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West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Chapter 18

West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Page 48 Chapter 18 WV WORKS Activities/Requirements

18.7 LOCAL OFFICE RESPONSIBILITIES In addition to the responsibilities contained in other chapters of the Income Maintenance Manual (IMM), the Case Manager has responsibilities related to the work program aspect of WV WORKS. The Case Manager must assist the participant in all reasonable ways to achieve self- sufficiency. The Case Manager must assist the participant in all reasonable ways to achieve self-sufficiency. The West Virginia Bridge Model is designed to emphasize family stability, well-being, job development and job readiness, employment, job retention and stronger families. By using this model, it is a full family, holistic approach to eliminate challenges and barriers, while focusing on the family dynamic to promote job readiness and employment in order to lead to stronger families and self-sufficiency. To accomplish this, the Case Manager must assess the participant’s knowledge and skills, work with the participant and make informed recommendations about courses of action appropriate for each individual to develop a plan that is expected to lead to self-sufficiency. In addition, he must enter into an agreement with the participant concerning his involvement in the process of becoming self-sufficient, monitor the participant’s progress to determine changing needs and the need for support service payments and take appropriate follow-up action based on the participant’s actions. The eligibility requirements of the Personal Responsibility Contract (PRC) and Self-Sufficiency Plan (SSP), is detailed in Chapter 1. Other requirements, particularly those dealing with the participant’s continuing eligibility, are found throughout the IMM. Chapter 14 contains other information about the eligibility aspect of the work requirements. The following sections in this chapter are devoted to work activities and follow-up actions and contain information necessary for the Case Manager to assist the participant in becoming self-sufficient and in developing opportunities for him.

Mobility Coaching is a research-informed approach to help families improve their well-being, meet their children’s needs, and get out of poverty. Through strength-based coaching, Mobility Coaching supports low-income individuals to plan, strategize, reach, and sustain economic self- sufficiency. Mobility Coaching places participants with Case Managers to support them in meeting their goals. Case Managers work in close partnership with participants to create high levels of trust along with high expectations and a growth mindset to help participants succeed.

This approach incorporates motivational interviewing, and principles of trauma-informed care to help individuals facing significant stress function more effectively and get out of poverty. The core concepts underlying Mobility Coaching include: an individualized approach, a holistic approach of bridging all facets of an individual’s life to gain and maintain stability, time, participant buy-in, and networking.