1. (a) A Board shall ensure that its strategic planning process includes an analysis of the local labor market to:

   1. (1) determine employers' needs;
   2. (2) determine emerging and demand occupations; and
   3. (3) identify employment opportunities, which includes those with a potential for career advancement that may assist an individual's progression towards self-sufficiency.

2. (b) A Board shall set local policies for a Choices service strategy that coordinates various service delivery approaches to:

   1. (1) assist applicants and conditional applicants in gaining employment as an alternative to public assistance;
   2. (2) utilize a work first design as referenced in subsection (c)(2) of this section to provide mandatory individuals, and exempt recipients who voluntarily participate in Choices services, access to the labor market; and
   3. (3) assist former recipients in job retention and career advancement to remain independent of temporary cash assistance.

3. (c) The Choices service strategy shall include:

   1. (1) Workforce Orientation for Applicants (WOA). As a condition of eligibility, applicants and conditional applicants are required to attend a workforce orientation that includes information on options available to allow them to enter the Texas workforce.

   2. (2) Work First Design.

      1. (A) The work first design:

         1. (i) allows individuals to take immediate advantage of the labor market and secure employment, which is critical due to individual time-limited benefits; and
         2. (ii) meets the needs of employers by linking individuals with skills that match those job requirements identified by the employer.
      2. (B) Boards shall provide individuals access to other services and activities available through the One-Stop Service Delivery Network, which includes the WOA, to assist with employment in the labor market before certification for temporary cash assistance.
      3. (C) Post-employment services shall be provided in order to assist an individual's progress towards self-sufficiency as described in paragraph (3) of this subsection and §811.51 of this chapter.

      4. (D) In order to assist an individual's progress toward self-sufficiency:

         1. (i) Boards shall provide Choices individuals who are employed, including those receiving the EID, with information on available post-employment services; or
         2. (ii) Boards may provide Choices individuals with post-employment services as determined by Board policy. The length of time these services may be provided is subject to §811.51 of this chapter.

      5. (E) In order to assist employers, Boards shall coordinate with local employers to address needs related to:

         1. (i) employee post-employment education or training;
         2. (ii) employee child care, transportation or other support services available to obtain and retain employment; and
         3. (iii) employer tax credits.
      6. (F) A Board shall ensure that a family employment plan is based on employer needs, individual skills and abilities, and individual time limits for temporary cash assistance.
   3. (3) Post-Employment Services. A Board shall ensure that post-employment services are designed to assist individuals with job retention, career advancement and reemployment, as defined in §811.51 of this chapter. Post-employment services are a continuum in the Choices service strategy to support an individual's job retention, wage gains, career progression, and progression to self-sufficiency.
   4. (4) Adult Services. A Board shall ensure that services for adults shall include activities individually designed to lead to employment and self-sufficiency as quickly as possible.
   5. (5) Teen Services. A Board shall ensure that services for teen heads of household shall include assistance with completion of secondary school or a certificate of general equivalence and making the transition from school to employment, as described in §811.29 and §811.50 of this chapter.
   6. (6) Individuals with Disabilities. A Board shall ensure that services for individuals with disabilities include reasonable accommodations to allow the individuals to access and participate in services, where applicable by law a Board shall ensure that Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) are established with the appropriate agencies to serve individuals with disabilities, and that referrals are made, as appropriate, to allow people with disabilities to maximize their potential for success in employment.

   7. (7) Target Populations. A Board shall ensure that services are concentrated, as further defined in §811.11(d) and (e) of this chapter, on the needs of the following:

      1. (A) recipients who have 6 months or less remaining of their state TANF time limit, irrespective of any extension of time due to a hardship exemption;
      2. (B) recipients who have twelve months or less remaining of their 60-month TANF time limit, irrespective of any extension of time due to a hardship exemption; and
      3. (C) recipients who are Extended TANF Recipients.
   8. (8) Local Flexibility. A Board may develop additional service strategies that are consistent with the goal and purpose of this chapter and the One-Stop Service Delivery Network.
   9. (9) Local-Level MOU. A Board shall ensure the development of a local-level MOU in cooperation with TDHS for coordinated case management that is consistent with the MOU between TDHS and the Commission.
   10. (10) Housing Partnerships. A Board shall establish a collaborative partnership with housing authorities and sponsors of local housing programs and services to address the unmet housing needs of recipients.

Source Note:The provisions of this §811.3 adopted to be effective November 18, 2003, 28 TexReg 10261.