SECTION 811.11. Board Responsibilities

(a) A Board shall ensure that:

(1) the WOA is offered frequently enough to allow applicants and conditional applicants to comply with the HHSC requirement that gives applicants and conditional applicants 10 calendar days from the date of their eligibility interview to attend a WOA;

(2) during a regularly scheduled WOA or alternative WOA, applicants and conditional applicants are informed of:

(A) employment services available through the One-Stop Service Delivery Network to assist applicants and conditional applicants in achieving self-sufficiency without the need for TANF cash assistance;

(B) benefits of becoming employed;

(C) impact of time-limited benefits;

(D) individual and parental responsibilities; and

(E) other services and activities, including education and training, available through the One-Stop Service Delivery Network, including services and referrals for services available to Choices-eligible individuals with disabilities;

(3) alternative WOAs are developed that allow applicants and conditional applicants with extraordinary circumstances to receive the information listed in paragraph (2) of this subsection;

(4) verification that applicants and conditional applicants attend a scheduled or alternative WOA is completed and HHSC is notified in accordance with HHSC rules (1 TAC, Chapter 372, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs); and

(5) applicants and conditional applicants are provided with an appointment to develop a family employment plan (FEP).

(b) A Board shall ensure that:

(1) Choices services are offered to applicants who attend a WOA; and

(2) conditional applicants who attend a WOA are immediately scheduled to begin Choices services.

(c) A Board shall ensure that a Choices participant's eligibility is verified monthly.

(d) A Board shall ensure that all extended TANF recipients are outreached and offered the opportunity to participate in Choices activities.

(e) A Board shall ensure that post-employment services, including job retention and career advancement services, are available to Choices-eligible individuals, including mandatory Choices participants coded by HHSC as working at least 30 hours per week, earning at least $700 per month, and receiving EID.

(f) A Board shall ensure that monitoring of Choices program requirements is ongoing and frequent, as determined by the Board, unless otherwise specified in this chapter, and consists of the following:

(1) ensuring receipt of support services;

(2) tracking and reporting all support services and entering them into TWIST at least monthly;

(3) tracking and reporting actual hours of participation in Choices work activities, at least monthly, unless otherwise specified in this chapter;

(4) determining and arranging for any intervention needed to assist the Choices participant in complying with Choices program requirements; and

(5) ensuring that the Choices participant is progressing toward achieving the goals and objectives in the FEP.

(g) A Board shall ensure that:

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

(A) provide information to Choices-eligible individuals;

(B) request penalties or grant good cause; or

(C) provide employment planning or employment retention services; and

(2) Choices-eligible individuals who are identified as being victims of family violence are referred to an individual or an agency that specializes in issues involving family violence.

(h) A Board shall ensure that documentation is obtained and maintained regarding all contact with Choices participants, including verification of participation hours, and data is entered into TWIST.

(i) A Board shall ensure that a referral program is developed to provide Choices-eligible individuals facing higher than average barriers to employment, as described in this chapter, with referrals to pre-employment and post-employment services offered by community-based and other organizations.

Source Note: The provisions of this §811.11 adopted to be effective November 18, 2003, 28 TexReg 10261; amended to be effective February 26, 2007, 32 TexReg 906; amended to be effective September 29, 2008, 33 TexReg 8192; amended to be effective January 8, 2013, 38 TexReg 180; amended to be effective December 3, 2018, 43 TexReg 7801