benefits Management System E&T Employment and Training EF Employment First FFY Federal Fiscal Year FNS Food and Nutrition Service SNAP Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program USDA United States Department of Agriculture WIOA Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act V. EMPLOYMENT FIRST PROGRAM OVERVIEW Mission Engaging and partnering with the community to improve the safety, health and well-being of individuals and families through the delivery of responsive and collaborative services. Unemployment Rate [Please provide your county's unemployment rate at the time this county plan is submitted. Month: May Unemployment Rate: 8.6% Preliminary per https://www.bls.gov/regions/mountain- plains/co greeley msa.htm. Page 4 of 14 Weld County Department of Human/Social Services FFY 2021 Scope of Services 1. Your program's name (as marketed as anything other than Employment First): Employment First (EF) Program. We are currently in the process of renaming the program. 2. How long the program has been operating in your county: Weld County has operated the EF Program since the Welfare Reform Law in 1996. 3. Staffing structure (please submit an organizational chart as an appendix to this plan): Please see Appendix A. 4. Subcontractor information: Weld County is looking at possibly contracting with two contractors: 1. Jobs of Hope (JOH)- Jobs of Hope focuses on working with male clients who are recently discharged from incarceration or leaving gang -affiliations in Weld County. The purpose is to provide value -based life -skills training, employment search, retention support and case management services. 2. Immigrant and Refugee Center of Northern Colorado (IRCNOCO)- IRCNOCO will provide English instruction (as face to face, online, or hybrid), including a focus on development of soft skills and workplace readiness, and 24 hours of case management services from a community navigator. 5. How SNAP recipients are engaged in services: SNAP recipients are engaged at eligibility determination of SNAP benefits, through communications from EF staff and reverse outreach through other Weld County Department of Human Services staff and community agencies. Administrative Structure of Program 1. Program type: County. 2. If a Regional Operated Program, please describe the administrative structure your county has in place to operate the EF program on behalf of other counties. Please include answers to the following questions: a. Will an MOU, contract, interagency agreement, Statement of Work, or other contractual agreement be put in place between the counties in the Regional Operated Program area for FFY 2021? b. Will the Regional Operator be requesting a county match from each county in the Regional Operated Program area? c. Which county(s) will be receiving the enhanced funding for the FFY2021? 3. Where services are offered: Weld County -Offices are in the City of Greeley and in the City of Fort Lupton. The Department is looking at staffing the Del Camino Office on a regular basis. 4. What specific population: ABAWDs and Non-ABAWDs. If the County contracts with JOH and IRCNOCO, there will be additional focus on males released from incarceration and immigrants and refugees. VI. ENGAGEMENT AND OUTREACH INITIATIVES Initial referrals or EF-102 will be provided to ABAWDs and Non-ABAWDs as a referral source from eligibility to the EF Program. These referrals will be electronic and sent to a shared Employment First inbox. Any Page 5 of 14 Weld County Department of Human/Social Services FFY 2021 changes made to a case or recertification, whether an exemption is lifted, or a case is no longer considered a non-ABAWD and no other exemptions apply, an EF-102 will be sent to staff in the EF Program. Once an EF-102 is received, a Case Manager (CM) in EF will contact the client about the requirements of participating in the program. For volunteers, the CM will explain the benefits of participating in the EF Program. If the County contracts with JOH and/or IRCNOCO, all clients that are participating with these two organizations will identify if the participants are eligible for or receiving Food Assistance. If they are and they are not participating in the EF or TANF Program, clients will be referred to the EF Program. Staff from the EF Program will be participating in three networking meetings throughout Weld County. These networking meetings will be in three regions of the county: Greeley, Fort Lupton and the Carbon Valley area. In these networking meetings, there are generally a wide variety of participants from non- profits, educational institutes and governmental agencies. At these network meetings, we will provide EF outreach and ask for reverse referrals from these agencies, not only to identify clients who are eligible for Food Assistance and not receiving it or they are receiving Food Assistance but not participating in the EF Program. The EF Program will be modifying its website to make it more appealing and informative to potential participants and residents who have inquiries. The EF Program is creating outreach and marketing materials that will be shared internally, externally and sent to potential EF participants. EF Case Managers will continue to manage the Countable Month Report and Caseload Report, to use as a referral source for the EF Program and to prevent clients from having their Food Assistance benefits from being terminated for non -cooperation once the exemptions are lifted. VII. