1. 11 The Welfare Transition Program Work Activity Definitions 2008

2. 22 Brief History Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) of 1996 Changed welfare from an entitlement into a work program 12 work activity categories were named The work activity categories provided by the federal government under this Act did not have definitions states determined what services and activities would be allowed under each category

3. 33 Brief History Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) of 1996 States were required to engage a certain percentage of families receiving cash assistance in work activities to continue receiving full benefits States were also required to stop or reduce cash assistance benefits if the head of household refused to comply with the work program

4. 44 Brief History In 2006, the Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) reauthorized Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant and legislative provisions Directed Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to publish regulations HHS was instructed to define work activities to ensure equal measurement of participation across states The states were not being compared equally based on the differences in the work activity definitions

5. 55 The Deficit Reduction Act Interim Final Rule Required each state to develop work activities consistent with definitions based on the federal definitions of the work activity categories Required each state to submit a work verification plan Required the state’s interim plan to be approved and implemented by September 30, 2007

6. 66 The Deficit Reduction Act Final Rule Took comments submitted by different states after the Interim Final Rule was published and Clarified elements of the Interim Final Rule Changed elements of the Interim Final Rule Required states to update their plans by September 1, 2008 Florida’s updated work verification plan has been submitted to HHS

7. 77 Work Activities Need Work! FAIRP AY!

8. 88 Work Activity Categories There are 12 work activity categories They are broken up into Core work activity categories Core plus work activity categories Core activities may stand alone and do not require another activity to count towards participation Core plus activities must be accompanied by a minimum number of hours of participation in a core activity to count towards participation

9. 99 Work Activity Categories Twelve work activity categories Twelve work activity categories Unsubsidized Employment Unsubsidized Employment Subsidized Private Sector Employment Subsidized Private Sector Employment Subsidized Public Sector Employment Subsidized Public Sector Employment Work Experience Work Experience Job Search and Job Readiness Assistance Job Search and Job Readiness Assistance Community Service Programs Community Service Programs Vocational Educational Training Vocational Educational Training On-the-Job Training On-the-Job Training Providing Childcare Providing Childcare Education Directly Related to Employment Education Directly Related to Employment Job Skills Training Directly Related to Employment Job Skills Training Directly Related to Employment Satisfactory Attendance in a Secondary Education Program Satisfactory Attendance in a Secondary Education Program

10. 1010 Work Activity Categories Core Activities Unsubsidized Employment Subsidized Private Sector Employment Subsidized Public Sector Employment Work Experience Job Search and Job Readiness Assistance Community Service Programs Vocational Educational Training On-the-Job Training Providing Childcare

11. 1111 Work Activity Categories Core plus activities Job Skills Training Directly Related to Employment Education Directly Related to Employment The participant cannot receive credit for hours in this activity if (s)he has a high school diploma or a General Equivalency Diploma (GED) Satisfactory Attendance at a Secondary School or in a Course of Study Leading to a GED The participant cannot receive credit for hours in this activity if they have a high school diploma or a GED

12. 12 Work Activity Categories-Cheat Sheet Core activities Unsubsidized Employment Subsidized Private Sector Employment Subsidized Public Sector Employment Work Experience Job Search and Job Readiness Assistance Community Service Programs Vocational Educational Training On-the-Job Training Providing Childcare Core plus activities Job Skills Training Directly Related to Employment Education Directly Related to Employment Satisfactory Attendance at a Secondary School or in a Course of Study Leading to a GED Core activities for a teen 19 and younger that does not have a high school diploma or an equivalency Job Skills Training Directly Related to Employment Education Directly Related to Employment Satisfactory Attendance at a Secondary School or in a Course of Study Leading to a GED

13. 1313 What Counts? To be included in the numerator of the all-family participation rate, Single parent families with a child under six must complete at least 86.6 (87) hours in a core activity or combination of core activities Single parent families with a child six or older must complete at least 129.9 (130) hours in countable work activities, and 87 hours must be in a core activity or combination of core activities At least one of the parents in a two-parent family with two work-eligible parents must complete at least 130 hours in countable work activities, and 87 hours must be in a core activity or combination of core activities

14. 1414 What Counts? To be included in the numerator of the two-parent family participation rate, the hours are based on the receipt of federally funded subsidized childcare If the family receives federally funded subsidized childcare, the family must participate at least 238.15 (238) hours per month combined in countable work activities, and 216.5 (217) of those hours must be in a core or combination of core activities If the family does not receive federally funded subsidized childcare, the family must participate at least 151.55 (152) hours per month combined in countable work activities, and 130 of those hours must be in a core or combination of core activities

15. 15 Frequently Asked Question What if one of the parents in a two-parent family is disabled or has a medical limitation that lasts longer than 30 days?

