Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 20 - DIVISION OF COMMUNITY SERVICES › Chapter 1 - Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Weatherization Assistance Program › Rule 18-20-1-1 - Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) State Plan › Section 18-20-1-1-V - MASTER FILE › Section 18-20-1-1-V.8 - Program Management › Section 18-20-1-1-V.8.4 - TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

Current through June 25, 2024
Client
						  Education-
Each Subgrantee must provide Client Notification
						  Education. For occupied homes, the Auditor, crew, or contractor must have an
						  adult tenant or homeowner sign an acknowledgement of Radon, Lead and Mold
						  pamphlets.
The pamphlets can also be sent by certified mail with
						  receipt to be placed in the customer file. In multi-unit housing, subgrantees
						  must:
Provide written notice to each affected unit (notice
						  must describe: general nature and locations of the planned renovation
						  activities; the expected starting and ending dates; statement of how occupant
						  can get pamphlet at no charge); or
Post informational signs (signs must describe general
						  nature and locations of the renovation and the anticipated completion date) and
						  post the EPA pamphlet. (If pamphlet is not posted, then subgrantees are
						  required to provide information on how interested occupants can review a copy
						  of the pamphlet or obtain a copy at no cost from the Weatherization
						  Program).
Delivery to owner/occupant. Owner and/or occupant's
						  signature with acknowledgment or certificate of mailing. The owner/occupant
						  must acknowledge receipt of the EPA pamphlet prior to start of renovation that
						  contains the address of unit undergoing renovation, name and signature of owner
						  or occupant, and the date of signature. It must be in same language as
						  "contract for renovation" for an owner-occupied (or the same language as the
						  lease for occupant of non-owner occupied) target housing.
If the MS DOE WX BIL WAP cannot get a signed
						  acknowledgment (either the occupant is not home or refuses to sign the form),
						  then the self-certification section of the form must be signed to prove
						  delivery.
The acknowledgement form must be filed and remain with
						  the client file for Three years from date of signature. In addition to
						  providing a copy of the pamphlet to owners and occupants, designated local
						  subgrantee staff (e.g., intake specialist, auditor, crew chief) must discuss
						  the hazards associated with lead-based paint and lead dust, and describe how
						  they will conduct LSW in the home.
The following forms must also be completed during
						  client notification/education:
1)
						Client Health and Condition Form
2)
						Notification of Health & Safety Form
3) Radon acknowledgement form
Training and Technical Assistance -
						  Approach
T&TA activities are intended to maintain or
						  increase the efficiency, quality, and effectivness of the Weatherization
						  Program at all levels. Such activities will be designed to maximize energy sa
						  vings, minimize production costs, improve program management and operational
						  efficiencies, co ntractor work quality, increase client satisfaction, and to
						  reduce the potential for waste, fraud, ab use and mismanagement.
T&TA funds aregiven directly to subgrantees to
						  address training. Subgrantees will follow the M DHS Subgrant/Agreement Manual.
						  Funds may be used to obtain and maintain certifications, training, training
						  support, and providing or receiving programmatic and technical assistance.
						  T&TA funds may also be used totrain contractors participating in the
						  program provided a retention agreement is obtained.
Training and Technical Assistance -
						  Approach
The MS DOE WX BIL WAP will use the following methods to
						  provide T&TA:
* On-site visits provide an excellent opportunity to
						  assess the technical needs of subgrantees through the notation of program
						  deficiencies.
* DCS Weatherization Staff will provide specific
						  T&TA on automated audit inspection procedures as a regular component of the
						  on-site Programmatic and Management and production monitoring visits.
* DCS Weatherization staff will provide T&TA
						  through onsite, written, and telephone communication with Subgrantee
						  staff
* DCS staff will provide on-site or offsite T&TA as
						  needed. Need may be identified by the Subgrantee staff, Program Integrity
						  monitoring visits, DOE Project Officer monitoring visits, internal state
						  audits, IG reports, or by DCS staff as the result of observation for resolution
						  of problems, or to meet updates required by DOE.
