DPSS ePolicy

Revision of existing policy. 

What changed?

1. All LEADER Replacement System references have been replaced with California Statewide Automated Welfare System (CalSAWS).
2. The following terms were added to the Definitions section:
   • CalFresh Employment & Training (CFET);
   • Career Assessment Form; and
   • Case Manager Appointment (CMA).
3. Career Opportunities Resources and Employment (CORE) is available both in-person and virtually.
4. Completion of CMA and ABP 4066, Career Assessment were added to the enrollment criteria.
5. Procedures to determine the preferred method for participation.
6. Resources were added for participants who select to complete the activity virtually.
7. Telephonic signature was added as an acceptable method to sign Skills and Training to Achieve Readiness for Tomorrow (START) forms.
8. Procedures were added for START Supervisors (SS).

Note: Changes can be shown highlighted in gray throughout the webpage.  Click the Show Changes button to enable the highlighted changes.

CORE is a four-week specialized component that targets individuals with more critical needs than those referred to the traditional Job Readiness Training component.

START and CFET participants who have indicated or been identified as having a barrier to employment are referred to CORE. Examples of these barriers are:

• Homelessness
  
• Age 50 or older
  
• Substance Abuse
  
• Mental Health
  
• Domestic Violence
  
• Criminal Background
  
• General Relief (GR)/START returning participants
  

Participants may be referred to CORE, as deemed appropriate by the START Case Manager (SCM). CORE participation can be done in-person or virtually and is tracked via CalSAWS.  

The purpose of CORE is to increase the participant’s job readiness and career motivation by reducing potential barriers to employment. It provides intensive workshops that address several key areas, including life skills, work readiness, soft skills training, job search, referrals to employers, and employment counseling.

A program that assists approved CalFresh/GR participants by offering activities and supportive services related to increasing employability with the end goal being that the participant obtains a living wage. In Los Angeles County, the CFET Program is administered by START staff.

A comprehensive assessment tool used to help identify participants’ barriers, educational background, employment history, soft skill level, and career goals. The ABP 4066, Career Assessment replaced the previous tool, the Comprehensive Intake and Employability Assessment.

1. A CMA is scheduled for a START/CFET participant under the following conditions: 
   • When there is no START activity in progress or scheduled;
   • When the START activity end date is less than or equal to ten calendar days in the future.
2. CMA may also be scheduled by a SCM when deemed necessary.
3. CMAs are now completed over the telephone, virtually, or in-person if the participant does not have access to a telephone.

The participant must:

1. Be enrolled in the START Program;
2. Have completed the initial CMA;
3. Have completed the ABP 4066;
   
4. Have a barrier to employment; and
   
5. Have enough aid time left to complete the activity.

The participant must:

1. Attend the CORE activity upon referral by the SCM;
2. Comply with the CORE participation requirements, in-person or virtually; and
3. Complete the CORE activity for at least 20 hours per week unless the participant obtains employment before the completion date.

Per existing policy, participants who fail to enroll, attend, or complete their assigned CORE activity for reasons other than employment will be placed in non-compliance.

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