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STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA FFY 2024 STATE PLAN FOR TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES

● Job Readiness, Skills Training, and Job Search assistance are provided to recipients using co-mingled Federal TANF and State Maintenance of Effort (MOE) funds. These programs consist of training to enhance the ability of participants to obtain and maintain employment. This activity is limited to six weeks in any 12-month period, no more than four of these may be consecutive. West Virginia may qualify to count 6 additional weeks for participation credit in Job Search and Job Readiness when WV is a needy state. Using WV's trends and projections of Food Stamp participants and unemployment rates, we can predict whether WV will qualify due to high unemployment or as a needy state.

o Our vendor conducts educational, mental health and vocational assessments to WV WORKS customers to assess for appropriate referrals and identify barriers to employment. These assessments are provided to recipients using Federal TANF funds. A referral form based on the findings from all assessment instruments which are interpreted by the vendor is completed on each participant and provided to each WV WORKS case manager for use in their case management. The case manager will then make referrals to the available community resources based on these recommendations.

o Participants will be administered evidence-based assessments that identify additional barriers to employment in the areas of health, mental health, transportation, childcare, and housing that could affect their transition to self-sufficiency.

● The Employer Incentive Program (EIP) is an on-the-job training program that is provided under TANF purpose number two to recipients using Federal TANF funds. The number of EIP training hours paid to the employer is based upon the starting wage listed in the chart below. The wages paid to the participant for these training hours are reimbursed to the employer. EIP provides participants with structured skill training, the opportunity to improve their skill level, and provides those who are marginally employable with an opportunity to become employed. Individuals referred to this program must be recipients of WV WORKS, below $2,000 asset limit and 100% SON. Beginning Hourly Wage EIP Training Hours Paid $8.75 through $8.99 200 Page 16