Self-Initiated Program (SIP) Not Approved

A client, who at the time of the initial orientation/appraisal, is attending a school program that cannot be approved as a SIP will be allowed to continue the current program until the end of the current semester or quarter, not to exceed four (4) months for programs not on a semester or quarter system. The client must change to a program that meets the SIP approval criteria or participate in other approved WTW Activities.

Note: For sanctioned participants, the Employment Counselor (EC) is to evaluate the present area of study if the prior area of study was a different degree or certification program.

Program Not on Matrix

Before issuing the Self-Initiated Program Denial (SCD 2622) to deny a SIP, the client must be allowed the opportunity to demonstrate that the program he or she is enrolled in will lead to employment.

Reminder: The EC must issue a Self-Initiated Program (SIP) Client Information (SCD 1797) to the participant.

If the program is listed on the Matrix but the provider is not, the SIP cannot be approved unless the provider’s program is approved/exempted by:

• The Department of Consumer Affairs, Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education, or
• Accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

The client, with the assistance of the EC, can demonstrate a need by researching any of the following:

• Documentation from any employment handbook such as:
  • Use the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) website
• Current newspaper or magazine articles reflecting trends in a particular field
• Current labor market surveys conducted by public or private agencies
• The client’s own current job market survey along with published occupational outlooks
• Actual offer of employment to a client upon completion of training
• The Employment Development Department's (EDD) Labor Market Information Resources and Data website.

Reminder: SNA participants are entitled to unsupervised study time as part of their WTW Plan.

Four(4)-Year Degree

A client with a four-year baccalaureate degree cannot be approved for a SIP unless the client’s goal is to pursue a California regular classroom teaching credential in college or university with an approved teacher credential preparation program.

Self-Initiated Program Denial (SCD 2622)

The SCD 2622 is available in the DEBS Forms Library and is to be issued to the client at the time a SIP is denied.  

If at the end of the current semester, quarter or the 4-month period the client is not enrolled in a school program that meets the SIP approval criteria, the EC must issue a new SCD 2622.

The SCD 2622 notifies the CWES client of the:

• Denial (disapproval) of a SIP, 
• Reason(s) for the denial, and
• Right to appeal.

Contracts - SIP Denial

A client who has been denied SIP and approved SNA must sign all of the following:

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

A new WTW Plan must be signed at the end of the quarter, semester or four(4)-month period for the client to either meet the SIP criteria or for entry into a WTW activity or activities.