PERMANENT RULES
SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Economic Services Administration)
Date of Adoption: January 29, 2002.
Purpose: The DSHS Division of Employment and Assistance Programs seeks to expand WorkFirst job search requirements to include longer-term, full-time training that will lead to high-wage, high-demand employment.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 388-310-0600.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 74.08.090, 74.04.050.
Adopted under notice filed as WSR 02-01-133 on December 19, 2001.
Changes Other than Editing from Proposed to Adopted Version: Editorial changes only.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.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Repealed 0;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Repealed 0;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Repealed 0.
Effective Date of Rule:
Thirty-one days after filing.
January 29, 2002
Brian H. Lindgren, Manager
Rules and Policies Assistance Unit
2961.4Job 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) Pre-employment training; and/or
(d) High-wage/high-demand training.
(2) What is pre-employment training?
Pre-employment training helps you learn skills you need for an identified entry level job that pays more than average entry level wages.
(a) Pre-employment 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 pre-employment training.
(b) You can find out about current pre-employment 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: This option allows you to start and finish a one-year community or technical college training program in the information technology or health care fields; and/or
(ii) Certificate/degree completion: This option allows you to finish up the last year of a two- or four-year certificate or degree 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 pre-requisites 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 co-located 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.
(((4))) (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 job; or
(b) You become exempt from WorkFirst requirements (see WAC 388-310-0300); or
(c) Your situation changes and you are temporarily deferred from continuing with job search (see WAC 388-310-0400); or
(d) Job search specialists have 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.
(((5))) (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 for an 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.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.]