N.J. Admin. Code § 10:90-4.9
Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 21, November 4, 2024
Section 10:90-4.9 - WFNJ comprehensive social assessment (CSA)(a) A WFNJ recipient who has received cash assistance for 12 or more cumulative months shall be required to complete a detailed social assessment and an employability assessment. The 12-month requirement is a minimum requirement. The Comprehensive Social Assessment (CSA) may be administered at any time prior to 12 months if the circumstances of the case indicate a need for an in-depth assessment.1. The three-part CSA provides for a social evaluation and the identification of employment barriers. i. The client self-assessment section, completed by the client, explores the client's strengths and weaknesses and shall assist in determining appropriate interventions.ii. The comprehensive social assessment tool, completed by both the client and worker, assists in identifying barriers that hinder the recipient's success in reaching self-sufficiency. Identified issues shall trigger subsequent referrals/actions to address such concerns.iii. The assessment summary sheet shall indicate and record the initial actions taken by the agency as a result of the assessments.2. The employability assessment, completed by the Department of Labor, provides testing to determine reading and math levels and testing to establish employment competence.(b) Required attendance at a scheduled comprehensive assessment appointment shall be entered on the IRP so that failure to attend or refusal to be assessed, without good cause, shall be considered sanctionable.(c) The WFNJ recipient shall be informed, verbally and in writing, prior to beginning the CSA that disclosure of disability information is voluntary. An individual shall not be sanctioned or otherwise penalized for failing to disclose information or for declining to answer specific questions.(d) A CSA or other DFD-approved assessment shall be administered to a recipient who failed to actively participate in work activities without acknowledged good cause prior to the agency initiating the sanction process found at 10:90-4.13. 1. If barriers are identified during the assessment, those issues shall be addressed and the sanction shall not be imposed. If the barriers relate to family violence, the FVO Initiative procedures are to be followed (see N.J.A.C. 10:90-20).(e) Disclosure of family violence shall require referral of the individual to the agency's Family Violence Option (FVO) representative (see N.J.A.C. 10:90-20).(f) Based on the information obtained from the comprehensive assessment, the agency shall address all barriers that are identified and schedule the client for an appropriate employment-related activity at the earliest possible opportunity.(g) Actions taken as a result of the comprehensive assessment must be included in the IRP. Some of the assigned actions set forth in the IRP may not be work related depending on the issues and barriers identified on the CSA. Sanctions will apply in those situations of non-compliance with assigned work or work related activities only. Participation in the Substance Abuse Initiative (SAI) and/or the Mental Health Initiative (MHI) may be considered a work activity (see 10:90-5.15 and 18).N.J. Admin. Code § 10:90-4.9
New Rule, R.2003 d.226, effective 6/16/2003.
See: 34 N.J.R. 2713(a), 35 N.J.R. 2670(a).
Former N.J.A.C. 10:90-4.9, Deferrals from the work requirement, recodified to N.J.A.C. 10:90-4.10.
Amended by R.2004 d.292, effective 8/2/2004.
See: 36 N.J.R. 1695(a), 36 N.J.R. 3545(a).
In (a), deleted "is comprised of 12 sections that" after "client and worker," in the first sentence of 1ii.
Amended by R.2007 d.15, effective 1/16/2007.
See: 38 N.J.R. 1156(a), 39 N.J.R. 207(a).
In (g), inserted "and/or the Mental Health Initiative (MHI)" and updated the N.J.A.C. reference.
Special amendment, R.2008 d.182, effective 6/3/2008.
See: 40 N.J.R. 4232(a).
Rewrote the introductory paragraph of (d); and in (d)1, substituted "shall not be imposed" for "notification process and imposition rescinded".