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1000.8 TANF MANUAL 12/22 PAGE 24

which establish an approximate educational/basic literacy level, can be used in place of the Information Sheet if the score is no more than one year old. [Note: The literacy determination can be made at the initial assessment, or can be conducted later; in all cases, it must be completed by the first reassessment].

3. An initial identification of the client’s employment/educational goal(s) and the types of program assignments that may be completed throughout the client’s VIEW participation. The VDSS Employment Services Program Assessment form (032-22-1090) will be used to record this information.

4. A detailed evaluation of child care and other supportive service needs.

5. An initial discussion of possible disabilities of the client or family household member that may interfere with the client’s ability to participate in VIEW and/or to work. A copy of the “Do You Have a Disability” form must be in the case record.

a. All VIEW participants must be offered screening for domestic violence, learning disabilities, mental health disabilities, physical disabilities; and substance abuse within 90 days of signing the APR. Examples of valid screening tools can be found in “Screening for Employment Barriers: Issues and Tools”, which can be accessed in FUSION under Benefit Programs on the TANF/VIEW Training Documents page. The link is https://fusion.dss.virginia.gov/bp/BP-Home/TANF-and-VIEW/Training- Documents

b. Participants whose screenings indicate the possible presence of a disability will, with the client’s agreement, be referred for an in-depth evaluation.

c. All individuals, including those who choose not to be screened, and those who have been screened and referred for an in-depth evaluation, will be assigned to an appropriate program activity based on the initial assessment.

d. If the in-depth evaluation indicates the existence of a disability, treatments and/or services to address the disability will be made part of the client’s required program assignments and will be recorded on the Activity and Service Plan.

6. An evaluation of other issues that may clearly affect program participation or employment. Such issues may include verified barriers to employment.

Verified barriers to employment include mental and physical disabilities, learning disabilities, substance abuse and domestic violence. Each of these barriers requires verification by another agency or professional qualified to identify the specific barrier before it is entered on the VIEW Screening and Assessment Details page in the ESP module in VaCMS. Additionally, a “yes” response to “Are there barriers to employment?” relates only to verify barriers. Unless the worker has verification of a barrier, the response must be “no” and no barrier entered. Verification may be provided by agencies such as domestic violence shelters or substance treatment programs, as well as by professionals qualified to assess learning disabilities, health or mental health conditions. In all cases in which the worker receives documented confirmation of the condition or situation from the referral source, the worker will enter the verified barrier: • Domestic Violence • Learning Disability • Mental Health • Physical Disability • Substance Abuse

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