Opportunity Starts Today! WOA/Choices Orientation

1. Opportunity Starts Today!WOA/Choices Orientation Workforce Solutions Brazos Valley 3991 East 29th Street Bryan, Texas 77805 979-595-2800 www.bvjobs.org Rev. 6/26/2019

2. Equal Opportunity Statement “The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) as a recipient of Federal financial assistance is prohibited from discriminating against any individual in the United States, on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation and belief.”

3. ChoicesWhat is it?Why am I here?

4. CHOICES • Operates under a work first service model • Assists with transition from TANF to Work through participation in work-related activities • One or both adults in a two parent household are responsible

5. Applicant vs Participant • Applicant – has applied for benefits, but has not yet been certified; however, can choose to participate – no participation requirements • Participant – has applied for benefits, certified and required or chosen to participate in the Choices Program

6. Conditional Applicants • Someone who left TANF in a sanctioned status and is reapplying for assistance • Conditional Applicants must demonstrate 4 consecutive weeks of cooperation in order to receive TANF benefits

7. Exempt Participants • Exempt individuals may voluntarily participate in employment services at any time • Exempt individuals are eligible for the same services as non-exempt individuals • Exempt individuals are not subject to sanction *Participating in Choices activities through employment while meeting participation requirements could earn you a gift card valued at $50 per week for 12 weeks

8. One Time or Ongoing • One Time TANF=$1,000.00 • For short term crisis (Customers receiving OTTANF are not eligible to participate in Choices or receive TANF assistance for the 12 months following receipt of OTTANF) • Ongoing TANF • Choices Participation may be required • Participants Requirements– Required to participate a certain number of hours per week • Good Cause – any reasons for why you feel you can not participate should be reported to HHSC and Workforce Solutions.

9. TANF is Temporary • Assistance is temporary • Texans are responsible for the support of themselves and their families • Employment is the goal

10. Benefits of Employment • Guaranteed Income and possible benefits • Positive Impact on your children • Better Lifestyle • Independence and Self-Sufficiency • Securing a place in a productive society • Positive Self-image • Positive Role model

11. Hourly Wage and Benefit Scenarios 2019

12. Choices Participation • Active participation: • Work • Training • Job search • Subsidized employment • Work experience • On-the-job training Support Services are available to participants who are actively looking for work or who become employed

13. Non-Participation • Results in a sanction Procedure for TANF Reinstatement Participant must demonstrate one full month of cooperation before benefits are reinstated. PLEASE NOTE: Participant will go one month without TANF Benefits and Adult Medicaid

14. Your Role • To be a willing, hopeful and excited participant • To accept change • To acknowledge that it will be as easy or hard as you decide to make it • To look forward to a new chapter in your life and the lives of your children • To be ready to work

15. You Are Not In This Alone

16. Our Role • To assist employers by connecting them to a trained and qualified workforce • To motivate and assist you in your job search and or career path • Assess your skills • Determine your interests • Develop jobs

17. Early Engagement • Engage immediately with a Choices Talent Development Specialist to begin your pathway to employment. • Receive support services to assist you in accepting and retaining employment. • Attend Job Readiness Classes to prepare yourself for the workplace!

18. What Can We Offer? Support Services for Applicants • Child Care • Transportation, i.e., trolley passes/gas assistance • Assistance with work-related expenses • Other job related expenses, i.e., food handler’s license Services are available based on need, funding, and eligibility Don’t wait until you are certified, ask a Talent Development Specialist about these services !!

19. Employment Services for Choices • Job readiness activities: • Self-esteem building • Job search skills • Labor Market Information • Employment goal setting • Resume writing • Interviewing Techniques • Workplace Expectations • Job retention skills Don’t wait to be certified. Begin your Job Search NOW !

20. Resource Room Tools……. • Copy/Scanner machines • Fax machines • Phones • Computers • Accessible Equipment • TTY’s (Tele-Typing Device) • Screen-Reader Software • ASL Interpreters - Local career centers must receive a 24 hour notice for ASL interpreters

21. Labor Market Information https://lmci.state.tx.us/ (Labor Market and Career Information) • Analyze Trends in Texas • Educational Resources • Job Descriptions • Top Paying Industries • Emerging & Evolving Occupations • Unemployment Rates Brazos Valley Unemployment Rate April 2019 – 2.40% https://texaslmi.com/LMIbyCategory/LAUS

22. Emerging Occupations Construction & Extraction Supervisor: Construction Trades/Extraction Workers $18.44 - $34.00 P/hour Electricians $13.67 - $22.55 P/hour Health Care Pharmacy Technicians $11.52 - $16.24 P/hour LVN $16.41 - $21.26 P/hour Office & Administrative Executive Secretary/Administrative Assistant $18.70 - $28.84 P/hour Production Machinist $13.60 - $22.64 P/hour Installation, Maintenance, Repair Automotive Service Technicians $10.93 – $24.46 P/hour Industrial Machinery Mechanic $15.17 - $26.98 P/hour http://bvjobs.org/about-us/integrated-plan Updated FY19

23. Choices Post-Employment Strategies • Extended or ongoing case management • Child care, transportation and work-related expenses • Job search and Job Placement • Mentoring • Additional career planning and counseling

24. Enhanced Services • Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA) • Youth • Adult/Youth • Adult • Dislocated • Veterans Employment and Training • Choices

25. Incentives for Participation • TANF Applicant could be eligible for a $50 gift card for completing a minimum of one week of participation prior to certification • OR • TANF Applicant could be eligible for a $100 gift card for participating at mandated levels through employment or documented self-employment at the date of TANF certification • Choices Participants could be eligible for a $100 gift card for obtaining full time unsubsidized employment (35 hours per week) within first 4 weeks of TANF certification • Choices Mandatory Participants could be eligible for a $100 gift card for each month, up to six months, for reporting hours timely

26. Ask Us About Job Opportunities in WorkinTexas.com

27. Right to Appeal Appeals regarding the denial or reduction of TANF benefits should be addressed to HHSC. Appeals and complaints regarding Choices workforce services should be submitted in writing to: Workforce Solutions Brazos Valley Center Project Director PO Box 4128 Bryan, Texas 77805 Fax: (979)-595-2810 Workforce Solutions Brazos Valley Board Policy: Integrated Complaints, Hearing, and Appeals Policy A-104: Appeals of SNAP E&T Activities and Support Services Decisions

28. Contact Info:Choices Talent Development Specialist979-595-2801E-mail: choices@bvcog.orgBrenda Burns – Lead Talent Development Specialist(Burleson, Grimes, Leon, Madison, Robertson, and Washington Counties) 979-595-2801 ext. 3651E-mail: Brenda.Burns@bvcog.comVictoria Farr – Lead Talent Development Specialist(Brazos County)979-595-2801 ext. 2103e-mail: Victoria.Farr@bvcog.orgThank You! Workforce Solutions Brazos Valley Equal Opportunity Employer/Program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Deaf, hard of hearing or speech-impaired customers may contact. Relay Texas (800) 735-2989,  TDD (800) 735-2988 Voice, TTY (979) 595-2819 A Proud Partner of the American Job Center Network

29. What Happens Next??