1002       FAMILY SELF-SUFFICIENCY PLAN (FSSP Family Self Sufficiency Plan)

Federal law and State statute require that every adult who is included in an assistance unit must develop, sign and comply with a FSSP Family Self Sufficiency Plan (45 CFR 261.12 and TANF State Plan 4.2)    

The initial FSSP Family Self Sufficiency Plan is based on a thorough employability assessment; completing a Family Self-Sufficiency Plan within 30 days of referral is expected as the final product of this assessment (WSPM 1001).

Assign the client to a full schedule of activities based on their individual circumstances.  Generally families are assigned to 40 hours a week of activities.  Exceptions to the 40 hour a week assignment requirement will be documented in CLNO Client Notes.  Updated FSSPs are based on the progress identified by on-going assessment including the family's life complexities, individual dynamics, and present situation (WSPM 1001).  The FSSP Family Self Sufficiency Plan includes concurrent activities that will lead the client towards self-sufficiency.  It is a road map that describes the steps, and, in general, the order in which those steps will be taken.

1002-1  SELF-SUFFICIENCY PLANNING REQUIREMENTS

Clients must plan on achieving self-sufficiency as soon as possible because of the urgency of the 60-month lifetime limit on Temporary Assistance benefits.  To achieve this goal, every adult who is included in an assistance unit must develop, sign and comply with an FSSP Family Self Sufficiency Plan.  In a two-parent family, both parents must sign and develop their own FSSP Family Self Sufficiency Plan (ATAP MS 720-5).  An individual who does not develop, sign, and comply with a FSSP Family Self Sufficiency Plan as required may be subject to benefit reductions (ATAP MS 723 and WSPM 1006 and WSPM 1007).

Completing, updating, and documenting the FSSP Family Self Sufficiency Plan (TA2), in CMS Case Management System, are requirements of all Work Services providers.

NOTE:

Parents who are disqualified due to IPV Intentional Program Violation are required to develop an FSSP Family Self Sufficiency Plan and engage in assigned activities (ATAP MS 793).  If supportive services are needed for the FSSP Family Self Sufficiency Plan completion, they will be made available (WSPM 1004).

The following individuals are not included in the assistance unit and are therefore not required to develop a FSSP Family Self Sufficiency Plan, however they will be referred to Work Services and may voluntarily develop, sign and comply with a FSSP Family Self Sufficiency Plan:

• Ineligible aliens (ATAP MS 770-5);

• Ineligible drug felons (ATAP MS 770-7);

• The father in a 3rd trimester pregnant women case (ATAP MS 770-2C), and;

• Minor Parents (ATAP MS 770-3 and WSPM 1002-1).

Unless an individual is exempt (WSPM 1006), the FSSP Family Self Sufficiency Plan must include a full schedule of work activities (WSPM 1003-4).

Clients who are exempt from work activities are still required to engage in other activities, documented on the FSSP Family Self Sufficiency Plan, that prepare the individual to participate in work activities when the exemption is no longer in place. These activities may include medical appointments, substance abuse treatment, mental health treatment, and rehabilitation activities if said treatment will lead towards self-sufficiency and is deemed and documented as necessary by a health professional.   If they do not participate satisfactorily in these activities, they can be penalized for not complying with their FSSP Family Self Sufficiency Plan.  A work activity (WA Work Activity) penalty would be requested for non-compliance.

1002-2  COMPONENTS OF THE FSSP Family Self Sufficiency Plan

1. The Employment Goal is a field of employment or broad job title for the first job that would be enough money for the client to voluntarily close their ATAP Alaska Temporary Assistance Program case, or would exceed the ATAP Alaska Temporary Assistance Program income standards.  If medical documentation supports the likelihood that the client may qualify for SSI Supplemental Security Income or SSDI Social Security Disability Insurance, it may be used as the employment goal (WSPM 1010).

2. The Goal Date is the date by which the family believes they will be able to close their ATAP Alaska Temporary Assistance Program case.

3. Intermediate Goals are a broad statement to introduce the assignments that will lead to the completed employment goal such as:

• Conduct work search and accept employment when offered;

• Maintain employment (or OJT On the Job Training, Job Start) at (Name of business);

• Participate in (CWE Community Work Experience, BWE Business Work Experience);

• Complete (Educational courses);

• Attend (Partner agency requirement, attend medical evaluation required by SSI Supplemental Security Income);

• Secure (transportation, housing, childcare), or;

• Attend (activity, event, medical care).

4. Steps identify up to three activities that will lead to the completion of the Intermediate Goal.  Additional steps may be added or current steps continued on an FSSP Family Self Sufficiency Plan until the intermediate goal is completed or the client and case manager agree that a step should be replaced with an alternative.

