3130 TANF Assessment Process - The employment
service assessment is an on-going process which consists of engagement,
information gathering, and documentation. The self-assessment, now a part
of eligibility, will assist in this process. It is recommended that
the SASSI be completed within the first 90 days of TANF approval and is
required to be completed by the 12th month of TANF assistance.
All cases that do not have the SASSI completed within the first 90 days
must have the extension approved by the Employment Services Manager. All
additional assessments to determine barriers to employment or hardship
should be initiated no later than the 8th month of assistance and must
be completed by the 12th month of assistance. If the client reports incidents
of domestic violence or sexual assault during application process, a referral
will be made to a local Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault (DVSA) provider
by the case manager. Upon approval of cash benefits and opening of the
work program case, the client will be referred to the DV/SA provider for
contracted services. If during application, the client provides documentation
they cannot work because they have physical or mental limitations, the
case manager may refer these clients directly to Rehabilitation Services
prior to TANF approval. Upon TANF approval, the case manager may require
additional documentation and will advise the client that all documentation
will be subject to a second opinion. Once the client’s limitations are
assessed, the case manager will meet with the client and place them in
an appropriate employment focused activity. The case manager will work
regularly with the client to assure they are performing at their
maximum capacity with accommodations as per assessments, medical evaluations
and career screens.
If the client is involved with DV/SA or Disability Employment Services
(Rehabilitation Services) they will still be expected to complete the
self-assessment and the SASSI screening if appropriate.
3130.1 Engagement - Building rapport and establishing trust are important for client/case manager collaboration. The initial contacts with the client set the tone for a successful partnership. Listening is an important communication skill. Determine the following:
What motivates the client?
What barriers does the client talk
about that are keeping the client from attaining goals?
How to empower the client. What
are their options? What can they reasonably do?
Focus on strengths and client buy-in to the program they select.
3130.2 Gather Information - Information about the client is gathered during conversations and interactions, with the case manager. Specific screenings and assessment tools help identify strengths and barriers, to assist in the client/case manager collaboration for work program assignment. Supervisory approval is required for any exception to client’s completion of the assessment process.
Documentation of assessments will be placed in the case file and noted on the system.
Additional assessments may occur within the first 12 months of TANF benefits and should be initiated by the 8th month to assure their completion by month 12. If a client self-declares a mental or physical disability after the first 12 months of TANF benefits, the client will be responsible to set appointments and pay for additional assessments that may be needed to verify their disability. The case manager will inform the client that all verification they provide will be subject to a second opinion.
Additional follow-up guidance is provided in Appendix, Item #E-14.
Much of the information gathered during the work program assessment process is used to meet the required protocol prior to terminating a TANF case due to the 24-month time limit (see 2242).
The client may be referred to a RS Career Development Center (RS CDC), other contracted provider, Rehabilitation Services or Mental Health Center for further assessment.
The Self Assessment Tool (Appendix #E-6) should be completed each time the client applies for assistance.
3130.3 Documentation - Information obtained during the assessment is documented in the case record and on the system.
The Self-Sufficiency Agreement documents the collaboration between the client and the EES case manager to establish the short term strategies and employment/self-sufficiency goals. Client strengths, information from assessment interviews, tests, community resources, barriers, available program activities and services are considered in the mutual development of the Agreement.
The EES case manager and the client will determine the appropriate activity based upon the client goals, assessment data, and available local resources. If the assessment report indicates continuing mental health needs, areas should collaborate with Mental Health Center (MHC) for treatment and/or case management. Identified barriers such as substance abuse and/or domestic violence will need to be addressed early in the work program participation.