Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 218 - Department of Human Services › Chapter 20 - Individual and Family Support Programs › Subchapter 00 - N/A › Part 2 - Rhode Island Works Program Rules and Regulations › Section 218-RICR-20-00-2.10 - RI Works Program Opportunities

Current through June 14, 2024
A. Due to the
				  COVID-19 virus and the national State of Emergency, the Department of Human
				  Services has temporarily suspended the compliancy requirements of plan
				  participation as a condition of eligibility. The requirement of compliance may
				  continue based on the individual's ability to participate from home. If
				  participation is not possible, sanctions may be imposed during the COVID-19
				  crisis.
B. A nonexempt RI Works
				  Program participant who fails without good cause to participate in an assigned
				  work activity component or otherwise refuses without good cause to comply with
				  her/his employment plan or with any other work opportunity, including but not
				  limited to attendance at DHS or vendor appointments such as initial interview,
				  orientation, assessment, job readiness, job search, education or vocational
				  training, is subject to sanction and possible closure as described in §2.11.9 of this Part. In
				  the case of a hardship extension, failure to comply with the employment plan
				  without good cause results in the case closure - the three (3) month sanction
				  period does not apply.
C. A
				  participant, including a parent or non-parent caretaker relative included in
				  the cash assistance payment, shall not voluntarily quit a job or refuse a job,
				  unless there is good cause as defined in §2.11.10 of this Part. A
				  participant who voluntarily quits or refuses a job without good cause while
				  receiving cash assistance shall be sanctioned, and potentially terminated from
				  the RI Works Program if the sanction continues for three (3) months.
2.10.1
Assessment
A. The assessment of family circumstances and
				  employability for applicants and recipients is conducted by DHS workers during
				  the initial interview or screening.
B. At the beginning of the assessment
				  process, the Information on the Family Violence Option (Form WVR-1a) is given
				  to the applicant along with a brief summary to ensure an understanding of its
				  contents. Every recipient must be informed that s/he may be excused from
				  certain RI Works requirements under the Family Violence Option if meeting these
				  requirements puts the recipient or her or his children at risk of domestic
				  violence, and that s/he may claim the Family Violence Option at any time. The
				  procedures to be followed after an applicant claims this option or discloses
				  abuse are specified in §
											2.13   of this Part.
C. The assessment process begins with the DHS
				  worker using the Family Needs Assessment to collect information about the
				  participant's past educational, training, and employment history as well as the
				  health of the participant and her/his family. These and other factors provide a
				  client profile which the agency representative evaluates. Assessment
				  information is then entered into the eligibility system. This collection of
				  data is appraised to identify the individual's strengths and barriers in
				  relation to the individual's readiness for employment.
D. Assessment Requirements
1. The assessment interview must cover all
				  areas relating to the applicant's and the entire family's circumstances,
				  including, but not limited to the following:
a. Housing needs;
b. Utility payments;
c. Food security and nutrition;
d. Physical and emotional health (including
				  special issues affecting the well-being of the family such as an incapacity of
				  a family member, substance abuse and domestic violence);
e. Transportation issues;
f. Child issues;
g. Education history;
h. Employment history;
i. Known or suspected disabilities, including
				  but not limited to learning disabilities;
j. Level of crisis; and
k. Academic testing, when referred by the DHS
				  to a selected vendor.
2.
				  Specific assessment information needed includes:
a. The individual's ability to speak English,
				  or the individual's primary language;
b. Marital status;
c. Military veteran status;
d. Employment status; and
e. Last grade of school completed, as well as
				  each adult household member's school attended.
3. As appropriate, the following information
				  will also be collected:
a. Current health
				  problems;
b. Names of educational
				  facilities attended by the participant(s);
c. Program/course titles and completion
				  dates;
d. Names and addresses of
				  the participant's previous employers, job titles, and hire and end
				  dates.
4. The DHS worker
				  must also assess the financial conditions of the family and, when appropriate,
				  develop a financial plan. See §2.10.2 of this Part
				  pertaining to the financial plan.
5. As appropriate, the DHS worker discusses
				  the various special requirements for minor parents, pregnant minors, and for
				  adolescent parents who do not have their high school diploma or its equivalent
				  and who are not attending school, such as the requirement for participation in
				  an educational program leading to such diploma, as well as other RI Works
				  requirements. The initial assessment interview of pregnant minors and minor
				  teen parents is conducted by the appropriate TFD Program.
6. For all adult parents, the RI Works worker
				  informs them of the work activities, supportive services, and vocational
				  training opportunities available, as well as the time limit on the receipt of
				  RI Works cash assistance.
7. The RI
				  Works worker reviews the RI Works Program information by outlining the sequence
				  of the eligibility process and other compliance matters, activity requirements
				  and opportunities, the participant's and the Department's responsibilities, and
				  the consequences if the individual fails to comply with program
				  requirements.
8. A summary of the
				  assessment interview with the participant and any appropriate information must
				  be entered in the electronic case record.
9. A full assessment includes three (3)
				  categories: Family Needs Assessment, Education and Employment Assessment, and
				  Academic and/or Vocational Testing.
10. A full assessment is completed for all RI
				  Works Program applicants and as appropriate, recipients. Individuals must
				  undergo academic and/or vocational testing (administered by the vendor the
				  individual is referred to) for employment planning and for specific activities
				  (e.g., Adult Education, Skills Training and Post-Secondary
				  Education).
11. After the test
				  results have been returned, the results are entered into the electronic case
				  record, discussed with the applicant, and evaluated in light of her/his
				  previous education, training, and employment history. The evaluation should
				  determine if the employment goal or activity should be modified. A summary of
				  each contact with the participant and any appropriate information is recorded
				  in the electronic case record of the eligibility system.