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851 Chapter 4:Working with families • Section 14: Engagement in REP Services (07/2026) Engagement in Refugee Employment Program (REP) services What is REP engagement? Engagement is an intentional practice of utilizing skill sets to ensure partnership. Engagement is founded on the principle of communicating openly and honestly with participants in a way that supports disclosure of culture, family dynamics, and personal experiences. Engagement goes beyond mere involvement; it is about motivating and empowering participants to recognize their own underlying needs, protective capacities, and supports. True engagement supports participants in taking an active role in working towards change and collaborating to create a Family Self Sufficiency Plan (FSSP) that reflects their strengths, goals and aspirations while also accounting for their challenges and needs. Additional information about the philosophy of engagement can be found in the document. Please see the link at the bottom of the section for the SSP Engagement Model and additional resources. Who is considered REP exempt? The following participants are exempt from REP services and disqualification: • 65 years of age or older • An individual providing care for a family member who is in the household group and has a disability (see OAR 461-001-0000). Medical documentation to support the need for the care is required. • An individual whose participation is likely to cause undue hardship to that individual. • Pregnant and the pregnancy has reached the first of the calendar month prior to the month in which the due date falls. • Pregnant and experiencing medical complications due to the pregnancy that prohibit participation in activities of the program and are documented by a qualified and appropriate professional. • Pregnant and participating more than 10 hours per week during the first two months of the third trimester. REP-exempt individuals are not eligible for REP support services unless they choose to voluntarily participate in REP services, then they would be considered a volunteer (as defined by OAR 461-130-0305) participant. If an individual is engaging in REP services as a volunteer participant, they would need a Family Self-Sufficiency Plan (FSSP) developed in partnership between them and their Family Coach. The FSSP is essentially the individual’s employment plan. An FSSP is required for all eligible (mandatory) or volunteer REP services participants. Participants experiencing DV-related safety issues or concerns are not considered REP-exempt from engagement, unless, as noted above, participation will cause undue hardship to that individual. If it determined the individual experiencing DV-related safety issues or concerns is not exempt, the participant’s support and accommodation needs can be incorporated into their FSSP. Who is considered REP eligible? Anyone who has been determined eligible for REFC benefits and does not meet the exempt status as described