PROPOSED RULES
SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Economic Services Administration)
Original Notice.
Exempt from preproposal statement of inquiry under RCW 34.05.310(4).
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 388-310-0200 WorkFirst -- Activities and 388-310-0700 WorkFirst -- Comprehensive evaluation.
Hearing Location(s): Blake Office Park East, Rose Room, 4500 10th Avenue S.E., Lacey, WA 98503 (one block north of the intersection of Pacific Avenue S.E. and Alhadeff Lane. A map or directions are available at http://www1.dshs.wa.gov/msa/rpau/docket.html or by calling (360) 664-6097), on November 7, 2006, at 10:00 a.m.
Date of Intended Adoption: Not earlier than November 8, 2006.
Submit Written Comments to: DSHS Rules Coordinator, P.O. Box 45850, Olympia, WA 98504, delivery 4500 10th Avenue S.E., Lacey, WA 98503, e-mail fernaax@dshs.wa.gov, fax (360) 664-6185, by 5:00 p.m., November 7, 2006.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Stephanie Schiller, DSHS Rules Consultant, by November 3, 2006, TTY (360) 664-6178 or (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: The rules add language to comply with state legislature SHB 2394 WorkFirst participants -- Financial literacy and RCW 74.08A.250 and 74.08A.260 that expand the definition of work activities to include financial literacy activities designed to assist a participant in becoming self-sufficient and financially stable. It adds financial literacy evaluation to comprehensive evaluation, foundation part, used to develop the individual responsibility plan (IRP) for WorkFirst participants.
A preproposal statement of inquiry (CR-101) was not filed and is not required for rules adopting or incorporating by reference language from Washington state statutes without material change. See RCW 34.05.310(4).
Reasons Supporting Proposal: Financial literacy is an essential element in achieving financial stability and self-sufficiency. It promotes WorkFirst parents' ability to make financial decisions that will contribute to their long-term financial well-being.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 74.04.050, 74.08.090, 74.08A.340.
Statute Being Implemented: RCW 74.08A.250 and 74.08A.260.
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: Olga Walker, P.O. Box 45470, Olympia, WA 98504-5470, (360) 725-4641.
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 to be eligible for the department's cash assistance or food benefit programs.
A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. These amendments are exempt as allowed under RCW 34.05.328 (5)(b)(vii) which states in-part, "[t]his section does not apply to....rules of the department of social and health services relating only to client medical or financial eligibility and rules concerning liability for care of dependents."
September 28, 2006
Andy Fernando, Manager
Rules and Policies Assistance Unit
3798.1(a) You are required to participate in WorkFirst activities, and become what is called a "mandatory participant," if you:
(i) Receive TANF or SFA cash assistance; and
(ii) Are a custodial parent or age sixteen or older; and
(iii) Are not exempt. For exemptions see WAC 388-310-0300 and 388-310-0350.
(b) Participation is voluntary for all other WorkFirst participants (those who no longer receive or have never received TANF or SFA cash assistance).
(2) What activities do I participate in when I enter the WorkFirst program?
When you enter the WorkFirst program, you will participate in one or more of the following activities (which are described in more detail in other sections of this chapter):
(a) Paid employment (see WAC 388-310-0400 (2)(a) and 388-310-1500);
(b) Self employment (see WAC 388-310-1700);
(c) Job search (see WAC 388-310-0600);
(d) Community jobs (see WAC 388-310-1300)
(e) Work experience (see WAC 388-310-1100);
(f) On-the-job training (see WAC 388-310-1200);
(g) Vocational educational training (see WAC 388-310-1000);
(h) Basic education activities (see WAC 388-310-0900);
(i) Job skills training (see WAC 388-310-1050);
(j) Community service (see WAC 388-310-1400);
(k) Activities provided by tribal governments for tribal members and other American Indians (see WAC 388-310-1400(1) and 388-310-1900);
(l) Other activities identified by your case manager on your individual responsibility plan that will help you with situations such as drug and/or alcohol abuse, homelessness, or mental health issues; and/or
(m) Activities identified by your case manager on your individual responsibility plan to help you cope with family violence as defined in WAC 388-61-001; and/or
(n) Up to ten hours of financial literacy activities to help you become self-sufficient and financially stable.
(3) If I am a mandatory participant, how much time must I spend doing WorkFirst activities?
If you are a mandatory participant, you will be required to participate full time, working, looking for work or preparing for work. You might be required to participate in more than one part-time activity at the same time that add up to full time participation. You will have an individual responsibility plan (described in WAC 388-310-0500) that includes the specific activities and requirements of your participation.
(4) What activities do I participate in after I get a job?
You will participate in other activities, such as job search or training once you are working twenty hours or more a week in a paid unsubsidized job, to bring your participation up to full time.
You may also engage in activities if you are working full time and want to get a better job.
Post employment services (described in WAC 388-310-1800) include:
(a) Activities that help you keep a job (called an "employment retention" service); and/or
(b) Activities that help you get a better job or better wages (called a "wage and skill progression" service).
[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08A.010(4), 74.08A.340, 74.08.090, 74.04.050. 02-15-067, § 388-310-0200, filed 7/11/02, effective 8/1/02. 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, § 388-310-0200, filed 7/26/00, effective 8/1/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.04.050. 00-06-062, § 388-310-0200, filed 3/1/00, effective 3/1/00; 99-08-051, § 388-310-0200, filed 4/1/99, effective 5/2/99; 97-20-129, § 388-310-0200, filed 10/1/97, effective 11/1/97.]
You participate in a comprehensive evaluation with your case manager and other WorkFirst staff to determine:
(a) Your employment strengths, your educational background, family situation and other factors; and
(b) Which WorkFirst activities you need to become employed.
(2) What is the comprehensive evaluation and when will it be used?
(a) The comprehensive evaluation is a series of questions, answers and evaluations focused on your strengths, job skills, education and other relevant elements. The results of the comprehensive evaluation are used to determine your ability to find and keep a job in your local labor market and what WorkFirst activities will help you prepare for and find work. It includes:
(i) An employability evaluation with your case manager, discussing important issues that can affect your ability to find a job, like child care, family violence or substance abuse. Your case manager will also ask you a few questions to find out if you might benefit from engaging in financial literacy activities such as money management training or any other type of credit counseling service. If so, we will tell you how to get this information;
(ii) A work skills assessment to review your education, employment history, employment strengths and job skills; and
(iii) Educational and other evaluations.
(b) You and your case manager and/or social worker use the information and recommendations from these evaluations to create or modify your individual responsibility plan, adding activities that help you become employable.
(c) After your comprehensive evaluation, you may receive more assessments to find out if you need additional services.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090. 06-08-044, § 388-310-0700, filed 3/30/06, effective 6/1/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.04.050. 00-06-062, § 388-310-0700, filed 3/1/00, effective 3/1/00; 99-10-027, § 388-310-0700, filed 4/28/99, effective 5/29/99; 97-20-129, § 388-310-0700, filed 10/1/97, effective 11/1/97.]