PERMANENT RULES
SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Economic Services Administration)
Purpose: To amend WAC 388-310-0600 WorkFirst -- Job search, to allow other training programs that meet the high wage/high demand criteria to be accessible to WorkFirst families.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 388-310-0600.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090.
Adopted under notice filed as WSR 05-13-125 on June 20, 2005.
A final cost-benefit analysis is available by contacting Ian Horlor, DSHS - DEAP, P.O. Box 45470, Olympia, WA 98504-5470, phone (360) 725-4634, fax (360) 413-3493, e-mail Horloit@dshs.wa.gov. The preliminary cost-benefit analysis was not changed and is the final.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.
Date Adopted: August 1, 2005.
Andy Fernando, Manager
Rules and Policies Assistance Unit
3518.2Job search is an opportunity to learn and use skills you need to find and keep a job. Job search may include:
(a) Classroom instruction; and/or
(b) Structured job search that helps you find job openings, complete applications, practice interviews and apply other skills and abilities with a job search specialist or a group of fellow job-seekers; and/or
(c) Preemployment training; and/or
(d) High-wage/high-demand training.
(2) What is preemployment training?
Preemployment training helps you learn skills you need for an identified entry level job that pays more than average entry level wages.
(a) Preemployment training is an acceptable job search activity when an employer or industry commits to hiring or giving hiring preference to WorkFirst participants who successfully complete preemployment training.
(b) You can find out about current preemployment training opportunities by asking your job service specialist, your case manager or staff at your local community and technical college.
(3) What is high-wage/high-demand training?
(a) There are two types of high-wage/high-demand (HWHD) full-time training options for TANF recipients to complete a certificate or degree that will lead to employment in a high-wage/high-demand occupation:
(i) Information technology ((&)), health care or other
professional-technical programs: This option allows you to
start and finish a one-year or shorter state community or
technical college training program in the information
technology ((or)), health care fields or other
professional-technical programs that meet high-wage
high-demand criteria; and/or
(ii) Certificate/degree completion: This option allows
you to finish up the last year of ((a two- or four-year)) any
certificate or degree program in a high-wage/high-demand field
on an exception basis. The high-wage/high-demand criteria for
this option is based on median income and high-demand
occupations within the local labor market as determined by
employment security department.
(b) For both types of HWHD training, the training can be approved one-time only (barring an approved exception to policy). There is no work requirement with either option for the twelve months of training time.
(c) To qualify for HWHD training, you must also:
(i) Meet all of the prerequisites for the course;
(ii) Obtain the certificate or degree within twelve calendar months;
(iii) Participate full time in the training program and make satisfactory progress;
(iv) Work with colocated ESD staff during the last quarter of training for job placement; and
(v) Return to job search once you completes the educational program if still unemployed.
(4) Who provides me with job search?
You get job search from the employment security department or another organization under contract with WorkFirst to provide these services.
(5) How long do I stay in job search?
Periods of job search may last up to twelve continuous weeks. Job search specialists will monitor your progress. By the end of the first four weeks, a job search specialist will determine whether you should continue in job search. Job search will end when:
(a) You find a full-time job; or
(b) You become exempt from WorkFirst requirements (see WAC 388-310-0300); or
(c) Your situation changes and the case manager changes the activities on your IRP to fit your new circumstances (see WAC 388-310-0400); or
(d) After fully participating in job search, and based on your experience in looking for work in the local labor market, it is determined that you need additional skills and/or experience to find a job; or
(e) You have not found a job at the end of the job search period.
(6) What happens at the end of job search if I have not found a job?
At the end of each job search period, you will be referred back to your case manager who will conduct a new employability evaluation if you have not found a job. You and your case manager will also modify your individual responsibility plan.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08A.010(4), 74.08A.340, 74.08.090, 74.04.050. 02-15-067, § 388-310-0600, filed 7/11/02, effective 8/1/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.04.050. 02-04-058, § 388-310-0600, filed 1/30/02, effective 3/2/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08A.340(2), 45 C.F.R. 260.31, RCW 74.08.090, and chapter 74.04 RCW. 00-16-055, § 388-310-0600, filed 7/26/00, effective 8/1/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090 and 74.04.050. 99-10-027, § 388-310-0600, filed 4/28/99, effective 5/29/99; 97-20-129, § 388-310-0600, filed 10/1/97, effective 11/1/97.]
Reviser's note: The typographical error in the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency and appears in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040.