16. 1616 Answer If one of the parents in a two-parent family is unable to participate in a work activity for the minimum required hours due to a medical limitation, the two- parent family will be removed from the denominator of the two-parent participation rate The limitation has to be documented by a physician licensed under Florida Statutes Chapter 458 or 459 An equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. All voice telephone numbers on this document may be reached by persons using TTY/TDD equipment via the Florida Relay Service at 711.

17. 17 Answer The information must be recorded in the One-Stop Service Tracking (OSST) system’s Alternative Plan screen The information must be recorded in the One-Stop Service Tracking (OSST) system’s Alternative Plan screen Medical deferral Medical deferral Alcohol, drug, mental health deferral Alcohol, drug, mental health deferral Or the information must be recorded on the Department of Children and Families’ data entry system Or the information must be recorded on the Department of Children and Families’ data entry system

18. 1818 What Counts for Teens? Teens without a diploma or GED and under 20 are included in the numerator of the participation rate if they are a Single parent family and Satisfactorily attend a GED or diploma program each week Participate in 20 hours a week in Education Directly Related to Employment Two-parent family and Both satisfactorily attend a GED or diploma program each week Both participate in 20 hours a week in Education Directly Related to Employment

19. 1919 Work Activity Definitions

20. 2020 Unsubsidized Employment Is a full or part-time job in the public or private sector Wages are paid by the employer and are not subsidized by any public program Included in this definition are Employers who receive tax subsidies for hiring lower income individuals Individuals who are self-employed Labor in exchange for services (“in-kind” work)

21. 2121 Unsubsidized Employment Hours spent in unsubsidized employment are assumed to be supervised based on wages Hours spent in unsubsidized employment are assumed to be supervised based on wages Documentation verifying employment must include Documentation verifying employment must include wages at hire wages at hire hours at hire hours at hire start date start date employer’s name employer’s name

22. 22 Unsubsidized Employment- Self Employment The individual is both the employee and employer May include “in-kind” (work for services rendered, rent, etc.) work Countable hours are determined by Dividing the individual’s documented income (gross income less business expenses) by the higher of the Florida or federal minimum wage Program staff cannot take a participant’s statement regarding hours and pay when recording self-employment

23. 2323 Unsubsidized Employment- Self Employment Self-Employment Documentation of income and expenses from may include Receipts for services Copy of a check or money order

24. 2424 Subsidized Employment The employer receives a subsidy to offset wages and/or costs of employing an individual Public or private funds Private subsidized employment means the subsidy comes from a private entity or program Public subsidized employment means the subsidy comes from a public entity or program Such as the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant

25. 25 Subsidized Employment Types of subsidized employment include Types of subsidized employment include Work supplementation Work supplementation Incentive payments Incentive payments Supported work for individuals with disabilities Supported work for individuals with disabilities Work study (public only) Work study (public only)

26. 2626 Subsidized Employment Rule change Rule change Interim Final Rule Interim Final Rule The employer would be required to keep the participant as a regular employee without the subsidy The employer would be required to keep the participant as a regular employee without the subsidy Final Rule Final Rule Retaining the participant is no longer a federal requirement Retaining the participant is no longer a federal requirement It is the Florida’s preference that the individual be retained once the subsidy ends It is the Florida’s preference that the individual be retained once the subsidy ends

27. 2727 Subsidized Employment Supervision is assumed based on documentation of pay for all subsidized employment Acceptable forms of documentation may include Pay stub Time sheet TALX or the Work Number Copy of a check or money order