1. Steps describe the time, place and other pertinent details of the intermediate goal.

2. Steps demonstrate that the client has been assigned to the appropriate number of hours for their circumstances (40 hours per week, unless otherwise documented WSPM 1003-4).

NOTE: Paperwork submission requirements and compliance issues cannot be written as a step because they do not move the client off assistance.

5. The Start Date identifies the date that each individual step will begin.  Some steps may begin later because they are consecutive steps towards an intermediate goal.  Other dates may be concurrent because the activities may be overlapping or occurring on the same dates.

6. Completion/Review dates are based on the level of monitoring or support the client may need to successfully complete the step(s) of the intermediate goal(s).  Consider how long it will reasonably take for the client to accomplish the activity considering their level of functioning and the resources available in their community.

7. Supportive Services are the goods and services that are directly connected with the completion of an assigned work or self-sufficiency activity that will be purchased with ATAP Alaska Temporary Assistance Program supportive services funds.  Funds provided by partner agencies should be identified on the FSSP Family Self Sufficiency Plan to prevent duplication or omission (WSPM 1004-5).  Childcare needs will be determined during FSSP Family Self Sufficiency Plan development.  The case manager will request appropriate childcare based on the parent's schedule of activities (CCAP Policy & Procedure Manual).

8. The Work Requirement Status identifies the applicable obligation the client has towards participation based on any documented exemption status.  Select the box appropriate for the client's circumstances:

1. Not exempt - fully able and required to participate in all activities;

2. Excused (enter the date through which the exemption is valid) from work and work readiness, but required to develop a FSSP Family Self Sufficiency Plan and participate in activities that will lead to self-sufficiency; or

3. Excused, but volunteering.  This is to be used for the individuals referred to Work Services but not required to participate (ATAP MS 770-2, ATAP MS 770-5, and ATAP MS 770-7).

4. The next appointment section allows the client and case manager to document the time, date and (as necessary) location of the next appointment and plan update.

5. Changes to this plan provide an opportunity for discussion between case manager and client about communicating changes or the need for changes in a FSSP Family Self Sufficiency Plan.  This section also allows opportunity to discuss the 60-month time limit and possibility of penalty if the client fails to participate in the agreed upon activities.

6. Additional Information is a good location to note:

1. The total number of months of assistance the household has used;

2. The total number of weekly activity hours required on the FSSP Family Self Sufficiency Plan;

3. The case manager's contact information;

4. Reminders about submitting paperwork, or;

5. Other compliance or paperwork related needs.

7. The Release of Information provides a generic release that allows communication and collaboration with partners (ADMIN MS 105-8).

8. Signatures and Date are required by both the participant and case manager.  In a two-parent household only the participant named on the plan is required to sign the FSSP Family Self Sufficiency Plan, as each parent must develop and sign their own FSSP Family Self Sufficiency Plan.

9. Case Managers enter the date signed in CMS Case Management System.  Once the field is completed, the FSSP Family Self Sufficiency Plan will be hard-coded in CMS Case Management System and no changes can be made to the plan.  If the FSSP Family Self Sufficiency Plan needs to be updated, a new form is required.

NOTE:  If the FSSP Family Self Sufficiency Plan is developed by telephone, the case manager notes the participant's agreement with the FSSP Family Self Sufficiency Plan in CLNO Client Notes, signs the FSSP Family Self Sufficiency Plan, keeps a copy for the case record, and sends the original to the participant to sign and return.  An electronic signature is acceptable (i.e. fax, emailed, or submitted via Smart phone).  An unsigned FSSP Family Self Sufficiency Plan is considered incomplete and may lead to a Self-Sufficiency penalty (WSPM 1007).  If the client refuses to sign their FSSP Family Self Sufficiency Plan or fails to return a mailed FSSP Family Self Sufficiency Plan, the case manager will select "Client did not sign" in CMS Case Management System.  The case manager must select either a "Date signed" or select "Client did not sign" in order to generate a new FSSP Family Self Sufficiency Plan.

1002-3  SMART FSSPs

The FSSP Family Self Sufficiency Plan's intermediate goals, steps and activity dates are written according to SMART (Specific, Meaningful, Assessable, realistic, Time-Bound) guidelines.  When planning is SMART, the client and case manager are both able to clearly see what is expected, know when it is accomplished, and when to reevaluate and update the plan.

1.  SPECIFIC - When reading their FSSP Family Self Sufficiency Plan the client should be able to understand:

• Who is responsible for the activity;

• What the activity is;

• Where it will be done;

• When it starts and ends including the dates and hours per day or week the client will attend, and;

• How many applications or employer contacts they are expected to complete.

2. MEANINGFUL - To be meaningful to the client, every activity should be either directly linked to accomplishing a specific intermediate goal or designed to help the client to find the best way to reach their employment goal.  

