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Each W-2 agency is required by state statute to have at least one FEP .
The FEP must provide individualized case management services and supportive services for a person in a W-2 employment position. Although a FEP may have other staff assistance, the FEP is the primary case manager and has the ultimate responsibility for the case, including correct eligibility determination for W-2. The FEP must also coordinate with other agencies to facilitate needed services such as treatment, education, training, and formal assessments.
The FEP must meet with the applicant within 5 working days of the date the W-2 agency receives a signed RFA /paper registration form. The FEP has up to 7 working days after this first meeting to make a placement determination. The FEP uses the information gathered to determine eligibility and placement.
The main functions of the FEP are:
1. Eligibility determination;
2. Assessment;
3. Employability planning;
4. Service referral; and
5. Ongoing case management.
Responsibilities that are part of these functions include:
1. Determining eligibility for W-2 and JAL, verifying information necessary to process the W-2 application and that the verification is scanned timely into ECF, and ensuring that all data is entered into CARES in an accurate and timely fashion, and that correct payments are issued in a timely manner.
2. Providing information on basic money management and personal work habits and life skills needed to succeed in the working world.
3. Completing an informal assessment (see 5.2.1), assessing for both strengths and barriers. This includes reviewing and updating the information gathered by the Resource Specialist using the CARES Work Program Assessment Driver Flow.
4. Utilizing the BST , educational needs assessment, and other information provided by the participant to determine whether a formal assessment by a qualified assessing agency is needed. (See 5.5.2) Considering barriers to employment in determining the level of employability, making placement decisions, and referrals to other services. Providing accommodations and modifications as needed. (See 1.3)
5. When appropriate, assigning reasonable job search activities prior to and after the determination of W-2 eligibility.
6. Determining placement in a W-2 employment position and the need for an Emergency Payment. (See 18.1.0)
7. Working with participants to develop a W-2 EP. Designing a plan to move the participant to unsubsidized employment as quickly as possible. Documenting requirements for assigned W-2 activities and incorporating Learnfare activity requirements as necessary. (See Chapter 6)
8. Ensuring that applicants and participants have the necessary supportive services, accommodations, auxiliary aids and communication assistance required to participate to the fullest extent possible.
9. Assessing each participant’s progress in their assigned activities and determining whether the participant is developing the hard and soft skills they need to obtain and retain unsubsidized employment. Working with the participant to update the EP as needed based on the assessment progress.
10. Identify noncompliance, determine good cause, and apply payment reductions. Recording participant progress in CARES.
11. Interpreting and explaining policies governing eligibility. This includes explaining the responsibilities and requirements outlined in the Participation Agreement and securing the applicant’s signature prior to beginning a W-2 employment position. These include, but are not limited to: a) explaining that failure to cooperate during the application phase may result in ineligibility; b) providing information on the Fact Finding Process; and c) explaining the W-2 agency’s discrimination complaint process. (See 1.4.6)
12. Referring applicants who supply questionable information for front-end verification. (See Chapter 4)
13. Referring participants suspected of fraudulent activity for fraud investigation. (See Chapter 4)
14. When necessary, referring applicants and participants to other community services such as food pantries, domestic abuse services, literacy councils, child welfare agencies, DVR, and AODA/mental health services.
15. Assuring that final eligibility information for W-2 is transmitted to the child support agency, and assuring that participants cooperate with their child support agency. During eligibility reviews, the FEP must also review with the participant his or her child support assignment.
16. Explaining Learnfare, assessing Learnfare status for dependent children in a W-2 Group, and providing or arranging for Learnfare case management. Ensuring enrollment and attendance for dependent child(ren) subject to Learnfare is promoted, verified, monitored and appropriately entered in CARES. (See Chapter 12)
17. Providing follow-up case management services for at least 12 months to participants who progress from a W-2 employment position to an unsubsidized position to encourage and support job retention and advancement. At local agency discretion, the participant may continue to receive the follow-up case management services of the FEP beyond the mandatory 12-month follow-up period as necessary. (See Chapter 7)
18. Maintaining an effective working relationship with the Job Center partners and other agencies that provide workforce development programs.
All FEPs must be trained in accordance with state law and administrative rule. (See Wisconsin Administrative Rules, Chapter DCF 103). Basic skill sets required of a FEP include:
Public assistance workers, including financial and employment planners, are required by Wis. Stats. sections 48.981(2)(a) and 48.981(2)(a)13 to report suspected child abuse and neglect. Suspected child abuse and neglect includes suspicion of child abuse of an unborn child and includes the belief that abuse or neglect will occur. To report suspected child abuse or neglect, the public assistance worker must contact either by phone or personally the local child welfare agency, the local sheriff, or local police department and provide the facts and circumstances contributing to the suspicion. Additional information regarding how to make a report of suspected child abuse or neglect can be found in Wis. Stats. section 48.981(3).
This
page last updated in Release # 11-02
Release Date: 04/07/11
Effective Date: 04/07/11