(a)

1. (1) Case management is the process of coordinating and brokering the multiple services needed to achieve progress toward self-sufficiency.
2. (2) Program Eligibility Specialists serve as a point of contact for participants and a point of accountability for the agency.
3. (3) The Program Eligibility Specialist has overall responsibility for working with participants from initial assessment until case closure.

(b)

1. (1) The primary case management consists of the following primary activities:

   1. (A)

(i) Screening and assessment includes all the interactions that Program Eligibility Specialists have with participants, from the initial interview and screening process through case closure and the provision of extended services.

1. (ii) In all of these interactions, the goal is to help the participant identify which services are needed to support family self-sufficiency.

   1. (iii) Rapport and trust are built by helping participants identify and address their own issues;

   2. (B)

      1. (i) Brokering for resources, communication with partners, and staffings ensure that the most appropriate services are provided to the participant.
      2. (ii) Program Eligibility Specialists will work closely with community and other partners.
      3. (iii) Brokering also involves continual evaluation of each service’s usefulness and success.
      4. (iv) Brokered services include not only case plan activities and local resources, but Department of Human Services, Social Security, child support, and other benefits as well;

   3. (C)

      1. (i) Employment plans are the road map for the participant in their journey toward enhanced self-sufficiency.
      2. (ii) They are developed using the participant’s best thinking on how they can increase self-sufficiency.
      3. (iii)

(b) (b) The plan states when, where, how, and by whom these activities will be provided.

1. (iv) Employment plans should be individualized based on participant need and can be added to and adjusted over time; and

   1. (D)

      1. (i) Narration and computer entry are the means by which the department’s benefits are provided and case activities recorded.
      2. (ii) They also enable the department to collect and evaluate data to continually improve program services.
      3. (iii) Accuracy and timeliness of narration and computer entry are necessary to help the department maintain federal and state funding.
      4. (iv) Case narratives should be:

(b) (b) Comprehensive; and

1. (c) (c) Void of personal opinion.

2. (2)

   1. (A) All these activities occur during case management, but the order may vary depending on the participant’s situation.

   2. (B) In all cases, the department uses case management skills such as:

      1. (i) Asking open-ended questions;
      2. (ii) Restating;
      3. (iii) Summarizing; and
      4. (iv) Helping participants develop their own plan of action and be accountable for their own progress.
      5. (c)
3. (1) Case management services will be provided to those participants who need assistance before and after accepting employment.

4. (2) This service will be provided:

   1. (A) As long as the participant is eligible; and
   2. (B) Up to twelve (12) months after cash assistance has been terminated due to employment.
5. (3) Refer to 20 CAR § 503-219.