(a)

1. (1) It is the goal of the Transitional Employment Assistance Program that all participants receive services that best prepare them for long-term economic self-sufficiency.
2. (2) To that end, transitional employment assistance TEA participants will be encouraged and allowed to participate in education and training activities as a component of their individual employment plan.

(c) Career and technical education must meet at least one (1) of the following requirements:

1. (1) Be on the statewide or appropriate area list of occupations in the Projected Employment Opportunities List published by the Labor Market Information Section of the Division of Workforce Services;
2. (2) Be on the list for another area within the state to which the TEA participant has signed a commitment to relocate;
3. (3) Be for a specific position for which an employer has submitted a letter demonstrating intent to hire persons upon successful completion of training; or
4. (4) Be in an occupation in local demand but not shown on the Projected Employment Opportunities List if the local demand is documented or will be documented by the area workforce development board.

(d)

1. (1) Career and technical education is a core activity that cannot exceed twelve (12) months with respect to any participant.
2. (2) It is defined as organized educational programs directly related to the preparation of participants for employment in current or emerging occupations requiring training.
3. (3) This also includes baccalaureate or advanced degrees.

(e) Career and technical education training must be provided by educational or training organizations such as:

1. (1) Vocational-technical schools;
2. (2) Community colleges;
3. (3) Postsecondary institutions;
4. (4) Proprietary schools;
5. (5) Nonprofit organizations; and
6. (6) Secondary schools that offer vocational education.

(f)

1. (1) Distance learning is allowed when provided by an accredited program recognized by the Department of Education and/or Division of Higher Education.
2. (2) Distance learning programs should have the ability to provide reports of participant’s progress and time spent by the participant accessing the online distance learning program.
3. (3) This documentation will be provided to the Program Eligibility Specialist no less than biweekly.
4. (4) If the program is unable to provide documentation, the activity will not count towards the work participation rate.

(g)

1. (1) Unsupervised participation in educational and training activities, homework time, or study time may be reported as participation.
2. (2) Monitored study sessions may be included and reported as participation in educational and training activities only if the education or training provider is able to verify attendance and participation.

(h) Education and training included as a part of this activity include, but are not limited to:

1. (1) Associate’s degree programs;
2. (2) Bachelor’s degree programs;
3. (3) Advanced degree programs (e.g., master’s, PhD);
4. (4) Instructional certificate programs;
5. (5) Industry skill certifications;
6. (6) ESL (English as a second language) that is necessary or a regular part of the work activity;
7. (7) Vocational rehab activities that are organized educational programs directly related to preparing individuals for employment in current or emerging occupations; and

8. (8)

   1. (A) Basic and remedial education that is necessary or a regular part of the work activity.
   2. (B) The education provider must submit official documentation indicating that a participant requires this instruction to participate in the program.
   3. (C) The education provider will determine the duration of these activities.

(j)

1. (1) The total study time, supervised and unsupervised, counted for participation cannot exceed the hours required or advised by the education provider.
2. (2) Sufficient documentation must be provided to the Program Eligibility Specialist for this participation to be included in the work activity hours.
3. (3) One (1) hour of unsupervised study time will be counted for every credit hour the individual is enrolled and participating.

(k)

1. (1) At least biweekly, participants must submit written verification to Program Eligibility Specialists that identifies the number of actual hours of attendance for each day in a week.
2. (2) The career and technical education provider, acting as supervisor, and the participant must sign the written verification.
3. (3) The signed form will be retained in the participant’s case file.