16 Del. Admin. Code § 10000-10002
Food Stamp Employment and Training components include the following:
Other employment programs are also utilized. The Division is committed to maximizing its use of existing resources. The Division will not duplicate services funded by other programs. For this reason, the Division uses employment and training programs funded through the Delaware Private Industry Council (DPIC), Delaware Department of Labor, and Department of Education (DOE). Under a joint agreement between the Council and the Department of Labor, these two entities administer the funds available to the State through the WIA. Programs operated with WIA funds provide occupational training skills, academic training as necessary, and other supportive services to unskilled adults entering Delaware's labor force.
The Division works as a close partner with existing private and public agencies charged with providing employment and training help to TANF, Food Stamps, and General Assistance recipients. For instance, the Division continues to participate as a member agency to the Private Industry Council; staff members from the Division continue to assist the Delaware Private Industry Council in selecting WIA contractors. The Division also utilizes the services of both the Delaware Labor Department and the Private Industry Council when helping registrants identify jobs which are available or likely to become available in the labor market. Inter-agency agreements exist between the Division and the Private Industry Council to provide appropriate employment and training services to TANF, Food Stamps, and General Assistance recipients to share information and to avoid duplication of services wherever possible.
The Division also operates both its FSE&T - TANF and Food Stamp Employment and Training Plans in accordance with the Governor's Coordination and Special Services Plan. This Plan, put together by the State Job Training Coordinating Council under the auspices of the WIA, is the State's response to addressing the training and retraining needs of youth and adults who are unable to find productive employment because of the lack of skills, obsolescence of skills, or other barriers to employment.
The Division operates its Food Stamp Employment and Training Program in concert with its FSE&T - TANF Program. Both programs share the Employment and Training name as well as maintain a common administrative structure. Administrative supervision of the Division's employment and training programs operate under the umbrella of the Division's Program Implementation Unit. This unit shares assessment and employability planning instruments, case management techniques, a common referral mechanism, a common information system, and common support structure for activities such as child care.
The assignment of registrants to components does not necessarily follow a particular sequence. However, in the case of a registrant with low performance levels, there is an intent to follow a set sequence of activities. In this case, after an assessment the registrant would enter basic life skills enrichment, self-directed job search training, and vocational skills training. Because we know that the literacy and employability levels of many Food Stamp registrants are severely deficient, we anticipate that such registrants will remain in components much longer than usual.
All registrants initially enter an Independent Job Search component. This enables the Division to continue its expeditious processing of registrants and to maintain its participation rate.
Each component and corresponding support activities are discussed in the following subsections.
The job search component is completed by the participant through Independent Job Search. This is a non-work component in which all newly work registered, mandatory participants are required to engage in job seeking activities. Prior to an initial interview with a Case Manager, registrants make at least 24 job contacts over a two week period. An interview with the Case Manager ultimately determines if the job search activity should continue or another activity is more appropriate.
Initially, 24 job contacts are required over a two week period. If the 24 contacts are not completed prior to the registrant's initial interview with a Case Manager, the registrant is given an additional two weeks to complete this activity. The interview with the Case Manager determines if the job search activity should be continued or another activity is more appropriate. Maximum duration of the component is 2 months, with the registrant completing 48 contacts.
Registrants are asked to complete a job search log, denoting the date, name, and address of employers contacted and the outcome of the contact. Registrants bring the log to their initial interview. Case Managers make random calls to employers to verify the contact.
The job search training component is completed by the participant through Self-Directed Job Search Training. This component is a non-work component designed to teach registrants to market their skills into meaningful, unsubsidized jobs. It consists of classroom instruction, direct use of job search tools, employer contacts, and feedback to participants.
The following areas are part of the classroom instruction: personal inventory of work skills, how to use community resources, how to use want ads, use of proper telephone techniques, letter writing, interview techniques, and application of job searching skills. By the end of the course, every registrant has a completed resume for their own use, took part in a videotaped mock interview, and met the employer contact requirements of the job search component.
During the approximate two month period for this activity, registrants obtain sufficient job seeking and job holding skills to enable them to successfully navigate the job market. Registrants commence job search activities only after they have made sufficient progress in their classroom instruction. Registrants have four hours of contact with a program vendor staff member in which they are provided with job lists, want ads, telephone books and other job search-related tools. The remaining time consists of contacts with employers and discussion with vendor staff.
Participation maximum is 120 hours over a two month period of time, averaging 60 hours per month. The duration is three weeks of actual classroom instruction, followed by five weeks of actual job searching activity.
The type of education activity for this component is Adult Basic Education. The purpose is to provide academic instruction to individuals with severe academic deficiencies which pose a significant barrier to employment. The basic academic instruction is applied to real life experiences which involve management of life skills. This instruction differs substantially from the typical adult basic education program. Classes are held year round, many classes take place during the day. The basic skills offered have measurable objectives which relate to an individual education plan, and the goal is placement in either a job or training which leads to a job. There are two parts to this education component. The first is basic remedial job related literacy and computational skills, and the second is life management skills.
Participation is for 15 hours per week for 36 weeks, or until the participant reaches the appropriate level of competency to be employed or enter vocational skills training. The duration is 15 hours per week for 36 weeks.
The goal of this component is employment or training which leads to employment. The skills taught link to critical job related needs and help to direct registrants to jobs which are within their level of functioning.
The type of education activity for this component is Post-Secondary Education with an emphasis on specific technical and occupational instruction, such as nursing, child care or computer science. Pursuance of a graduate degree is not an allowable activity. The educational institution must either be accredited or maintain a favorable reputation. Registrants must possess the necessary skills to be able to participate. Payment of tuition is not a reimbursable expense.
The targeted population includes those registrants who possess the necessary skills, as determined by their assessment.
Registrants attend as required by the institution, and must make satisfactory progress. If this level of effort exceeds 120 hours per month, the registrant completes a form indicating this and their reasons for doing so. The duration is determined by the program of instruction and the institution. There should be a reasonable expectation that the course of instruction will lead to the prospect of a job within a reasonable timeframe. (An appropriate example is a 2 year program leading to a nursing degree).
The course of study must be consistent with individual registrant's employment goals and should provide each registrant with a reasonable opportunity for employment.
Education activities include Adult Education activities that enable registrants to attain minimum recognized levels of competencies in subject areas such as reading, writing, communication, problem solving, critical thinking and math. Competency in these areas is considered critical if registrants are to compete for available jobs in the work force. The programs consist of a variety of adult basic education programs, high school equivalency programs, and adult high school, credit-oriented programs, such as Groves High School.
Participation is up to 15 hours per week for the length of the program as determined by program requirements. Duration is determined by program requirements.
The course of study provides registrants with basic skills required by most employers, such as a high school diploma and the ability to read and write.
Vocational Training activities include Vocational Skills Training through WIA and other training programs. Case managed referrals to WIA and other training programs consists of referral and monitoring of registrants referred by vendors to WIA or other training programs. Training is consistent with jobs that are available or are likely to become available in the local labor market. The Division ensures registrant compliance with enrollment and participation requirements by having signed agreements with contractors. These agreements allow contractors to provide the Division with reports of each registrant's progress and to notify the Division as soon as reasonably possible when a registrant is not complying.
Hours of participation are consistent with WIA program requirements. Registrants who choose to enroll in job training programs that exceed the required 120 hours per month will be asked to complete a form which indicates their desire to do so. Duration is a one to three month course, 12 hours per week.
The targeted population includes registrants who have completed basic life skills enrichment and require vocational skills training to enhance their employability, and those who have not been successful in locating employment while participating in group job search training.
16 Del. Admin. Code § 10000-10002