Section 144-607-5 - WORK EVALUATION PROCESSSummary: This Section describes the parts of the Work Evaluation, which is the period of time, not to exceed 90 days, during which recipients complete the orientation process, complete an Assessment for determination of ASPIRE-TANF services that are needed, are informed of their rights and responsibilities, and amend the initial Family Contract.
It is during the Evaluation that a determination of eligibility for the Parents as Scholars program is completed (It is important to note that application for the PaS program can occur at any point during participation in ASPIRE-TANF). See Section 16 for further information about the PaS program.
I.GENERAL PROVISIONSA. Each TANF recipient who is mandated to participate, or volunteers to participate, in the ASPIRE-TANF Program will complete an Assessment which will be part of the evaluation to determine the services required to meet the employment goal that is mutually agreed upon by ASPIRE-TANF staff and the participant. As a part of the orientation process for TANF and ASPIRE, all participants must be given the opportunity to apply for any education, training and employment and support services at the office of the program serving the area in which the individual lives. At orientation, each participant shall receive a complete list of all support services and education, training and employment services available under the ASPIRE-TANF program. A written copy of each Family Contract Amendment must be given to the participant (including subsequent Family Contract Amendments), together with a complete list of all support services and education, training and employment services available under the program, and notice of the participant's right to request a fair hearing.
A participant may request a new Family Contract Amendment at any time. If the participant's request is denied, the participant must be notified in writing of the reason for the denial and must be given notice of the right to a fair hearing. The services provided by ASPIRE-TANF are those that will lead to sustainable employment, and possible penalties for failing to comply with ASPIRE-TANF Program rules must be explained (verbally and in writing) to participants. The final determination as to the content of the Family Contract Amendment will be decided by ASPIRE-TANF staff utilizing the Assessment process and, to the maximum extent possible, the preferences of the participant.
Services requested will be approved or denied by ASPIRE-TANF within thirty (30) days of request based on the availability of, and funding for, the services, and/or whether it is necessary to complete the Family Contract Amendment. Reasons for denial will be indicated on the notice to the participant together with appropriate citations from ASPIRE-TANF rules. A participant who disagrees with the denial has a right to a fair hearing.
B. During the Assessment process, information about the participant will be gathered that will include but will not necessarily be limited to: 1.Family Structure - including numbers and ages of children, other dependents (in and out of household), and significant other (in and out of household).2.Work History - Both paid and unpaid.3.Education Grade Completed - including types of courses and institutions attended.4.Financial Status - including source(s) of income, expenditures and projected need.5.Physical and Mental Health Status - of the participant and family members.6.Environmental Support Systems - including the housing situation, child care arrangements and transportation.7.Personal and Employment related goals and interests - the participant's stated personal and employment goals, if known.8.ASPIRE-TANF Services Necessary to Obtain Sustainable, Paid Private and Public Employment9.Barriers to Employment - including physical and mental health issues; domestic violence indicators; substance abuse; and other barriers that need to be overcome to move towards self-support. If Good Cause for non-participation is found during the Assessment process, it will be documented in the participant's case record. Review of Good Cause circumstances will occur at least every three (3) months or according to timelines established by supporting documentation, whichever comes first.C.PROCEDURES1. During the Assessment, information obtained from the ASPIRE-TANF participant, during interview(s) and from other sources will be expanded upon. In addition, the following information will be discussed and obtained: a. The participant's reaction to employment experiences, if any.b. The participant's reaction to educational experiences.c. Whether there is an emotional and environmental support system and whether it is adequate.d. Community and family resources available to the participant. e. The participant's behavioral patterns and whether they are functional.f. The participant's life management skills (e.g. parenting skills, budgeting, health care, etc.). Community referrals will be made as needed where resources are reasonably available.g. The participant's decision-making skills.h. Substance abuse issues as appropriate. Referrals for evaluation may be made.i. The participant's motivation level and whether goals are achievable, and whether the goals and interests will lead to employment or self-employment.j. Achievement level (knowledge, skills and abilities). l. ASPIRE-TANF will provide all applicants for assistance with information both orally and in writing of the availability of services for victims of domestic violence and of the Good Cause determination for victims of domestic violence. If an applicant requests a Good Cause determination, ASPIRE-TANF will promptly determine whether the applicant qualifies for Good Cause. An individual may not be required to participate in any TANF activity including orientation until the Good Cause determination is made. When a determination of Good Cause is made, the ASPIRE-TANF program may contact the individual and offer domestic violence victim services or other appropriate services on a voluntary basis. 2. The Assessment for teen participants will contain additional elements to those described in Section 3.II.C., as follows: a.Family Planning - A description of the parent's knowledge about, and plan for, preventing an unwanted pregnancy.b.Health Care - A description of the current health care the parent is utilizing for the family.c.Pregnancy - A description of the dynamics around the conception and birth of the child, and the initial parenting ability of the parent. d.Paternity - A description of the relationship between the parent, the child and the child's other parent, and the parent's feelings about this. This includes whether paternity has actually been established, whether any child support is being paid, whether the other parent has visitation rights and whether those rights are exercised.e.Parents - A description of the relationship the teen parent has with his or her family, and what influences the teen's family has on the current situation. 3. Methods of obtaining specific data are dependent on the availability of information. Any existing information will be used for the Assessment before consideration is given to additional testing. The ASPIRE-TANF unit will make the final determination of the method or methods to be used, which are described as follows: a.Achievement Level1. Achievement test results from any organization or agency, public or private (e.g. school records).2. Work history with task analysis.3. Grade Point Average from a post-secondary institution.4. Achievement test normed for the appropriate population.b.Aptitude Level1. Aptitude test results from any organization or agency, public or private (e.g. school records).2. Work history with task analysis.3. Grade Point Average from a post-secondary institution.4. Aptitude tests normed for the appropriate population.c.Interest Level1. Participant's stated interest.2. Work history and educational history consistent with stated goal.3. Interest test results from another organization or agency (e.g., school records).4. Interest tests normed for the appropriate population.5. A vocational evaluation will follow the Assessment at the point that the participant is ready to establish an employment goal. The vocational evaluation will include: (a) an analysis of the employment goal as it relates to the financial needs of the participant following employment;(b) a determination of how the training relates to a participant's vocational interests and occupational aptitudes based on any combination of the following: volunteer work, work history, informational interviews or field training;(c) a determination as to whether there is a reasonable expectation of employment upon completion of training; and(d) estimated employment and training costs to ASPIRE-TANF.6. Assessment and vocational evaluation may be held either one-on-one with the participant or in groups. Assessment in groups will be followed by a one-on-one meeting to discuss data gathered and issues raised in the group setting.10-144 C.M.R. ch. 607, § 5