DPSS ePolicy

Conversion of existing policy and/or form(s)

Orientation is the first activity conducted on the first day of Focus 360. It is offered by Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE), which is currently the contracted service provider for all Focus 360 locations. Group motivational sessions are conducted during Orientation for English, Spanish, Armenian, Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean, Tagalog, Cambodian, and Russian speaking participants. Motivational sessions are provided for all other languages as needed on an individual basis by LACOE.

The one-day Orientation activity (starts at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m.) is designed to provide an overview of CalWORKs and GAIN requirements while emphasizing the benefits of employment. It also motivates participants and assists them in recognizing strengths, skills, and abilities that are transferable to the workplace. Orientation can be assigned as a stand-alone activity for participants not required to attend Focus 360. Participation in Orientation should be encouraged if it does not jeopardize or interfere with a participant's educational or part-time employment. During Orientation, participants are given information on the benefits of participating in the GAIN program, "Work Pays", Supportive Services, child care as well as their rights and responsibilities while participating in GAIN.

Dual Track Screening

As part of the Orientation curriculum, LACOE utilizes Dual Track screening to identify participants who may have additional barriers to employment. The following protocol is followed by LACOE as part of the curriculum:

1. During Orientation, each participant completes a “Practice Application” literacy assessment screening tool to determine if he/she has the literacy skills needed to find employment. Note: Non-English/Non-Spanish participants complete the Practice Application in English. 
2. The results of the Practice Application are forwarded to the co-located GAIN Services Workers (GSW) by LACOE staff. The co-located GSWs score the forms using the Scoring Key. 
3. Participants who score less than 12 correct responses are asked by the co-located GSW about possible vision problems. If vision is not a problem, participants are designated as "Dual Track" and are evaluated to determine which services best meet their needs.
4. Participants designated as "Dual Track" are given the following options:
   • Continue with Focus 360;
   • Continue with seeking employment and participating in a concurrent remedial education activity to improve literacy; or
   • Bypass Focus 360, if it is determined that Focus 360 would not be beneficial. Participants who choose to bypass Focus 360 are referred directly to Vocational Assessment (VA). 
5. During Orientation, the GAIN/REP staff and the designated co-located GSWs/Contracted Case Managers (CCMs), who are part of a multidisciplinary team composed of Focus 360 facilitators, Vocational Assessors and GAIN Job Developers (JD) who are out-stationed at LACOE sites, work in partnership.
6. The multidisciplinary team meets to discuss and review each participant’s case in order to begin developing a personalized employment plan prior to VA.
7. The multidisciplinary team, including the JD, assists with identifying local employment opportunities and educational/training programs for participants.

Co-Located GSW/CCM

Co-located GSWs/CCMs are stationed at the LACOE Job Services sites to provide assistance and address issues between the participants and LACOE. The Co-located GSW/CCM is to attempt to resolve any  issues that may arise with the participant and LACOE. Unresolved issues are brought to the attention of the GAIN Regional Administration and CalWORKs and GAIN Division, as needed. The following are the duties and responsibilities of the Co-located GSW/CCM: 

• Be available during Orientation to respond to participant's questions on the GAIN Program, resolve issues with supportive services requests (i.e., transportation, clothing, child care), and connect them to their GSW/CCM when needed.
• If a participant declared a need for specialized supportive services during Focus 360, the LACOE facilitator will refer the participant to the Co-located GSW/CCM to facilitate the request by connecting the participants to their GSW/CCM or the SSS GSW/CCM within one workday. 
• Receive a list of participants who did not show, dropped or transferred out of Focus 360. Notify the case carrying GSW/CCM to determine the next activity and ensure steps are taken to engage these participants. 
• Receive a list of participants who have not found employment within the first three weeks of Focus 360 and requires a referral to Vocational Assessment. Review the list and determine if the participant completed a Vocational Assessment within the past 12 months. 
  • If the participant did not complete a Vocational Assessment within the last 12 months, then notify the case carrying GSW/CCM to refer the participant to Vocational Assessment for the fourth week of Focus 360. 
  • If the participant completed a Vocational Assessment within the past 12 months, then inform the case-carrying GSW/CCM to review the Vocational Assessment Employment Plan with the participant to determine the next activity.    

GAIN is Los Angeles County’s WtW Program. Focus 360 is GAIN’s job readiness program, and Orientation is Day One of Focus 360.

Goals Motivational Program

A guide book on personal success utilized by LACOE staff to motivate Focus 360 participants, applying the Ten Keys of Success.

Orientation

Orientation is the first day of Focus 360. Orientation is an all-day activity that starts on Monday (Tuesdays if Monday is a holiday) at 9:00 am and ends at 4:00 pm. It provides an overview of the GAIN Program and offers motivational training. Participants will attend presentations on the Rights and Responsibilities of the GAIN Program and specialized supportive services, take the DPSS Literacy Screening test, learn the benefits of working, and participate in motivational activities.

Barriers

Barriers are personal or other issues that interfere with the participant’s ability to participate in the WtW Program. Barriers can be temporary or long-term. Participants who have a personal situation that will interfere with their participation are not required to participate in Orientation until their situation is stable. 

Literacy Screening Tool

A practice application administered to GAIN participants during Orientation to determine English proficiency.

Not Applicable

LACOE has been given limited access to update the system with the outcomes of the participant’s Job Services assignment. LACOE must update the system within one workday. However, LACOE is not required to send a GN 6007, Notification of Change from Service Provider, unless the participant found a job or declared a need for Substance Use Disorder (SUD), Mental Health (MH) or Domestic Violence (DV) services. The GSWs/CCMs must take the actions for the following outcomes: 

1. If the participant is determined to be a "No Show" (a participant fails to appear for the activity assignment), then a Good Cause determination is made within one day.
2. If the participant is "Dropped" due to non-cooperation, then a cause determination appointment is made within one workday.
3. If it is determined that Supportive Services are needed (e.g., a request to issue ancillary expense for clothing, which the participant has been unable to obtain), then action is taken to evaluate or provide the needed supportive services within one workday.
4. If the activity was "Completed" without finding employment, then the participant is assigned to the next GAIN activity.
5. If it is determined that Specialized Supportive Services are needed (e.g. a participant has declared a need for DV, MH, or SUD services), then the Focus 360 facilitator will refer the participant back to the GSW indicating on the GN 6007 the specific service needed. The GSW will issue an appointment for the participant to be evaluated and refer the participant to the appropriate service provider based on the needed service.
6. If it is determined that the participant "Obtained Employment", then the participant is contacted by the GSW/CCM to confirm their employment, and complete employment information (including start date, starting salary, employer name, employer address, contact person and telephone number). The GSW/CCM must enter the information into CalSAWS within one workday. Participants employed part-time are assigned to VA, while full-time participants are offered a Career Assessment and other Post Employment Services within one workday.