1001          ENGAGEMENT AND ASSESSMENT

Any job is a good job and the best way to succeed in the labor market is to join it as soon as possible. This drives DPADivision of Public Assistance's philosophy of rapid engagement to the workforce for all clients seeking assistance.  The Case Manager's ability to carry out strategies to engage the client in moving forward demonstrates due diligence.  A strong working relationship between case managers and their clients is built over time.  A relationship begins when the family requests cash assistance.  The case management role is to capitalize on the family's strengths and assist the family in accessing the full range of services to help them achieve self-sufficiency. 

Through rapid engagement and thorough assessment process, clients are able to take increasing ownership and responsibility. Engagement and assessment are key elements in a client's success in establishing self-sufficiency and are a Federal and State requirement, see 45 CFR 261.11, 45 CFR 260.52, and TANF State Plan 4.2 and 4.7.

The Case Manager's ability to carry out strategies to engage the client in moving forward demonstrates due diligence. A strong working relationship between case managers and their clients is built over time. A relationship begins when the family requests cash assistance. The case management role is to capitalize on the family's strengths and assist the family in accessing the full range of community resources to help them achieve self-sufficiency.