DPSS ePolicy

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

A participant’s Self-Initiated Program (SIP) is approvable as a Welfare-to-Work (WtW) activity when all the criteria referenced below are met. When the SIP is approved, the participant must be provided with a notification of SIP approval (GN 6146 - Self-Initiated Program (SIP) Notice of Action).

Approval Conditions

1. The participant was enrolled in a private school on or before the date of the initial GAIN Appraisal appointment; or The participant missed the initial GAIN Appraisal appointment with Good Cause and enrolled in a private school on or before the rescheduled Appraisal.
   Note: If the participant missed the initial Appraisal without Good Cause and enrolled in a private school on or before the rescheduled Appraisal, then the activity may not be approved as a SIP.
   
   
2. The program leads to an undergraduate degree or certificate, or a California regular teaching credential.
   Note: A participant who possesses a baccalaureate degree valid in the United States will not be eligible to participate in a SIP unless he/she is pursuing a California regular classroom teaching credential.
   
   
3. The program is likely to lead to employment. The program is determined to lead to employment if:
   The program is listed on the GN 6141, Los Angeles County’s List of Approved Self-Initiated Programs; or
   the participant provides alternate documentation that the program will lead to employment as listed on the GN 6093 Alternate Documentation that the SIP Leads to Employment.
   
   
4. The participant is making satisfactory progress.
    

N/A

Activity Agreement Plan

The WTW 2, Welfare-to-Work Plan Activity Assignment, is an Activity Agreement Plan developed by the GAIN Services Worker (GSW)/Contracted Case Manager (CCM) and the participant, which indicates the participant is agreeing to do the scheduled hours. It also specifies the assigned WtW activity (or activities), hours of participation, start date and end date, and the need for supportive services.

Notification of SIP Approval

The GN 6146, Self-Initiated Program (SIP) Notice of Action, along with a copy of the NA BACK 9, Your Hearing Rights form, must be given or mailed to the participant within three business days of the date the SIP is approved.

List of Required Courses

Participants must provide the GSW/CCM with a current list of all classes (pre-requisite, major, general education, and electives) that are required to transfer and/or obtain a degree/certificate in an approved SIP.

WTW 2

The program approved as a SIP must be included on the WTW 2.

Allowable Hours

The following activities or combination of activities count towards the weekly participation hours in a SIP activity:

• Classroom - Scheduled hours for each required course/class, including associated labs and clinical hours (non-homework labs).
• Credited Study Time - Scheduled internships or study labs (homework labs) courses that the participant receives credits or units for and count towards the completion of the participant’s approved SIP.
• Supervised Study Time -Study time that is supervised, documented, and verified by the school, such as the time spent in a tutorial lab (homework lab) or learning center.
• Unsupervised Study Time - One hour of unsupervised study time for every hour of class time will be counted towards hours of participation. 
  Refer to GAIN Chapter 660 Self-Initiated Program Study Time.
• Online Courses - Scheduled hours for required classes.
  Refer to GAIN Chapter 681 Self-Initiated Program Online Classes for information on how to determine online scheduled class hours.
• Internship/ Externship - Specific assignments that provide work experience in the same field as the SIP activity.

Note: The hours allowed for SIP participants are different from those allowed for STEP participants. 

Time Limits - CalWORKs 60-MTC

If the participant reaches their CalWORKs 60-Month Time limit, the participant is not entitled to continue in WtW services unless the participant qualifies for Post-Time Limit Services, if available.

Note: Individuals participating in a SIP activity will be able to do so throughout their time on aid.

SIP Extension

When more time is needed to finish the SIP, the participant is required to provide the GSW/CCM with a written request from the school. At the time the extension is requested, the participant:

• Must be making satisfactory progress in the overall program; and
• Must have resolved any non-compliance problems before the extension of the new expected end date may be granted.

Class Schedule

Participants are required to provide the GSW/CCM with a new schedule every time any kind of change is made to their class schedule and prior to or at the beginning of each term/semester.

Verification of Enrollment

The GN 6005A, Verification of Welfare-to-Work Participation Hours, form is required to verify enrollment of a SIP.

Acceptable Alternates

1. Copy of the participant’s school enrollment verification, class registration, and class schedule; or
2. Letter from the school on the school’s letterhead with the school’s official stamp stating the:
   • Participant’s name;
   • Name of the Program;
   • Program enrollment date;
   • Program actual start and expected end date;
   • Current weekly scheduled class hours or class schedule;
   • Contact information of the school official providing the letter.

Note: Participants attending a four-year college can obtain their school enrollment verification from the Office of Admissions and Records or the Registrar’s Office.

SIP Extension

An extension letter from the school is required to verify a new expected end date for an educational/training activity.

Written documentation from the school requesting an extension on behalf of the student must be submitted to the GSW/CCM. This could include an email, the GN 6007, Notification of Change from Service Provider, form or a letter. The letter must:

1. Be on the school’s letterhead;
2. Be stamped with the school’s or the school’s CalWORKs Program official stamp;
3. Have the new expected end date of the program; and
4. Have the name, title, signature, and phone number of the school official requesting the extension.

Acceptable Alternate

• A copy of the participant’s school enrollment verification.
• The school’s enrollment verification not only verifies enrollment, but it also indicates the participant’s anticipated graduation date.
• Students can usually obtain school enrollment verification from the school’s Office of Admissions and Records or Registrar’s Office.

List of Required Courses

The SIP activity’s list of required classes can be:

1. The participant’s Student Education Plan;
2. A list from the appropriate catalog page; or
3. A list provided by the educational service provider on the school’s letterhead and signed by the school official who wrote the list.