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1000.4 TANF MANUAL 12/22 Page 17

Reminder: Assignment to Job Search/Job Readiness may be the most appropriate assignment for a particular client even if she has already completed the maximum number of Job Search/Job Readiness hours during the previous 11 months and the new assignment will not count toward participation.

In the following specific circumstances, the initial assignment to job search and/or job readiness may not be appropriate: • when the client is working full-time and has earnings commensurate with her skills • when the client has already completed an assignment to job search/job readiness during her current 2-year period of TANF eligibility and would benefit from direct assignment to a component activity designed to lead to achieving a living wage • when the client is in the last three months of pregnancy and would benefit from an assignment to another VIEW activity • when participation in other activities, including education or training activities, will assist the participant in achieving a living wage.

D. The VIEW worker may assign the client to activities for the month of assessment (which may be a partial month). Additionally, the VIEW worker must assign the client to activities for the next three full months after the month of assessment. All assignments will be recorded on an Activity and Service Plan (032-02-1000) and will be entered into the ESP module in VaCMS no later than 3 working days after the Activity & Service Plan is completed. (Note: The worker will enter the initial job search assignment into the ESP module immediately. The additional assignments will not be entered into the ESP module until the required reassessment is completed at, or near the end of, the job search assignment.) If it becomes necessary to change an assignment included on the initial Activity and Service Plan, a new plan will be completed.

E. If the participant obtains full-time employment, she will not be required to participate in other VIEW activities. While the client is not required to participate in other program activities, she is required to respond to any correspondence from the VIEW worker and to keep all appointments, including reassessment appointments.

F. If the participant obtains employment that is not full-time or employment less than minimum wage, she will be required to fully participate in VIEW program activities designed to help her find full time employment. She will be assigned to activities that combined with employment hours, total at least 35 hours a week.

G. If the participant has not obtained unsubsidized full or part-time employment at the completion of the job search component, she will be reassessed and placed immediately into another program activity.

It is anticipated that the client’s specific program assignment will be to an activity/activities that most directly leads to a living wage and which allows the client’s participation to be included in the federal participation rate calculation, if possible.

H. At the end of each component assignment, the client will be reassessed and assigned to another activity. The focus of the reassessment will be on the client’s progress in the activity, and an evaluation of the client’s needs for additional program activities and services in order to secure unsubsidized employment.

The reassessment will include an exploration of any barriers, including a verified disability, limited English proficiency, lack of reasonable accommodations or support services, or other barriers, that may make it difficult for the client to search for or obtain employment.

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