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIPS County Employment First Program Partnerships In-house collaboration occurs between EF and WIOA Adult programs, Youth, TANF, and Business Services to develop and obtain On the Job Training opportunities. Additionally, the Disabled Veterans Outreach Representative, from CDLE, is physically located with the WIOA Adult Program Case Managers allowing hclients to be walked to an available case manager for co -enrollment into the programs. The Department also collaborates with Vocational Rehabilitation as needed to prevent dual case management. Please describe the relationships that exist between your county EF program and the workforce development system, or local one -stop center. The EF Program is facilitated by Employment Services of Weld County (ESWC) which operates under the Weld County Department of Human Services umbrella. Employment Services of Weld County is the One Stop Operator for the Weld County (Greeley Metropolitan Statistical Area or MSA) Region, delivers Page 6 of 14 Weld County Department of Human/Social Services FFY 2021 services under: Job Service (Wagner Peyser); the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act's (WIOA) Title I and III; work components under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); the Weld County Youth Conservation Corps (WCYCC) which includes an AmeriCorps crew -based program and the Training Innovation Growth Hope and Training (TIGHT) youth corps serving adjudicated youth; services under the Migrant Seasonal Farmworker Program (MSFW); the Chafee Foster Care Independence Program (CFCIP); the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP) to provide eligibility and the caregiver recruitment program Realizing Economic Advancement through Caring Homes (REACH); and has developed strong collaborative working partnerships with WIOA Title II and Title IV. In -Demand and Emerging Industries and Occupations Weld County has a diverse labor market. Prior to COVID 19 and oil and gas production cuts, Weld County had one of the strongest labor markets in the state. Currently, per Connecting Colorado, the most in - demand jobs are truck drivers, maintenance positions, customer service, retail and medical jobs. The Weld County Board of County Commissioners, through ESWC, has a partnership with the Weld County Workforce Development Board. This partnership created a four-year Regional and Local Workforce Development Plan. This plan provides an analysis of the regional economic conditions including the skills and availability of the local workforce, and an identification of the region's 10 Key Industry Sectors where efforts and services will be directed towards. These sectors include, but are not limited to: Construction, Manufacturing, Health and Wellness, Oil and Gas and Agricultural. By having this structure established, this will allow the EF Program to be at the cutting edge of existing in -demand jobs, emerging industries and allow the program to identify career pathways and/or credentials that will make EF participants more successful in obtaining training, employment and a potential career. VIII. GENERAL WORK REQUIREMENT EXEMPTION LIST At all determinations of eligibility including initial, ongoing, and redetermination, eligibility staff must explore if the household member meets an exemption rather than placing the burden solely on the household member toself-report. General work requirement exemptions include: 1. A person 15 years of age or younger or a person 60 years of age or older; • A person age 16 or 17 who is not the head of a household, or who is attending school, or is enrolled in an employment training program, on at least a half-time basis, is also exempt. 2. A parent or other household member responsible for the care of a dependent child under 6 or an incapacitated person; 3. A person physically or mentally unfit for employment; Examples of being physically or mentally unfit for employment can include but are not limited to: • Persons experiencing homelessness defined in the Code of Colorado Regulations (CCR) 4.100 • Recently released from an institution • A Person with disabilities as defined in 4.100 and includes but is not limited to: o Persons with self -declared temporary conditions that would prevent successful participation in work activities Page 7 of 14 Weld County Department of Human/Social Services FFY 2021 o Persons receiving temporary or permanent disability benefits issued by the government or private sources o Persons participating in vocational rehabilitation o Persons applying for and/or appealing SSI benefits • Persons unable to maintain employment • Persons impacted by domestic violence 4. A student enrolled at least half-time, as defined by the educational facility, in any recognized school, training program, or institution of higher education; • A student who is enrolled in an institute of higher education must meet student eligibility requirements to receive Food Assistance. • Students who are eligible for Food Assistance remain exempt from work requirements during normal periods of class attendance and school breaks. • Persons who are not enrolled at least half-time or who experience a break in their enrollment status due to graduation, expulsion, suspension, or who drop out or otherwise do not intend to register for the next normal school term (other than summer), shall not be eligible for this exemption. 