This document summarizes the Pathways to Success welfare-to-work program operated by the Shasta County Department of Social Services. The program aims to help participants find jobs, learn job skills, and become self-sufficient by getting off of welfare assistance. It explains the requirements participants must meet, such as engaging in job search or training activities, and the supportive services available to help with things like childcare, transportation and work expenses. Non-compliance can result in reduced or terminated cash aid benefits. The overall goal is to help people transition from welfare to employment and financial independence.

1. Pathways To Success It’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.”

2. W ELFARE TO W ORK Our Purpose: To help you find a new or better job To help you learn how to keep your job To help you become self-sufficient and no longer need welfare To help you find a better way of life YOUR GUIDEBOOK: Explains what you can expect from the program

3. Cash Aid = Poverty Every Month Example: The 2009 poverty level is $1526.00 per month. The maximum cash grant for a family of 3 is $661.00 The grant is less than half of the poverty level for this family! Welfare is not meant to meet your needs. It is temporary assistance. $ 1526.00 $ 661.00

4. Did you know?... Your time on cash aid is limited You can get cash assistance for only 60 months in your lifetime

5. EMPLOYMENT! The Way out for your family is through :

6. 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?

7. 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!!!

8. 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).

9. 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

10. 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.

11. Do you have to participate ? If you choose to receive cash aid then you are a mandatory participant unless you are exempt. P A R T I C I P A T E

12. 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

13. 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-Learn NEW 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!

14. 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

15. Learning Disabilities: At your Appraisal appointment you will be offered a learning disabilities screening You will be offered the option of further evaluation if appropriate If a disability is confirmed, you may request reasonable accommodations Accommodations will focus on providing opportunities for success in employment and training settings

16. What’s Next? S teps T oward E arnings P otential and S uccess (STEPS) Workshop Troubleshoot your application and resume Learn how to look and feel your best for interviews Practice answering interview questions Focus on potential employers Find the hidden job market

17. 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:

18. 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

19. Your Welfare to Work Plan Explains: How we will work together Supportive services Your rights and responsibilities Your assigned activity

20. Will you have to participate in more than one activity at a time? Remember the minimum number of hours required? This means that you MAY have to participate in more than one activity at a time.

21. 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)

22. Supportive Services Transportation Child care Books and fees for approved classes Tools Clothing

23. Transportation If you can use your car or the bus we may pay for it!

24. 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

25. 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.

26. A fter you go to You may be eligible to continue to receive cash aid while you work. If you go off cash aid due to income or if you choose to go off aid to save your time, you may still be eligible for other services.

27. When Cash Aid Stops… Child care can continue Medi-Cal can continue Food Stamps will continue with a few exceptions

28. 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?

29. COMPLIANCE PROCESS Cause determination: If you don’t meet the requirements, we will send you a notice. Then you have 20 calendar days to call or come in and explain why (remember the “exemptions”) and to sign or agree to a new plan. Compliance plan: You will need to agree to activities that meet the requirements.

30. Good reasons for not participating: We can’t pay the expenses you need to participate You 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

31. 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

32. Financial Sanctions For 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.

33. 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.

34. H ow long does this last? Until you comply with the regulations…. Even if you go off cash aid!!!

35. 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

36. Shasta FACES F amily A ssistance through C ontracted Ask your Employment & Training Worker at your Appraisal 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 E mployment S ervices

37. “ 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 96001-1676 Phone: (530) 225-5515 California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2922 Fax: (530) 225-5345 Email – [email_address] 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 known to the affected department or the ADA Coordinator. This notice is available in accessible alternate formats from the affected department or the ADA Coordinator.

38. Our goal is to provide support for your PATHWAY TO SUCCESS!

39. Prepared for Shasta County Welfare to Work Program Powerpoint presentation by Ron Shippers and Jacklyn Green 01/2010