PROPOSED RULES
SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Economic Services Administration)
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 09-09-015.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: The department is proposing to amend WAC 388-310-0700 and related rules to modify the comprehensive evaluation process for WorkFirst participants.
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) 664-6094), on July 21, 2009, at 10:00 a.m.
Date of Intended Adoption: Not earlier than July 22, 2009.
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 schilse@dshs.wa.gov, fax (360) 664-6185, by 5 p.m. on July 21, 2009.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Jennisha Johnson, DSHS rules consultant, by July 7, 2009, TTY (360) 664-6178 or (360) 664-6094 or by e-mail at johnsjl4@dshs.wa.gov.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The department is proposing to modify and enhance the comprehensive evaluation to improve timely engagement in WorkFirst activities. The current rule states the case manager will use information and recommendations from a work skills assessment and educational evaluation to determine WorkFirst activities. With the proposed change the case manager will complete an employability evaluation to determine WorkFirst activities and refer for a work skills assessment or education evaluation if appropriate.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: These changes are being proposed to allow for streamlining of the comprehensive evaluation process.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 74.04.050, 74.08.090, 74.08A.340.
Statute Being Implemented: RCW 74.04.050, 74.08.090, 74.08A.340.
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: Stacey Bushaw, P.O. Box 45470, Olympia, WA 98504-5470, (360) 725-4622.
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. These proposed rules do not have an economic impact on small businesses. The proposed amendments only affect DSHS clients by modifying and enhancing the comprehensive evaluation to improve timely engagement in WorkFirst activities.
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." The proposed rule allows for streamlining of the comprehensive evaluation process.
June 12, 2009
Stephanie E. Schiller
Rules Coordinator
4108.4You 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 educational background, employment history,
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))
the comprehensive evaluation 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. For example, you may receive an educational skills assessment and/or evaluation after referral to an education and training activity.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.08.090, 74.08A.340, and 2006 c 107. 06-24-023, § 388-310-0700, filed 11/29/06, effective 12/30/06. 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.]