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West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Chapter 17

West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Page 9 Chapter 17 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training (SNAP E&T)

Any course or program of study that a client is placed into must be able to be completed in four years or fewer. While the client may take longer than four years to complete the program, the program must be designed to be completed in four or fewer years.

VOCATIONAL TRAINING

Vocational Training enables participants to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to compete in a specific occupation. This component may only be used when the training is likely to lead to employment. This activity is provided through existing resources available in the community on a non-reimbursable basis, until the resources have been exhausted. This training must be preparation for a specific occupation and conducted by an instructor in a non-work site or classroom setting. Entry into this activity is selective and training is authorized only for programs that can be completed in one year or less. Non-exempt ABAWDs enrolled in Vocational Training are required to participate a minimum of 80 hours per month. The Vocational Training component is used to train participants in specific job skills for jobs that exist in the local labor market area. Participants in need of skill training must be referred to available vocational training schools, WDB sponsors, and industrial training programs that provide the training free to the participant. The participant may be referred to a facility that charges a fee, only after it is determined that cost-free training is not available. The vocational training facility must report participant attendance and progress on a monthly progress report, DFA-TS-12. The SNAP E&T Worker must monitor and review the progress on a monthly basis. Vocational Training will vary according to training availability and the labor market needs of a particular area. Participants who have obtained a high school equivalency or certification to become employed in a particular occupation, or to learn a skill in order to become employable, may be referred to Vocational Training facilities operated on the local level by the Board of Education. SNAP E&T participants who complete career, technical, or vocational programs may count toward both the Attainment of Credential/Certificate measure and the Measurable Skill Gains measure, as applicable. Providers and workers should ensure that credential attainment is validated through documentation. Acceptable documentation may include transcripts, report cards, enrollment records, case notes, verification of enrollment, or copies of diplomas, certificates, or recognized equivalencies. NOTE: Exceptions may be made by the Division of Family Assistance (DFA) Policy Unit.