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DE Food Stamp Employment and Training - Program Components

Each of the following Food Stamp Employment and Training (FS E&T) program components are explained below:

·             Independent Job Search

·             Job Search Training

·             Basic Life Skills Enrichment

·             Post-Secondary Education

·             Adult Education

·             Vocational Training

Independent Job Search

Independent Job Search is required for all newly work-registered, mandatory participants. Before their initial interview with a Case Manager, registrants are supposed to make at least 24 job contacts 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.

Job Search Training

The job search training is 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, has taken part in a videotaped mock interview, and has met the employer contact requirements of the job search component.

During the approximate two-month period for this activity, registrants should learn sufficient job-seeking and job-holding skills to enable them to successfully get and keep a job. Registrants start actual job-search activities only after they have made sufficient progress in their classroom instruction. Registrants have four hours of contact with a 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 staff.

Participation maximum is 120 hours over a two-month period of time, averaging 60 hours per month. The duration is three weeks of classroom instruction, followed by five weeks of actual job-searching activity.

Basic Life Skills Enrichment

The type of education activity for this component is Adult Basic Education (ABE). The purpose is to provide academic instruction to individuals with severe academic deficiencies that pose a significant barrier to employment. ABE instruction is applied to real life experiences that involve management of life skills.

This instruction differs substantially from the typical ABE program. Classes are held year round; many classes take place during the day; the basic skills offered have measurable objectives that relate to an Individual Education Plan (IEP); and the IEP goal is placement either in a job or in training that 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.

Post-Secondary Education

This component is education for high school graduates in specific technical and occupational fields of instruction, such as nursing, childcare or computer science. Pursuing 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.

Adult Education Through WIA and Other Educational Programs

This program component includes adult education programs through the Work Incentive Act (WIA).

Education activities include those that enable registrants to attain minimum recognized levels of competencies in subject areas such as reading, writing, communication, problem solving, critical thinking and math. The programs consist of a variety of Adult Basic Education (ABE) 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

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 must be consistent with jobs that are available or are likely to become available in the local labor market.

The Division of Social Services (DSS) 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.

See also:

DE FSE&T - Exemptions

DE FSE&T - Sanctions and Good Cause

DE FSE&T - Participant Reimbursement

DE TANF Employment and Training Overview DE DSS - Application Procedures

DE DSS - Change Reporting Requirements

DE DSS - Contact Information

Source:

DSS Policy Manual (Sect. 10002.2)

Back to:

DE Food Stamp Employment and Training Overview

DE TANF Overview

DE Division of Social Services - Overview

DE Benefit Information System Overview

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