28. 2828 On-the-Job Training (OJT) Is training provided to a paid employee while (s)he is working full-time The employer or an educational institution provides training to the participant to gain skills for job position Training hours and hours on the job are paid The employer or educational institution receives a subsidy

29. 2929 On-the-Job Training Rule change Interim Final Rule The employer would be required to keep the participant as a regular employee without the subsidy Final Rule Retaining the participant once the subsidy has ended is no longer a federal requirement It is Florida’s preference that the individual be retained once the subsidy ends, but there may be programs where the focus is paid training while preparing for work with another employer

30. 3030 On-the-Job Training The difference between Subsidized Public and Subsidized Private Employment is the focus of the activity The difference between Subsidized Public and Subsidized Private Employment is the focus of the activity OJT is paid training while working full- time OJT is paid training while working full- time

31. 3131 On-the-Job Training Contracts developed for TANF funded OJT programs must include Job title of the participant Goals of training and employment Skills required to learn for the job position Reasons for immediate termination OJT begin and end dates Parties responsible for supervising progress and documenting participation

32. 3232 Work Experience Is defined as structured work in exchange for public benefits It is engagement with an employer for individuals who are not able to gain employment and lack work experience Must provide an opportunity to gain General employability skills Work habits necessary for obtaining employment Training Specific job knowledge

33. 3333 Work Experience Prior to placement Work experience providers must be evaluated to match the participant With a position that is related to his/her goals With an employer who has related needs

34. 3434 Work Experience Work Experience must be Intensely supervised Designated by a contract or agreement Work Experience may be performed with A public or private not-for-profit entity A public or private for-profit entity

35. 3535 Work Experience Displacement Employers must notify their employees of their rights To report and dispute displacement from employment as a result of Work Experience or Community Service participant How to report acts of displacement An employer cannot fire a paid employee to fill the position with a Work Experience participant Cannot fail to fill an open position to use a Work Experience participant

36. 3636 Work Experience The contract with the participant’s worksite employer must include Party(ies) responsible for supervising the participant on a daily basis Party(ies) responsible for signing time sheets/documentation of completed hours The contract with the participant’s worksite employer should include Job title Clear job description The connection between the worksite and the participant’s goals

37. 3737 Work experience contracts must also include Performance benchmarks What will the participant be required to achieve prior to completion? What skills the participant must gain during the Work Experience? What are the expectations of the employer? Goals Time limits Outcomes Work Experience

38. 3838 Hours assigned for the month Cannot be greater than the calculation Cash assistance amount for the month + Food Stamp allotment for the month/ the higher of the two minimum wages (Florida or federal) Hours the participant is required to complete each week must be included in the Individual Responsibility Plan (IRP) Must be agreed on by the participant and program staff Should be written in the steps-to-self-sufficiency Work Experience

39. 3939 Work Experience As of October 2, 2008, the Job Participation Rate (JPR) screen will require program staff to calculate the maximum number of hours the family may be assigned at a worksite during the month before entering actual hours of participation The hours actually assigned each week should be included on the IRP The participant and program staff are demonstrating that the number of hours that must be completed each week at the worksite are a part of the plan to move the family forward Hours assigned must be entered on the activity screen Hours assigned to a worksite must be reviewed and updated monthly Update the steps to self-sufficiency Update case notes Update the Skill Development screen

40. 4040 Community Service Programs Are structured programs at not-for-profit organizations Projects must serve a useful community purpose in one of the following fields Health, social services, environmental protection, education, urban and rural redevelopment, welfare, recreation, public facilities, public safety and childcare Must be designed to improve employability and help the participant reach his/her employment goals

41. 4141 Community Service Displacement Employers must notify their employees of their rights To report and dispute displacement from employment How to report acts of displacement Cannot fire a paid employee to fill the position with a Community Service participant Cannot fail to fill an open position to use a Community Service participant

42. 4242 Community Service The contract regarding the participant’s worksite must include Party(ies) responsible for supervising the participant on a daily basis Party(ies) responsible for signing time sheets/documentation of completed hours The contract with the participant’s worksite employer should include Job title Clear job description The connection between the worksite and the participant’s goals

