7.4.1.1 General CSJ Participant Circumstances

Individuals placed in a CSJ may have:

Limited or no prior work experience;

A work history that includes frequent job changes, voluntary quits, or terminations;

Personal or health-related barriers, including physical or mental health conditions that limit regular employment; or

Family-related challenges such as domestic violence, temporary illness or incapacity, or other family crises.

EXAMPLE 1 : Jane has two children under the age of 5, has a very limited work history, and is one course short of her high school diploma. After applying for W-2, Jane explains that she is interested in becoming a child care provider but is worried that her limited experience and lack of high school diploma will prevent her from getting a job. The RS assigned Jane to up-front job search activities, and the job developer connected Jane to local child care employers who had openings. However, Jane was not hired due to her lack of experience and education. Jane’s FEP places her in a CSJ and assigns 10 hours per week of education to complete her high school diploma and 30 hours of work experience at a local daycare site.

EXAMPLE 2 : Jennifer has a high school diploma and completed a clerical training course but has no full-time work experience. Her son, Jason, age 7, has been recently diagnosed with severe behavioral issues and is in the process of being stabilized on medication. Jennifer applies for W-2 and wants to work somewhere she can use her clerical skills but needs flexibility to respond to her son’s needs as Jason’s school has Jennifer take him out of class weekly for behavioral issues. To do this, Jennifer’s FEP works with Jason’s school to set up a CSJ worksite in the front office, allowing Jennifer to gain clerical experience while remaining accessible for Jason when needed. Once Jason's medication stabilizes his behavior and Jennifer has the necessary clerical experience, the FEP will focus on moving Jennifer into unsubsidized employment.