DPSS ePolicy

To convert existing policy to new writing style - No concept changes

Life Skills Classes (LSC) provide Greater Avenues for Independence (GAIN) participants with practical tools for everyday life as well as coping strategies for difficult situations. Participants can attend a variety of classes which range from Parenting/Gang Prevention Parenting to Money and Time Management. Typically, LSC are a type of bridging activity, based on funding availability. They are usually not a stand-alone activity.

The following areas are covered under LSC:

1. Parent Education activity includes an array of classes, such as Parenting Your Preschool Child, Parent-Child Interaction, and Gang Prevention Parenting.
   
   
   • Gang Prevention Parenting classes are offered to participants who want to learn innovative parenting techniques which strengthen the parent/child bond by increasing communication and awareness.
   • The classes help parents recognize the warning signs of gang affiliation as well as how to discuss gangs with their children. These classes teach skills that enhance personal growth, assist in providing coping skills for dealing with parenting problems, and encourage community involvement as a way to stem gang activities.
      
2. Money and Time Management activity includes classes, such as Personal Finance and Financial Planning.
   
   
3. Career Development activity includes classes, such as Occupational Exploration and Career/Life Planning.
   
   
4. Personal Development activity includes classes, such as Nutrition for Fitness and Healthy Lifestyles.
    

The LSC may also be included as part of a participant’s Family Stabilization (FS) Plan. For additional details refer to GAIN Chapter 1450 - Family Stabilization Program.

CalWORKs participants must meet the required 20/30/35 hours of participation in Welfare-to-Work (WtW) activities every week to meet the CalWORKs Hourly Participation Requirements. That is, if a participant is scheduled to start an activity but is waiting to begin for any period of time, they will not count as participating unless they are actually attending an activity at that time. Every attempt should be made to enroll participants in the appropriate activity as outlined in their employment plan as quickly as possible.

Life Skills Classes (LSC)

LSC is a subset of bridging activities. LSC provide participants with practical tools for everyday life as well as coping strategies for difficult situations. Participants can attend a variety of classes which range from Parenting/Gang Prevention Parenting to Money and Time Management. 

LSC has four activity types:

1. Parent Education;
2. Money and Time Management;
3. Career Development; and
4. Personal Development.

 Additional Activities

These activities are to be used to keep participants engaged during any prolonged waiting period, when the next activity is not immediately available. Participants in Self-Initiated Programs (SIP), Vocational Education and Training, and Specialized Supportive Services (SSS) are ideal candidates for referral to these activities.

Post-Assessment Activities

A participant must be assigned to another primary activity and must have been assessed only if required by the primary WtW activity to participate in LSC. The exception is if the LSC is tied to a SSS modality, including FS.

Activities Related To Employment Plan Goal

To the extent possible, the GAIN Services Worker (GSW)/Contracted Case Manager (CCM) should refer the participant to LSC that is related to their goal in the employment plan or will prepare the participant to be more successful in becoming self-sufficient.

 Check With Provider For Availability

The GSW/CCM must check the availability of services offered by a specified Life Skills provider before referring a participant to ensure appropriate services will be provided.

GN 6006 - Service Provider Referral

This form is used to refer the participant to the service provider that offers the training/education to the recommended WtW activity listed on the participant’s employment plan.

GN 6365 - Monthly Attendance Report

The GN 6365 is required to verify monthly attendance.

Acceptable Alternate

The GN 6365 is not required if an, attendance record, or similar documentation is made available by the provider.

All documentation must include:

• The participant’s name;
• The name of the provider;
• The number of attendance hours; and
• The name and phone number of the official verifying the hours.

Note: For online activities an acceptable alternate includes a self-certified timesheet signed by the participant. 

GN 6070 - Progress Report

The GN 6070 is required to verify progress in an activity at least quarterly or at midpoint if the activity is less than three months.

Acceptable Alternate

When efforts to have the GN 6070 completed are unsuccessful, one of the two options below may be provided to the GSW/CCM:

A written sworn statement (affidavit) until the progress report or its equivalent can be provided; or

A letter from a program official, such as a program Coordinator who can report the participant’s progress. The letter must:

• Be on the provider's letterhead; and
• Have the signature of the official who authored the letter.

N/A