43. 4343 Community Service contracts should also include Performance benchmarks What will the participant be required to achieve prior to completion? What skills should the participant gain during the Community Service? What are the expectations of the employer? Goals Time limits Outcomes Community Service

44. 4444 Community Service Programs Hours assigned Cannot be greater for the month than the calculation allows This applies to the whole family Cash assistance for the month+ Food Stamp allotment for the month/ the highest of the federal or State minimum wage

45. 4545 Community Service Hours the participant is required to complete each week must be included in the Individual Responsibility Plan (IRP) Must be agreed on by the participant and program staff Should be written in the steps-to-self-sufficiency

46. 46 Frequently Asked Question What if more than one parent in the family is participating in a worksite activity? What are the maximum number of hours that can be assigned to each parent? What if more than one parent in the family is participating in a worksite activity? What are the maximum number of hours that can be assigned to each parent?

47. 47 Answer The calculation is based on the family’s cash assistance amount and food stamp allotment The calculation is based on the family’s cash assistance amount and food stamp allotment Hours assigned during the month for the family cannot be greater than the calculation allows Hours assigned during the month for the family cannot be greater than the calculation allows Cash assistance for the month+ food stamp allotment for the month/ the highest of the federal or State minimum wage Cash assistance for the month+ food stamp allotment for the month/ the highest of the federal or State minimum wage The amount must be shared by the family members participating in a worksite activity The amount must be shared by the family members participating in a worksite activity

48. 4848 Job Search and Job Readiness Assistance The act of seeking or obtaining employment, as well as learning how to find a job Orientation to the world of work Learning how to complete an application Applying for jobs Resume development Interviewing skills Learning about appropriate dress Career planning Soft skills (including job retention skills)

49. 4949 May include Workshops Classroom activities Working with job developers Job matching and receiving job referrals Access to resource centers Submitting applications and resumes Completing follow-up calls Attending interviews Job Search and Job Readiness Assistance

50. 5050 May include Substance abuse treatment Mental health treatment Rehabilitative activities Job Search and Job Readiness Assistance

51. 5151 Question? Does the medical professional have to sign off on every hour in treatment? No Every hour must be verified by a responsible party Depends on the activity Meeting leader Group therapy counselor Other counselor

52. 5252 Job Search and Job Readiness Assistance Hours in treatment are recorded as job search hours Remember, job search is a time- limited activity In the Interim Final Rule, weeks of job search were limited to four consecutive or six cumulative weeks in a FFY

53. 5353 Job Search and Job Readiness Assistance In the Final Rule Weeks of job search are limited to four consecutive weeks in a rolling 12 months The total weeks that may be completed in a rolling 12 month period are being converted to hours For a single parent with a child under the age of six years old, 120 hours is equivalent to six cumulative weeks in job search For all other work eligible individuals, 180 hours is equivalent to six cumulative weeks in job search

54. 5454 Job Search and Job Readiness Assistance Clearly stated, participants may receive credit for participating in Job Search and Job Readiness Assistance are limited to four consecutive weeks in a rolling 12 months -OR- 120 hours in a rolling 12 months if the parent is a single parent with a child under the age of 6 180 hours in a rolling 12 months for all other families

55. 5555 Job Search and Job Readiness Assistance Supervision HHS has stressed that Job Search and Job Readiness Assistance must by supervised by a responsible party Career specialist Contracted provider Teacher or program administrator Job development staff

56. 5656 Job Search and Job Readiness Assistance Credit for hours—Interim Final Rule HHS stated that the State may not enter hours for credit on the JPR screen unless the hours in Job Search and Job Readiness Assistance are supervised daily and are documented hour for hour

57. 5757 Job Search and Job Readiness Assistance Credit for hours—Final Rule HHS has provided clarification of Job Search/Job Readiness and supervision/documentation of job search hours

58. 5858 Job Search and Job Readiness Assistance Interim Final Rule No hours by proxy Rigid on what constituted a “week” Daily supervision and documentation unclear Final Rule No hours by proxy Allows travel time to and from interviews to count as actual time Not time from home to the first interview Not time from the last interview to home Allows weeks to be converted to hours (*120 or *180) Daily supervision not intended to be in person contact, but a person responsible for the oversight of an individual’s participation

