HomeMy WebLinkAbout20193447.tiffRESOLUTION
RE: APPROVE EMPLOYMENT FIRST PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020
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 Fiscal Year
2020 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 Fiscal Year 2020 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 31st day of July, A.D., 2019.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
WELD COUNTY, COLORADO
ATTEST: dettiff,A) JCitD•tk
Weld County Clerk to the Board
BY:
APP
EXCUSED
Barbara Kirkmeyer, Chair •
Mike Freeman, Pro-Tem0?s Sea, P. Conway
t K. James
ounty At rney `(;; ? T' �/' XCUSED
Date of signature: Dq/o 719
Steve Moreno
CC 1-IS0
9- /6, -IT
2019-3447
H R0090
PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL
MEMORANDUM
DATE: July 23, 2019
TO: Board of County Commissioners — Pass -Around
FR: Judy A. Griego, Director, Human Services
RE: Employment Services of Weld County FY2020
Employment First Plan
Please review and indicate if you would like a work session prior to placing this item on the
Board's agenda.
Request Board Approval of the `repartmei:t?s Employment Services of Weld County (I-+SWC)
Federal Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Employment First Plan. The Colorado Department of Human
Services (CDHS) requires each participating county to submit an Employment First (EF) Plan for the
Federal Fiscal Year of 2020. The attached plan is due to CDHS by August 5, 2019, The plan
includes program design, anticipated participants, and budget.
Between July 1, 20118, and June 30, 2019, a total of 1,030 individuals participated in Weld County's
EF program. EF participants are engaged in activates such as: Workfare, Basic Education, English as
a Second Language (ESL), High School Equivalency (HSF/GED) Vocational Training, Post -
Secondary, co -enrollment with Department of Vocational Rehabilitation and the Workforce
Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), Weld County will continue to operate a mandatory
program that requires EF participants to be actively engaged in employment -related activities to
receive benefits.
2019-3447
Pass -Around Memorandum; July 22, 2019 —Not in CMS Page 1
PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL
I do not recommend a Work Session. I recommend approval of this plan, its submission, and
authority for Director and Finance Division Head to sign.
Sean P. Conway
Mike Freeman, Pro -Tern
Scott James
Barbara Kirkmeyer, Chair
Steve Moreno
Approve
Schedule
Recommendation Work Session
Other/Comments:
Pass -Around Memorandum; July 22, 2019 - Not in CMS Page 2
COLORADO
Office of Economic Security
Division of Employment & Benefits
el
ounty)
m to ment first Plan
Federal Fiscal Year 2020
October 2019 -September 2020
Date of Submission / Revision: 7/23/2019
Weld County Department of Human/Social Services
FFY20
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section
Cover Page, Program Type and Authorization Signatures
Assurance Statements
County Point of Contact
Acronyms
Employment First State Exemption List
ABAWD 15 Percent Exemption List
Employment First Component Overview
Non -Education, Non -Work Components
Education Components
Work Components
2018 Agricultural Improvement Act New Requirements
County Appendices (if applicable)
Page
3
5
6
6
7
8
9
9
9
10
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Page 2 of 10
Weld Col infy Department of Human/Social Services
FFY20
COVER PAGE I PROGRAM TYPE I AUTHORIZATION SIGNATURES
For Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2020, the Colorado SNAP Employment & Training Program, Employment
First (EF) will be in all counties.
Program Model:
ABAWDs and non-ABAWDs receive employment services in the program and are served by a county,
a county and/or State contractor, and/or referred to third -party partners.
• ABAWDs who do not meet the work requirement for three months will be disqualified from SNAP.
However, an ABAWD can regain their benefits at any time after being disqualified by completing eight
hours of workfare, 80 hours of a qualifying component (identified in this county plan), or by providing
an exemption (identified in this county plan).
Please select the following Program Operation type:
x #1 COUNTY OPERATED PROGRAM
Your county directly operates the program and receives the EF funding allocation. Your county may choose
to directly contract out the program with a sub -contractor or develop partnerships with 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
Third
(Sub
-party
-Contractor
partner)
or
Name of
Sub-Contractor/Third-Party
Partner(s)
Contract Amount
#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.
#20A 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:
[County name(s) here]
#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
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:Neid County Department of Human; Social Services
only the regional operating county will receive a funding allocation this year. Your county is only
required to return pages 1 thru 4 of this plan to their State Regional Representative.
[Your regional operator county name here]
#3: STATE OPERATED P! GR
Your county is interested in participating in a state operated program later on in FFY20. This option is still
being developed, and your county must operate under choice 1 or 2 until this option becomes available.
Certified By:
Counjy Huma
J
Services Di ector ( •: Designee) Date
July 29, 2019
July 29, 2019
Countyuma ervices Fiscal Reviewer Date
ASSURANCE STATEMENTS
Page 4 of 10
Weld County Department of Human/Social Services
FFY20
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 of any 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.
