305 ILCS 5/9A-8
2021 Illinois Compiled Statutes|Chapter 305 - PUBLIC AID|305 ILCS 5/ - Illinois Public Aid Code.|Article IXA - Education, Training And Employment Program For Recipients Under Article IV

 (from Ch. 23, par. 9A-8)Sec. 9A-8. Operation of program.(a) At the time of application or redetermination of eligibility under  Article IV, as determined by rule, the Illinois Department shall provide  information in writing and orally regarding the education, training and  employment program to all applicants and recipients.  The information  required shall be established by rule and shall include, but need not be  limited to:(1) education (including literacy training),     employment and training opportunities available, the criteria for approval of those opportunities, and the right to request changes in the personal responsibility and services plan to include those opportunities;(1.1) a complete list of all activities that are     approvable activities, and the circumstances under which they are approvable, including work activities, substance use disorder or mental health treatment, activities to escape and prevent domestic violence, caring for a medically impaired family member, and any other approvable activities, together with the right to and procedures for amending the responsibility and services plan to include these activities;(1.2) the  rules concerning the lifetime limit on     eligibility, including the current status of the applicant or recipient in terms of the months of remaining eligibility, the criteria under which a month will not count towards the lifetime limit, and the criteria under which a recipient may receive benefits beyond the end of the lifetime limit;(2) supportive services including child care and the     rules regarding eligibility for and access to the child care assistance program, transportation, initial expenses of employment, job retention, books and fees, and any other supportive services;(3) the obligation of the Department to provide     supportive services;(4) the rights and responsibilities of participants,     including exemption, sanction, reconciliation, and good cause criteria and procedures, termination for non-cooperation and reinstatement rules and procedures, and appeal and grievance procedures; and(5) the types and locations of child care services.(b) The Illinois  Department shall notify the recipient in writing of the opportunity to  volunteer to participate in the program.(c) (Blank).(d) As part of the personal plan for achieving employment and  self-sufficiency, the Department shall conduct an individualized assessment  of  the  participant's employability.    No participant may be assigned to any  component of the education, training and employment activity  prior to such  assessment.  The plan shall  include collection of  information  on the individual's background, proficiencies, skills deficiencies,  education level, work history, employment goals, interests, aptitudes, and  employment preferences, as well as factors affecting employability or  ability to meet participation requirements (e.g., health, physical or  mental limitations, child care, family circumstances, domestic violence, sexual violence,  substance use disorders, and special needs of any child of the individual).   As part  of the plan,  individuals and Department staff shall work together to identify any  supportive service needs required to enable the client to participate and  meet the objectives of his or her employability plan. The  assessment may be conducted through various methods such as interviews,  testing, counseling, and self-assessment instruments.  In the  assessment process, the Department shall offer to include standard  literacy testing  and a determination of  English language proficiency and shall provide it for those who accept the  offer.  Based on the assessment,  the  individual will be assigned to the appropriate activity.  The  decision will be based on a determination of the individual's level of  preparation for employment as defined by rule.(e) Recipients determined to be exempt may volunteer to participate  pursuant to Section 9A-4 and must be assessed.(f) As part of the personal plan for achieving employment and  self-sufficiency under Section 4-1, an employability plan for recipients  shall be  developed in  consultation with the participant.  The Department shall have final  responsibility for approving the employability plan.  The employability  plan shall:(1) contain an employment goal of the participant;(2) describe the services to be provided by the     Department, including child care and other support services;(3) describe the activities, such as component     assignment, that will be undertaken by the participant to achieve the employment goal. The Department shall treat participation in high school and high school equivalency programs as a core activity and count participation in high school and high school equivalency programs toward the first 20 hours per week of participation. The Department shall approve participation in high school or high school equivalency programs upon written or oral request of the participant if he or she has not already earned a high school diploma or a high school equivalency certificate. However, participation in high school or high school equivalency programs may be delayed as part of an applicant's or recipient's personal plan for achieving employment and self-sufficiency if it is determined that the benefit from participating in another activity, such as, but not limited to, treatment for a substance use disorder or an  English proficiency program, would be greater to the applicant or recipient than participation in high school or a high school equivalency program. The availability of high school and high school equivalency programs may also delay enrollment in those programs. The Department shall treat such activities as a core activity as long as satisfactory progress is made, as determined by the high school or high school equivalency program. Proof of satisfactory progress shall be provided by the participant or the school at the end of each academic term; and(4) describe any other needs of the family that might     be met by the Department.(g) The employability plan shall take into account:(1) available program resources;(2) the participant's support service needs;(3) the participant's skills level and aptitudes;(4) local employment opportunities; and(5) the preferences of the  participant.(h) A reassessment shall be conducted to assess a participant's  progress and to review the employability plan on the following occasions:(1) upon completion of an activity and before     assignment to an activity;(2) upon the request of the participant;(3) if the individual is not cooperating with the     requirements of the program; and(4) if the individual has failed to make satisfactory     progress in an education or training program.Based on the reassessment, the Department may revise the employability  plan of the participant.  (Source: P.A. 99-746, eff. 1-1-17; 100-759, eff. 1-1-19.)