Narrative: a. 1.

The LaJET Program is the cooperative employment and training services initiative of three entities, the Local Parish Offices of DCFS, State SNAP Office, and Louisiana Workforce Commission.

The actual services to participants are provided through a contractual agreement with the Louisiana Workforce Commission. In general, the responsibilities are as follows:

• Staff in the local parish DCFS offices identifies LaJET participants.

• On a weekly basis, DCFS notifies the LaJET Service Providers of the SNAP recipients who are to be provided employment and training services.

• Within 15 days of receipt of notification from DCFS, the LaJET Service Provider must schedule an appointment and subsequently assess and place the LaJET referent. Services will be provided as outlined in the components.

Reimbursements to participants must be processed within 30 days of compliance with the component. Reimbursements to participants who fail to comply with LaJET must be processed within 60 days of the date of non–compliance determination. The reimbursable activities include initial appointment for orientation, each day of the component activity in Component A, completion of valid employer contacts for Component B, the exit interview, and completion of the WIOA referral. Participants are reimbursed for each reimbursable activity, limited to the allowable amount set by DCFS.

Job Search Training with Employer Contacts (Component A) – LaJET

Description of Component: This training component is designed to teach skills leading to behavior modification and foster a positive job search attitude. This component is not an allowable activity for ABAWDs.

Type of Component: Non–work Component

Description of Component Structure: The classroom training, which requires 30 hours per week for two weeks, is designed to impart basic job search techniques and job maintenance habits necessary for favorable employment. The job search training is geared to helping the LaJET participant set goals, acknowledge barriers to employment, accept responsibility for their goals and employment status, and gain the confidence needed to secure and maintain employment. Pre–employment skills training will include an evaluation, resume’ development, job application preparation, mock interviews, telephone techniques, job search and job retention techniques, work place ethics and employer’s performance requirements, and assistance with identification of available jobs and employers.

The second part of the component requires that each LaJET participant make at least twelve personal job contacts with potential employers. The participant is provided the LaJET Employer Contact Record (LaJET 8) on which to enter appropriate information at the conclusion of each contact with a potential employer. The provider verifies one of the job contacts. Completion of this component occurs when the individual secures a job or completes the job contacts, as well as the exit interview. The provider must notify the local DCFS when an individual fails to comply with the requirements.

Geographic Areas Covered and Local Variations: Caddo, Ouachita, Lafayette, Rapides, and Orleans.

Anticipated Number of Mandatory Participants: Approximately 13,756

Anticipated Number of Volunteer Participants: 0

Targeted Population: Mandatory Work Registrants and Volunteer Participants with a TABE reading level of 4.0. If TABE is 4.0 or above, Job Search and WIOA will be the appropriate component.

Level of Participant Effort: Participants must complete a minimum of 30 hours per week for two weeks of classroom instruction and make 12 job contacts with potential employers, unless a job is secured prior to the twelfth contact. The participant must complete the required job contacts within a three–week period.

Duration: 30 hours per week for two weeks of classroom training, followed by 3 weeks to complete 12 hours of actual job search.

Organizational Responsibilities: The LaJET Service Provider will operate the Job Search Training with Employer Contacts Component.

Cost of Transportation and the Number of Participants Expected to Receive a Reimbursement: Approximately 2,093 participants are expected to satisfactorily participate in activities to receive a transportation reimbursement at a cost of $60 per participant. ($125,580 Transportation Yearly Budget ÷ $60 per person = 2,093 participants).

Cost of Dependent Care and the Number of Participants Expected to Receive a Reimbursement: Approximately 9 participants at a cost of $200 per participant. ($1,800 Dependent Care Yearly Budget ÷ $200 per person = 9 participants)

Cost of the Component per Participant, Excluding Reimbursement: $92.80 ($1,276,614 allotted to Component A ÷ 13,756 participants = $92.80 per participant)

Total Annual Cost of Component Including Reimbursement: Total cost of the component, including reimbursement is $1,403,994.

Independent Job Search (Component B) – LaJET

Description of Component: Individuals expected to participate in this component are:

• Participants who are ready to seek immediate employment.

• Participants who completed the Job Search Training with Employer Contacts Component (Component A) the immediate prior year, if the individual is not participating in Workforce Investment activities.

• Participants with low literacy as defined by having a TABE reading level of below 4.0.

• Participants who have a part–time job.

The individual will be interviewed by the provider and participate in a one hour Introduction of Job Search session during which pertinent information regarding job search will be disseminated. The individual must make 24 job contacts with potential employers if a job is not secured prior to the 24th contact. The Employer Contact Form (LaJET 8B) is used by the individual to document the job contact. The provider verifies one of the job contacts. Completion of this component occurs when the individual secures a job, or completes the job contacts, as well as the exit interview. The provider must notify the local DCFS when an individual fails to comply with the requirements.

