808.25 Referrals to Other Activities (FAM)

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NHEP uses referral conditions to determine which activity or activities are most suitable for participants. Referrals are based on the following factors:

• current marketable skills and demand for these skills in the local labor market;

• demand for vocationally specific or technical proficiency skills and the extent to which the participant has obtained these skills;

• work experience;

• education;

• work habits and behaviors;

• aptitude and motivation;

• job interests and preferences, when possible;

• the extent of support services needed by and available to the participant;

• effect on other activities in the Employability Plan, including any time limit requirements on a specific activity the individual may be referred to;

• coordination with other necessary or required activities including community activities or activities mandated by another agency; and

• an evaluation of training and post secondary activities that utilize the fewest program resources that will lead to employment in the shortest timeframe and at a wage in which the participant will be financially sufficient.

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Specific Conditions

In addition to the general conditions listed above, an activity may have specific criteria that must be met before a referral is made.

Referrals to Post-Secondary Education and Vocational Skills Training

Prior to referring a NHEP participant to post-secondary education or vocational skills training, the following criteria must be met:

• the participant must lack the skills that will be obtained in the education or training;

• current job opportunities in the local labor market must be available in the referred field of education or training and immediate employment following the approved education or training must be expected;

• the participant must have appropriate work habits and behaviors or must be reasonably expected to develop such behaviors through the education or training program; and

• the department must be the payor of last resort, and all available funding options must be explored prior to approving the participants education or training activity or activities.

Referrals to an AWEP and CWEP

Prior to referring a NHEP participant to an AWEP or CWEP activity, the following conditions must be met:

• the participant lacks significant skills necessary for employment;

• the participant lacks significant work experience; and

• the participant needs to develop appropriate work habits and behaviors.

Interim Activities

Participants who report serious and substantial personal barriers will be referred to interim activities. See Interim Activities.

Basic Education Activities

Refer NHEP participants who lack a high school diploma or the equivalent and are not required to participate in basic educational activities, to basic educational activities when:

• the participant requests a referral to this activity;

• the participant is fully complying with NHEP participation requirements; and

• the referral is specified on the employability plan.

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