737-3          NON-COMPLIANCE

When a participant is not meeting the attendance and performance requirements, the case worker may attempt conciliation to resolve the non-compliance. Conciliation involves a discussion between the case worker and the participant about the reason the participant failed to meet the expectation. Often a service provider or site supervisor may also have insight into the reasons a participant is not  attending or performing satisfactorily.  During this process, the case worker may consider:

1.   Appropriateness of Assignments
    

Assignments should reflect the participant's skills and abilities.  Sometimes unsatisfactory performance reflects a lack of skills or ability rather than a lack of effort.  Further assessment of the participant's capabilities and job-readiness may reveal that the assigned activity is inappropriate

2.   Other Factors
   
   Poor attendance or performance may also be due to:

• Learning disabilities or developmental delays;
   

• Domestic violence issues;
   

• Substance abuse problems; and/or
   

• Mental health or counseling needs.

During this process the case worker may also:

• Review the individual’s work activities exemption status;
   

• Refer the participant to a partner agency or service provider for further assessment of their skills and abilities, possible barriers to employment, or other factors relating to their employability;
   

• Meet with the client to update the FSSP Family Self-Sufficiency Plan to include services to address factors that interfere with the individual’s participation in employment-related activities;  and
   

• Reassign the participant to activities that more closely match their skills and increase their employability.

Any determination that an individual is exempt from participating in work activities, or that the activity the participant failed to attend and perform was inappropriate, excuses the individual from a non-compliance penalty.