5. Employed or self-employed individuals who are working a minimum of thirty (30) hours per week or receiving weekly earnings at least equal to the federal minimum wage multiplied by thirty (30) hours; • This shall include migrant and seasonal farmworkers who are under contract or similar agreement with an employer or crew chief to begin employment within thirty (30) days. • Persons working in action programs, including VISTA, are exempt from work requirements if they work at least thirty (30) hours per week even if the compensation is not consistent with prevailing community wage, since an employer -employee relationship can be documented. 6. A person applying for or receiving Unemployment Insurance Benefits (UIB). The local office shall verify an application for or receipt of UIB, if questionable. A person who has been denied UIB and who is appealing the decision is exempt; 7. A regular participant in drug or alcohol treatment or rehabilitation program; 8. A person subject to and complying with Colorado Works (CW) or the Colorado Refugee Services Program (CRSP) work programs. Individuals exempt from work requirements are not required to participate in Employment First. Although, if individuals exempt from work requirements show interest in employment and training services, they should be referred to the county's Employment First program. Individuals exempt from work requirements are not required to report changes in their exemption status during their certification period. At redetermination, all individuals subject to work requirements will be reassessed for work requirement exemptions. Page 8 of 14 Weld County Department of Human/Social Services FFY 2021 If an individual loses their exemption status during their certification period, they shall retain their original work requirement exemption through their certification period unless they are considered an ABAWD. IX. ABAWD EXEMPTION LIST While ABAWDs can beexempt under general work requirement exemptions, these individuals could also meet one of the following ABAWD exemptions: • Younger than eighteen (18) years of age or older than forty-nine (49) years of age. The month of the household member's birthday is not a countable month; • Exempt from the general work requirements; • Is residing in a Food Assistance household where a household member is under age 18; • Pregnancy; • Exempt under a waiver approved by the USDA, FNS; • Exempt using Colorado defined State exemptions as identified in the current Food Assistance Employment and Training State Plan. ABAWDs are not required to report changes in their exemption status during a certification period. However, if the ABAWD loses their exemption status during a certification period, the months the ABAWD was not exempt will count toward their three countable months in a thirty-six (36) calendar month period. Colorado Defined Star Exemptions (12% time limit exemptions) Colorado applies 12% time limit exemptions on an individual case -by -case basis. Exemptions may be applied to an ABAWD for a number of reasons, per CDHS discretion. These reasons include, but are not limited to: 1. Inability to travel to program services because of distance to the local human services office or lack of transportation. 2. Inability to work in local area zip -codes due to offender status (may also be applied to individuals who are awaiting trial, or pending other legal action that prevents employment entry). 3. Difficulty finding employment because the participant is non-English speaking. 4. Inability to access technology and/or the internet at home or in the local community. X. EMPLOYMENT FIRST COMPONENT OVERVIEW The following is a list of activities that EF may offer. It is best to offer a variety of activities to fit the various needs of the program's population. Any workfare assignment requires a separate workfare contract. [Check the box to indicate which components your EF program will provide this FFY.] Qualifying and Allowable Components The client can meet the work requirement when the required number of hours for the component are met. These components are also an allowable EF activity which makes the client eligible to receive EF participant Page 9 of 14 Weld County Department of Human/Social Services FFY 2021 reimbursements. The education and work components listed below are qualifying and allowable components: Qualifying Education Components with a direct link to job -readiness X GED Preparation: Preparation for the General Equivalency Diploma examination. X Adult Basic Education: Pre-GED basic skills education for clients who test between the 5.5 and 8.5 grade levels. X Post -Secondary Education: Education beyond high school insufficient to meet exemption standards and tor clients who are enrolled at least half time in school and working towards an Associate or Bachelor's Degree. X English Language Learner: English language classes for clients whose primary language is a language otherthan English and whose lack of basic language skills presents a barrier to employment. X Literacy: Clients who require basic literacy education and who test at or below the 5.5 grade level. X Employability Services: Basic/soft skill instruction that meets the ABAWD work requirement. X Vocational Training: Job -based training for qualifying clients who are enrolled and participating in skills training related to a specific occupation (i.e. welding, word processing, auto mechanics, truck driving school, data entry) and may be offered along with a WIOA program, the local community