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 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 gis 704 notice 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 “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 by:

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

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:
  • Eureka, or
  • Use OES (web address)
  • CalWORKs Planning Resource Guide of Labor Market Projections
• 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
• EDD Resource Guide.

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.

SIP Denial (gis 704) and Extension Denial (gis 704a) Notice

The “SIP Denial” (gis 704) or “Extension Denial” (gis 704a) are automatically generated when the CalWIN Maintain SIP Request window is completed at the time the SIP is denied or the extension 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 add a new SIP request on the CalSAWS Maintain SIP Request window to generate a new denial notice.

The gis 704/gis 704a notifies the CWES client of the:

• Denial (disapproval) of a SIP, or
• Denial of the request for the 6-month extension 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.