(a) A Board shall ensure that its strategic planning
process includes an analysis of the local labor market to:
(1) determine employers' needs;
(2) determine emerging and demand occupations; and
(3) identify employment opportunities, which include
those with a potential for career advancement that may assist a Choices-eligible
individual's progression toward self-sufficiency.
(b) The Choices service strategy shall include:
(1) Workforce Orientation for Applicants (WOA). As
a condition of eligibility, applicants and conditional applicants
are required to attend a workforce orientation that includes information
on options available to allow them to enter the Texas workforce.
(2) Work First Design.
(A) The work first design:
(i) allows Choices participants to take immediate advantage
of the labor market and secure employment, which is critical due to
individual time-limited benefits; and
(ii) meets the needs of employers by linking Choices
participants with skills that match those job requirements identified
by the employer.
(B) Boards shall provide Choices participants access
to other services and activities available through the One-Stop Service
Delivery System, which includes WOA, to assist with employment in
the labor market before certification for TANF cash assistance.
(C) Post-employment services shall be provided in order
to assist a Choices participant's progress toward self-sufficiency
as described in §811.4(a)(1) of this subchapter and §811.51
of this chapter.
(D) In order to assist a Choices-eligible individual's
progress toward self-sufficiency:
(i) Boards shall provide Choices-eligible individuals
who are employed, including mandatory Choices participants coded by
HHSC as working at least 30 hours per week, earning at least $700
per month, and receiving the EID, with information on available post-employment
services; or
(ii) Boards may provide Choices-eligible individuals
with post-employment services as determined by Board policy. The length
of time these services may be provided is subject to §811.51
of this chapter.
(E) In order to assist employers, Boards shall coordinate
with local employers to address needs related to:
(i) employee post-employment education or training;
(ii) employee child care, transportation, or other
support services available to obtain and retain employment; and
(iii) employer tax credits.
(F) Boards shall ensure that a family employment plan
is based on employer needs, individual skills and abilities, and individual
time limits for TANF cash assistance.
(3) Post-Employment Services. A Board shall ensure
that post-employment services are designed to assist Choices participants
with job retention, career advancement, and reemployment, as defined
in §811.51 of this chapter. Post-employment services are a continuum
in the Choices service strategy to support a Choices participant's
job retention, wage gains, career progression, and progression to
self-sufficiency.
(4) Adult Services. A Board shall ensure that services
for adults shall include activities individually designed to lead
to employment and self-sufficiency as quickly as possible.
(5) Teen Services. A Board shall ensure that services
for teen heads of household shall include secondary school, as defined
in §811.2(18) of this subchapter, and making the transition from
school to employment, as described in §811.30 and §811.50
of this chapter.
(6) Choices-Eligible Individuals with Disabilities.
A Board shall ensure that services for Choices-eligible individuals
with disabilities include reasonable accommodations to allow the Choices-eligible
individuals to access and participate in services, where applicable
by law.
(7) Target Populations. A Board shall ensure that services
are concentrated, as further defined in §811.4(d)(5) of this
subchapter and §811.11(d) of this chapter, on the needs of recipients
who:
(A) have six months or less remaining of their state
TANF time limit, irrespective of any extension of time due to a hardship
exemption;
(B) have 12 months or less remaining of their 60-month
federal TANF time limit, irrespective of any extension of time due
to a hardship exemption; and
(C) are extended TANF recipients.
(8) Local Flexibility. A Board may develop additional
service strategies that are consistent with the goal and purpose of
this chapter and the One-Stop Service Delivery System.
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Source Note: The provisions of this §811.3 adopted to be effective November 18, 2003, 28 TexReg 10261; amended to be effective February 26, 2007, 32 TexReg 906; amended to be effective September 29, 2008, 33 TexReg 8192; amended to be effective December 3, 2018, 43 TexReg 7801; amended to be effective May 20, 2024, 49 TexReg 3587 |