college, or trade ar vocational schools. Qualifying Woic Components X Self -Employment Training: Self-employment instruction for clients who are interested in taking classes to learn how to start their own business. X On -the -Job Training: A work placement made through a contract with an employer or registered apprenticeship program sponsor in the public, private non-profit, or private sector. X Pre -Apprenticeships and/or Apprenticeships: Clients interested in gaining employment and/or increasing their skills through entering a pre -apprenticeship or apprenticeship program. X E&T Workfare: Specified number of hours worked at a private non-profit or public organization. Any client assigned to workfare, whether an ABAWD or not, may be required to work up to the number of hours equal to their SNAP allotment divided by the minimum wage. The worksite must be at a non-profit or public worksite. A client may not be mandated to participate in both workfare and another activity. However, clients who are enrolled in workfare may volunteer to participate in another activity at the same time. Page 10 of 14 Weld County Department of Human/Social Services FEY 2021 X 30 Day Workfare Job Search: Clients may attend an orientation. Clients will receive an assessment, workfare screening activity, job seeking skills and soft skills instruction. The 30 days begin when the client attends orientation. The 30 days may overlap into two months, but the client must be assigned to a permanent workfare activity by the end of 30 days or any other activity that best assists the client to employment. This component will require the client to complete a minimum of 12 job contacts that can be completed in one month or be split over a two month time period. X Work Experience: Opportunity to gain employment experience in the private sector, providing actual work experience and training that builds marketable skill sets. This support helps clients gain and maintain regular full-time employment. Clients are not required to work more hours monthly than the total obtained by dividing the household's monthly food assistance allotment by the higher of the applicable Federal or State minimum wage, up to 30 hours weekly and will not exceed 120 hours per month. Work experience assignments may not replace the employment of a regularly employed individual, and they must provide the same benefits and working conditions provided to regularly employed individuals performing comparable work for comparable hours. X Supervised Job Search: This activity requires direct supervision, including the timing and activities as well as the tracking methodology. This may be provided by a county, a county and/or State contractor, and/or a third -party partner. Qualifying, but not Allowable Components Clients can meet the work requirement through the below activities, but the client must be engaged in a qualifying and allowable component from the list above to be eligible to receive EF participant reimbursements. X Volunteering 80 Hours: Any client may choose to volunteer for 80 hours at a non-profit or public organization that is not a current Colorado EF worksite. This component increases the number of workfare sites in Colorado, as the organization can choose to become a workfare site while the client is volunteering. Once the workfare site is developed, the client will be moved from this component to the EF workfare component. Clients must be placed in a qualifying and allowable EF activity to be eligible to receive EF participant reimbursements. X Part Time Work: Any client may choose to work part-time to meet their work requirement. Clients who work part-time must be placed in a qualifying and allowable EF activity to be eligible to receive EF supportive services. Allowable but Non -qualifying Components Clients may be eligible to receive EF participant reimbursements when participating in one of the components listed below. Clients must engage and participate in a qualifying component (allowable or not allowable) for the majority of their work requirement hours (50 percent or more) in order to meet their work requirements. X Job Retention Services: Supportive services up to 90 days post -employment. Page 11 of 14 Weld County Department of Human/Social Services FFY 2021 X Vocational Rehabilitation: Vocational training for participants with disabilities preventing employment. XI. PARTICIPANT REIMBURSEMENTS Clients must be reimbursed for the costs necessary for their program participation. These may be true reimbursements, or they may be advanced payments for anticipated expenses. In this section, please describe the costs you expect to reimburse, whether you will issue a reimbursement, advance payment, or both, and the total cost of participant reimbursements your county intends to incur. Available Participant Reimbursements The EF Program reimburses participants for transportation costs per policy. On a case by case basis and per policy, participants may be reimbursed for work clothes, tools, identification documents, certifications and other supportive services directly related to education, employment and/or training. • All clients are compensated at the same rate -Participants are compensated between $25-$50 per month, based on participation and obtaining employment. There will be supervisory oversight and random checks to ensure participants are reimbursed at the same rate. • All clients are aware of all participant reimbursements your county/region