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Division of Welfare and Supportive Services A-814.5.11 Eligibility and Payments Manual EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING MTL 11/03 11 May 01 Vocational Education/Training Options

If staff determines a participant is in need of additional job training and/or skills during the assessment process or if the participant expresses an interest in training, staff should assist the participant in exploring their training options.

All training decisions must be mutually agreed upon and documented in the PRP. A post- training plan for securing employment must be incorporated in the PRP (i.e., does the school or educational facility provide job placement services?). There are four options for accessing training:

1. Contracted Training Vendors – Staff may refer clients to one of the training vendors with established contracts. The Division establishes contracts with training vendors when a significant number of NEON participants will benefit from the same course. Contracting allows the Division to specify the course content, length and schedule. 2. Community Partners – Staff may refer clients to Job Connect to access training opportunities offered through our WIA partners such as DETR, JOIN, Nevada Partners, Nevada Works, Culinary Academy, etc. 3. Financial Assistance – Participants often qualify for financial assistance when enrolled in universities, community colleges or qualified technical schools. When attending such an institution these opportunities must be pursued before authorizing training funds through an Individualized Training Agreement as defined in #4 below. 4. Individualized Training Agreements – Staff may establish Individualized Training Agreements with participants and vendors to purchase training on behalf of a NEON participant. These funds are either paid directly to the client or to the vendor depending on the Agreement established. (Refer to manual section 814.5.1.1 and 814.5.1.2) Limitations

Each NEON participant may be authorized up to $2,500 per fiscal year for vocational training purposes. Exceptions to this limitation may be granted on a case-by-case basis by the Chief of Employment and Support Services, but will not exceed $5,000 per participant per fiscal year.

Purchase of Training may only be authorized if it qualifies under the definition of a core or non-core “Work Activity” when determining the Federal Work Participation Rate. (Please refer to manual section 821.1).