1.2.2 Resource Specialist

All W-2W-2Wisconsin Works agencies must have a staff member who performs the role of a RSRSResource Specialist. This individual may perform other functions within the agency as well.

The role of the RS is to understand an applicant's needs and assist in determining which programs or services are likely to support their efforts to find and maintain employment.

The RS will perform these primary functions:

1. Understand an applicant's situation and perform the initial review of need for employment-related services. The RS will:
   1. Ask the applicant what brought them into the office.
   2. Ask the applicant what they need to find and/or keep a job.
   3. Gather information through the WWPWWPWisconsin Work Programs Informal Assessment Driver Flow about the applicant's recent job search efforts, employment skills, work history, education, and potential barriers to employment or participation in work activities.
   4. Determine how the household composition and circumstances affect the applicant's ability to work or participate in work activities.
   5. Identify whether the applicant is in a crisis situation (e.g., homeless, victim of domestic violence, no food in the house, etc.) and the potential need for a Family Stabilization Payment. (See 9.3.1) Give the applicant a copy of the Domestic Violence Brochure (2614-P). (See 1.4.6)
   6. Identify the need for any necessary accommodations to help the applicant complete the application process.
   7. Assess current child support case status and inform the applicant of the child support pass through policy for individuals in a W-2 Paid Employment PositionA Community Service Job or W-2 Transition placement placement. (See 15.1.1)
2. Inform each applicant about the services available and assist the applicant in determining what programs and services are likely to support their employment search. The RS must refer the applicant to any programs in which the applicant has indicated an interest. The RS must explain the:
   1. Services that are available through the W-2 program including:
      1. W-2 Employment Position placements;
      2. Individualized case management services; and
      3. Supportive services.
   2. Eligibility and participation requirements including:
      1. W-2 eligibility criteria;
      2. Participation requirements for W-2 payments; and
      3. W-2 Employment Position placements;
      4. W-2 24-month placement time limits and 48-month state lifetime limit. (See 2.10).
   3. Job Center Partner programs and other workforce development programs including:
      1. DVRDVRDivision of Vocational Rehabilitation;
      2. UIUIUnemployment Insurance;
      3. FSETFSETFoodShare Employment and Training;
      4. WIOAWIOAWorkforce Innovation and Opportunity Act; and
      5. Other employment programs and resources available through the Job Center of Wisconsin and within the community.
   4. Supportive service programs including:
      1. Foodshare;
      2. Wisconsin Medicaid and BadgerCare Plus;
      3. Wisconsin Shares Child Care Subsidy Program;
      4. EAEAEmergency Assistance;
      5. WICWICWomen, Infants and Children;
      6. WHEAPWHEAPWisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program; and
      7. Any local housing assistance programs.
   5. Services available through the local CAPCAPCommunity Action Program agency.
3. The RS may initiate the CWWCWWCARES Worker Web interactive interview to record non-financial and financial information such as income, assets, and family composition.
4. As a condition of W-2 eligibility, the RS may:
   1. Assign up-front job search activities to an applicant. (See 2.9.2)
   2. Require an applicant to apply for other appropriate public assistance programs or resources. (See 2.6.1)

At no point can the RS determine final eligibility or placement in a W-2 employment position. These are the responsibilities of the FEPFEPFinancial and Employment Planner based, in part, on the information collected by the RS.

CWW may refer applicants to the Child Support program via the CWW/KIDSKIDSKids Information Data System automated interface, based on information the RS enters on the CWW Absent Parent page.