New Initiatives memo detailing new training program available in certain parts of the state for certification as Mental Health Worker I or Nursing Assistant I.

A joint program between DTA and the United Way of Massachusetts Bay (UWMB, the IDA program helps eligible TAFDC clients with active cases accumulate savings to be used for certain vocational educational training programs that qualify for the Federal PELL Grant Program. TADC recipients at the following TAOs may be eligible for a referral: Brockton, Dorchester, Framingham, Lawrence, Lowell, Malden, Milford, Newmarket Square, North Shore, Plymouth, and Revere.

Cambridge College is offering three courses for the Spring 2008 semester for Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) clients who are currently residing in shelters in the Boston area. Cambridge College will offer courses in Human Services: Self Care for Helping Professionals, College Writing I and Principles and Process of Adult Learning.  Cambridge College is also offering a program (Bridge to Community College) for those teen parents enrolled in the Young Parents Program (YPP) who are currently earning their General Educational Development (GED)/high school diploma.

The Franklin/Hampshire Employment Training Consortium is beginning a new initiative called the Enhanced Services Program. This new program will help TAFDC clients – both work program required and non-work program required – who would benefit from participating in skills training, job readiness and pre- and post-training job search programs begin the transition to work. Clients who either need skills training to become job ready or are currently job ready should be referred to this program. Through skills training, intensive case management, job readiness activities and job placement and retention provided by the Franklin/Hampshire Employment Training Consortium Enhanced Services Program, it is hoped clients will be better prepared for employment and receive high wages once employed. The Program has a planned start date of March 17, 2008 in the Greenfield TAO and is scheduled to end on June 30, 2008.

A supported work program in collaboration with the Corporation for Public Management, where TAFDC recipients will get entry level clerical positions in DTA offices with intensive supervision and training. It is for clients with substantial barriers, and is currently serving 6 clients.

Effective September 8, 2003, nonexempt grantees whose youngest child is between the ages of two and mandatory full-time school age: 1)are now required to meet the Work Program requirement unless they meet a reason found in 106 CMR 203.400(A)(1). 2) may meet the Work Program requirement through Department-approved education or training activities in addition to employment or community service. 3) if in the final three months of time-limited benefits and currently enrolled and participating in a Department-approved education or training activity, may be granted a three-month extension to complete the activity. A second three-month extension may be granted to complete the activity, if necessary.

Field Operations Memo 2003-6 and Field Operations Memo 2003-6 A gave information about the impact of elimination of funding for the Employment Services Program. Field Operations Memo 2003-6 B gave information about the Massachusetts One Stop Career Center. This Field Operations Memo informs TAO Staff about the reinstatement of the Young Parent Program (YPP) component.

ESP vendors need to know the number of hours a recipient is required to meet the Work Program requirement. The ESP Referral and Response form is used to refer recipients to an ESP component. The number of hours must be added to the form by the AU Manager until a change is made in BEACON to include the hourly requirement. It is expected the change to this form will be in the next BEACON increment.

ESP vendors need to know the number of hours a recipient is required to participate in an activity to meet the TAFDC Work Program requirement. The ESP Referral and Response form (ESP-16) is used to refer recipients to an ESP component. Field Operations Memo 2004-42 instructed TAO Staff to annotate the number of Work Program hours on the form until a change is made in BEACON to include the hourly requirement.

Participating in an education or training activity meets the Work Program requirement for up to 12 months (see 106 CMR 203.400(A)(2)(i)). The 12 months may be a calendar year or may be a series of non-consecutive months.

Field Operations Memo 2005-23 told TAO Staff about a notice telling the recipient that at least nine of 12 months had been used in an education or training activity. The notice would be mailed in a batch job processed on the 25th of each month. Due to a BEACON design change, the notice will now be mailed in a batch job processed on the 1st business day of the following month.

Distance Learning refers to a video- and computer-based educational activity available on the Internet. The Department has identified six Distance Learning sites funded by the Massachusetts Department of Education (DOE) that help recipients get their GED or high school equivalency diploma and that meet the Work Program requirement through education for up to 20 hours per week.