offers -Participants are informed of reimbursements during the EF Orientation/Engagement and one-on-one meetings with the EF Case Manager. There will be supervisory oversight and random checks to ensure participants are aware of all participant reimbursements. The EF Program may provide reimbursement on behalf of the client for: testing, education, education materials, assessments, employment classes and for any activity cost listed in this plan. Some reimbursements may also be provided by another funding source, if funding is available. XII. 2018 AGRICULTURAL IMPROVEMENT ACT NEW REQUIREMENTS Case Management Services Case management is a required part of an E&T program. EF programs must provide case management services to all program clients, including job retention services. Case management is not required to be provided if a SNAP client is not enrolled in EF. Case management must be provided through a county office, third -party partner, or sub -contractor, and include comprehensive intake assessments, individualized service plans, progress monitoring, adequate tracking and documentation of case management services, and coordination with other service providers. EF case management is one of the primary services offered to participants. Our goal is to help determine the type of support needed to overcome the obstacles and barriers to preventing participants from finding and retaining gainful employment. The EF Case Managers help identify employment and/or career goals through advocacy, assessment, communication , education, planning and access to services and resources within the Department and in Weld County. A brief mid -level overview of the EF Case Management process and client experience is as follows: Page 12 of 14 Weld County Depa-tment of Human/Social Services FFY 2021 Once a referral (working state reports) or EF-102 comes to the EF Case Manager (CM), the EFCM: • Reviews the referral to see if the applicant/recipient is an ABAWD or isn't required to participate. This will help the EFCM identify how to communicate with the applicant/recipient and what information to provide. • Briefly reviews the statewide computer systems (i.e. Colorado Benefits Management System, Connecting Colorado, etc.) to better understand the applicant/recipient's situation. • Contacts the appicant/recipient discuss the requirements or voluntary participation in the EF Program. • If required to participate or the applicant/recipient wants to participate, the EFCM then sets up a time to do a phone orientation/engagement. Phone Orientation/Engagement Outline -Please see Appendix B Ongoing Case Management • Continue to modly, advocate and support the participant in meeting or exceeding the goals set forth in the Road Map. The participant is held accountable for his/her participation. • Certifications and Tests: WorkPlace Readiness Certificate and Prove It Tests can be completed in the Department's Onsite Assessment and Learning Lab • Participant specific workshops can be scheduled based on the participants need. • Participants can be placed in any other approved activities. • Progress monitoring is done by monitoring the progress on the Master Application, other assessments, the Roadmap and ensuring the participant is turning in all the required documentation. • Tracking and documentation of case management services is accomplished by entering progress hours and case comments of follow up appointments and supportive services provided in a timely manner. • Job Retention Case Management can be provided for up to 90 days to assist the participant in maintaining employment. 3rd Party Partnerships (pending partnerships) • Jobs of Hope (JOH)- Jobs of Hope focuses on working with male clients who are recently discharged from incarceration or leaving gang -affiliations in Weld County. The purpose is to provide value -based life -skills training, employment search, retention support and case management services. • Immigrant and Refugee Center of Northern Colorado (IRCNOCO)- IRCNOCO will provide English instruction (as face to face, online, or hybrid), including a focus on development of soft skills and workplace readiness, and 24 hours of case management services from a community navigator. Employability Assessments In FFY19, EF programs were required to complete a job skills assessment. EF programs now need to provide an "employability assessment." An employability assessment should help determine an individual's job readiness for employment, which includes a set of skills such as: Page 13 of 14 Weld County Department of Human/Social Services FFY 2021 • applied academic skills • interpersonal skills • critical thinking skills • communication skills • barriers to work The EF Case Managers or applicable Department staff member will conduct a variety of employability assessments. These assessments focus on previous employment, educational attainment, training and/or certification obtained, obstacles/barriers to employment, communication, interpersonal skills, interviewing and resume writing. In this program year, the EF Case Managers will focus on additional family members in the household who may benefit from services in the Department and/or community. See appendix C, D and E. XIII. FFY 2021 PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS County Plan Due Date Please submit your county plan to the E&T policy box by July 31, 2020. FFY 2021 EF Policy and Procedures Due Date Please submit county polcies and/or procedures regarding the below program operations by September 30, 2020 for State review and approval. 