* DCS and Subgrantee staff will participate in national
						  activities as they are planned. MS DOE WX BIL WAP will assure staff are able to
						  attend these meetings and will encourage Subgrantee staff to take advantage of
						  training opportunities.
* MS DOE WX BIL WAP management staff will attend DOE
						  mandated activities/events, NASCSP events, State Weatherization Directors'
						  meetings, national DOE sponsored conferences, and other staff development
						  trainings as needed or required. Continuing education and conference attendance
						  ensure Grantee effectiveness in administering and implementing the
						  grant.
* Quarterly Weatherization Network Meetings will be
						  scheduled to address areas of common concern with regard to training and policy
						  for current initiatives and future program requirements. T&TA needs will be
						  identified through feedback from the Weatherization Network.
* MS DOE WX BIL WAP will utilize the QCI on-site
						  assessment tool to analysis deficiencies of the work performed on
						  dwelling.
* MS DOE WX BIL WAP will utilize the results of the
						  analysis to rate areas of deficiencies and effectiveness of subgrantee.
* Based on the ratings of deficiencies, MS DOE WX BIL
						  WAP will develop a scorecard to determine training opportunities.
* Field Guides and Standards will be provided to
						  subgrantees via the Notification of funds Availability (NOFA).
* Each Subgrantee and Subgrantee Contractor(s) will be
						  provided T&TA to address the Field Guide and Standards.
In accordance with WPN 22-4 and Memorandum 034,
						  T&TA activities for MSWAP field staff will consist of Comprehensive or
						  Specific training. MSWAP will collaborate with Community Housing Partners (CHP)
						  to provide training in accordance to the following:
Comprehensive Training
:
						  Occupation-specific training, which is part of an overall curriculum, aligned
						  with the topics within the given JTA being trained. Comprehensive training must
						  be administered by, or in cooperation with, a training program that is
						  accredited by a DOE-accepted credentialing body for the JTA being
						  taught.
Specific Training
: Single-issue,
						  short-term training to address technical skills or knowledge gaps. Conference
						  trainings and any training not aligned with a Home Energy Professional JTA are
						  included in this category.
Job Task Analyses (JTAs)
: JTAs define and
						  catalogue the knowledge, skills, and abilities a practitioner needs to perform
						  a given job effectively and safely. JTAs are used by training providers to
						  develop coursework that can be verified and accredited by a third-party
						  organization.
MS DOE WX BIL WAP field staff are only those technical
						  staff members directly employed by DCS and Subgrantee agencies, such as
						  auditors and inspectors. Contract auditors and inspectors are not explicitly
						  included, but may be eligible for T&TA funded training as long as a
						  retention agreement is obtained. T&TA funds may also be used to train
						  contractors at the Subgrantee level participating in the WX Program. The use of
						  T&TA funds to reimburse contractors is limited to T&TA that supports
						  the four Home Energy Professionals occupations.
*
Retrofit Installer/Technician (RIT):
A
						  residential energy efficiency professional who installs energy efficiency
						  upgrades in dwelling units.
*
Crew Leader
: A Crew Leader is
						  responsible for supervising and assisting in the retrofitting activities
						  specified in the scope of work. The Crew Leader is responsible for quality
						  control, interacting with the client, managing personnel and materials, and
						  ensuring a safe and efficient job site.
*
Energy Auditor
: An experienced
						  professional who evaluates the health and safety issues, durability, comfort,
						  and energy use of a residential building. The Energy Auditor (EA) conducts
						  advanced diagnostic tests, gathers and analyzes data, and creates energy models
						  to draw conclusions and make recommendations to the client for
						  improvements.
*
Quality Control Inspector (QCI)
: A
						  certified residential energy-efficiency expert who ensures the completion,
						  appropriateness, and quality of energy upgrade work by conducting a methodical
						  inspection of the building and performing safety and diagnostic tests.
