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MDES ASSESSMENT AND PLACEMENT The partnership between the Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) and the Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES) involves MDES assisting with MDHS case management responsibilities in the TANF Work Program (TWP). The MDES will be responsible for conducting work readiness assessments, developing individual employment plans and utilizing its network of WIN Job Centers to assist TWP clients with job readiness training, education, and workforce skills training. Referral to MDES After the TANF application is approved in MAVERICS the case manager must complete the MDHS-EA- 385, TWP MDES/WIN Job Center Referral, Sections A-E, and scan and email to the selected WIN Job Center, the same day. This form has been made fillable so that staff can complete, save, upload, and email the document. The form should be scanned to the participant’s TWP Temporary folder. The A810, TANF Work Program WIN Job Center Referral notice instructs the TWP participant to report to the nearest WIN Job Center location within (7) calendar days from the notice date to meet with a WIN Job Center counselor and begin the assessment process. For purposes of enhancing the monthly TWP participation rate, MDHS offices are reminded of the general rule of approving TANF applications effective the first of each month when possible, maintaining timeliness standards. County Directors and Supervisors must encourage the staff not to hold or delay working cases that can be approved at the beginning of the month. This procedure will assist MDES in placing participants in components as quickly as possible to allow sufficient time to meet participation. In certain situations, the case worker will need to send both the MDHS-EA-385, TWP MDES/WIN Job Center Referral and the MDHS-EA-387, TWP MDHS/MDES Communication Form to MDES when referring TWP participants. The MDHS-EA-387 form is also fillable so that staff can complete, save, upload, and email the document. Listed below are some situations that require both the referral and the communication form to be sent to the WIN Job Center at the same time: If a participant’s exemption status is ending. If a participant loses or quits a job (only if good cause has been determined). If a participant finds a new job. If a participant is employed and his/her work hours drop below the required

participation hours. Note: The participant cannot be referred to the WIN Job Center until the exemption period has ended or until the case is approved. For instance, a participant’s exemption ends Monday, July 31. The A810 should be sent on August 1, which is the first day of eligibility. If the date falls on Saturday, Sunday or a holiday (observed by the State of Mississippi) send the A810 to the participant the first working day following the weekend or holiday. The MDHS-EA-385 (and the MDHS-EA-387, if needed) should be sent to the WIN Job Center location selected by the TWP applicant, on the same day as the A810 is released. The case manager may contact the participant on or after the first day of eligibility to inform the participant of the WIN Job Center appointment. TWP Participant Assessment The MDES interviewer must complete an individualized assessment and determine the most appropriate service(s). The assessment must include, at a minimum: Basic skill levels; Aptitude; Interest; Employment history;