Wisconsin Works (W-2) Program
GLOSSARY OF W-2 TERMS
Wisconsin
Works (W-2)
Wisconsin's employment-based assistance program for low-income families
with dependent children that replaced the Aid to Families with Dependent
Children (AFDC) program.
Caretaker
Supplement
A monthly cash benefit of $250 for the first eligible child living with
his/her Supplemental Security Income (SSI) parent, and $150 for each
additional eligible child. Caretaker Supplement benefits are administered
by the county/tribal human social services agency.
Children First
A court-ordered work training program for non-custodial parents designed
to encourage and enable payment of child support. The Bureau of Child
Support (BCS) administers this program.
Children's Services
Network (CSN)
A Children's Services Network (CSN), provides a link to comprehensive
community services for children and families, includes charitable food and
clothing centers, nutrition services, transportation and housing
assistance, crisis intervention, etc. A CSN is developed by each W-2
agency in collaboration with the local Community Steering Committees.
Community
Steering Committee (CSC)
Each W-2 agency is required to establish a CSC to help in identifying
employment opportunities, as well as create wage-subsidized and community
service jobs, for those individuals who are not ready for regular
employment. The CSC will help ensure the success of W-2 by adding the
leadership, resources and the initiatives of local community leaders. The
CSC supports W-2 participants by identifying job opportunities and
developing supportive services such as expanded child care, creative
transportation solutions, etc.
Custodial
Parent of an Infant
A custodial parent of a child 12 weeks old or less and who meets the
financial and non-financial eligibility requirements for W-2 employment
positions may receive a monthly payment of $673. During those 12 weeks the
parent will not be required to participate in an employment position
unless s/he volunteers to participate.
Earned Income Credit (EIC)
The Earned Income Credit is a refundable federal or state tax benefit
designed to help low-income workers increase their financial stability and
maintain their independence from the welfare system. It has several
important purposes: to reduce taxes, supplement wages, and make work more
attractive than welfare.
Employment Ladder
The structure which symbolizes movement from supported work activities to
independent, unsubsidized employment:
- Unsubsidized Employment - Employment for which a W-2 agency provides no subsidy to the employer, including self-employment and entrepreneurship.
- Trial Job - A W-2 subsidized employment position that provides work experience and training which may become permanent unsubsidized employment. The W-2 subsidy for Trial Job participants is paid directly to the employer.
- Community Service Job (CSJ) - A W-2 work-readiness practice placement designed to improve the employability of participants by providing work experience and training in the public and private sectors.
- W-2 Transition (W-2 T) - A W-2 placement intended to provide intensive services to improve the employability of participants with severe barriers. This placement is designed to assists the participant in moving up the employment ladder.
Job Access Loans (JALs)
Job Access Loans are short-term, no interest loans, designed to assist an
eligible individual with immediate needs to obtain or support employment.
Job
Centers
Job Centers, the delivery system for all job seeker/employer services,
provide one-stop shopping for employers seeking to meet their workforce
needs and for job seekers wanting career planning and job placement,
advancement and training services at the local level.
JobNet
The Department of Workforce Development's computerized listing by
region, of jobs available within Wisconsin, including the employer
requirements necessary for obtaining those jobs.
Kinship
Care
Kinship Care is a program administered by county or tribal human/social
services departments that provides cash payments to caretaker relatives
(grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc.) of minor children. Kinship Care
provides payments of $215 per month per child when certain requirements
are met.
Learnfare
Learnfare is designed to assist students age 6-17 whose parents are in W-2
employment positions. Policies and case management services are designed
to increase school attendance, enhance career preparation and decrease
teen pregnancy.
Partnership
for Full Employment (PFE)
The Partnership for Full Employment (PFE) is Wisconsin's consolidated
employment and training system. The PFE is designed to help all job
seekers find and retain employment by providing them with the services
they need, when they need them, with a one-stop approach. It also includes
services for employers to help connect them to the workers they need.
Strike
A penalty a W-2 participant may receive if he or she fails or refuses,
without good cause, to participate in a W-2 employment position. A
participant who accumulates three strikes in any W-2 employment position
activity will be ineligible to participate in that component for life.
Temporary Assistance for Needy
Families (TANF)
Title 1 of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation
Act of 1996 (PRWORA). The federal block grant program provides states with
the authority and funding to create programs that provide time-limited
assistance to needy families with children and promote work.
W-2 AGENCY CASE MANAGEMENT:
- Financial and Employment Planner (FEP) - The primary W-2 case manager for participants in W-2 employment positions. FEPs provide eligibility determination, job readiness screening, employability planning, and financial and employment case management services; make referrals to other public or private assistance programs or resources; and determine eligibility, as appropriate, for supportive services such as food stamps, Medicaid, Job Access Loans, child care, transportation, and Emergency Assistance.
- Resource Specialist (RS) Resource Specialist (RS)- A W-2 employee, who makes an initial assessment of needs, performs initial referrals to service providers, directs the individual to other resources, and evaluates the need for W-2 services.
- Supportive Services Planner (SSP) - A W-2 employee who determines eligibility for services such as food stamps, Medicaid, child care, and Emergency Assistance.