MS DOE WX BIL WAP propose to weatherize approximately
						  1987 homes over five years, which calls for a ramp-up in the workforce. Based
						  on feedback from the MSWAP Network concerning ramp-up, it was determined that
						  the workforce should increase by approximately twenty persons. There will be
						  four additional persons at the state office, and sixteen across
						  subgrantees.
With the increase in staff, Energy Auditors and Quality
						  Control Inspectors will be priority. MS DOE WX BIL WAP have nine QCI's and nine
						  Energy Auditors across six subgrantees, and the State Office has one
						  each.
In order to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to
						  perform a home audit, basic building science and knowledge of equipment is
						  needed. Based on T&TA needs, MS BIL WAP will work with Community Housing
						  Partners (CHP), and EverBlue to incorporate a badge system, which give new
						  hires and contractors an opportunity to earn badges in the areas of Building
						  Science, Blower Door, and Air Sealing training etc. This training will be on
						  going over the BIL performance period.
While earning badges New Hires will collaborate with
						  Energy Auditors when conducting home audits. The number of audit hours will be
						  maintained to ensure that prerequisite are accomplished, which is required in
						  order to acquire certifications. Collaborating allows production to continue,
						  while peer-to-peer training is obtained.
In making the determination to pay for contractors
						  training, MS DOE WX BIL WAP Subgrantees must secure a retention agreement in
						  exchange for training. The retention agreement must require that the
						  contractors will work in the Program for a specific amount of time, which must
						  align with the cost of the T&TA provided.
MS DOE WX BIL WAP will ensure that each worker will be
						  afforded the opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills needed to perform the
						  specific job task. In addition, each Subgrantee will be required to have on
						  staff at least one BPI Certified Quality Control Inspector & Energy
						  Auditor. Subgrantees replacing or hiring new staff must ensure that the
						  candidate(s) for employment be certified or have the knowledge, skills and
						  abilities to meet the JTA's requirements for Retrofit Inspector, Energy
						  Auditor, or QCI. All staff will be required to secure their certification
						  within Thirty-six (36) months. Training plans will be structured in the manner
						  best suited for each agency. Subgrantees must provide Action Plans addressing
						  the following:
* QCI, EA, CL and RIT- Subgrantees must provide a plan
						  that ensures training every three years for the purpose of maintaining
						  certifications.
* Subgrantees must provide a plan to address New Hires
						  according to the above criteria.
* Subgrantees must provide DCS all documentations of
						  certifications obtain by Subgrantees WAP Staff, within thirty (30) days of
						  completion.
Note:
It is the responsibility of
						  the Subgrantee to ensure that staff and/or subcontractors complete training.
						  DCS will work to develop a plan to assure subgrantees ensure their contractors
						  obtain and maintain the required comprehensive training certifications. DCS
						  will monitor Subgrantee progress and track credentials. Weatherization staff
						  may not function unsupervised until training and certification requirements are
						  met.
Comprehensive training must be provided by a DOE
						  approved accredited training program. Currently, IREC accredited training
						  centers are the only training centers that meet this requirement. MSWAP
						  training will be provided by the contracted training provider in the manner
						  best suited for the situation. MSWAP will continue to collaborate with
						  Community Housing Partners (CHP) to provide Comprehensive & Specific
						  training.
Specific training will be obtained on an as-needed
						  basis and on a rolling basis to fulfill certification CEU requirements.
						  Specific training is considered but not limited to single issues, short-term,
						  training to address acute deficiencies in the field, concerns found during
						  on-site reviews by DCS T&TA Staff, Program Integrity Staff, DOE Project
						  Officer, and Desk reviews. In cases of on-site visits, DCS will provided
						  technical assistance in the field.
Other required or approved training will cover topics
						  such as Health & Safety, using the NEAT/MHEA software, creating cost
						  effective job work scopes, heating system diagnostics, performing post
						  inspections, materials installation, air sealing, and pressure diagnostics. The
						  goal of this training is also to introduce or significantly improve the
						  knowledge and expertise of the WAP Network.
