751 America's Job Centers of California Referrals

GAIN

751 America's Job Centers of California Referrals

Release Date

03/25/2026

Section Heading

Purpose

To inform staff of the revisions to the America's Job Centers of California Referrals (AJCC) policy.

Revision of existing policy and/or form(s).

What changed?

References to LEADER Replacement System were replaced with California Statewide Automated Welfare System (CalSAWS),
GEN 111, Employer Statement Form replaced CSF 160, Verification of Employment,
References to START (GROW) Program and policy were removed, and
Updated procedures to refer Greater Avenues for Independence and Refugee Employment Program participants to an AJCC for Job Search and other applicable services, in alignment with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.

Note: Changes are shown highlighted in grey throughout the document.

Policy

In alignment with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), the Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) is collaborating with the Workforce Development Board (WDB) AJCC by referring Greater Avenues of Independence (GAIN)/Refugee Employment Program (REP) participants for Job Search and other applicable services.

GAIN/REP staff will initiate Job Search referrals for current GAIN/REP participants who are job ready, have completed Vocational Assessment, and for GAIN/REP, are currently participating in a Transitional Subsidized Employment (TSE) activity as a Customer Service Assistant (CSA).

Background

On July 25, 2017, the Board of Supervisors (BOS), adopted the motion on the implementation of the Countywide Workforce Development Plan. In this motion, the BOS instructed DPSS to expand workforce development services to DPSS participants through the AJCCs. One of the provisions under WIOA is that it requires more regional collaboration among mandated partners, which includes DPSS. This partnership is designed to enhance the current workforce system and its delivery of services to job seekers, workers, and employers.

Definitions

Terms and Descriptions

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)

The purpose of WIOA is to provide workforce development activities that increase the employment, retention, and earnings of participants. In addition, improve the quality of the workforce, reduce welfare dependency, increase economic self-sufficiency, and meet the skill requirements of employers.

Workforce Development Board (WDB)

The WDB directs federal, State, and local funding to workforce development programs. There are seven WDBs in Los Angeles County. WDBs oversee AJCCs.

America’s Job Centers of California (AJCC)

WDBs AJCCs align with the national “American Job Center” brand that has been adopted under WIOA to replace the formerly known One-Stop/WorkSource Centers. AJCCs provide job seekers with employment information, career development training opportunities, and connections to various programs in their area.

Customer Service Assistant (CSA)

GAIN/REP participants are enrolled in a TSE activity and are placed in a CSA position at a DPSS office.

CSA participants are allowed 16 hours per month of paid Job Search hours during the last three months of the TSE activity assignment. The goal is to assist GAIN/REP participants secure unsubsidized employment and achieve self-sufficiency.

Objective Evaluation

During the initial appointment, AJCC staff and the participant will review and evaluate the existing DPSS Vocational Assessment, including the participant’s work experience and educational level completed. Evaluation will aid in developing objectives that will help to achieve unsubsidized employment.

CalJOBS

CalJOBS is California's online resource to help job seekers and employers navigate the State's workforce services.

Vocational Assessment

Vocational Assessment is an activity that assists GAIN/REP participants in developing an individualized employment plan.

Job-Ready Participant

A participant who possesses a valid identification, Social Security (SS) card, and has completed the following activities:

Vocational Assesment;
Focus 360 (formerly Job Club); and
TSE-CSA.

Requirements

GAIN/REP participants must meet all of the following program specific requirements to be referred to an AJCC:

Be job-ready;
Be a United States (U.S.) citizen or lawful permanent resident; for REP participants only, be a work-authorized noncitizen (such as a refugee or asylee); refugees, asylees, U and T-Visa, and certain humanitarian parolees also have the right to work and are issued United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or Department of Homeland Security (DHS) employment authorization documentation such as an Employment Authorization Document card (form I-766), combination of a California Driver’s License (DL)/Identification (ID) card and I-94 or SS card, or other acceptable documents, as per Form I-9 Acceptable Documents | USCIS;
Have an active CalJOBS account; and
Have registered with the Selective Service, if male over the age of 18 and born after 1960.

Additional requirements for TSE/CSA participants only are as follows:

Have an open Paid Work Experience (PWE) activity; and
Be within the last three months of CSA assignment.

Note: A male participant 26 years of age or older who has not registered with the Selective Service, but meets the other requirements listed above, may be referred to the AJCC. The receiving AJCC will determine if the participant has a valid reason for not registering. Participants can register online by visiting the Selective Service System’s website at Selective Service - Register.

Verification Docs

Category and Acceptable Documents

Right to Work

Participants must possess the following documents prior to being assigned to an AJCC (original documents required):

U.S. Birth Certificate;
Resident Alien card;
Naturalization Certificate;
U.S. Passport;
California DL/ID card;
SS card; and
REP I-94 (for certain noncitizens, such as refugees, asylees, and certain humanitarian parolees), or Employment Authorization Document (form I-766).

Employment Verification

GEN 111- Employment Statement Form; and
Vocational Assessment.

Attachments

N/A

DPSS ePolicy

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