16.3.1  Groups Mandatory for Learnfare Case Management

Case management is mandatory for the following five target groups:

1.             Children between the ages of 6 and 17 not enrolled in school;

2.             A Dropout A student who has 20 consecutive full days of unexcused absence, has not graduated from high school or received a high equivalency diploma, and does not have an acceptable excuse under s. 118.15 (1) (b) to (d) or (3), Stats. or a Returning Dropout A student who has dropped out of school and returned in the same or immediately succeeding semester.;

3.             A Habitual Truant A student who is absent without an acceptable excuse, as defined by the school, for part or all of five or more days on which school is held during a school semester (s.118.16(1)(a), Wisc. Stats.). Some schools do not operate on a semester basis. Examples are quarters or trimesters. For these schools, use the following definition of semester: (1) Fall semester: September 1 through January 15, (2) Spring semester: January 16 through May 31;

4.             A Minor Parent A custodial parent under the age of 18. For Learnfare, a minor parent is either a custodial or a noncustodial parent under the age of 18.; and

5.             A child whose W-2 group includes a participant who has been unable to participate in required assigned activities due to the child’s school-related problems.

A child required to participate in mandatory case management must continue to do so until the next review date, unless any of the following occurs:

·        The parent of the child participating in Learnfare is no longer placed in a CSJCommunity Service Job, TMPCustodial Parent Trial Employment Match Program, or W-2 TW-2 Transition position;

·        The child has reached age 18;

·        For minor parents, the minor parent has lost their child through death or adoption;

·        For returning dropouts, the child has completed two consecutive semesters, including the semester during which the child returns to school; or

·        The child’s school-related problems are remedied and the participant resumes participation in required assigned activities.

Any child enrolled in Learnfare case management can volunteer to receive Learnfare case management services through the end of the school semester even when Learnfare is no longer mandatory.

A financial penalty must not be imposed on W-2 Groups whose child(ren) voluntarily continue(s) to participate in Learnfare case management. (See 16.4.1)

History: Release 24-13; Release 16-01; Release 13-03.