The purpose of this memo is to inform AU Managers about the use of the “Vocational Proficiency” indicator located on the ESP Activity window, which must be checked when a recipient enters a Department-approved non-degree program at a 2-year college.

As part of a pending agreement with the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), the Department must provide TAFDC applicants and recipients with the opportunity for screenings and in-depth assessments for learning disabilities. This agreement will help TAFDC applicants and recipients with learning disabilities obtain equal access to participation in DTA's Employment Services Program (ESP). DTA will be entering into the agreement to ensure that TAFDC applicants and recipients with learning disabilities are helped in overcoming barriers to reach self-sufficiency.

Employment Services Program (ESP) activities are being expanded to address the need for more ESP activity slots. These activities are designed to help recipients become self-sufficient.

In eligibility reviews, case workers should market job search and skills training in addition to emphasizing time limit.

Effective February 15, 2006, the ESP Supported Work Component will offer Post-Employment Services (PES).The PES component is a voluntary program to provide current and former recipients with services that lead to career advancement and employment stability.

Due to comments received after issuance, the Learning Disability Screening Consent Declination form (Attachment A of 2006-14) has been revised. TAO Staff must destroy all copies of Attachment A and use the Learning Disability Screening Consent Declination form sent with this memo. If any applicant or recipient signed the Assessment Section of the previous form, the revised form must be mailed to the recipient with a request to resign the appropriate LD Assessment consent or waiver portion of the form.

The Department offers a variety of ESP activities to our applicants and recipients. To assist TAO Staff match applicants and recipients with activities, a description of current ESP activities as well as which applicants or recipients are best served by the activity has been compiled for this Field Operations Memo.

The Department offers a variety of ESP activities to our applicants and recipients. To assist TAO Staff match applicants and recipients with activities, a description of current ESP activities as well as which applicants or recipients are best served by the activity has been compiled for this Operations Memo. AU Managers are reminded that while several activities may match an applicant’s or recipient’s ESP needs, the applicant or may choose (after discussion with his or her AU Manager) in which activities to enroll. Policy references for activity descriptions and participation requirements are included at the end of each section.

This Field Operations Memo instructs AU Managers how to make referrals to the Vocational Rehabilitation component. This is because it is not initially listed on the ESP Component Eligibility window on BEACON.

Survey for TAFDC recipients who recently participated in an ESP education or training activity, to see if disability-related needs were met and in a timely manner.

Effective 9/24/07, TAO providers can use the online ESP guide to find providers servicing their TAO's for specific activities.

Describes new DTA-funded training slots at some community colleges with job placement at the end of the training.

The attached Field Operations memo. FO 2008-6, descibes training programs being offered by Jewish Vocational Services in culinary arts, medical office training and customer service (that may lead to one of the other programs), that may be appropriate for some clients. Vocational ESL and ABE are included as necessary, along with case management. The medical office training requires a "clean criminal record," which is not defined. The training sites are in Boston, but the programs are available to recipients outside Boston who can commute to Boston.

Due to its success, the Franklin/Hampshire Employment Training Consortium is continuing to offer the Enhanced Services Program to our clients. This program will help TAFDC clients, whether work program required or not, who would benefit from participating in skills training, job readiness and pre- and post-training job search programs begin the transition to work. Clients who either need skills training to become job ready or who are currently job ready should be referred to this program.

The Department is planning to change the TAFDC Employment Services Program (ESP) education and training activity regulations. This change will allow a client to meet the work program requirement by participating in an education program beyond the Associate’s degree level. The change will be effective October 1, 2008.  If an applicant or client is planning to enroll in a four-year or advanced degree program beginning in September, this program will meet the work program requirement. It is important an applicant or client knows this, if he or she is planning to attend an education program for the 2008 fall semester.

Due to increased enrollments in vocational rehabilitation, DTA will exceed available funding unless we immediately suspend any further referrals to the program. Therefore, the Vocational Rehabilitation Services program is being suspended effective October 31, 2008. No referrals to the Vocational Rehabilitation Services program may be made by TAO staff after the close of business on October 31, 2008. Referrals made by TAO staff to the Vocational Rehabilitation Services program by the close of business on October 31, 2008 will be honored by Vocational Rehabilitation Services providers until the close of business on November 14, 2008. The provision of any authorized service must be completed by December 31, 2008. This suspension will not impact the role of the Vocational Specialists.

