New pathways to success

Pathways To SuccessIt’s more than just getting a job, getting a paycheck or getting off Welfare….

It’s about changing your life!

Shasta County Department of Social Services

Eligibility and Employment Services

Our Mission Statement: “Working together to provide options and opportunities to

individuals and families in need.”

WWELFARE TO ELFARE TO WWORKORK Our Purpose:Our Purpose:

To To help youhelp you find a new or better job find a new or better jobTo To help youhelp you learn how to keep your job learn how to keep your jobTo To help youhelp you become become

self-sufficient and no self-sufficient and no longer need welfarelonger need welfare

To To help youhelp you find a find a better way of lifebetter way of life

YOUR GUIDEBOOK:YOUR GUIDEBOOK:Explains what you can expect Explains what you can expect

from the programfrom the program

Cash AidCash Aid = Poverty Every = Poverty Every MonthMonth

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

Povertylevel

Grantamount

Example:Example:The The 20092009 poverty poverty level is level is $1526.00$1526.00

per month.per month.The maximum cash The maximum cash grant for a family of grant for a family of

3 is 3 is $661.00$661.00

The grant is less than The grant is less than half of the poverty half of the poverty

level for this family!level for this family!Welfare is not meant to meet your needs. It is

temporary assistance.

$ 1526.00

$ 661.00

Did you know?...

Your time on cash aid is limited

You can get cash

assistance for only

60 months in your lifetime

EMPLOYMENT!EMPLOYMENT!

The

Way out for your family is through :

Even minimum wage is better than the grant alone!

Example:If you have a full time job, you’ll

earn about $1385.00 per month ($8.00 state

min. wage as of 2010 x 40 x 4.33 = $1385.00)

You may be eligible for a tax credit of up to

$5,657.00

What would you do with all that extra money?

Work Pays!!!

Example:If you earn $500.00 dollars in a month, your cash aid

grant would only be reduced by $137.00 dollars.

The more you make, the more you will keep!!!

You will need to make progress toward your job goal.

We will ask that you give us proof that you are making satisfactory progress:

Such as: Pay stubs, report cards or other documents requested by your

Employment & Training Worker (ETW).

ARE YOU MOTIVATED ? Find work at one of our

Staff is always on duty to assist you:

• See current job listings• Access internet job listings• Write a resume• Put your resume online• Fax resumes to employers• Do career research

JOB CENTERS

There are CHOICES and OPPORTUNITIES in Welfare to Work

You CAN choose your own destiny.You can use this program and reap all of its benefits.

Start your journey to a new career to provide a better way of life for

you and

your family.

Find a job, or get a better job.

Do you have to participate ?

If you choose to receive cash aid then you are a mandatory participant unless you are exempt.

P

A

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TI

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P

A

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As a mandatory participant you MUST:

Keep appointments made with your Employment and Training Worker

Sign a Welfare to Work plan which meets your needs Meet the Welfare to Work requirements Not quit your job or reduce your earnings Provide proof of satisfactory progress in your assigned activity

EXEMPTIONS• Are under 16 or over 60 years of age• Are 16-18 and attend high school full time (unless you

are a custodial parent)• Have a disability that keeps you from working• Are pregnant and the doctor says you can’t work• Must stay home to care for a disabled person• Are the parent or caretaker relative of a child 11 months

of age or younger• Are a teen parent and required to participate in Cal-

LearnNEW TEMPORARY EXEMPTIONS UNTIL JUNE 2011:

• Are a parent with one child between 12 and 23 months of age or 2 children under the age of 6

YOU MUST VERIFY YOUR EXEMPT STATUS!

At your Appraisal Interview you will:

• Meet with your Employment and Training Worker

• Answer individual questions and address your concerns• Discuss program options and employment goals• Identify barriers to employment such as lack of childcare, transportation or possible learning disabilities

Learning Disabilities:Learning Disabilities: At your Appraisal appointment you will be offered a At your Appraisal appointment you will be offered a

learning disabilities learning disabilities screeningscreening You will be offered the option You will be offered the option of further evaluation if appropriateof further evaluation if appropriate If a disability is confirmed, youIf a disability is confirmed, you may request reasonable may request reasonable accommodations accommodations Accommodations will focus on Accommodations will focus on providing opportunities for successproviding opportunities for success in employment and training in employment and training settingssettings

What’s Next?What’s Next?SSteps teps TToward oward EEarnings arnings PPotential and otential and

SSuccess (STEPS) Workshopuccess (STEPS) Workshop Troubleshoot your applicationTroubleshoot your application and resumeand resume Learn how to look and feel Learn how to look and feel your bestyour best for interviews for interviews Practice answering interview questionsPractice answering interview questions Focus on potential employersFocus on potential employers Find the hidden job marketFind the hidden job market

If you go to Assessment…

• Your employment goal

• Activities needed to achieve your goal

• Services you need to be successful

A vocational counselor and your ETW will work with you to

develop a Welfare to Work Plan including:

How many hours of participation are required?

One parent family:

A minimum of

hours per week

Two parent family:

A minimum of

hours per week for you and/or the other parent

Your Welfare to Work Plan

Explains:

• How we will work together

• Supportive services

• Your rights and responsibilities

• Your assigned activity

Will you have to participate in more Will you have to participate in more than one activity at a time?than one activity at a time?

