PROPOSED RULES
SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Economic Services Administration)
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 05-07-074.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 388-310-0600 WorkFirst--Job search.
Hearing Location(s): Blake Office Park East (behind Goodyear Courtesy Tire), Rose Room, 4500 10th Avenue S.E., Lacey, WA, on July 26, 2005, at 10:00 a.m.
Date of Intended Adoption: Not earlier than July 27, 2005.
Submit Written Comments to: DSHS Rules Coordinator, P.O. Box 45850, Olympia, WA 98504, delivery 4500 10th Avenue S.E., Lacey, WA, e-mail fernaax@dshs.wa.gov, fax (360) 664-6185, by 5:00 p.m., July 26, 2005.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Stephanie Schiller, DSHS Rules Consultant, by July 22, 2005, TTY (360) 664-6178 or phone (360) 664-6097 or by e-mail at schilse@dshs.wa.gov.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: This rule change will allow other training programs that meet the high wage/high demand criteria to be accessible to WorkFirst families.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: The change will increase the availability of training for high wage/high demand jobs.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, and 74.08.090.
Statute Being Implemented: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, and 74.08.090.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Name of Proponent: Department of Social and Health Services, governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation and Enforcement: Ian Horlor, Lacey Government Center, (360) 725-4634.
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. This proposed rule does not have an economic impact on small businesses. It only affects DSHS clients by outlining the rules clients must meet in order for their training at a private institution be approved as a WorkFirst activity. The clients are required to provide the information on the training program they wish to pursue. These requirements are the same as when the clients are attending a state community or vocational college.
A cost-benefit analysis is required under RCW 34.05.328. A preliminary cost-benefit analysis may be obtained by contacting Ian Horlor, P.O. Box 45470, Olympia, WA 98504, phone (360) 725-4634, fax (360) 413-3493, e-mail horloit@dshs.wa.gov.
June 10, 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.