DHAweb | Community Work Experience Factsheet

Last updated: November 29, 2005

INDEX

What is Community Work Experience Program (CWEX)?
What is CalWORKs?
Who administers the Program?
What are CWEX placements?
Are there any wages or costs involved?
What about Worker's Compensation?
What is the purpose of CWEX placements?
How long does a CWEX placement last?
How many hours may a CWEX participant work?
Who is a typical CWEX participant?
Are there any restrictions on the types of work CWEX participants may perform in their placement?
Are there limits on the number of CWEX participants who may be placed with a particular agency?
What is expected of participating agencies?
What paperwork is involved?
Will agency supervisors be able to participate in the selection of CWEX participants?
For more information

1. What is Community Work Experience Program (CWEX)?	CWEX is non-salaried work experience for CalWORKs recipients within a public or private non-profit agency INDEX
2. What is CalWORKs?	CalWORKs, the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids Program, is the California replacement for Aid to Families With Dependent Children (AFDC) under welfare reform. INDEX
3. Who administers the Program?	The Sacramento County Department of Human Assistance. INDEX
4. What are CWEX placements?	They are assignments of CalWORKs participants in skill development opportunities with public or private non-profit agencies. INDEX
5. Are there any wages or costs involved?	No. Participants will continue to receive their monthly CalWORKs grants while in training. In addition, CalWORKs will pay their needed child care and transportation costs. INDEX
6. What about Worker's Compensation?	The cost of Worker's Compensation will be paid by the State. INDEX
7. What is the purpose of CWEX placements?	The purpose is to provide CWEX participants the opportunities to obtain work skills or to enhance existing or recently acquired skills. INDEX
8. How long does a CWEX placement last?	A CWEX placement may last up to 36 months or less and is determined by each participant's situation. INDEX
9. How many hours may a CWEX participant work?	The maximum number of hours allowed is 35 hours per week. INDEX
10. Who is a typical CWEX participant?	There is no such person. Participants are men and women who may have marketable skills but are currently out of work. Some individuals may need to brush up on skills they have not recently used. For those who have no work or training history, this placement will give them an opportunity to obtain practical work experience. Participants placed will meet the employer's established minimum requirements. Participants are placed in agencies in their own neighborhood whenever possible. INDEX
11. Are there any restrictions on the types of work CWEX participants may perform in their placement?	No. (Of course, they cannot be expected to perform work under unsafe conditions.) INDEX
12. Are there limits on the number of CWEX participants who may be placed with a particular agency?	No. However, individual supervisors should limit the number of participants to those for whom supervision and a meaningful training experience can be provided. INDEX
13. What is expected of participating agencies?	It is expected the CWEX participants be oriented to their work site. It will also be necessary to complete a bi-weekly time sheet and periodic evaluations. INDEX
14. What paperwork is involved?	Each participating business or agency will need to complete a worksite agreement and job order(s). As indicated above, each CWEX participant will be given time sheets and evaluations. INDEX
15. Will agency supervisors be able to participate in the selection of CWEX participants?	Yes. Prospective participants will be referred to agencies by CWEX staff. CWEX coordinators want agency supervisors to be satisfied with their participants and for the participants to be comfortable with their assignments. INDEX
16. For more information	Central CWEX Coordinator, Orville Noel at (916) 875-3286 or Noelo@saccounty.net. INDEX