1. Opportunity Starts Today! WOA/Choices Orientation
Workforce Solutions Brazos Valley
3991 East 29th Street Bryan, Texas
Rev. 6/13/2019

2. Equal Opportunity Statement
“The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) as a recipient of Federal financial assistance
is prohibited from discriminating against any individual in the United States,
on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation and belief.”
File a written complaint of alleged discriminatory acts within 180 calendar days from the date of alleged act. Complaints must be submitted to:
TWC, 101 East 15th Street, Room 242-T, Austin, Texas 78778

3. Choices What is it? Why am I here?

5. CHOICES Operates under a work first service model
Assists with transition from TANF to Work
through participation in work-related
activities
One or both adults in a two parent household are responsible

6. Applicant vs Participant
Applicant – has applied for benefits, but has not yet been certified; however, can choose to participate – no participation requirements
Participant – has applied for benefits, certified and required or chosen to participate in the Choices Program

7. Conditional Applicants
Someone who left TANF in a sanctioned status and is reapplying for assistance
Conditional Applicants must demonstrate 4 consecutive weeks of cooperation in order to receive TANF benefits

8. Exempt Participants Exempt individuals may voluntarily
participate in employment services at any time
Exempt individuals are eligible for the same services as non-exempt individuals
Exempt individuals are not subject to sanction
*Participating in Choices activities through employment while meeting participation requirements could earn you a gift card valued at $50 per week for 12 weeks

9. One Time or Ongoing One Time TANF=$1,000.00 Ongoing TANF
For short term crisis (Customers receiving OTTANF are not eligible to participate in Choices or receive TANF assistance for the 12 months following receipt of OTTANF)
Ongoing TANF
Choices Participation required
Participants Requirements – Required to participate a certain number of hours per week
Good Cause – any reasons for why you feel you can not participate should be reported to HHSC and Workforce Solutions.

10. TANF is Temporary Assistance is temporary
Texans are responsible for the support of themselves and their families
Employment is the goal

11. Benefits of Employment
Guaranteed Income and possible benefits
Positive Impact on your children
Better Lifestyle
Independence and Self-Sufficiency
Securing a place in a productive society
Positive Self-image
Positive Role model

12. Hourly Wage and Benefit Scenarios 2019

13. Choices Participation
Active participation:
Work
Training
Job search
Subsidized employment
Work experience
On-the-job training
Support Services are available to participants who are actively looking for work or who become employed

14. Procedure for TANF Reinstatement
Non-Participation
Results in a sanction
Procedure for TANF Reinstatement
Participant must demonstrate one full month of cooperation before benefits are reinstated.
PLEASE NOTE: Participant will go one month without TANF Benefits and Adult Medicaid

15. Your Role To be a willing, hopeful and excited participant
To accept change
To acknowledge that it will be as easy or hard as you decide to make it
To look forward to a new chapter in your life and the lives of your children
To be ready to work

16. You Are Not In This Alone

17. Our Role
To assist employers by connecting them to a trained and qualified workforce
To motivate and assist you in your job search and or career path
Assess your skills
Determine your interests
Develop jobs

18. Early Engagement
Engage immediately with a Choices Talent Development Specialist to begin your pathway to employment.
Receive support services to assist you in accepting and retaining employment.
Attend Job Readiness Classes to prepare yourself for the workplace!

19. What Can We Offer? Support Services for Applicants Child Care
Transportation, i.e., trolley passes/gas assistance
Assistance with work-related expenses
Other job related expenses, i.e., food handler’s license
Services are available based on need, funding, and eligibility
Don’t wait until you are certified, ask a Talent Development Specialist about these services !!

20. Employment Services for Choices
Job readiness activities:
Self-esteem building
Job search skills
Labor Market Information
Employment goal setting
Resume writing
Interviewing Techniques
Workplace Expectations
Job retention skills
Don’t wait to be certified. Begin your Job Search NOW !

21. Resource Room Tools……. Copy/Scanner machines Fax machines Phones
Computers
Labor Market Information (LMI)
The Resource Room is open Monday-Friday, 8 AM – 5 PM. Workforce Development Specialists located in the Resource Room are available to assist with job search.

22. Labor Market Information
(Labor Market and Career Information)
Analyze Trends in Texas
Educational Resources
Job Descriptions
Top Paying Industries
Emerging & Evolving Occupations
Unemployment Rates
Brazos Valley Unemployment Rate
April 2019 – 2.40%
LMI provides local, regional, state and national workforce characteristics and statistics. Such as, area profiles, unemployment rates, workers vs jobs, top paying industries, top paying occupations.

23. Emerging Occupations Construction & Extraction Office & Administrative
Supervisor: Construction
Trades/Extraction Workers
$ $34.00 P/hour
Electricians
$ $22.55 P/hour
Health Care
Pharmacy Technicians
$ $16.24 P/hour
LVN
$ $21.26 P/hour
Office & Administrative
Executive Secretary/Administrative
Assistant
$ $28.84 P/hour
Production
Machinist
$ $22.64 P/hour
Installation, Maintenance, Repair
Automotive Service Technicians
$10.93 – $24.46 P/hour
Industrial Machinery Mechanic
$ $26.98 P/hour
The Labor Market is the area in which workers compete for jobs and employers compete for workers. Labor Market Information provides local, regional, state, and national workforce characteristics and statistics.
Updated FY19

24. Choices Post-Employment Strategies
Extended or ongoing case management
Child care, transportation and work-related expenses
Job search and Job Placement
Mentoring
Additional career planning and counseling

25. Enhanced Services Veterans Employment and Training Choices
Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA)
Youth
Adult/Youth
Adult
Dislocated
Veterans Employment and Training
Choices

26. Incentives for Participation
TANF Applicant could be eligible for a $50 gift card for completing a minimum of one week of participation prior to certification OR
TANF Applicant could be eligible for a $100 gift card for participating at mandated levels through employment or documented self-employment at the date of TANF certification
Choices Participants could be eligible for a $100 gift card for obtaining full time unsubsidized employment (35 hours per week) within first 4 weeks of TANF certification
Choices Mandatory Participants could be eligible for a $100 gift card for each month, up to six months, for reporting hours timely

28. Ask Us About Job Opportunities in WorkinTexas.com

29. Accessible Equipment TTY’s (Tele-Typing Device) Screen-Reader Software
ASL Interpreters
Local career centers must receive a 24 hour notice for ASL interpreters

30. Workforce Solutions Brazos Valley
Right to Appeal
Appeals regarding the denial or reduction of TANF benefits should be addressed to HHSC. Appeals and complaints regarding Choices workforce services should be submitted in writing to: Workforce Solutions Brazos Valley Center Project Director PO Box 4128 Bryan, Texas Fax: (979)
8/17/2019
Workforce Solutions Brazos Valley
Board Policy: Integrated Complaints, Hearing, and Appeals Policy
A-104: Appeals of SNAP E&T Activities and Support Services Decisions

31. Workforce Solutions Brazos Valley
Contact Info: Brenda Burns – Lead Talent Development Specialist (Burleson, Grimes, Leon, Madison, Robertson, and Washington Counties) ext Victoria Farr – Lead Talent Development Specialist (Brazos County) ext Thank You!
Workforce Solutions Brazos Valley
Equal Opportunity Employer/Program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Deaf, hard of hearing or speech-impaired customers may contact. Relay Texas (800) ,  TDD (800) Voice, TTY (979)
A Proud Partner of the American Job Center Network

32. What Happens Next ??