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 activities are maintained by the county
department and available for USDA review and audit.
x
VII. Contracts are procured 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
participants; 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 POINT OF CONTACT
Judy Griego, Director of Human Services
Weld County
Page 5 of 10
Weld County Department of Human/Social Services
FFY20
County Department
Weld County Employment First Program
Approval Date
[Revise to reflect subsequent amendments]
Primary County Contact
Title
Phone
Email
Laurie Speck
Employment
First and TANF
Manager
970-400-6726
(speck@weldgov.com
ACRONYMS
Below is a list of common acronyms associated with the Weld County Employment First Program and
utilized within this plan:
ABAWD Able -Bodied Adult without Dependents
E&T Employment and Training
FFY Federal Fiscal Year
FNS Food and Nutrition Service
SNAP Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
USDA United States Department of Agriculture
CBMS Colorado Benefits Management System
EMPLOYMENT FIRST STATE EXEMPTION LIST
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Weld County Department of Human Social Services
FFy71O
Federal exemptions from work registration and/or the work requirement are applied to individuals when
appropriate, based on 7 CFR 273.7(b)(1), and/or when the individual falls within one of the following
Colorado exemptions:
1. Physically or mentally unfit for employment criteria:
• Unfitness for employment is obvious to the eligibility worker (a statement of verification from
medical personnel is not required)
• Chronically homeless and either 1) an unaccompanied homeless individual who has been
continuously homeless, or 2) an unaccompanied homeless individual with a disability
(verification is not required)
• Unfitness for employment is not obvious, but can be verified by medical personnel or a
collateral contact
• Disabled and receiving, or having applied for Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Disabled and receiving Social Security Benefits (SSA) and/or Veterans Assistance Benefits
(regardless of the percentage)
• Currently enrolled in the Aid to the Needy Disabled (AND) program
2. Migrant Seasonal Farm Worker
3. Receiving Colorado Works
4. Participating in the Colorado Refugee Services Program
5. Participating in drug and/or alcoholic treatment
6. Participating in Vocational Rehabilitation, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, and/or the
Trade Adjustment Assistance program prior to applying for Food Assistance
7. Pregnant
8. Job attached
9. Employed or self-employed if working 30 hours a week or earning at least the federal minimum wage
multiplied by 30 hours a week
10. Caregiver of an incapacitated household member
11. Caregiver of a child under the age of 6
12. Filed for unemployment insurance, and the application is in pending, appeal, or approval status
13. Attending high school
14. Attending community college, trade school, or a university at least half-time and working at -least 20
hours a week
15. Under the minimum age for the work requirement (under 18 years old)
16. Over the maximum age for the work registration (age 60 or over)
17. 16 or 17 year old individual who is a non -head of household and is attending school or enrolled in an
employment and training program at least half time
18. Eligible student
ABAWD 15 PERCENT EXEMPTION LIST
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Weld County Department of Human/Social Services
FFY20
15 percent exemptions are applied when a barrier that impedes an ABAWDs access to program services
is present. These barriers may include the:
• Inability to travel to program services because of the distance to the local human services office or
a lack of transportation
• Difficulty finding employment because the participant is non-English speaking
• 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 prevent employment entry)
• Inability to access technology and/or the internet at home or in the local community
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 population. Any workfare assignment requires a separate workfare
contract. Check the box to indicate which components your EF program will provide this FFY.
Non -qualifying Secondary Components (unless paired with a qualifying component that meets more
than 50% of the work requirement):
x Job Retention Services: Supportive services up to 90 days post -employment.
x Vocational Rehabilitation: Vocational training for those with disabilities preventing
employment.
Qualifying Education Components with a direct link to job -readiness (meet ABAWD work requirements):
x GED Preparation: Preparation for the General Equivalency Diploma examination.
x Adult Basic Education: Pre-GED basic skills education for participants who test between 5.5 and
8.5 grade levels.
x Post -Secondary Education: Education beyond high school insufficient to meet exemption
standards and for participants 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 participants whose primary language is a
language other than English and whose lack of basic language skills presents a barrier to
employment.
x Literacy: Participants who require basic literacy education and who test at or below the 5.5
grade level.
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Weld County Department of Human/Social Services
FFY20
x Employability Services: Basic/soft skill instruction that meets the ABAWD work requirement.
x Vocational Training: Job -based training for qualifying participants 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 or vocational schools.
Qualifying Work Components (meet ABAWD work requirements):
❑ Self -Employment Training: Self-employment instruction for participants 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: Participants 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 participant 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 participant may not be
mandated to participate in both workfare and another activity. However, participants who are
enrolled in workfare may volunteer to participate in another activity at the same time.
x 30 Day Workfare Job Search: Participants may attend an orientation. Participants will receive
an assessment, workfare screening activity, job seeking skills and soft skills instruction. The 30
days begin when the participant attends orientation. The 30 days may overlap into two months,
but the participant must be assigned to a permanent workfare activity by the end of 30 days or
any other activity that best assists the participant to employment. This component will require
the participant 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
participants gain and maintain regular full-time employment. Participants 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 Volunteering 80 Hours: Any participant 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
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Weld County Department of Human/Social Services
FFY20
number of workfare sites in Colorado, as the organization will become a workfare site while the
participant is volunteering. Once the workfare site is developed, the participant will be moved
from this component to the EF workfare component. A participant may not be mandated to
participate in both workfare and another activity. However, participants who are enrolled in
workfare may volunteer to participate in another activity at the same time.
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.
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 participants. Case management is not required to be provided if a SNAP
participant 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.
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 readiness for employment, which include such things as:
• applied academic skills
• interpersonal skills
• critical thinking skills
• communication skills
• barriers to work
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