MS DOE WX BIL WAP will collaborate with CHP and
						  EverBlue to execute the following training to assure that each worker is
						  afforded the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to perform
						  the specific job task. The plan will be in effect for the next five years, any
						  adjustments to the plan will be addressed when warranted:
(All
						  trainings will be Mandatory)
First Quarter (July-September
										2022):
* MS DOE WX BIL WAP Network Meeting July
										TBA
* Online Badge course
(On Going)
* ASHRAE 62.2/Zonal Diagnostics
July TBA
* CAZ Field Mentoring
August
(3 agencies
										TBA)
* Energy Auditor Course
September
(2wks.
										TBA)
* NASCSP
September TBA
Second Quarter (October-December
										2022):
* MS DOE WX BIL WAP Network Meeting October
										TBA
*
Online Badge course
(On Going)
* Whole House Field Mentoring
October
(5 days
										TBA)
* Installation Field Mentoring
November
(3 agencies
										TBA)
Third Quarter (January- March
										2023)
* MS DOE WX BIL WAP Network Meeting January
										TBA
* Online Badge course
(On Going)
* Installation Field Mentoring
February
(3 agencies
										TBA)
* QCI Process
March
(TBA)
* QCI Certification
TBA
* On-site T&TA
TBA
Fourth Quarter (April-June
										2023)
* MS DOE WX BIL WAP Network Meeting April
										TBA
* Online Badge course
(On Going)
* CEU sessions
TBA
* On-site T&TA,
TBA
DCS will encourage that the following online
										courses, off ered by CHP be taken: (As needed)
* Lead Safe Weatherization course (LSW) if
										needed
* HVAC Fundamentals
* ASHRAE/ Red Calc Webinar (2hrs.)
* Retrofit Installer Technician
* Manufactured Housing Fundament als
* Energy Auditor
* Online Math Review Course
(Free)
First Quarter (July-September
										2023):
* MS DOE WX BIL WAP Network Meeting July
										TBA
* Online Badge course
(On Going)
* ASHRAE 62.2/Zonal Diagnostics
July TBA
* CAZ Field Mentoring
August
(3 agencies
										TBA)
* Energy Auditor Course
September
(2wks.
										TBA)
* NASCSP
September TBA
Second Quarter (October-December
										2023):
* MS DOE WX BIL WAP Network Meeting October
										TBA
*
Online Badge course
(On Going)
* Whole House Field Mentoring
October
(5 days
										TBA)
* Installation Field Mentoring
November
(3 agencies
										TBA)
Third Quarter (January- March
										2024)
* MS DOE WX BIL WAP Network Meeting January
										TBA
* Online Badge course
(On Going)
* Installation Field Mentoring
February
(3 agencies
										TBA)
* QCI Process
March
(TBA)
* QCI Certification
TBA
* On-site T&TA
TBA
Fourth Quarter (April-June
										2024)
* MS DOE WX BIL WAP Network Meeting April
										TBA
* Online Badge course
(On Going)
* CEU sessions
TBA
* On-site T&TA,
TBA
DCS will encourage that the following online
										courses, off ered by CHP be taken: (As needed)
* Lead Safe Weatherization course (LSW) if
										needed
* HVAC Fundamentals
* ASHRAE/ Red Calc Webinar (2hrs.)
* Retrofit Installer Technician
* Manufactured Housing Fundamentals
* Energy Auditor
* Online Math Review Course
(Free)
First Quarter (July-September
										2024):
* MS DOE WX BIL WAP Network Meeting July
										TBA
* Online Badge course
(On Going)
* ASHRAE 62.2/Zonal Diagnostics
July TBA
* CAZ Field Mentoring
August
(3 agencies
										TBA)
* Energy Auditor Course
September
(2wks.
