NY Soc Serv L § 335-A (2021)
2021 New York Laws SOS - Social Services Article 5 - Assistance and Care Title 9-B - Public Assistance Employment Programs 335-A - Assessments and Employability Plans for Certain Recipients in Households Without Dependent Children.

§ 335-a. Assessments and employability plans for certain recipients in households  without  dependent  children. 1. To the extent resources are available, the social  services  official  shall,  within  a  reasonable period  of  time not to exceed one year following application and not to the exclusion of the assessment requirements of  section  three  hundred thirty-five  of this title, conduct an assessment of employability based on the  educational  level,  including  literacy  and  English  language proficiency;  basic  skills  proficiency; supportive services needs; and the skills, prior work experience, training and vocational interests  of each  participant.  This  assessment  shall  include  a review of family circumstances.   2. (a) Based on the assessment required by  subdivision  one  of  this section,   the  social  services  official,  in  consultation  with  the participant, shall develop an employability plan in writing which  shall set  forth  the  services  that  will be provided by the social services official and the activities in which the  participant  will  take  part, including supportive services and shall set forth an employment goal for the  participant.  To  the extent possible, the employability plan shall reflect  the  preferences  of  the  participant  in  a  manner  that  is consistent with the results of the participant's assessment and the need of  the social services district to meet federal and state work activity participation  requirements,  and,  if  such   preferences   cannot   be accommodated,  the reasons shall be specified in the employability plan. The employability plan also shall take into  account  the  participant's supportive services needs, available program resources, local employment opportunities,  and where the social services official is considering an educational activity assignment for such participant, the  participant's liability   for  student  loans,  grants  and  scholarship  awards.  The employability plan shall be explained to the participant. Any change  to the  participant's  employability  plan  required by the social services official shall be discussed with the participant and shall be documented in writing.  (b) Where an assessment  indicates  that  a  participant  who  is  not subject  to  the education requirements of this title has not attained a basic literacy level, the social services official shall  encourage  and may require the participant to enter a program to achieve basic literacy or  high  school  equivalency  or  to enter such educational programs in combination  with  other  training  activities   consistent   with   the employability plan.   3.  A  local  social  services  official shall, pursuant to department regulations developed in consultation with the department  of  education and  the  department  of  social services or its successor agencies, use designated  trained  staff  or  contract   with   providers   having   a demonstrated  effectiveness  in  performing  assessments  and developing employability plans to perform  assessments  and  develop  employability plans.   4.  Each  applicant for or recipient of public assistance as described herein must participate in an  assessment  as  required  by  the  social services  district  in  accordance  with the conditions of this section. Applicants who fail or refuse to participate with  the  requirements  of this  section  shall be ineligible for public assistance. Recipients who fail or refuse to participate with  the  requirements  of  this  section shall  be  subject  to  the sanctions set forth in section three hundred forty-two of this title.   5. A social services district shall assign participants to  activities pursuant  to  their  employability  plans  to the extent that supportive services including transportation are available.    6. Nothing in this section shall be  construed  to  prevent  a  social services   official  from  providing  an  assessment  more  detailed  or comprehensive that the requirements set forth in this section.