1) Regain Process 2) Participant Reimbursement 3) Assessing Good Cause 4) Case Management 5) Workfare Counties who do not have a State approved policy and/or procedure in place by October 1, 2020 must adhere to the State policy and procedure (outlined in the State plan) for the aforementioned program operations. FFY 2021 Program Operation Change Requests Any changes made in your county plan between October 1, 2020 - September 30, 2021 that impact one of the below program operations must be submitted to CDHS for both State and FNS approval. • components offered at your county • program finances • program partnerships Program changes cannot be implemented at your county until State and FNS approval is received. Page 14 of 14 vsi. ., ., Department of Human Services Director: Jamie Ulrich Employment Services Deputy Director: Tami Grant ti 'lir, 1�5J '� �a lr Appendix A Employment Services Divison Head Lora Lawrence Employment Services Support REACH Child Care Special Programs Adult Programs -TANFJEF Employment Business P g 9Training and Specialist Supervisor Su ervisor Manager-Youth Manager Registration Technical Services ManagerP Manager Heat her Roberts Anna Korthuis Maria Herrera Karina Amaya John Kruse Assistance - ES Cece Moreno € Briana Davies Program • Dora Lara i._. — Ted Long REACH ---••• --•• -- Technician Child Care __._-..._.-.... Assessment and Eligibility € Employment and _ Adult Programs - Learning Center Judith Bush Technician I Training TANF Supervisor , r Supervisor C0SU Workshop i Resource Judith Baptiste Julie Atkinson Facilitator ,.. Document Specialist Tracey Brookover �" — �` """"" I` .Management Supervisor l • Patricia Curts Kris Armstrong Sylvia Flores -- --_.__- --.-_..... _ ..... .. , y , gh y Shawnda Cleric Holly Bernhardt I CST -TANF/EF ` `ari s:D u ,tre .;;`. Kozanechi Francinette I si - ».� __� Norma Sotefo r--`— ____-__ Holokahi l':ry.,. ._ ` Business Sharma Pratt r Aduh Programs rare - Migrant Season Services Adult Programs — Manager Farmworker = Resource I Case Manager ? Specialist Christina Arnold Americorps Maria Chavez (B) Advisor ; 1 Chainsaw Crew • Misty Falk 1 Claudia Cabral Elvira Gonzalez Shelby Clark Leader Tracy Jacks i r -- — -- _ . • I Charlotte DeBrock David Woolman Tabitha Locke Adult Pro rams Case i — Helen Freese g Karla Masters Tammy Winter I I Manager Brittiny Sanchez f Workforce Rep " Jazmine Gonzalez (B) r Assessment and Youth Programs Crew Margarita Marquez-8 Bilingual SC Learning Center — — Mary Theresa Joseph Leader ; Guadalupe Instructor • Nancy Sanchez Guadarrama Terry Williams i ' Ivan Contreras Erik Acosta 1 Vacant Hold L. _ ; Anne Wolney 177 1 Vacant - S I ---- i....- .... .. . . _ Work Experience Career Services Ashley Miller —1 Representative —' { Josefina Marquez Business Youth Programs € I Services Specialist _^�— - - Representative Greg Cordova .. I Efrain Cano-Ojeda • RESEA Amber Duchaine — ` —, Representative Juanita Segura I Patti Wolff t ___.__....._.. . _. ... Youth Programs Case Manager Jasmin Dominguez ` .41.1.4444.1.0 �„+Leslie Galindo Client Services Nora Myers , Technician Nereyda Torres Margaret Crackel ---- = Olga Gonzalez Nancy Hunnicutt i i Ariane Macias Work Experience I Venessa Martinez 1 Vancat I Patricia Ulrich Key: B - Bilingual Updated March 16, 2020 S - Seasonal Appendix B Employment First (EF) Engagement Outline Customize the Participant Engagement to the applicant/recipient needs. Spend the majority of time during the conversation talking about the positives our program will help the applicant/recipient overcome unemployment or underemployment. 1. Introduce yourself 2. Talk about the specific goals we have in the EF Program and what services we offer to the applicant/ recipient regardless of ABAWD/Non-ABAWD (status) 3. Briefly talk about some of the financial incentives we have to offer. a. Up to $25 gas voucher/incentive for participating b. $25 gas voucher/Incentive for full participation c. 90 day Job Retention gas voucher/incentive 4. Briefly talk about status. Spend a little more time on what status the client is. 5. If the Non -ABA WD is not interested in participating in the program, stop here. Thank them for their time and if they reconsider or their status changes in the future, we are here to help support them with their employment needs. 6. If an ABAWD, briefly talk about the exemptions that are available 7. If an ABAWD, briefly talk about the Countable Months that will incur if the ABAWD does not participate 8. If an ABAWD, briefly talk about the Regain Process 9. Briefly talk about Voluntary Quit 10. Talk about the client specific goals based on his/her situation and build the participant's Roadmap. 11. Complete as much of the forms and employability assessments over the phone prior to e - mailing or mailing to the participant for completion. 12. Talk about the services and programs we have to offer at the Department, which might help the applicant/participant overcome unemployment or underemployment. 