										TBA)
* NASCSP
September TBA
Second Quarter (October-December
										2024):
* MS DOE WX BIL WAP Network Meeting October
										TBA
*
Online Badge course
(On Going)
* Whole House Field Mentoring
October
(5 days
										TBA)
* Installation Field Mentoring
November
(3 agencies
										TBA)
Third Quarter (January- March
										2025)
* MS DOE WX BIL WAP Network Meeting January
										TBA
* Online Badge course
(On Going)
* Installation Field Mentoring
February
(3 agencies
										TBA)
* QCI Process
March
(TBA)
* QCI Certification
TBA
* On-site T&TA
TBA
Fourth Quarter (April-June
										2025)
* MS DOE WX BIL WAP Network Meeting April
										TBA
* Online Badge course
(On Going)
* CEU sessions
TBA
* On-site T&TA,
TBA
DCS will encourage that the following online
										courses, offered by CHP be taken: (As needed)
* Lead Safe Weatherization course (LSW) if
										needed
* HVAC Fundamentals
* ASHRAE/ Red Calc Webinar (2hrs.)
* Retrofit Installer Technician
* Manufactured Housing Fundament als
* Energy Auditor
* Online Math Review Course
(Free)
First Quarter (July-September
										2025):
* MS DOE WX BIL WAP Network Meeting July
										TBA
* Online Badge course
(On Going)
* ASHRAE 62.2/Zonal Diagnostics
July TBA
* CAZ Field Mentoring
August
(3 agencies
										TBA)
* Energy Auditor Course
September
(2wks.
										TBA)
* NASCSP
September TBA
Second Quarter (October-December
										2025):
* MS DOE WX BIL WAP Network Meeting October
										TBA
*
Online Badge course
(On Going)
* Whole House Field Mentoring
October
(5 days
										TBA)
* Installation Field Mentoring
November
(3 agencies
										TBA)
Third Quarter (January- March
										2026)
* MS DOE WX BIL WAP Network Meeting January
										TBA
* Online Badge course
(On Going)
* Installation Field Mentoring
February
(3 agencies
										TBA)
* QCI Process
March
(TBA)
* QCI Certification
TBA
* On-site T&TA
TBA
Fourth Quarter (April-June
										2026)
* MS DOE WX BIL WAP Network Meeting April
										TBA
* Online Badge course
(On Going)
* CEU sessions
TBA
* On-site T&TA,
TBA
DCS will encourage that the following online
										courses, offered by CHP be taken: (As needed)
* Lead Safe Weatherization course (LSW) if
										needed
* HVAC Fundamentals
* ASHRAE/ Red Calc Webinar (2hrs.)
* Retrofit Installer Technician
* Manufactured Housing Fundament als
* Energy Auditor
* Online Math Review Course
(Free)
First Quarter (July-September
										2026):
* MS DOE WX BIL WAP Network Meeting July
										TBA
* Online Badge course
(On Going)
* ASHRAE 62.2/Zonal Diagnostics
July TBA
* CAZ Field Mentoring
August
(3 agencies
										TBA)
* Energy Auditor Course
September
(2wks.
										TBA)
* NASCSP
September TBA
Second Quarter (October-December
										2026):
* MS DOE WX BIL WAP Network Meeting October
										TBA
. Online Badge course
(On Going)
* Whole House Field Mentoring
October
(5 days
										TBA)
* Installation Field Mentoring
November
(3 agencies
										TBA)
Third Quarter (January- March
										2027)
* MS DOE WX BIL WAP Network Meeting January
										TBA
* Online Badge course
(On Going)
* Installation Field Mentoring
February
(3 agencies
										TBA)
* QCI Process
March
(TBA)
* QCI Certification
TBA
* On-site T&TA
TBA
Fourth Quarter (April-June
										2027)
* MS DOE WX BIL WAP Network Meeting April
										TBA
* Online Badge course
(On Going)
* CEU sessions
TBA
* On-site T&TA,
TBA
DCS will encourage that the following online courses,
						  offered by CHP be taken: (As needed)
* Lead Safe Weatherization course (LSW) if
						  needed
* HVAC Fundamentals
* ASHRAE/ Red Calc Webinar (2hrs.)
* Retrofit Installer Technician
* Manufactured Housing Fundamentals
* Energy Auditor
* Online Math Review Course
(Free)