Supervisor Responsibilities for Reengagement and Sanction Authorization

Supervisors are an important resource for their staff as they build professional and client relationships, develop engagement and coaching strategies, and support clients in working towards their goals.  

Supervisors will work closely with Full Engagement Workers (FEWs) and Self Sufficiency Specialists (SSSs) they oversee by reviewing cases in which a sanction is being removed or authorized.

As FEWs and SSSs monitor TAFDC families subject to work or school rules, supervisors must support their staff in their reengagement efforts. Supervisors will also support economic assistance case managers in removing sanctions when information is received or known that shows the client’s participation, good cause, or an exemption is applicable.

Supervisors must incorporate discussions into their regular supervision with FEW and SSS staff around what strategies are being used and what challenges they may be experiencing in reengaging clients, with the goal of increasing successful communication and participation in Pathways to Work activities. Supervisors are encouraged to work with their FEW and SSS staff individually and as a team to develop their own best practices, discuss local challenges and solutions and for individual case conferencing.

Sanction Authorization Review

When a FEW or SSS authorizes a work or school rule sanction, their supervisor must review the case to confirm that all required Planning activities and reengagement efforts have been attempted prior to authorizing.

Supervisors will review a client’s case when a work rule sanction is being submitted for authorization by a FEW, considering the following touchpoints:

No Pathways to Work Plan

If the sanction is the result of the client not having a Pathways to Work Plan, the supervisor must review the following, prior to any work rule sanction being authorized.

The supervisor must complete a review of the case and:

  • verify that the client was referred to the FEW appropriately, if the Pathways to Work Planning period ended within the last 30 days
  • confirm that if successful contact was not made with the client to complete the Welcome Call, the attempts are documented in the case narratives
  • if the TAFDC Orientation has not been completed, any attempts are documented in the case narrative and a telephonic appointment had been scheduled
  • verify that Pathways to Work Planning Activities that have been completed are recorded on the Planning Activities page
  • confirm that support with enrolling in a Pathways activity was provided, if a referral had been issued
  • review case narratives and Scanned Documents to determine whether client has made contact with DTA to report starting and activity or work, or to request good cause
  • ensure that no additional information is known to DTA that would require an exemption or compliance reason to be entered
  • review any other engagement attempts to communicate with client, including two required cold calls

No Engagement or Participation

If the sanction is the result of the client having an active Pathways to Work Plan but their monthly engagement or participation was not authorized, the supervisor must review the following, prior to any work rule sanction being authorized.

The supervisor must:

  • review case narratives and Electronic Case File (ECF) for Scanned Documents to determine whether client has provided their Participation form, other verification of engagement or made contact with DTA to request good cause
  • determine what contact was made by FEW with a Provider
  • ensure that no additional information is known to DTA that would require an exemption or compliance reason to be entered
  • review any other engagement attempts to communicate with client, including two required cold calls

Important: Exempt clients who choose to participate in a Pathways to Work activity or work can never be sanctioned for not meeting the work rules.