Case managers schedule meetings and request documents from clients on a regular basis in the course of providing Work Services.  Regular contact with clients helps case managers know what the client is doing and helps in documenting client progress towards exiting Temporary Assistance.  However, each contact with the case manager should be value-added for the client as well.  Every meeting, and all paperwork turned in, should be linked to helping the client accomplish their goals.  Meetings and other tasks the client needs to complete should be identified as activities on the FSSP Family Self Sufficiency Plan, and include the purpose of the meeting or paperwork to be turned in.  The client owns the FSSP Family Self Sufficiency Plan, therefore everything on the plan is about how they will exit Temporary Assistance and/or increase their family's self-sufficiency.

3. ASSESSABLE - Intermediate goals and activities are written on the FSSP Family Self Sufficiency Plan so that both the client and case manager can assess the client's progress.  When the intermediate goal is well defined, it is clear when it has been accomplished.  When activity participation expectations are clear, it will be obvious if the client has engaged in the activity.

4. REALISTIC - Intermediate and Employment goals are intended to be achievable by the client within 24 months.  If clients have less than 24 months of Temporary Assistance benefits remaining, identify how the client intends to realistically support their family through employment or other income before they reach their life-time limit (ATAP MS 719).

5. TIME -BOUND - The case manager will estimate how long it will reasonably take the client to complete specific assigned activities.  Some activities take a simple phone call.  Others may require hours or even multiple days to complete.  The Completion/Review date is based on the schedule and complexity of the task and the client's ability to navigate the task.  If the client encounters difficulty in accomplishing any of the activities, the completion date may be revised to a later date, or the activity may be removed from the plan and replaced with an alternate activity.

1002-4  UPDATING THE FSSP Family Self Sufficiency Plan

Every conversation with the client is an opportunity for continued assessment and FSSP Family Self Sufficiency Plan update.  Updates should be made based on the client's specific circumstances and should be completed within 10 calendar days of the client making the report of change.  The following are general guidelines - update the FSSP Family Self Sufficiency Plan when:

• There are changes in circumstance;

• Activities are complete;

• The assigned time frame has passed and the activity has not been completed; or

• The client is attempting to resolve a non-compliance penalty (WA Work Activity or SS) per WSPM 1007.

The FSSP Family Self Sufficiency Plan is invalid or deficient when:

• All the activity review dates have passed; or

• Ten calendar days have elapsed since the client has reported a change in their circumstance and they no longer have a full schedule of activities.

1002-5  INCORPORATING PARTNER PLANS

Temporary Assistance clients may be involved with and receiving services from many different government agencies or community-based organizations.  They may have individualized plans with these agencies and organizations that address employment or other self-sufficiency goals.  Temporary Assistance applicants and recipients may be receiving services such as:

• Employment services from another agency or program (such as the Department of Labor WIOA Workforce Investment Opportunity Act, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, or a Native Employment Works Program);

• Social services from other community and government agencies addressing their or a family member's engagement in treatment, counseling, education or other activities;

• Family preservation or reunification services from the Office of Children's Services or another agency that include assignments and activities to maintaining their children's safety or family integrity, or;

• Court ordered Community Work Service or court dates they must attend.

When clients have plans with other agencies, it is important to develop collaborative plans that minimize the problems that arise when services or expectations are not coordinated.  Case Managers ask clients to share their other plans so the FSSP Family Self Sufficiency Plan can support them in employment, following their other plan, and accessing community resources as needed.  A release of information may be necessary in order to work closely with partner agencies to develop an integrated plan for the client (ADMIN MS 105-8).

The case manager requests a copy of and reviews the partner agency plan and incorporates those elements that support employment and increased self-sufficiency into the FSSP Family Self Sufficiency Plan.  Coordination of planning and services for the client with partner agency staff ensures:

• Services are not duplicated;

• Conflicts between agency assignments and expectation of the family are minimized;

• Employment goals and activities are consistent with Temporary Assistance program goals and expectations, and;

• The responsibility for monitoring the participant's activities and progress, and providing supportive services is clearly defined.

1002-6  DOCUMENTING THE FSSP Family Self Sufficiency Plan

A signed copy of each FSSP Family Self Sufficiency Plan must be retained in the client's hard file.  Enter a CLNO Client Notes into CMS Case Management System describing why each activity and timeframe was determined appropriate for the plan.  Every time the FSSP Family Self Sufficiency Plan is updated the CLNO Client Notes should identify the number of weekly hours of activity required.  Exceptions to the 40 hour a week assignment requirement will be documented in CLNO Client Notes.

Explain and document in a CLNO Client Notes why activities were removed from the FSSP Family Self Sufficiency Plan:  for example, but not limited to:

1. The activity was successfully completed;

2. The activity was removed because it was inappropriate given the client's circumstance, or;

3. The client is not ready for that activity and will reconsider the activity when circumstances are different.