Remember the Remember the minimumminimum number of number of hours required? hours required?

This means that you This means that you MAYMAY have have to participate in more than one to participate in more than one activity at a time.activity at a time.

Are you already in school?

To use your SIP as participation hours:• You must be enrolled in the program prior to this

orientation• The program must lead to a degree or certificate• The program must lead to a job in the local labor

market• You must meet the 32 or 35 hour per week

participation requirement

You may be eligible to have your school hours count toward your WTW participation hours. We call that the SELF- INITIATED PROGRAM (SIP)

Supportive ServicesSupportive Services

• TransportationTransportation• Child careChild care

• Books and fees for approved Books and fees for approved classesclasses

• ToolsTools• ClothingClothing

TransportationIf you can use your car or the bus we

may pay for it!

How can we help you• Mileage reimbursement

• Bus tickets or passes

IF YOU ARE EMPLOYED:

?

• Car repair, towing and diagnostics• Car registration• Car insurance• A bicycle

What about my children?Who’s going to take care of them?

If you need child care, S.C.O.E. (Shasta County Office of Education) pays for the child care provider you hire up to the regional market rate.

If you don’t know how to find a provider, we can help you.

AAfter you go tofter you go toYou may be eligible to continue to You may be eligible to continue to

receive cash aid while you work.receive cash aid while you work.

If you go off cash aid If you go off cash aid due to income or if due to income or if

you choose to go off you choose to go off aid to save your time, aid to save your time,

you may still be you may still be eligible for other eligible for other

services.services.

When Cash Aid Stops…

• Child care can continue

• Medi-Cal can continue

• Food Stamps will continue with a few exceptions

Sounds good, but what if I don’t participate?

• If I don’t sign my Welfare to Work Plan• If I don’t take part in an assigned

activity• If I refuse a job offer or referral• If I quit a job• If I voluntarily lower my earnings?

COMPLIANCE PROCESSCOMPLIANCE PROCESSCause determination:Cause determination:

If you don’t meet the requirements,If you don’t meet the requirements,

we will send you a notice.we will send you a notice. Then you Then you have 20 calendar days to call or have 20 calendar days to call or

come in and explain whycome in and explain why

(remember the “exemptions”) (remember the “exemptions”)

and to sign or agree to a and to sign or agree to a

new plan.new plan.

Compliance plan:Compliance plan:

You will need to agree to activities You will need to agree to activities that meet the requirements.that meet the requirements.

Good reasons for not participating:

We can’t pay the expenses you need to participateYou are the victim of domestic violence and

participating would be harmful to you or your family

Child care isn’t reasonably available for your child age 13 or younger, your child on SSI, or for your foster child

More good reasons…• Discrimination at the job• Travel time to work or training is longer

than 2 hours round trip• The job requires more hours than is

normal or customary• Working conditions violate health and

safety standards• The job doesn’t provide Workers

Compensation Insurance

Financial SanctionsFor Mandatory

Participants

Your family’s cash aid will be lowered if you fail or refuse to meet the requirements without a good reason

and you don’t sign or complete

a new Compliance Plan.

Who gets the sanction?

If you are a single parent, you will be the only one who doesn’t receive a grant.

If you are in a two parent household, the parent who fails to participate will be removed from the grant. The second parent must then meet the entire 35 hour requirement or else he or she will be removed from the grant as well.

How long does this last?

Until you comply with the regulations….

Even if you go off cash aid!!!

How do I solve problems if I disagree with or feel my program

isn’t working for me?• Call your

Employment and Training Worker

• If you can’t reach agreement, call the Supervisor

• If you’ve done all that and you still can’t resolve the problem, you can file for a State Hearing

Shasta FACESShasta FACES FFamily amily AAssistance through ssistance through CContractedontracted

Ask your Employment & Training Worker at your Appraisal Ask your Employment & Training Worker at your Appraisal Interview for information about this program. Interview for information about this program.

Earn money through subsidized employment

and count the hours in your WTW plan.

Gain experience in the local job market and

the skills that enhance future employability.

A Federally subsidized employment program

Employment Services

“The County of Shasta does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission to, access to, or operation of its buildings, facilities,

programs, services or activities. The County does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring or employment practices.”

 Questions, complaints or requests for additional information regarding the Americans

with Disabilities Act may be forwarded to the County’s ADA Coordinator: Michelle Schafter, Director of Support Services

County of Shasta 1450 Court Street, Room 348

Redding, CA 96001-1676Phone: (530) 225-5515

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2922Fax: (530) 225-5345

Email – [email protected]

Individuals who need auxiliary aids and/or services for effective communication in the County’s programs and services are invited to make their needs and preferences knownto the affected department or the ADA Coordinator. This notice is available in accessible alternate formats from the affected department or the ADA Coordinator.

Our goal is to provide support for your

PATHWAY TO SUCCESS!

Prepared for Shasta Prepared for Shasta County Welfare to Work County Welfare to Work

ProgramProgram

Powerpoint presentation by Ron

Shippers and Jacklyn Green 01/2010