Type of Component: Non–work Component.

Geographic Areas Covered and Variations Among Local Areas: Caddo, Ouachita, Lafayette, Rapides, and Orleans.

Anticipated Number of Mandatory Participants: Approximately 18,235

Anticipated Number of Volunteer Participants: 0 Number of Job Contacts that will be Required Over What Time Period: Participants must make 12 job contacts per month for two months or 24 job contacts in one month with potential employers, unless a job is secured prior to the twenty–fourth contact.

Targeted Population: Mandatory Work Registrants and Volunteer Participants

Organizational Responsibilities: The LaJET Service Provider operates the Independent Job Search Component. Method of Monitoring Job Contacts: The LaJET Service Provider monitors job contacts by review of the client’s employer contact form during an exit interview. The provider contacts one of the employers on the form to verify compliance.

Cost of Transportation and the Number of Participants Expected to Receive a Reimbursement: Approximately 1,004 participants are expected to receive a participant transportation reimbursement at a cost of $15.00 per participant. ($15,060 Transportation Yearly Budget ÷ $15.00 per person = 1,004 participants).

Cost of Dependent Care and the Number of Participants Expected to Receive a Reimbursement: Approximately 1 participant at a cost of $200 per participant. ($200 Dependent Care Yearly Budget ÷ $200 per person = 1 participant)

Cost of the Component per Participant, Excluding Reimbursement: $23.28 ($424,538 allotted to Component B ÷ 18,235 participants = $23.28 per participant)

Total Annual Cost of Component, Including Reimbursement: Total cost of the component, including reimbursement is $439,798.

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Participation (Component C) –LaJET and ABAWDs

Description of Component: WIOA Participation is a work experience and training component. By federal law, all SNAP recipients are eligible to participate in Workforce Innovation and Opportunity activities. LaJET participants who express an interest in WIOA during their initial assessment with the LaJET service provider will be evaluated and referred to the WIOA Administrative Agency to participate in WIOA activities. If referred for WIOA Participation, the participants must report to the Local Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Area (LWIOA) administrative entity or to the designated LWIOA contractor or partner in order to meet compliance with LaJET. Completion of this component by an ABAWD will satisfy the ABAWD work requirement. This component is available for all ABAWDs.

WIOA funds are allocated directly to the LWIOA based on a formula that considers unemployment and the number of economically disadvantaged individuals within the geographic boundaries of the LWIOA. Each LWIOA administrative entity, with advice and input from the local Workforce Investment Boards (WIBs), plans training programs to meet the needs of employers within the local labor market. LWIOA/WIBs have the option of planning any or all of the following:

• On–the–job training

• Institutional training (class–size or individual referral)

• Work experience

• Educational/motivational training

• Special industry–specific training programs

Locally, the LWIOA may operate programs itself, contract with an appropriate local service provider, or work in partnership with local agencies. Local contractors and partners include, but are not limited to, local education agencies, colleges, community–based organizations and private companies. The LWIOA may provide centralized intake and evaluation services at the LWIOA office or contract with outside agencies for these services. Non–financial agreements must be formulated for this component. Completion of this component occurs when the individual’s application for Workforce Innovation and Opportunity activities is received and an exit interview is completed. The provider must notify the local DCFS when an individual fails to comply with the requirements.

Type of Component: Work Component

Geographic Areas Covered and Local Variations: Caddo, Ouachita, Lafayette, Rapides, and Orleans.

Anticipated Number of Mandatory Participants: Approximately 276

Anticipated Number of Volunteer Participants: 0

Targeted Population: Mandatory Work Registrants and Volunteer Participants

Level of Participant Effort: The level of effort for participants is a minimum of 24 hours and a maximum of 120 hours.

Organizational Responsibilities: All LaJET Service Providers offer the WIOA Participation Component. The LWIOA may operate programs itself or contract with an appropriate local service provider. Local contractors or partners include but are not limited to local education agencies, colleges, community–based organizations and private companies.

Cost of Transportation and the Number of Participants Expected to Receive a Reimbursement: Approximately 50 participants are expected to receive a participant transportation reimbursement at a cost of $15.00 per participant. ($750 Transportation Yearly Budget ÷ $15.00 per person = 50 participants).

Cost of Dependent Care and the Number of Participants Expected to Receive a Reimbursement: Less than 1 participant is expected to receive a participant dependent care reimbursement.

Cost of the Component per Placement, Excluding Reimbursement: $3.62 ($1,000 allotted to Component C ÷ 276 participants = $3.62)

Total Annual Cost of Component Including Reimbursement: Total cost of the component, including reimbursement is $1,750.

Geographic Coverage The LaJET program will be operated in the following parishes: Caddo, Ouachita, Lafayette, Rapides, and Orleans.

The Louisiana Workforce Commission will provide the employment and training services to all LaJET parishes.