As a result of changes to Federal work participation rules, effective October 1, 2008 the Department changed how it counts clients’ work program participation in the following areas:1) homework/study time counts towards overall participation in certain education and training activities; 2) post-secondary education beyond an Associate’s degree (including Bachelor’s and Graduate Degree programs) meets the work program requirement (provided the client has not already exceeded the 12-month limit of education or training activity to meet the work program); 3) child support counts in the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) calculation when determining community service participation limits; and 4) the Job Search/Job Readiness counter is activated during a client’s first weeks in a Supported Work – Job Search/Job Readiness activity.

The Department changed how it counts clients’ work program participation in the following areas: homework/study time counts towards overall participation in certain education and training activities; post-secondary education beyond an Associate’s degree (including Bachelor’s and Graduate Degree programs) meets the work program requirement (provided the client has not already exceeded the 12-month limit of education or training activity to meet the work program);child support counts in the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) calculation when determining community service participation limits; and the Job Search/Job Readiness counter is activated during a client’s first weeks in a Supported Work – Job Search/Job Readiness activity.

• Expansion of Office for Refugee and Immigrants (ORI) ESP Openings for TAFDC Clients
• T-A34/36 Form andPregnant Women

Participation and Attendance forms are sent out to clients the first business day (Monday unless Monday is a holiday) of the week before the last Saturday of the month. These forms must be returned by the client no later than the 10th of the following month (or the first business day after the 10th of the month if the 10th is a weekend or holiday). AU Managers must enter the forms into BEACON no later than the 18th of that month (or the first business day after the 18th of the month if the 18th is a weekend or holiday) to prevent a participation sanction from being created. AU Managers may enter the prior participation month’s returned Participation and Attendance forms onto BEACON up until the Friday before the last Saturday of the current month.

Non-exempt individuals who are mandated to participate in basic education or skills training or supported work must request domestic violence waivers if unable to comply due to domestic violence. The process is the same as for the work requirement.

List of ESP activities and locations with increased capacity to meet increased demand.

Clarifies that new regulations eliminated full family sanctions only for work program violations, and that full family sanctions can still be imposed under EDP regulations for failure to comply with Employment Development Plan.

Sanctioned TAFDC recipients are entitled to child care if needed to cure the sanction. Case workers must authorize it in these situations.

Explains how actual participation hours for each client are totaled and displayed on Beacon.

Information about this guide, which details the components of TAFDC ESP and Food Stamp Employment and Training programs.

Educational assistance (loans, grants, scholarships, etc.) are not counted as income until actually received by the student, and then must be averaged over the period that it covers and counted accordingly. An example in the FYI shows that the combination of these two rules sometimes results in part of the assistance being disregarded.

Describes case worker responsibilites for entering hours once a TAFDC recipient returns an attendance sheet. Case workers must enter hours by the 18th of the month. Also, if a recipient provides the attendance sheet by the Friday before the case is due to sanction or close for not meeting the work or EDP plan requirement, the case worker must enter the hours and remove the adverse action. Sanctioned recipients must have their cases reopened when they submit attendance forms, and case workers should enter attendance forms as part of the application process if they are provided at that time.

Reminder that EDP can not include post-secondary education beyond associates degree, and that support services can only be for the hours of the activities in the EDP.

TAFDC: Department-approved education and training and the work requirement;  ineligible grantee noncitizens and the work requirement.

TAFDC: recipients enrolling in community college near end of time limit eligible for child care and transportation but may not get extension; time clock in two-parent households and households where one parent moves out; accessing EBT cards out of state; FS: immigrant work quarters; TAFDC: eligibility for pregnant women with family cap date and no children living with them; TAFDC: time clock for recipient denied disability exemption; TAFDC: exemptions for parent with child under two who has gotten waiver or exception to family cap rule.

TAFDC: start of 60 month time clock; TAFDC: sanctioning of dependent child teen not meeting ESP requirements; TAFDC: teen parent in custody of DSS; TAFDC: how to adjust time clock upon approval of disability exemption.