(305 ILCS 5/9A-9) (from Ch. 23, par. 9A-9)
Sec. 9A-9. Program Activities. The Department shall establish
education, training and placement activities by rule. Not all of the same
activities need be provided in each county in the State. Such activities may
include the following:
(a) Education (Below post secondary). In the Education (below post
secondary) activity, the individual receives
information, referral, counseling services and support services to
increase the individual's employment potential. Participants may be
referred to testing, counseling and education resources. Educational
activities will include basic and remedial education; English proficiency
classes; high school or its equivalency or alternative
education at the secondary level; and with any educational program,
structured study time to enhance successful participation.
An individual's participation in an education program such as literacy, basic
adult education, high school equivalency, or a remedial program shall be
limited to 2 years unless the individual also is working or participating in a
work activity approved by the Illinois Department as defined by rule; this
requirement does not apply, however, to students enrolled in high school.
(b) Job Skills Training (Vocational). Job Skills Training is designed to
increase the individual's ability to obtain and maintain employment. Job
Skills Training activities will include vocational skill classes designed
to increase a participant's ability to obtain and maintain employment. Job
Skills Training may include certificate programs.
(c) Job Readiness. The job readiness activity is designed to enhance
the quality of the individual's level of participation in the world of work
while learning the necessary essentials to obtain and maintain employment.
This activity helps individuals gain the necessary job finding skills to
help them find and retain employment that will lead to economic independence.
(d) Job Search. Job Search may be conducted individually or in groups. Job
Search includes the provision of counseling, job seeking skills training and
information dissemination. Group job search may include training in a group
session. Assignment exclusively to job search cannot be in excess of 8
consecutive weeks (or its equivalent) in any period of 12 consecutive months.
(e) Work Experience. Work Experience assignments may be with private
employers or not-for-profit or public agencies in the State. The Illinois
Department shall provide workers' compensation coverage.
Participants who are not members of a 2-parent assistance unit may not be
assigned more hours than their cash grant amount plus food stamps divided by
the minimum wage. Private employers and not-for-profit and
public agencies shall not use Work Experience participants to displace
regular employees. Participants
in Work Experience may perform work in the public interest (which otherwise
meets the requirements of this Section) for a federal office or agency with
its consent, and notwithstanding the provisions of 31 U.S.C. 1342, or any
other provision
of law, such agency may accept such services, but participants shall
not be considered federal employees for any purpose.
A participant shall be reassessed at the end of
assignment to Work Experience. The participant may be reassigned to Work
Experience or assigned to another activity, based on the
reassessment.
(f) On the Job Training. In On the Job Training, a participant is hired by
a private or public employer and while engaged in productive work receives
training that provides knowledge or skills essential to full and adequate
performance of the job.
(g) Work Supplementation. In work supplementation, the Department pays a
wage subsidy to an employer who hires a participant. The cash grant
which a participant would receive if not employed is diverted
and the diverted cash grant is used to pay the wage subsidy.
(h) Post Secondary Education. Post secondary education must be administered
by an educational institution accredited under requirements of State law.
(i) Self Initiated Education. Participants who are attending
an institution of higher education or a vocational or technical
program of their own choosing and who are in good standing, may continue to
attend and receive supportive services only if the educational program is
approved by the Department, and is in conformity with the participant's
personal plan for achieving employment and self-sufficiency and the participant
is employed part-time, as defined by the Illinois Department by rule.
(j) Job Development and Placement. Department staff shall develop
through contacts with public and private employers unsubsidized job
openings for participants. Job interviews will be secured for clients by
the marketing of participants for specific job openings. Job ready individuals
may be assigned to Job Development and Placement.
(k) Job Retention. The job retention component is designed to assist
participants in retaining employment. Initial employment expenses and job
retention services are provided. The individual's support service needs are
assessed and the individual receives counseling regarding job retention skills.
(l) (Blank).
(l-5) Transitional Jobs. These programs provide temporary wage-paying work
combined with case management and other social services designed to address
employment barriers. The wage-paying work is treated as regular employment for
all
purposes under this Code, and the additional activities, as determined by the
Transitional
Jobs provider, shall be countable work activities. The program must comply with
the
anti-displacement provisions of this Code governing the Work Experience
program.
(m) Pay-after-performance Program. A parent may be required to
participate in a pay-after-performance program in which the parent must work a
specified number of hours to earn the grant. The program shall comply with
provisions of this Code governing work experience programs.
(n) Community Service. Community service includes unpaid work that the
client performs in his or her community, such as for a school, church,
government agency, or nonprofit organization.
(Source: P.A. 98-718, eff. 1-1-15.)
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