DPSS ePolicy

To convert existing policy to new writing style.

Participants who have completed their Appraisal and choose to attend or provide proof of enrollment in a public post-secondary school  are not required to complete a Vocational Assessment. Participants may be referred to Vocational Assessment to be enrolled in Transitional Subsidized Employment (TSE), or when they are unsure about the educational field of study/major they want to pursue.

During Vocational Assessment, the assessor may advise the participant of their educational options and provide information and resources supporting success in their educational program. Vocational Assessments may be conducted in-person or virtually. Participants cannot be prevented from attending their chosen educational activity due to a barrier or refusal to attend a Vocational Assessment. Assessment results cannot be used to limit or restrict a participant’s choice in education or training. Participants enrolled in non-educational activities that need to be assigned to a concurrent activity may participate in Assessment. Vocational Assessment can also be a stand-alone activity if requested.

Vocational Assessment is a one-day Welfare-to-Work (WtW) activity where the participant and the Assessor develop and agree on an individualized Employment Plan based on existing skills, educational level, and employment goals, unless the GAIN Services Worker (GSW)/Contracted Case Manager (CCM) identifies that the participant is enrolled in a public postsecondary educational institution. 

Vocational Assessor

A qualified professional responsible for conducting the Vocational Assessment.

Employment Plan

The end-result of the Vocational Assessment process containing two employment goals the participant wants to pursue based on the Assessment test results, achievement, aptitude, cognitive levels, and the desired employment goals.

Full Assessment

A one-day WtW activity where the participant and the Assessor develop and agree on an individualized Employment Plan designed to lead a participant to employment based on the evaluation of the participant’s existing skills, education level, desired employment goals, Assessment test results and labor market information.

Partial Assessment

An incomplete Assessment due to minimal gathering of specific information and/or partial testing.

Third Party Assessment (TPA)

An independent Assessment completed by a different Vocational Assessment Provider, the results of which are binding upon the GSW/CCM and the participant and shall be used to develop the appropriate WtW Plan for the participant. Once a participant has signed the WtW employment plan or amendment, a participant can request a neutral TPA.

Virtual Assessment

Participants participate in Assessment via a laptop or an interview over the phone to identify any barriers to education.

Part-Time Employment

Working less than the weekly participation requirements as follows: 

• Working less than 20 hours for a single parent with a child under six years old;
  
  
• Working a minimum of 20 hours and less than 30 hours per week for a single parent with a child over six years old; and 
  
  
• Working a minimum of 20 hours and less than 35 hours per week for a two-parent household, in a job for wages which would at least equate to the Federal minimum wage or to the State minimum wage, whichever is higher. 

Referral for Vocational Assessment is appropriate under the following conditions:

• Participants not enrolled in a publicly funded educational institution at time of Appraisal.
  
  
• Participants attending Focus 360 who remain unemployed by the third week are referred to Vocational Assessment during the fourth week of Focus 360. Participants who choose to attend a publicly funded postsecondary educational institution no longer need to complete a Vocational Assessment.
  
  
• Participants may be referred to Assessment to be enrolled in Transitional Subsidized Employment (TSE), or when they are unsure about the educational field of study/major they want to pursue.
  
  
• Participants who want to enroll in Short-Term Vocational (STV) Training must be referred to Vocational Assessment.
   
• When a participant's Self-Initiated Program (SIP) hours are less than the required weekly hours, a Vocational Assessment is required prior to assigning a concurrent activity, unless the activity is Focus 360, Family Stabilization (FS), or Specialized Supportive Services (SSS). 
  
  
• When the participant is working less than the required 20, 30, or 35 weekly participation hours.
  
  
• Participants enrolled in non-educational activities and need to be assigned to a concurrent activity may participate in Assessment. Vocational Assessment can also be a stand-alone activity if requested.
  
  
• Participants will be referred to a stand-alone Vocational Assessment as follows:
  
  
  • When the participant bypasses Focus 360 due to unavailable bilingual services in the language the participant speaks; 
    
    
  • When the participant had completed an Assessment over the last 12 months and a new assessment is needed to attend a WtW activity that requires an assessment;
    
    
  • When the GSW/CCM and the participant, with the approval of the GAIN Services Supervisor (GSS)/Contracted Services Supervisor (CSS), decide that Focus 360 will not be beneficial and assign the participant directly to Vocational Assessment;
    
    
  • When participants are not enrolled in non-educational activities and need to be assigned to a concurrent activity; and
    
    
  • When the participant or the GSW/CCM identify any barriers to participate in an education activity.
     
• Participants who score 12 or more on the Learning Needs Screening must be referred to Learning Disabilities (LD) Evaluation. The Vocational Assessment is included in the LD Evaluation. Therefore, a separate Vocational Assessment is not required for participants who complete the LD evaluation.
   

Note: Vocational Assessment should only be completed once in a 12 month period. If the participant requests to change any of their employment goals, then staff shall contact the assessment provider to discuss an amendment to the employment plan and not refer the participant for a second assessment within the 12 month period.
 

Participants Entering GAIN Without a High School Diploma/General Education Development

Participants entering the Greater Avenues for Independence (GAIN) program without a High School Diploma (HSD)/General Education Development (GED) or its equivalent will be offered the opportunity to be referred and attend school to obtain a HSD/GED or equivalent as their activity. Participants will not be required to complete a Vocational Assessment prior to beginning HSD/GED or equivalent activity. However, an exception to this circumstance will be if the participant wants to be referred to a concurrent activity that requires a Vocational Assessment, such as Transitional Subsidized Employment.

Assessment Agreement

GN 6130, Assessment Activity Agreement, is used to assign participants to Vocational Assessment. 

Assessment Referral

GN 6006, Service Provider Referral, is provided to the participant to bring to the Assessor.

Assessment Process 

GN 6013, GAIN Vocational/Career Assessment Disposition, is used by the Assessor to identify the type of Assessment performed by the Assessor. 

GN 6014, GAIN Vocational Assessment Summary and Employment Plan, is used by the Assessor to document the results of the Vocational Assessment.

GN 6386, WTW Assignment Plan Acknowledgement Form, is used when a participant chooses an employment goal that will be completed beyond the CalWORKs 60-Month Time Limit. 

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