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.

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

   1. (1) assist applicants in gaining employment as an alternative to public assistance;
   2. (2) utilize a work first design as referenced in paragraph 2 of subsection (c) of this section to provide recipients participating in Choices 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 are required to attend a workforce orientation that includes information on options available to allow them to enter the Texas workforce. As part of the orientation, a Board shall ensure that applicants are provided with an appointment to develop a family employment plan. A Board shall ensure that the WOA is offered frequently enough to allow applicants to comply with the TDHS requirement that gives applicants ten (10) calendar days to attend a WOA. A Board shall ensure that the applicants are informed of:

      1. (A) employment services available through a Board to assist applicants in achieving self-sufficiency without the need for temporary cash assistance;
      2. (B) benefits of becoming employed;
      3. (C) impact of time-limited benefits;
      4. (D) individual and parental responsibilities; and
      5. (E) other services and activities, including education and training, available through the One-Stop Service Delivery Network.

   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 subsection (c) of this section and §811.51 of this chapter.

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

         1. (i) Boards shall provide recipients who are employed, including those receiving the EID, with information on available post-employment services; or
         2. (ii) Boards may provide former recipients with post-employment services as determined by Board policy. The length of time these services may be provided is subject to §811.51(e) 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 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 §811.27 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.
   7. (7) 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.
   8. (8) 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.

Source Note:The provisions of this §811.3 adopted to be effective June 30, 2002, 27 TexReg 5529.