PD 23-13: Post-Public Health Emergency Guidance
| Date: | 4/21/23 | ||
| To: | All DEBS Staff | ||
| From: | Sandra Loredo & Michelle Rojas, Application Decision Support Specialist II | ||
| Subject: | Post-Public Health Emergency Guidance |
Background
Program Directive (PD) 2020-8 was established with initial COVID-19 guidance for DEBS programs. Good Cause was granted to participants for not attending Welfare to Work (WTW) Orientation, OCAT, Appraisal, In-House Assessment, Job Readiness and other WTW activities. Program flexibilities were provided for completing non-compliance, curing sanctions, and applying sanctions. CWES program policy and flexibilities were in place until the end of the Public Health Emergency.
WTW Program
Effective May 1, 2023, as the Public Health Emergency abates, non-compliance and sanctions will be re-instated. For participants able to participate in WTW activities, Employment Counselors (ECs) are required to continue providing WTW services, using in person and remote participation options, and client engagement options unless exempt.
Non Compliance and Sanctions
EC’s are encouraged to do their utmost to engage participants in WTW activities. When a client fails or refuses to cooperate, without good cause, the client will be subject to the non-compliance process. Failing or refusing to comply with the minimum requirements means failing or refusing to:
- Sign a WTW Plan
- Participate in any assigned WTW program activity, including a SIP
- Provide required proof of satisfactory progress in any assigned activity, including a SIP
- Accept employment
- Continue employment, or
- Continue employment at the same level of earnings.
Client Engagement
Client engagement options include:
- Promotion of education opportunities, including Cell-Ed
- Promotion of One-Time Engagement Incentive Payment
- Utilizing Expanded Subsidiezed Employment and other employment and training activities
- Utilizing the Family Stabilization Program, and
- Conducting meetings, appointments, and signing of documents using electronic means and methods.
Good Cause
EC’s are encouraged to continue communicating with participants while they are receiving Good Cause and encouraged to do their utmost to engage participants in WTW services.
CalSAWS
Instructional guidance for non-compliance and sanction processes in CalSAWS will be created for staff to follow.
Journal Entry
All noncompliance and sanction actions must be documented in the Journal Detail page in CalSAWS. Add new Journal Entry and select “Employment Services,”for Category, select “WTW,” for Type and “Non-Compliance” and "Sanction" for Short Description.
Implementation
This Program Directive is effective May 1, 2023.
Supervisors
Employment Program and Eligibility Worker Supervisors must review this PD immediately with staff.