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1000.1 TANF MANUAL 10/21 PAGE 8

During a twelve-month period, the total countable hours of participation in job search and/or job readiness assignments cannot exceed 120 hours for a single parent with a child under age 6 in the home or 180 hours for all other individuals. (This is equivalent to 6 weeks of participation in the work activity.) If appropriate to meet the needs of the participant, additional participation in job search and/or job readiness in a twelve-month period can be assigned and entered into the ESP module in VaCMS, but will not be counted in the calculation of the federal participation rate.

• Unsubsidized Employment, including self-employment. Unsubsidized employment is employment in which no government funds are used to directly subsidize the individual’s salary and in which the individual earns at least the minimum wage. Minimum wage means an hourly rate directly equaling the minimum wage or an hourly rate of at least $2.13 which, when supplemented by tips, equals at least the minimum wage.

• Subsidized Employment. Subsidized employment is employment in which government funds are used to directly subsidize the participant’s wages. Subsidized employment is designed to provide training while the participant works on the job. The VIEW Program provides one subsidized employment component – the Full Employment Program (FEP). FEP is subsidized employment in which the employer receives a fixed monthly stipend and the client receives wages and a TANF check.

• Community Work Experience Program (CWEP). CWEP is an unpaid work placement in a public or private non-profit organization. An assignment to CWEP is appropriate for participants who need to learn or improve skills or work behaviors, or to secure a job reference, in order to find paid employment. The number of hours of a CWEP assignment is based on the TANF payment amount and SNAP allotment.

• Public Service Program (PSP). Public Service includes volunteer work performed by the VIEW participant. It is similar to work experience in that the client will be engaged in unpaid work in a public or private non- profit organization with the goal of improving employability. PSP placements must additionally provide a clearly defined public service. Examples of public service activities include court-ordered, unpaid work, as well as participation in other programs or placements that benefit the community. TANF and SNAP benefits are not considered in the calculation of public service hours. Public service assignments will in no case exceed 35 hours per week, with the exception of court-ordered assignments of greater length.

• On-the-Job Training (OJT). On-the-job training is training provided by an employer to a paid employee to help the employee become proficient on the job. A portion of the employee’s wages are typically reimbursed to the employer. OJT includes paid on-the-job training offered through WIOA, paid college work study and internships, apprenticeship, and AmeriCorps placements in which the individual is paid a stipend to cover living expenses.

• Vocational Education and Training. Vocational education and training is training or education directly related to employment designed to prepare the participant for a specific trade, occupation, or vocation. It does not include advanced degree education. It does not include ABE, GED, or ESL. Examples of activities that can be classified as vocational education and training are technology, business, and health sciences programs leading to certificates, associate degrees, or baccalaureate degrees in such areas as HVAC repair (heating and air conditioning), information technology, medical equipment repair, accounting administration, medical assisting, and practical or registered nursing. Programs meeting the definition of vocational education and training are offered by a wide range of institutions including vocational-technical schools, community colleges, 4-year colleges, other post-secondary institutions, proprietary schools, and secondary schools offering vocational education.

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