39-7,105. Job preparation, training and education components of KanWork; period of participation; civil service examinations; community service providers, contracts.

39-7,105

Chapter 39.--MENTALLY ILL, INCAPACITATED AND DEPENDENT PERSONS; SOCIAL WELFARE
Article 7.--SOCIAL WELFARE

      39-7,105.   Job preparation, training and education components ofKanWork; period of participation; civil service examinations;community service providers, contracts.(a) Within the limits of appropriations therefor and tothe extent allowed under any applicable federal law or rule and regulationadopted pursuant thereto, the secretary shall establish and make availableto eligible public assistance recipients the job preparation, training andeducation component of the KanWork program.

      (b)   The job preparation element of the job preparation, training andeducation component includes, but is not limited to, the following:

      (1)   Unsupervised job search, in which the participant individually seekswork and makes periodic progress reports to the secretary or an agencycontracting with the secretary.

      (2)   Supervised job search which includes, but is not limited to, accessto telephones to contact prospective employers, job orders, directreferrals to employers, or other organized methods of seeking work which areoverseen, reviewed and critiqued by the secretary or an agent of thesecretary. The amount and type of activity required during this supervisedjob search period shall be determined by the secretary and theparticipant, based on the participant's employment history and need forsupportive services and shall be consistent with rules and regulationsadopted by the secretary.

      (3)   Job club workshops, including group or individual training sessions,where participants learn various job finding and job retention skills. Workshops shall be conducted by persons trained in employment counseling. The skills taught in job clubs shall include preparation of an application,writing a resume, interviewing techniques, understanding employerrequirements and expectations, telephone canvassing for job leads, properdress and conduct on the job and ways to enhance self-esteem, self-image and confidence.

      (4)   Job referral and placement services.

      (5)   Employment counseling to assist persons to reach informed decisionson appropriate employment goals.

      (c)   The training and education element of the job preparation, trainingand education component includes, but is not limited to, the following:

      (1)   Job training which includes, but is not limited to, training inindustry-specific job skills in a classroom or onsite setting, includingtraining provided by private industry, universities, community colleges,state and local agencies and school districts.

      (2)   Community work experience for a public or nonprofit agency thatprovides the participant the opportunity to develop basic work skills,practice and improve existing skills and acquire on-the-job experienceestablished in accordance with the provisions of subsection (g) of K.S.A.39-708c, and amendments thereto, or subsection (d)(B)(3) of K.S.A.39-709, andamendments thereto, or both such sections.

      (3)   Work experience through agrant diversion program which the secretary is hereby authorized toimplement in which an employer receives a wage subsidy from money divertedin accordance with law from public assistance grants. Grant diversionshall be implemented through a contract entered into by the secretary and theemployer.

      (4)   Work experience through employment with state government or localgovernmental units in work which otherwise would have gone undone, if theparticipant is unable to be placed in other employment. The state governmentandlocal governmental units maycooperate with the secretary ofsocial andrehabilitation services in developing and making available such employmentopportunities.

      (5)   Remedial education, which shall include adult basiceducation, highschool completion and general equivalency diploma instruction.Only participants deemed able to become substantially more employable for aneducational experienceshall be placed in remedial education.

      (6)   College and community college education, when that educationprovides sufficient employment skills training which can be expected tolead to employment based on a labor market needs assessment.Only participants deemed capable of becoming substantially more employablefromsuch an educational experienceshall be placed in this education component.

      (7)   Vocational training in a community college, vocationaltechnicalschool or local school district program which can be expected to lead toemployment based upon a labor market needs assessment.

      (8)   English language instruction for non-English speakingparticipants.

      (9)   Other programs that may be made available through federallegislation authorizing employment and training programs for public assistancerecipients.

      (10)   No participant who has graduated from high school shall participatein any educational program under the KanWork act for more than 30 months. Aparticipant who has not graduated from high school but who the secretarydetermines is able to obtain general educational development credentials withinnine months after becoming a KanWork participant may participate in theeducational program under the KanWork act, but such educational programparticipation under the KanWork program shall be limited to30 months, less the period of time required for theparticipant to obtain general educational development credentials,after theparticipant has received the general educational development credentials.The secretary ofsocial and rehabilitation services may adopt by rules and regulationsexceptions to such limitations on participation in any such educational programin cases of undue hardship.

      (d)   Workers assigned to state agencies under the KanWork program mayparticipate in classified civil service examinations equivalent to theposition occupied, as well as any other civil service examination for whichthe participant is qualified, and experience in the position occupied bythe participant shall be included in determining whether the participantmeets the experience requirements for the particular position under theKansas civil service act.

      (e)   The secretary may enter into contracts withcommunity service providers for job development and service provision.

      History:   L. 1988, ch. 141, § 5;L. 1994, ch. 265, § 11; July 1.