El Dorado County Municipal Code Art. V Transitional Assistance Program (tap)

A. The purpose of this article is to provide for all applicants and recipients of general assistance the opportunity to pursue self-sufficiency.

B. The program is designed to transition recipients to financial independence. Individuals who are unable to work because of permanent disabilities receive guidance in applying for permanent disability benefits. Individuals who are able-bodied and employable receive the opportunity to develop, maintain and enhance job skills by participating in rehabilitation and work activities, as described below.

C. All persons who apply for general assistance shall, except for assistance under Article IV of this chapter, as a condition of receipt of such assistance, be required to participate in assigned TAP activities.

(Code 1997, § 2.63.250)

A. All persons 18 years or older are presumed to be employable unless determined otherwise and there is medical evidence furnished by a competent medical authority which establishes that the person is physically or mentally incapable of seeking and maintaining employment.

B. An unemployable applicant or recipient may be determined potentially employable by professional staff of the Agency if physical, mental or functional limitations or restrictions can be mitigated through employment services, vocational rehabilitation or other treatment services which would result in gainful employment. Potentially employable recipients must meet the same conditions of eligibility as employable recipients and are subject to the same penalties for failure to do so.

C. Employability status shall be periodically reevaluated by the Agency to determine whether such recipient is subject to the three-month time limits for employable persons.

(Code 1997, § 2.63.255)

Each transitional program and activity developed under TAP shall promote self-sufficiency. Service staff shall utilize all available resources and their professional expertise to assist the recipient in achieving self-sufficiency.

A. Employment programs. Within this program, a recipient shall be assigned to activities designed to lead to employment. All applicants and recipients shall be required to comply with the provisions of this article unless there is medical evidence furnished by a competent medical authority which establishes that the person is physically or mentally incapable of participating. Minimum participation requirements shall be equal to 30 hours per week and may be met through a combination of activities described below. Staff shall complete an initial assessment of skills, work strengths and weaknesses for purpose of determining appropriate placement. Based on assessment results, staff shall refer clients to appropriate activities, such as:

1. Job search. Persons referred to job search shall participate in any of the following activities to meet the minimum participation requirement as described in Subsection A of this section:

a. Complete a minimum of five job applications per week;

b. Participate in phone bank activities;

c. Participate in vocational counseling;

d. Report to job search monitor to complete supervised job search activities as assigned.

2. Job club. Persons referred to job club shall attend one or more weeks of job search training which includes activities, such as problem-solving, self esteem building, resume writing.

3. Employment skills training activity (ESTA, formerly known as County work project). Persons referred to ESTA shall participate in work experience activities that match vocational skills, interest and goals with available work sites as determined by assessment.

4. Community service. Employable persons shall participate in non-paid activities as deemed appropriate by the Agency.

B. Rehabilitation program. Within this program, recipients shall be assigned to activities, such as evaluation of employability.

1. Assessment. Staff shall complete an assessment of skills and abilities using appropriate tools in collaboration with other community agencies to determine barriers to employability and services necessary to remove those barriers.

2. Referral. Based on assessment results, staff shall refer clients to appropriate community resources designed to address barriers to employment, such as substance abuse recovery programs.

3. Advocacy. Staff shall assist clients with contacting and utilizing referral sources.

4. Community service. Employable persons shall participate in non-paid activities as deemed appropriate by the Agency.

C. Disability program. Within this program, a recipient shall be assigned an activity, such as application for permanent disability benefits.

1. Assessment. Staff shall complete an assessment of disability using appropriate tools in collaboration with other community agencies to pursue disability determinations and benefits.

2. Referral. Staff shall refer clients to disability advocate, and other TAP programs when appropriate, for further services.

3. Advocacy. Disability advocate shall assist clients in obtaining disability benefits through other government agencies.

(Code 1997, § 2.63.260)

Persons determined to be employable shall:

A. Locate and accept any bona fide offer of suitable employment as determined by the Agency;

B. Not quit their employment (including part-time) without good cause; or

C. Not cause themselves to be terminated from employment without good cause.

(Code 1997, § 2.63.270)

Persons assigned to TAP employment activities may be absent only for good cause reasons defined in the good cause provisions of Section 8.84.920.

(Code 1997, § 2.63.280)

The Agency shall establish suitable work sites or activities to employ the skills of persons who receive general assistance. Each recipient of assistance shall report to the Agency for assignment. The Agency shall assign to each recipient a specific work site and shall inform the recipient of the days, times and place the recipient shall report. The Director of the Agency, or the Director's designee, shall arrange for the provisions of adequate supervision of the recipient, shall maintain accurate records of the days and time worked by each recipient, and shall make reports as required by Section 8.84.680.

(Code 1997, § 2.63.300)

Persons participating in employment activities shall receive credit at the rate of the prevailing minimum wage for each hour of participation up to the amount of aid paid for the month. The credit shall be applied against the general assistance debt.

(Code 1997, § 2.63.305)

A. The Agency shall maintain accurate records which contain the following information for each recipient of assistance under the provisions of this chapter and who are assigned to a supervised employment activity:

1. The recipient's name;

2. The number of hours of work necessary for the recipient to fully reimburse the County for general assistance;

3. The days and reporting times to which the recipient has been assigned;

4. The days and hours the recipient actually participated;

5. The signature of the recipient's activity supervisor.

B. On or before the first working day of each month, the supervisor to whom the recipient has been assigned shall submit a report to the Agency which provides sufficient information for the Agency to maintain the information required by this section. The activity supervisor shall, in addition, immediately inform the Agency of any incident which would result in a termination of the recipient's assistance under the provisions of this chapter.

(Code 1997, § 2.63.310)

All applicants and recipients are required to participate in one or more TAP components. Persons who fail to comply with the provisions of this article shall be ineligible to receive assistance according to the following:

A. The employment penalties provision of Article VIII of this chapter for employable persons.

B. The program penalties provisions of Article VIII of this chapter for non-employable persons.

(Code 1997, § 2.63.315)