AG 1995 04 03 - Laserfiche WebLink

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as a ready reservoir to fill vacant positions. It should not however, be viewed as a vehicle to cut unsubsidized jobs. As such, contracts with employers will state that placement will be made based on the understanding that these subsidized jobs are an addition to the workforce, intended to afford expansion of needed services. In order to increase participant connection with the world of work, we propose, in all Work/are jobs, to pay AFDC benefits and the cash out value of Food Stamps through the employer. These monies will be matched by the employer to provide a substantial work experience at a reasonable rate, but not less than the minimum wage. The rate of the employer match would vary with negotiation, but the floor would be no more than 50%. Hours of work required would not be less than the number required to produce a pay equal to the cash value of Food Stamps and AFDC benefits the recipient would receive. This concept is already demonstrated through OJT, but should be expanded to cover all subsidized work activity. It increases the participants identification with the world of work and decreases the identification with DSS and dependency. It as well provides incentives to create jobs and use welfare recipients. We are aware that current funding may not allow the attention we envision to all eligible AFDC participants. This sadly, is the situation with JOBS. However, we propose to provide job search activity to potential JOB eligibles, and to those potentially eligible for work/are until they can be appropriately assessed and moved into planned job activity. Regular IM caseworkers will provide the manpower to monitor this activity. It is our belief that this will not only provide the job activity we believe necessary, but it is likely to result in an increase of paid employment, reducing program costs. Sanctions will apply to this activity, as in JOBS and Workfare. Regardless of whether the client is a JOBS eligible, potential JOBS eligible, or a Work/are eligible or potential eligible, there will be a requirement to complete a training course on how to seek a job. Since obtaining a job is a priority piece of this proposal, and many clients are unfamiliar with the techniques of finding employment, it is felt that this must be mandatory. We also feel that those recipients who speak another language, should be compelled to participate in ESL courses while pursuing work and or training. The inability of clients to properly communicate will severely limit their ability to engage in any substantial employment activity, and thereby their ability to be self-sufficient. Both JOBS and Workfare will offer child care and transportation. In the area of child care, the program would develop child care as employment and a resource. As employment, AFDC mothers could provide child care in their home, or work for a child care agency. The achievement of this employment results in a resource for other AFDC mothers. We propose as well to develop transportation in a similar way, using County owned vehicles and client drivers paid in part through OJT