13. Talk about the specific activities individualized for the applicant/recipient, such as: a. Initial sites b. Workfare c. Resume Writing Workshop d . Interviewing Skills and Development Workshop e . Soft Skills Workshop f. Job Search Workshop 14 . Circle back around and talk about the goals of the program and how we are specifically going to help the applicant/recipient . We are here to help the client overcome unemployment or underemployment . COLORADO ntC Office of Economic Security COLORADO EMPLOYMENT FIRST - COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT CDHS TM Division of Employment Er Benefits Please answer all of the following questions as completely as possible . The information yr ru pr vid ia‘ is confidential and ‘,, . ai0 be used to help us help you develop your Employ e� rst -o ' i� ipation plan . Date: Name SSN : (Last 4) Case Number: Date of Birth 1B Address Phore (message) Mailing Address (If different from above) Email Address PERSONAL INFORMATION STAFF USE ONLY Please print & complete the sections below. verification Received/Resource Provided EMPLOYMENT Are you currently employed (self-employed)? If NO , please list the month and year when Yes No you last worked : If YES , please circle one : Month : Full / Part-time I Temporary I Day Labor Year: Start Date : Kind of Work: Are you looking for work currently? # Hrs Per Week: Yes No Hourly Wage : Company Name : Phone Number: Are you on a temporary layoff and expect to return to work within 60 days? Yes No Are you working with the WORKFORCE Center and/or registered with Connecting Colorado? Yes No Are you working with another agency to find employment? Yes No If yes , please provide : Name of Agency Type of Assistance Contact Person BENEFITS Please circle any of the following benefits you are currently applying for or receiving : UI (Unemployment Insurance) TANF (CO Works or Family Preservation) AND (Aid to the Needy Disabled) SSI (Supplemental Security Income) CRSP (Colorado Refugee Services) Veterans Disability FA (Food Assistance) Medicaid EDUCATION Are you currently in school? Yes No ® If yes , what is the name of the school or program : ® When did you start (date) ? When will you finish (date)? ® What days and hours are you in school? ® Besides school , are there trainings you have completed? If yes , please list: Highest grade you completed : Are you interested in continuing or finishing your education? Yes No CARE OF OTHERS Are you responsible for the care of a dependent child in your household? Yes No Is childcare needed? If yes , what age is the child? Are you responsible for the full-time care of an incapacitated person? Yes No Is care needed throughout the day? :c if C * LORA ® ; j" t t ,{ chN•. ,._..l. Office of Economic Security COLORADO EMPLOYMENT FIRST - COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT " Division of Employment £7 Benefits NEEDS/PERSONAL ISSUES Do you have a stable place to stay at night? Yes No Do you have any physical , medical , or mental health conditions that limit or would interfere with your ability to work? Yes No Do you have any medical needs that are not being treated? Yes No Are you currently taking medication that would affect your ability to look for work? Yes No Are you pregnant? Yes (expected delivery date ) No Are you currently enrolled in a Vocational Rehabilitation program? Yes No Have you ever been in the military? Yes No Active Military Status? Do you have a valid I . D . ? Yes No Circle Type : Driver' s License State ID Other: How will you get to work or class? (Circle all that apply) My Car I Bus I Walk I Bike I Friends I Borrowed Vehicle I Don't Know We want to do the best we can to place you at an appropriate work site if your participation Note relevant dates to assist in work depends on that, and to identify possible resources that may help you that pertain to the site placement and possible following information : community resources : • Do you have any legal or background issues (including felonies or misdemeanors) that you would need to disclose to an employer? Yes No • Are you on probation or parole : Yes No Are you currently in a domestic violence program that would prevent you from looking for work? Yes No Are you currently in drug or alcohol treatment? Yes No O :STAB' LES f, l v , What do you think is your biggest obstacle to employment? What employment or career goals do you have? STAFF USE ONLY: PLEASE C . MPLETE IN FULL Job Ready? Yes No Deferred : Exempt: Obstacles/Verification Requested : Type of work participant is seeking : Worksite that meets participant's needs and interests : Participant' s plan in addition to the first 30 days workfare/job search for the next 1 -3 months. Circle activity: Basic ED Employability ESL GED Literacy Part-Time Job Post-Secondary ED Voc Rehab/Train Workfare (Perm) Case Manager: Date: .__ _- -_ - - - - - IFgt- '.4r o .l "-r ''LS;G:=:°' 11;G.iti(L;t-."i•`.i. tnj ^. l "` 7 ' l jjl i}ti'^ I l'r i -t fp { trllf rl ! (p•� L}�r1CIII! 'V •fl {I I:-'.Y. •'�ltl 1 ftt:f ', .'. .' • I ••� '�. j'{! te1ff (ti Irtl •'`/I .t ..U.p ilj;11( 11 . -.Glj'7y}s.rJ t ' , 1' l11 ' r • - jrr :,CH 11 l.{_.r{... 11, l 3ir..—...-._t.._.l.•Ad tiYr: 1 .J('Sh -.