1. (a) A Board shall ensure that:

   1. (1) procedures are developed, in conjunction with TDHS, to notify applicants on the availability of regularly scheduled Workforce Orientations for Applicants (WOA) and alternative WOAs;
   2. (2) the WOA is offered frequently enough to allow applicants to comply with the TDHS requirement that gives applicants ten calendar days to attend a WOA;

   3. (3) during a regularly scheduled WOA or alternative WOA, applicants are informed of:

      1. (A) employment services available through the One-Stop Service Delivery Network 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;
   4. (4) alternative WOAs are developed that allow applicants with extraordinary circumstances to receive the information listed in paragraph (3) of this subsection;
   5. (5) procedures are developed to notify TDHS of applicants that contacted the Board's workforce centers to request alternative WOAs;
   6. (6) verification that an applicant attends a scheduled or alternative WOA is completed and TDHS is notified in accordance with TDHS rule, 40 TAC §3.7301; and
   7. (7) applicants are provided with an appointment to develop a family employment plan.
2. (b) A Board shall ensure that Choices services are offered to applicants who attend WOA.

3. (c) A Board shall ensure that recipient status is verified monthly and recipients either:

   1. (1) comply with Choices services requirements as outlined in the family employment plan unless the recipient is exempted by TDHS; or
   2. (2) have good cause as described in §811.14 of this subchapter (relating to Good Cause for Recipients).
4. (d) A Board shall develop policies and procedures to ensure that services are concentrated on individuals approaching their state or federal time limit, as identified in §811.3(c)(7)(A) and (B) of this chapter. Concentrated services may include targeted outreach, enhanced analysis of circumstances that may limit a recipient's ability to participate, and targeted job development.
5. (e) A Board shall ensure that all Extended TANF Recipients are outreached and offered the opportunity to participate in Choices activities.
6. (f) A Board shall ensure that post-employment services, including job retention and career advancement services, are available to recipients, including those receiving EID.

7. (g) A Board shall ensure that the monitoring of Choices requirements and activities is ongoing and frequent, as determined by a Board, and consists of the following:

   1. (1) ensuring receipt of support services
   2. (2) tracking and reporting of support services;
   3. (3) tracking and reporting actual hours of participation, at least monthly;
   4. (4) determining and arranging for any intervention needed to assist the individual in complying with Choices service requirements;
   5. (5) ensuring that the individual is progressing toward achieving the goals and objectives in the family employment plan; and
   6. (6) monitoring all other participation requirements.

8. (h) A Board shall ensure that:

   1. (1) no less than four hours of training regarding family violence is provided to staff who:

      1. (A) provide information to an applicant or recipient of temporary cash assistance;
      2. (B) recommend penalties or grant good cause; or
      3. (C) provide employment planning or employment retention services; and
   2. (2) recipients who are identified as being victims of family violence are referred to an individual or an agency that specializes in issues involving family violence.

9. (i) A Board shall ensure that:

   1. (1) reasonable attempts, as defined by the Board, are made to contact a recipient prior to initiating a penalty to determine the reason for non-compliance;
   2. (2) the attempts to contact a recipient are documented; and
   3. (3) notification is made to TDHS if a recipient fails to comply with Choices services requirements.
10. (j) A Board shall ensure that documentation is obtained and maintained regarding all contact with Choices individuals and data entered into TWIST.

Source Note:The provisions of this §811.11 adopted to be effective June 30, 2002, 27 TexReg 5529; amended to be effective July 22, 2003, 28 TexReg 5660.