59. 5959 Job Search and Job Readiness Other changes Transportation time may count as credit toward participation if participant is Going from a job site (interview) to another job site Going from the Career Center or provider’s site to a job site Going from job site back to the Career Center Travel time is not allowed from home to the first job site or from the last job site to the participant’s home

60. 6060 Vocational Educational Training Prepares the participant for employment in current or emerging occupations through organized training Gives the participant knowledge and skills to perform a specific occupation Must be State approved training in Florida’s vocational technical centers, community college, universities and proprietary schools

61. 6161 Vocational Educational Training Interim Final Rule No baccalaureate or other advanced degrees Allows the participant to receive credit for supervised study time towards hours of participation Final Rule Allows credit for baccalaureate or other advanced degrees for a duration of 12 months Allows the participant to receive credit for one hour of unsupervised study time for every one hour of class time Allows the participant to receive credit for supervised study time Distance learning is allowed if hours of participation can be supervised and documented by a designated party

62. 6262 Frequently Asked Question? So what does it include now? Programs established for Vocational institutions Trades Employers (customized training) organized by a vocational or educational institution Certifications Baccalaureate or other advanced degrees

63. 6363 Frequently Asked Question? Participants take longer than one year or 12 months to complete a baccalaureate. Can the participant receive credit (for participation rate purposes) if engaged longer than 12 months in an educational program that is coded as Vocational Educational Training?

64. 6464 Answer The participant may be engaged in the educational training longer than 12 months, but the State will not receive credit if hours reported for participation purposes are coded as Vocational Educational Training for longer than 12 months Program staff should review engagement by the institution If the participant is in school activities for less than 30 hours a week, the participant may be engaged in a worksite activity, work study or employment in addition to hours at the institution

65. 6565 Job Skills Training Directly Related to Employment Education or training to obtain skills required by an employer so the participant can Advance Adapt to the changing demands of the workplace Obtain employment

66. 6666 Job Skills Training Directly Related to Employment May include Customized training for an employer Or General training that prepares an individual for employment with an employer

67. 6767 Job Skills Training Directly Related to Employment This may include English proficiency instruction or other language instruction, if necessary, to enable the participant to perform a specific job by an employer Must be explicitly focused on skills needed for a job or combined in a training program

68. 6868 Education Directly Related to Employment Limited to participants who do not have a high school diploma or GED Education directly related to a specific occupation, job or job offer May include adult basic education, language instruction, or education leading to a GED when required by an employer

69. 69 Education Directly Related to Employment On a case-by-case basis, RWBs may enroll individuals with high school credentials if the following are true The high school credentials are from another country Assessments indicate that the individual cannot function at high school levels according to United States standards 69

70. 7070 Satisfactory Attendance at a Secondary School Regular attendance at a secondary school or in a course of study leading to a certificate of general equivalence Is limited to participants without a high school diploma or GED Participants must attend classes regularly Regular attendance is based on the educational institution’s definition of satisfactory attendance

71. 71 Satisfactory Attendance at a Secondary School You may also enroll participants with high school credentials in this activity, if the following are true The high school credentials are from another country Assessments indicate that the individual cannot function at high school levels according to United States standards 71

72. 7272 Satisfactory Attendance at a Secondary School May include other literacy education if required to secure a high school diploma or a GED May include adult basic education directly related to obtaining high school diploma or GED

73. 7373 Providing Childcare Services Participant provides childcare for another WT program participant who is completing Community Service hours This activity must be supervised Evidence of supervision must be maintained by staff and retained in the case file

74. 7474 The participant engaged in Community Service must maintain his/her own time sheet to document completed hours at a worksite and the number of hours a childcare provider was needed The participant engaged in Community Service must sign off on the childcare provider’s time sheet, documenting the number of hours childcare was provided Providing Childcare Services

75. 7575 Providing Childcare Services The participant assigned to the activity “Providing Childcare” cannot receive more credit hours than the number of hours completed by the participant assigned to Community Service Does not include two-parent families watching their own children

76. 7676 If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please contact the Welfare Transition team through the Agency for Workforce Innovation’s call center at 1-866-352-2345