�� Appendix D MASTER APPLICATION DATE: (Fecha) PERSONAL DATA (Datos Personales) FULL NAME (Nombre completo) LAST (Apellido) FIRST (Nombre) MIDDLE INITIAL (Inicial Media) ADDRESS (Number and Street) (Direcci6n) CITY: (Ciudad) STATE(Estado) ZIP (Codigo Postal) MAILING ADDRESS (If Different From Above)/ (Domicilio postal-si es diferente de la anterior) CITY: (Ciudad) STATE: (Estado) ZIP: (Codigo Postal) PHONE NUMBER (Home) (Numero de Telefono) PHONE NUMBER (Message) (Numero de Mensaje) SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER (Seguro Social) POSITION DESIRED (PosiciOn deseada) SALARY EXPECTED (Sueldo Previsto) DATE AVAILABLE (Fecha Disponible) ARE YOU EITHER A U.S.CITIZEN OR AN ALIEN AUTHORIZED TO WORK IN THE UNITED STATES (ES CIUDADANO 0 EXTRANJERO AUTORIZADO PARA TRABAJAR EN LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS?) YES NO PLEASE LIST YOUR EMPLOYMENT STARTING WITH YOUR MOST RECENT JOB Porfavor anote su em • leo em •ezando con el mas reciente WORK HISTORY (Historia de COMPANY NAME: (Nombre de la Compania) Empleo) JOB TITLE: (Puesto) ADDRESS: (Direccion) DATES OF EMPLOYMENT: (Fechas de empleo) PHONE NUMBER: (Numero de Telefono) SUPERVISOR'S NAME: (Nombre de Supervisor) SALARY: (Sueldo) DUTIES: (deberes en el trabajo) REASON FOR LEAVING: (Razon que dejo el empleo) COMPANY NAME: (Nombre de la Compania) JOB TITLE: (Puesto) ADDRESS: (Direccion) DATES OF EMPLOYMENT: (Fechas de empleo) PHONE NUMBER: (Numero de Telefono) SUPERVISOR'S NAME: (Nombre de Supervisor) SALARY: (Sueldo) DUTIES: (deberes en el trabajo) REASON FOR LEAVING: (Razdn que dejo el empleo) COMPANY NAME: (Nombre de la Compania) JOB TITLE: (Puesto) ADDRESS: (DirecciOn) DATES OF EMPLOYMENT: (Fechas de empleo) PHONE NUMBER: (Numero de Telefono) SUPERVISOR'S NAME: (Nombre de Supervisor) SALARY: (Sueldo) DUTIES: (deberes en el trabajo) REASON FOR LEAVING: (RazOn que dejo el empleo) EDUCATION ( Educacion ) NAME AND LOCATION OF SCHOOL # OF YEARS DID YOU SUBJECTS STUDIED (Nombre y lugar de la escuela) ATTENDED GRADUAT�. (Tames estudiados) (# de anos (Se graduo . ) que asistiO) HIGH SCHOOL (Preparatoria) COLLEGE (Universidad) TRADE, BUSINESS OR CORRESPONDENCE SCHOOL (escuela vocational) OTHER (OTRO) OTHER (OTRO) MILITARY ( Servicio Militar) BRANCH DATE ENTERED DATE DISCHARGED RANK PRESENT MEMBERSHIP IN NATIONAL GUARD OR RESERVES YES NO DUTIES : OTHER(Otro) HAVE YOU EVER BEEN CONVICTED OF A FELONY (Alguna vez ha sido condenado por un delito grave?) YES NO IF YES , PLEASE EXPLAIN (Si si , favor de explicar) : IS THERE ANY OTHER INFORMATION YOU WOULD LIKE FOR US TO CONSIDER? (i. e . Special Courses , Training , or Seminars You've Completed , Software , Machines or Tools you can operate) (Hay alguna otra informacion que desea que tomemos en consideracion?) : REFERENCES (Referencias) LIST 3 REFERENCES BELOW WHO HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF YOUR JOB SKILLS , WORK HABITS OR CHARACTER. (Anote 3 referencias que tengan conocimiento de sus habilidades de trabko, habitos de traba:o , o caracter?) NAME (Nombre) TITLE(Titulo) COMPANY (Compariia) PHONE NUMBER(Numero de Telefono) 1 . 2. 3. I CERTIFY THAT ALL INFORMATION ON THIS APPLICATION IS CORRECT. I REALIZE THAT THIS INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO VERIFICATION AND THAT MY EMPLOYMENT IS CONTINGENT UPON ITS ACCURACY. ( Yo certifico que toda la informacion sobre este use esta correcta. Yo reconozco que esta informacion esta conforme a la verificacion y que mi empleo es contingente sobre exactitud .) SIGNATURE: (Firma) DATE: (Fecha) Appendix E Employability Assessment- Job Search Plan 1 Name Date Job Specific Skills When you're building your resume, writing a cover letter, or taking part in an interview; it's often appropriate to get very specific about the abilities you bring to the job at hand. By mentioning these skills, even using the brand names of equipment, procedures and software, you're making it clear that you do in fact know what you're talking about. It's also appropriate to use initials, when you're sure that those initials are used industry -wide and not just in your last company. 1. Three specific job skills I like to do and do well. List the skill and give an example. Skill 1: Example: Skill 2: Example: Skill 3: Example: 2. Types of jobs that utilize these skills: 3. The three strongest practical skills I've mastered in the past few years: 1 2 3 4. List three things you did at a previous job that a new employer would value. 1. 2. 3. 5. Personal qualities I have that would help me on any job. For example, I am organized. lam lam lam lam 6. List three things your customers or your co-workers have said about you or your work that a new employer would be interested in knowing about you. 1. 2. 3. 7. People who find a job they like in the shortest amount of time use a variety of methods to locate job vacancies — all at the same time. Name three methods to locate job vacancies: 1. 2. 3. Employability Assessment — Job Search Plan 2 Employment Challenges are real or perceived challenges to employment. It is common to have an issue or two in your work history . To lessen the concern that Name Date employers may have about us , the process is to 1 ) State your issue, 2) Consider it from the employer's point of view, and 3) Think of ways to diminish any concerns : People who quickly find employment use a variety of methods to locate job vacancies . Name 2 specific methods to locate job vacancies : The Issue Employer's Objection 1 . What we can say or do to diminish it 2 . Write a STAR story for one of your transferable skills : S = Skill T = Task A = Action R = Result What are the main requirements for your next job? List 3 transferable skills/communication skills you've gained expertise in over the past few years : My requirements What I 'm NOT willing to do 1 . 2 . 3 . List 4 types of jobs or industries that use your transferable skills that you would like to research : What do you need help with to succeed in your job search? Check each of the 1 . options that apply: 2 . Resume and Master Application Interview Coaching 3 . Computer Skills/training Job Search Skills/Job Leads 4 . Background issues/Bond Info Other: Hello