Self-Initiated Program (SIP) Documentation of Enrollment

The CalWORKs client in a SIP must provide proof of enrollment. In cases where the SIP client fails to show for their return appointment to sign their WTW 2 and to submit school enrollment verification the following actions are to be taken:

• Issue a SIP denial gis 704 for failure to provide verification.
• Start the Noncompliance process for failure to sign the WTW 2. The SIP denial gis 704 must be mailed to the client at the same time the NNoncomplianceis initiated.

Note: In order to begin the Noncompliance process for failure to sign the WTW 2, the return appointment notice must clearly state that the purpose of the return appointment is to sign the WTW 2.

The following table outlines the content of acceptable proof of enrollment for a SIP from the various types of training/educational institutions.

Contracts - SIP Approvals - “SIP Client Information Sheet” (SCD 1797)

The EC must issue a “SIP Client Information” sheet (SCD 1797) to the client. The following must be on file for SIP approvals:

• “Welfare-to-Work Plan Rights and Responsibilities” (WTW 1)
• “WTW Plan Activity Assignment” (WTW 2)

SIP verification must be received prior to signing the WTW 2.

Prior to the end of the SIP activity, the EC must review the WTW Plan with the client to determine entry into the next WTW Activity.

Enrollment in Multiple Colleges

Multiple Consortium Schools

When a participant attends more than one community college that is part of our community college consortium:

• Liaison at the participant’s primary school is responsible to complete an Education Plan (this applies to only the community colleges). For private school, participant is required to submit all appropriate SIP enrollment documentation that reflects the school’s classes,
• The participant is responsible to obtain the class schedule and provide this information to the primary college liaison which includes documentation and other necessary verifications for the primary college liaison to complete the WTW Plan.
• The primary college will monitor MSP for both schools; however, each liaison will sign off on the “Attendance Verification” (SCD 1755A).

Other Multiple Schools

When a participant attends multiple schools, where one school is a community college consortium school, and the other school is a private school, San Jose State, a University of California campus, or any other non-consortium community college:

• The liaison at the consortium community college is responsible to complete an Education Plan that incorporates the participant’s total hours for both schools.
• It is the responsibility of the participant to obtain the class schedule/course print-outs and provide this information to the consortium community college which includes documentation and other necessary verifications for the consortium college liaison.
• The consortium college will monitor MSP for the classes at the consortium college, and the participant is required to submit verifications to the EC to monitor MSP for the non-consortium classes.
• The SCD 1755A must be signed off from both schools.

Example: The primary school is the school where the student attends most of his/her classes with the exception of classes that are only offered at another college.

School Transfers

If a client has not completed his/her SIP he/she may transfer to another provider as long as he/she maintains the same educational goal.

Example: Client lives in the north county area and attends Unitek. Prior to completing his/her educational goal, he/she moves to San Jose and enrolls in Carrington College to continue the same educational goal.

Once a client completes the SIP or Vocational Plan, the client must be referred to the next appropriate WTW activity.

Structured Education Plan

With the exception of a structured education plan, when participant completes the program, he/she cannot transfer to another program as a SIP, unless individual’s SIP is part of a structured education plan as outlined in the WTW 2 at the time of developing the plan. For example, if a private college student is enrolled in an Associate Degree for Transfer Program, then individual’s SIP program would be the bachelor’s degree that the transfer program is designed to earn. The WTW 2 is completed as a single program that includes the Associate degree for transfer and the Bachelor’s Degree.

School Breaks/Summer Attendance

All SIPs are required to meet the SIP weekly participation requirements during school breaks, including summer months. This can be achieved through a combination of allowable WTW Activities.

Refer to Allowable Concurrent Activities.

Fall Enrollment Reported at Intake

Adult education coalition sites and community college within the consortium provide summer bridging activities for new students enrolled to begin classes in the fall, to ensure participation requirements are met.

Amending an SIP WTW Plan

The community college liaison is required to amend the WTW Plan for college Work Study if College Work Study was not included in the original WTW Plan. A copy of the amended WTW Plan must be sent to the EC. The liaison must also complete a new Educational Plan and include all the new classes plus Work Study, if necessary, for the semesters or quarters that Work Study is projected. If the client finds his/her own part-time employment, either the EC or College Liaison could amend the WTW Plan, depending on whom the client first reports the information. If the EC amends the WTW plan, a copy must be sent to the college liaison.

On occasion the student may not obtain all the desired classes as they are not available. The student may take a different class within the same goal in lieu of the unavailable class. A new Educational Plan would not be required.

SIP Changes

SIP changes are to be applied as follows:

SIP Changes Less Than 30 Days

A SIP change is allowed if the request is made less than 30 calendar days from the date the WTW Plan was signed.

SIP Changes Greater Than 30 Days

A SIP change is not allowed if greater than 30 days from the date the WTW Plan was signed. A participant who requests a change to the SIP must be referred to In-house Assessment (group testing) for the development of a Post-Assessment WTW Plan which includes:

• An evaluation of the participant’s request,
• Work history,
• Education and training background,
• Employability, and
• Current SIP status.

During the plan revision, the participant is required to participate in his/her SIP or other appropriate activity. Once the WTW Plan is revised, it becomes a Post-Assessment WTW Plan. The participant’s SIP status is ended.

Note: When the Liaison or assigned EC becomes aware that the participant changed goals without approval, the Noncompliance process must be initiated with the reason of no longer complying with the vocational goal outlined in the WTW Plan. If Good Cause does not exist, the Compliance Plan may include a referral to Assessment to develop a plan which includes a change in career goal or referral to other WTW activities, based on the labor market criteria. SIP status is ended.

SIP Interruption

A client whose approved SIP is interrupted with “Good Cause” will be permitted to resume participation in the same SIP as follows:

• The client will have maintained good standing in the program while participating, and
• If a break in participation occurs, the individual may resume the SIP if previously approved SIP or other educational program continues to meet SIP criteria
• The EC will adjust the SIP completion date to account for the time of absence.