Kansas Economic and Employment Support Manual

3130 Assessment Process - The work program assessment is an on-going process and consists of engagement, information gathering, and documentation. The Work Readiness Screening (Appendix, Item E-15) must be completed prior to approval for cash. If the Work Readiness Screening and/or other available information indicate that the customer could be assigned to an appropriate activity, the client will be assigned prior to cash approval. The initial work assignment will continue until the complete work program assessment is completed within 90 days of approval. If during application, the customer reports domestic violence or sexual assault (DV/SA) as a barrier to work program participation a referral will be made to a local DV/SA provider by the case worker. Upon approval of cash benefits and opening of the work program case, the customer will be referred to OARS for contracted services.

3130.1 Engagement - Building rapport and establishing trust are important in the customer/case manager relationship. The initial contacts with the customer set the tone for the agency/customer relationship. Listening is an important communication skill. Determine the following:

• What motivates the customer?
   

• What barriers does the customer talk about that are keeping the customer from attaining goals?
   

• Balance the power.
   

• Focus on strengths and use solution focused interviewing techniques.

3130.2 Gather Information - Information about the customer is gathered during conversations and interactions, specific screenings or assessment tools to help identify strengths and barriers, and participation in Work Programs. Exceptions to inclusion of screenings in the assessment process must be documented in the case record on a case-by-case basis. Supervisory approval is required for any exception.

The Work Readiness Screening (Appendix, #E-15) and the complete Self Assessment Tool (Appendix #E-6) is to be used to gather information.

Documented use of these tools is placed in the case record and on the KSCARES WOPA Screen.

Required screenings include:

• Kansas Competency System Appraisal (KCS), commonly referred to as the CASAS test,
   

• Learning Disability (LD) screening,
   

• Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory (SASSI),
   

• Self Assessment Tool, (Appendix #E-6) which includes the identification of Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault issues that impact employability. This tool also identifies the customer’s employment and life goals.

These screenings are administered during the initial assessment process to all work program customers except in the following situations:

1. The applicant or customer is unable to read or write. (NOTE: The lowest level of the CASAS reading (Form 27) should be given when the customer indicates the inability to read at a very low level (below Grade 3) or not at all).
    

2. Documentation of screening is in the case record. The CASAS, SASSI and LD screens should not be administered more than once unless dramatic, traumatic or life changing circumstances have occurred in the customer’s recent history. These changes must be documented in the customer’s case file and repeated testing must be approved by a supervisor. Assessments should not be repeated to cure penalties. Contracted providers will need to assume the cost of further testing if needed for their program.
    

3. There is no local resource available for the LEP individual.
    

Follow-up on screening information occurs in the following situations:

• KCS Appraisals: If the customer has a screening score of less than 235, the customer may be referred to the Adult Learning Center, vocational assessment, or other available local resources based on availability in the given region and on the customer’s goals for employment. The KCS Diagnostic may provide useful information to customer's working on adult basic skills.
   
• LD Screening: If the LD screening tool indicates a potential for the existence of a learning disability, based on regional availability and the customer’s employment goals the customer may be referred to RS or a provider for further psychological testing, learning disability diagnostic testing , and/or plans for accommodations.
   
• SASSI: : All SASSI tests will be administered by an SRCC assessment counselor when possible. An SRCC assessor will review all results and determine if further assessment or treatment is needed.

Additional follow-up guidance is provided in Appendix, Item #E-14.

Much of the information and screenings gathered during the work program assessment process are used to meet the required protocol prior to terminating a TAF case due to the 60-month time limit (see 2241).

The customer may be referred to a RS Career Development Center (RS CDC), other contracted provider, Rehabilitation Services or Mental Health Center for further assessment.

When there has been a break in work program services longer than 30 days, the Work Readiness Screening (Appendix, #E-15) and Self Assessment Tool (Appendix #E-6) should be reviewed when the customer re-applies for assistance.   

3130.3 Documentation - Information obtained during the assessment is documented in the case record and on the KSCARES WOPA screen. A Case Summary Sheet is recommended to promote quick access to assessment information.

A sample Case Management Summary Sheet is included in the Appendix #E-7.

The Self-Sufficiency Plan/Agreement documents the process involving the customer and the EES case manager to establish the short term strategies and employment/self-sufficiency goals. Customer strengths, information from assessment interviews, tests, community resources, barriers, available program components and services are considered in the mutual development of the Plan/Agreement.

The EES case manager and the customer will determine the appropriate component activity based upon the customer goals/provider assessment data, information gathered during the assessment, and available local resources. If the assessment report indicates continuing mental health needs, areas should collaborate with Mental Health Center (MHC) for treatment and/or case management. Identified barriers such as substance abuse and/or domestic violence will need to be addressed early in the work program participation.