1. 1 Food Stamp Employment and Training Operating a Volunteer Program Spring Training 2011

2. 2 Objectives The basics of operating a volunteer program  Who can we serve?  What cases will be created in the One-Stop Service Tracking (OSST) system via the interface?  What participants will be mailed an Outreach Letter?  What if the food stamp recipient has a case in OSST but is not mailed a letter?  What if a food stamp recipient wants to volunteer but does not have a case in the OSST system?

3. 3 Objectives The basics of operating a volunteer program  What activities can our program participants be engaged in?  How many hours does a participant have to complete each month to get transportation assistance?  What if the FSET participant does not show to an appointment, an activity, etc.?  Can a participant receive a Food Stamp Reimbursement (FSR)?

4. 4 Engaging Volunteers - FSET Who can we serve?  An individual who is receiving food stamps that is not already engaged in the Welfare Transition (WT) program Eligibility  The OSST system will create cases based on data from the FLORIDA to OSST interface  Regional staff can Review a food stamp recipient’s eligibility in the DCF’s data entry system, the FLORIDA system Enroll the food stamp recipient in the volunteer program Create a case or reopen the case in the OSST system

5. 5 Engaging Volunteers - FSET What food stamp records generate cases in OSST?  If the food stamp recipient is a “work registrant”, a case will be built in OSST  If the food stamp recipient is an Unemployment Compensation recipient, a case will be built in OSST The cases will have an engagement to-do created FSET program staff will not need to confirm the engagement to-dos

6. 6 Engaging Volunteers - FSET Who will be mailed an Outreach Letter? Only on cases where the participant is 16 through 39 –This is based only on limited funding –If additional funds can be secured to expand outreach, we will outreach to additional participants

7. 7 Engaging Volunteers - FSET Who will be mailed an Outreach Letter?  If the letter is mailed, a FSET Participation Notice Activity (599) will be added to the case on the Skill Development screen Actual Start Date Anticipated End Date

8. 8 Engaging Volunteers - FSET What happens if an Outreach Letter is not mailed?  The engagement to-do will be confirmed  A 593 “Authorization for On-line Activity” is entered Actual Start Date Anticipated End Date Authorizing the participant to sign in to OSST, complete the orientation process, answer the assessment questions, select an activity, get his/her next steps

9. 9 Engaging Volunteers - FSET What happens if a case is not created in OSST?  Some food stamp recipients will be introduced to the program via other workforce programs and outreach methods An individual is looking for work in the career center, and staff learns that (s)he is getting food stamps The individual needs “intensive” engagement in activities, as well as transportation assistance

10. 10 Engaging Volunteers - FSET What happens if a case is not created in OSST?  You must determine if the individual is eligible Receiving food stamps  You must determine if a case is in the OSST system  You must record all engagement in the OSST system  You must ensure the participant is getting food stamps the entire time (s)he is engaged in the program

11. 11 Engaging Volunteers - FSET What activities can volunteers participate in?  Job search  Job search training  Vocational training  Education  Workforce Investment Act (WIA)/Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) Program activities  Work experience  Self-initiated work experience  Employment Retention Services (ERS)

12. 12 Engaging Volunteers - FSET What if the volunteer does not attend an activity, an appointment, etc.?  Do not start the conciliation process  Do not request a sanction  Reach out to the volunteer Try to call the volunteer Find out why (s)he did not attend the appointment or activity Does the volunteer need services or additional assistance? Mail a new appointment to see if the volunteer can be re-engaged

13. 13 Engaging Volunteers - FSET There will be many people that may not respond to the Outreach Letter. Will we have to close all of those cases?  No  If the participant does not complete the on- line process within 90 days of the Actual Start Date, the case will close automatically  If the participant does not attend a local orientation session (and the 599, 593, 594 closed by staff), the case will close automatically after 90 days of the Actual Start Date

14. 14 Engaging Volunteers - FSET What if the participant does not turn in his/her hours of participation? Will we have to close those cases?  No  If the Job Participation Rate (JPR) screen is not updated with hours greater than zero for more than 180 days, the case will be closed in OSST

15. 15 Engaging Volunteers - FSET The system’s case is closed. The individual comes in later and wants to start volunteering. What are my next steps?  Check the FLORIDA system Is the individual getting food stamps? –IQEL Document that (s)he is getting food stamps and keep the documentation in the case file Reopen the case in OSST Start recording engagement Each month, staff must verify the individual is still getting food stamps to continue offering services

16. 16 Engaging Volunteers - FSET Who can get a FSR (transportation assistance)?  An FSET volunteer Who is engaged in the FSET program Who has an activity (component) in the system Who has provided documentation of participation in the activity Who has documented costs associated with participating in activities

17. 17 Engaging Volunteers - FSET What documentation is needed to prove that (s)he spent money to attend activities (transportation)?  Receipts for gas  Receipts for buying a bus pass  Self-attestation

18. 18 Engaging Volunteers - FSET Case notes  Notes describe each step that you take to engage the program participant  Please document Eligibility Enrollment Engagement Hours completed Etc.

19. 19 If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please contact the Food Stamp and Employment Training Team through the Department of Economic Opportunity’s Call Center at 1-866-352-2345 An equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. All voice telephone numbers on this document may be reached by persons using TTY/TDD equipment via Florida Relay Service at 711.