February 23, 2007

Erika Freeman, Project Administrator called the meeting to order at 10:30 AM. Participants introduced themselves. Staff representing the Bureau of Employment & Training included, Ruth Ann Vandyke, Norm-Anne Rothermel, Nick Spirelis, Charlotte Fry, and Cheryl Davis. Erika welcomed Cheryl Davis and turned the meeting over to her.

Ms. Davis explained that BETP had implemented the Work Support Component Program in August of 2006. All new TANF applicants that go to the County Assistance Office for benefits have been referred to the WSC. Ms. Vandyke and Ms. Rothermel (as well as several vendors) had requested that BETP consider excluding the refugee population from the WSC. After much discussion it was decided that refugees could be excluded from the WSC. Ms. Davis noted that the numbers for the refugee population on TANF is small (684). When someone is a new applicant for TANF and is a refugee, they will not be referred to the WSC. They will be referred to the refugee vendor. BETP has been working out the details with the CAO’s and will have instructions soon regarding this.

In addition, BETP has also received permission to drop refugees out of the denominator so that they will not be required to meet the federal requirements for hours of participation. Ms. Davis noted that BETP understands that it is difficult for refugees to be expected to do the twenty or thirty core hours right away, that there needs to be more of a “ramp-up” process. BETP staff will be working with the vendors because they still want some measurement of progress.

It is the intent that refugees eventually will work up to the required hours of participation, but in the meantime, vendors will not be responsible for meeting the participation hours. Ms. Davis clarified that the term “refugee” refers to all groups that are eligible for Refugee Social Services. Several of the vendors expressed their appreciation to BETP for recognizing the unique needs of the refugee population.

Ms. Davis stressed that vendors will be expected to “ramp folks up” so that eventually they can meet those hours. BETP understands that refugee vendors face challenges sometimes greater than other TANF vendors because they initially need to aid clients with health care, housing, language issues, etc. BETP recognizes that refugee vendors can do the work and wants to make sure that they are given a sufficient amount of time to do the best job that they can.

Ms. Vandyke indicated that BETP would like to establish some guidelines for a time period for “ramping-up”. For example, after the refugee has been working with a vendor for a certain amount of months, BETP would expect a certain number of hours. In the next period of months some additional hours would be expected, and so forth, until they participate enough hours to meet the TANF requirements. BETP will take some time to get the vendors input at the upcoming Regional Consultations. We will discuss what a reasonable “ramping-up” process would look like. Ms. Vandyke indicated that the PA RRP has been working on a manual and this process would be incorporated in the manual for next year.

A question was asked whether ESL hours could be counted. Ms. Vandyke indicated that the TANF rules have not changed and ESL hours still couldn’t be counted. When the ramp-up process is complete, vendors still won’t be able to count those hours. NOTE: ESL counts under Vocational Educational training not to exceed 12 months IF the class involves skill training. Because vendors don’t have to meet the participation requirements during the “ramp-up”, this should be the time that they are providing ESL to their clients. Vendors should “front end load” activities that are not ever going to be countable under the TANF rules. Ms. Vandyke will be working with vendors in order to start the ramp-up on July 1, 2007. For the months of March, April, May and June vendors don’t need to be concerned with the hours.

It was asked that if a vendor currently has an arrangement with the WIA to serve TANF clients, should the vendor continue with that program? Ms. Vandyke responded that if any vendors have worked out arrangements to service individuals, they should continue those services. At the upcoming Regional Consultations, these types of arrangements and better coordination with the WIA and other vendors will be discussed.

Erika asked that any vendors that are working on a budget amendment please hold off on that, she will be contacting the vendors soon. She also reminded the participants to RSVP for the Consultations. Ms. Davis thanked the vendors for the great job they do and the meeting was adjourned at 10:25 AM.