Work First 104C - First Stop Employment Assistance

XI. AM I REQUIRED TO SUPPLY ESC WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THE APPLICANT?

Yes, there are several situations which necessitate sharing information with ESC about a case. Both ESC and DSS staff will have data entry capabilities on the First Stop Data (FD) and First Stop Notes (RF) screens. Other partner agencies that contract with DSS to operate additional components may be given access as well. (See A07 for instructions on updating the screens.)

A. The caseworker should alert ESC that the registrant should be considered a First Stop registrant if they discover through the verification process that the individual has registered at ESC but did not indicate that they would apply for Work First. When notified, ESC will key an “A” in the Client Characteristics (CC) screen. This will, in turn, create First Stop screens for the client.

B. Once an applicant’s registration has been verified, the DSS caseworker should enter his/her Worker Number on the FD screen.

C. Throughout the application process, the caseworker is responsible for updating the Participant Status code to reflect any change in the applicant’s status. The update consists of accessing the FD screen and placing an “X” in the field beside “First Stop Participant – Mandatory,” “First Stop Participant – Optional,” or “Not Eligible for Work First” to indicate the status of the application. “First Stop Participant - Mandatory” will be the category of most applicants. Applicants who are exempt from First Stop requirements, but choose to participate in First Stop activities will be categorized as “First Stop Participant – Optional.” “Not Eligible for Work First” will be used to identify applicants who apply for Work First but are found to be ineligible.

When DSS staff inputs the “X” beside the correct category, the category name will be displayed on the Client Data (CD) screen.

D. As the caseworker continues working with the First Stop participant and the Personal Responsibility Contract is completed and signed, DSS should place an “X” in the field beside“DSS Mutual Responsibility Plan Written” on the FD screen.

E. The First Stop Notes (RF) screen can be utilized to make notes to explain any entries of “Other” or any information that could help another agency provide better service to the participant.

F. Both agencies have data entry capabilities for the following fields: Job Preparedness, Supportive Services, Training, Job Search, Community Service, and Failure to Cooperate.