The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued instructions about counting study time for Welfare-to-Work (WTW) participants in a Self-Initiated Program (SIP). A SIP is an education program that the WTW participant was enrolled in at the time of WTW appraisal and is calculated to lead to employment.
Previously, CDSS’ policy was that unsupervised homework time did not count toward WTW participation for SIPs. Effective July 1, 2018, homework time can be included as part of a SIP. Unsupervised homework time for SIPs will be counted in the same manner as for other education programs, which is that countable homework time cannot exceed one hour for each hour of class time.
CDSS also reminds counties that SIP participants are entitled to supportive services like all other WTW participants which includes supportive services for homework time and for distance learning.
SIP participants are subject to the WTW 24 month time limit. Many SIP participants can meet CalWORKs federal standards through vocational education or concurrent WTW activities. In that instance, the months do not count toward the 24 month clock. In addition, satisfactory progress in a SIP can qualify a participant for an extension of the 24 month clock. (ACL 18-115, September 11, 2018.)