Agency: Workforce Services

Line Item: Workforce Services

Intent Language

Under the terms of Section UCA 63J-1-401, the Legislature intends that unused funds appropriated for the Department of Workforce Services not lapse at the close of Fiscal Year 2009. Any unused funds would be used to offset increased fuel and utility costs, to replace and upgrade computer equipment, and to provide client services.

General Funds appropriated to Workforce Services are contingent upon expeditures from Federal Funds - American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (H.R. 1, 111th United States Congress) not exceeding amounts appropriated from Federal Funds - American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in all appropriation bills passed for FY 2010. If expenditures in this line item from Federal Funds - American Recovery and Reinvestment Act exceed amounts appropriated to this line item from Federal Funds - American Recoverty and Revestment Act in FY 2010, the Division of Finance shall reduce the General Fund allocations to this line item by one dollar for every one dollor in Federal Funds - American Recovery and Reinvestmnt Act expenditures that exceed Federal Funds - American Reconvery and Reinvestment Act expenditures that exceed Federal Funds - American Recovery and Reinvestment Act appropriations.

Funding Detail

Program: Family Employment Program

Function

This program helps qualified working parents with child care subsidies. It helps parents find child care and works to improve child care quality.

Funding Detail

The Random Moment Time Sampling method of allocating costs is different than other state programs. The standard table is not applicable. The following table shows the expected funding level for the current year:

Program: General Assistance/SSI

Function

The General Assistance (GA) program is a time limited, state funded program that provides financial assistance to adults who do not have dependent children living with them and who have physical or mental health impairments that prevents basic work activities in any occuption.

General Assistance provides minimal financial assistance to enable customers to meet some living expenses and may help with income requirements to quality for some assisted housing programs.

On approval for assistance, GA customers are assigned to either the Short-Term track or the Long-Term track. This track assignment is based on the anticipated length of impairment reported on the medical form completed by the customer's health care provider.

• GA customers with impairments that will last less than 12 months are assigned to the Short-Term track. DWS can provice resources and referrals to help the customer prepare to reenter the labor market when they are able, but there are no case managements services provided to customers on the Short-Term track.
• GA customer with impairments that will last longer than 12 months are required to apply for and actively pursue long-term Social Security disability benefits. Customers on the Long-Term track are assigned to a case manager who has been trained to assist the customer with the SSI/SSDI application and appeal processes.

General Assistance benefits are time limited to a total of 12-months of benefits in an 60-month period. GA customers on the Short-Term track are limited 6-months of benefits in a 12-month period.

Funding Detail

The Random Moment Time Sampling method of allocating costs is different than other state programs. The standard table not applicable. The following table shows the expected funding level for the current year:

Program: Food Stamps

Function

This federally funded program prepares low-income youth, adults and dislocated workers, and persons with other barriers. It makes funding available to eligible job seekers for vocational training, education, and other support services, and for help in finding a job.

Funding Detail

The Random Moment Time Sampling method of allocating costs is different than other state programs. The standard table is not applicable. The following table shows the expected funding level for the current year:

Program: Employment Development

Function

This federal program helps eligible individuals buy food. Actual stamps are no longer used; payments are made through debit cards. Food stamps cannot buy tobacco, alcoholic beverages, items that cannot be eaten, or already prepared foods. They can buy vegetable seeds and plants. Items purchased with food stamps are not subject to sales tax.

Food Stamp administration is funded with federal funds and at 50/50 match rate. Benefits are 100% federally funded and are not shown in the budget.

Funding Detail

The Random Moment Time Sampling method of allocating costs is different than other state programs and makes the standard table not applicable. The following table shows the expected funding level for the current year:

Program: Workforce Investment Act

Function

This federally funded program:

• Helps employers hire the most qualified worker for the job.
• Helps job seekers identify their skills and abilities so that they will make the right job and career decisions.

Funding Detail

The Random Moment Time Sampling method of allocating costs is different than other state programs. The standard table is not applicable. The following table shows the expected funding level for the current year:

Program: Medical Programs

Function

The Family Employment Program (FEP) helps families with dependent children become self sufficient by helping clients find jobs, and providing financial support to eligible parents. The program may also assist with child-care, and/or disability benefits. Working with an employment counselor, parents develop an employment plan that leads to self-sufficiency. To remain eligible, parents must follow the plan. Funding is from the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) grant and state Maintenance of Effort(MOE) funds.

The key principles of FEP are:

1. It is employment focused rather than benefit based.
2. Benefits are time limited. (Most states follow the federal 5-year limit. Utah's limit is 3 years.)
3. States are required to meet federal standards for the number of participants meeting federally defined work activities.

Utah has some flexibility to design its TANF assistance programs. Utah can use both the federal block grant and state Maintenance of Effort (MOE) money on anything that accomplishes the broad purposes of TANF including:

1. Ending welfare dependence;
2. Promoting employment and marriage;
3. Encouraging two-parent families; and
4. Reducing out-of-wedlock pregnancies.

Resources must be spent on eligible families.

Funding Detail

The Random Moment Time Sampling method of allocating costs is different than other state programs. The standard table is not applicable. The following table shows the expected funding level for the current year:

Program: All Other Programs

Function

The Department has centralized services to the regions and their Employment Centers. All case managers are now classified as 'employment counselors'.

Services include oversight of job training, employment development, and support services, adjudication and auditing, labor market information, and data processing. The Division contracts with the federal government to provide information and specific services to them. There are some quality control responsibilities to assure compliance with federal guidelines.

Funding Detail