Page 16
15
17 who is not in school to engage in work or an approved employment and training activity. While the Department wants all clients to be engaged in activities, the focus is on those individuals who are required to participate in RESET. Participation must begin within seven calendar days after authorization of assistance, unless good cause is requested to make childcare and transportation arrangements. Participation includes full-time work, job search, education, or training. The work activity requirement may be met by participation in any one or combination of the following:
Unsubsidized Employment Subsidized Private Sector Employment Subsidized Public Sector Employment Work Experience On-the-Job Training Job Search and Job Readiness Assistance Community Service Vocational Educational Training Job Skills Training Directly Related to Employment Education Directly Related to Employment Satisfactory School Attendance at Secondary School or in a Course of Study Leading to a Certificate of General Equivalence Providing child care services to an individual who is participating in a Community Service Program Enrolled in a Keystone Education Yields Success (KEYS) Program Institution After 12 months of participation in vocational education, a recipient may continue education or training, but must also participate in another core work activity. Individuals participating in a KEYS program institution at one of Pennsylvania’s 14 community colleges, 14 state-owned universities, and 108 career and technical schools receive a 12-month exception period, increasing their allowable vocational education time to 24 months. After the 24-month period, these individuals may continue to use vocational education in six-month increments if they meet all extension criteria: Must be engaged in a degree or certificate program that will likely lead to employment in a High Priority Occupation (HPO) as defined by the Department of Labor and Industry; Must not be enrolled in any remedial courses; Must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or above; and Must have completed an average of 8 credit hours per semester. Since implementation of RESET in 1997, Pennsylvania has allowed individuals under the age of 22, including pregnant or parenting recipients, to meet the work participation requirement by attending high school or participating in a GED program.