Food Stamp Employment and Training

1. Food Stamp Employment and Training Operating a Volunteer Program Spring Training 2011

2. Objectives • The basics of operating a volunteer program • Who can we serve? • What cases will be created in the One-Stop Service Tracking (OSST) system via the interface? • What participants will be mailed an Outreach Letter? • What if the food stamp recipient has a case in OSST but is not mailed a letter? • What if a food stamp recipient wants to volunteer but does not have a case in the OSST system?

3. Objectives • The basics of operating a volunteer program • What activities can our program participants be engaged in? • How many hours does a participant have to complete each month to get transportation assistance? • What if the FSET participant does not show to an appointment, an activity, etc.? • Can a participant receive a Food Stamp Reimbursement (FSR)?

4. Engaging Volunteers - FSET • Who can we serve? • An individual who is receiving food stamps that is not already engaged in the Welfare Transition (WT) program • Eligibility • The OSST system will create cases based on data from the FLORIDA to OSST interface • Regional staff can • Review a food stamp recipient’s eligibility in the DCF’s data entry system, the FLORIDA system • Enroll the food stamp recipient in the volunteer program • Create a case or reopen the case in the OSST system

5. Engaging Volunteers - FSET • What food stamp records generate cases in OSST? • If the food stamp recipient is a “work registrant”, a case will be built in OSST • If the food stamp recipient is an Unemployment Compensation recipient, a case will be built in OSST • The cases will have an engagement to-do created • FSET program staff will not need to confirm the engagement to-dos

6. Engaging Volunteers - FSET • Who will be mailed an Outreach Letter? • Only on cases where the participant is 16 through 39 • This is based only on limited funding • If additional funds can be secured to expand outreach, we will outreach to additional participants

7. Engaging Volunteers - FSET • Who will be mailed an Outreach Letter? • If the letter is mailed, a FSET Participation Notice Activity (599) will be added to the case on the Skill Development screen • Actual Start Date • Anticipated End Date

8. Engaging Volunteers - FSET • What happens if an Outreach Letter is not mailed? • The engagement to-do will be confirmed • A 593 “Authorization for On-line Activity” is entered • Actual Start Date • Anticipated End Date • Authorizing the participant to sign in to OSST, complete the orientation process, answer the assessment questions, select an activity, get his/her next steps

9. Engaging Volunteers - FSET • What happens if a case is not created in OSST? • Some food stamp recipients will be introduced to the program via other workforce programs and outreach methods • An individual is looking for work in the career center, and staff learns that (s)he is getting food stamps • The individual needs “intensive” engagement in activities, as well as transportation assistance

10. Engaging Volunteers - FSET • What happens if a case is not created in OSST? • You must determine if the individual is eligible • Receiving food stamps • You must determine if a case is in the OSST system • You must record all engagement in the OSST system • You must ensure the participant is getting food stamps the entire time (s)he is engaged in the program

11. Engaging Volunteers - FSET • What activities can volunteers participate in? • Job search • Job search training • Vocational training • Education • Workforce Investment Act (WIA)/Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) Program activities • Work experience • Self-initiated work experience • Employment Retention Services (ERS)

12. Engaging Volunteers - FSET • What if the volunteer does not attend an activity, an appointment, etc.? • Do not start the conciliation process • Do not request a sanction • Reach out to the volunteer • Try to call the volunteer • Find out why (s)he did not attend the appointment or activity • Does the volunteer need services or additional assistance? • Mail a new appointment to see if the volunteer can be re-engaged

13. Engaging Volunteers - FSET • There will be many people that may not respond to the Outreach Letter. Will we have to close all of those cases? • No • If the participant does not complete the on-line process within 90 days of the Actual Start Date, the case will close automatically • If the participant does not attend a local orientation session (and the 599, 593, 594 closed by staff), the case will close automatically after 90 days of the Actual Start Date

14. Engaging Volunteers - FSET • What if the participant does not turn in his/her hours of participation? Will we have to close those cases? • No • If the Job Participation Rate (JPR) screen is not updated with hours greater than zero for more than 180 days, the case will be closed in OSST

15. Engaging Volunteers - FSET • The system’s case is closed. The individual comes in later and wants to start volunteering. What are my next steps? • Check the FLORIDA system • Is the individual getting food stamps? • IQEL • Document that (s)he is getting food stamps and keep the documentation in the case file • Reopen the case in OSST • Start recording engagement • Each month, staff must verify the individual is still getting food stamps to continue offering services

16. Engaging Volunteers - FSET • Who can get a FSR (transportation assistance)? • An FSET volunteer • Who is engaged in the FSET program • Who has an activity (component) in the system • Who has provided documentation of participation in the activity • Who has documented costs associated with participating in activities

17. Engaging Volunteers - FSET • What documentation is needed to prove that (s)he spent money to attend activities (transportation)? • Receipts for gas • Receipts for buying a bus pass • Self-attestation

18. Engaging Volunteers - FSET • Case notes • Notes describe each step that you take to engage the program participant • Please document • Eligibility • Enrollment • Engagement • Hours completed • Etc.

19. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please contact the Food Stamp and Employment Training Team through the Department of Economic Opportunity’s Call Center at 1-866-352-2345 An equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. All voice telephone numbers on this document may be reached by persons using TTY/TDD equipment via Florida Relay Service at 711.