Wisconsin Works (W-2)
Becoming a Community Service Job or W-2 Transition Worksite
The primary goal of the Wisconsin Works (W-2) is to help parents find and keep employment. Building work experience through a W-2 worksite is one of the most effective ways for a participant to prepare for unsubsidized employment. It provides W-2 participants the opportunity build skills, and good work habits as well as gain a positive professional reference, and expand their resume.
Becoming a worksite provides the employer with workers who can help the organization achieve its goals. In addition,
- The worksite employer does not need to pay the participant. A Community Service Job (CSJ) or a W-2 Transition (W-2 T) worker receives a monthly check directly from the W-2 agency for engaging in assigned work activities.
- The worksite employer does not need to proved worker's compensation. These costs are covered by the W-2 agency unless the employer agrees to cover these costs.
- The W-2 agency continues
to provide ongoing case management to CSJ and W-2 T participants who work on
a worksite. Workers also receive ongoing case management from W-2 staff will
work with the employer and the worker to maximize the potential for success
of the placement. Available assistance may include:
| Child Care | Medicaid | Job Coaching |
| Food Stamps | Transportation | Skills Development |
Types of CSJ/W2-T Placements
State, county, municipal, or other governmental bodies
- Examples of Employers: housing authorities, school systems, parks and recreation, etc.
- Examples of Tasks: upkeep of public housing, maintenance of parks or other public facilities, urban gardening/forestry, neighborhood watch patrol, urban cleanup/renewal, graffiti removal.
Community-based organizations and publicly-funded agencies
- Examples of Employers: community non-profit agencies, religious organizations, hospitals, schools.
- Examples of Tasks: clerical, child care, educational aide, personal assistant or driver.
Contract organizations
(Including nonprofit, profit or private/public companies that contract for services such as industrial laundering, packaging and distribution, recycling, cleaning, etc.)
- Examples of Employers: private non-profits, W-2 agencies, specialized for-profit organizations.
- Examples of Tasks: same as listed for community-based organizations and governmental agencies.
Getting Started
To become a CSJ/W-2 T worksite provider, employers may contact the nearest W-2 agency by going to the W-2 Agency locator page (http://dcf.wisconsin.gov/w2/resources/w2agencies.asp). W-2 agency staff will help develop an agreement with the company or organization that will cover expectations built upon four primary issues:
- Compliance with all federal, state and local laws, ordinances, and regulations and collective bargaining agreements affecting the health, safety, nondiscrimination, and continued success of participants and the non-displacement of current employees.
- Provision of a structured work-training environment with clear expectations for all training positions, supervision, and willingness to mentor/coach CSJ/W-2T workers toward success in the workplace.
- Provision of a training position that provides meaningful tasks and replicates actual work conditions, taking into consideration the CSJ/W-2T worker’s unique circumstances and needs.
- A willingness to work collaboratively with W-2 agency and Job Center staff to ensure any factors that impact on the participant’s continued success on the job are shared with the placing agency in a timely manner for a proactive response to any potential concerns.
DES-10999-P (R. 05/99)