Assessment

Process used by the Provider to determine a client's strengths and weaknesses in regards to readiness to engage in self-sufficiency activities, including employment.

Billable Placement

A job in unsubsidized employment in which the client has been retained and which meets all of the qualifications for administrative payment as specified in Exhibit B in the Contract with the Department.

CCR&R

Child Care Resource and Referral agency.

Countable Activities

The type of activities in which the client must participate to acquire the federally required participation hours. The activities are detailed in each program/activity type.

Clients Served

Clients with whom the Provider has had at least one personal contact in the provision of contractual services.

DCFS

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. DCFS is the state agency with primary responsibility for the welfare and safety of children.

Deeming

Clients who work in return for their welfare benefits (Work Experience and Community Service) are subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Participants in a single-parent unit may not be assigned more hours than the results of dividing their TANF Benefits and SNAP benefits by the higher of the state or federal minimum wage. When the calculation results in less than 20 hours, the 20 hours will be deemed when the client completes the required number as determined by the calculation. FCRC staff is responsible for determining when deeming is applicable. That decision is based upon information submitted to DHS by the Provider.

DHS

Department of Human Services - DHS is the single state agency with primary responsibility for most of the state-administered human services programs.

Deliverables

The contracted outcomes found Exhibit B to the Contract on which the payment to the Provider is based.

Deobligation

Deobligation is a decrease in the total estimated dollar amount of the contract.

Direct Costs

Direct costs are expenses identified in the approved program budget. They are costs that are directly related to the administration of the program on a dollar for dollar basis. Direct costs may include but are not limited to:

  • salaries and fringe benefits paid to staffs that devote the majority of their time to provide services directly to clients or directly assist in the administration of the program. Examples of this type of staff are Program Directors, Case Manager, Job Placement personnel and accountants/bookkeepers; and
  • expenses incurred solely for the program such as rent, utilities, telephone service, sub-Providers, office equipment and supplies and travel expenses.

Downstate

"Downstate" is a term applied to all areas of the state of Illinois, excluding Cook County.

Employment and Training Liaison (E & T Liaison)

The E&T liaison is the Division of Human Capital Development FCRC staff person who is responsible for matching clients to the appropriate contractual program, managing referrals to Providers, conducting Staffings, and collaborating with the Division's regional Employment & Training staff on Provider/client related issues.

Excused Absences

An excused absence day is a day the client is scheduled to participate in an unpaid activity but does not meet the requirement. (See Section IV. B for details.)

Family Community Resource Center

Family Community Resource Center (FCRC) is a Division of Human Capital Development office, located in various communities and counties, designed to provide public benefits and social services at the community level. The sites were formerly called "Local Offices."

Holidays

Absences due to recognized holidays. (See Section IV. A for details.) 

Illinois Link

The Illinois Link is a system that provides the opportunity for clients to access their public assistance benefits electronically. The Link card is similar to a bank debit card, and requires entry of a secret PIN to access benefits through Point of Sales (POS) terminals generally found at neighborhood food stores and supermarkets.

Indirect Costs

Indirect Costs are expenses incurred by the Provider agency in the course of doing business. Indirect costs may include but are not limited to:

  • a percentage of salaries and fringe benefits paid to staff that provide services indirectly to clients or assist in the administration of the program. These individuals do not devote the majority of their time to the program. Examples of this type of staff are Executive Directors, Comptrollers, Human Resources Directors and receptionists.
  • expenses incurred in the course of doing business in which a portion can be attributed to the administration of the program such as banking costs, insurance, rent and utilities.

Job Placement

A 'billable placement" is a job in unsubsidized employment, pays at least minimum wages, and the client meets retention of 30, 60, or 90 days. (See your contract for more specific information and details.)

Job Readiness

Job Readiness is a program that provides clients the opportunity to gain knowledge, develop skills, and modify behaviors, etc. that will get them ready for employment.

Outreach

All efforts made by the Work and Training Provider to engage clients and get them to fully cooperate in all required program activities. Efforts include counseling, reviewing requirements, telephone contacts, home visits, mailed notices, etc.

Participation Hours

The number of hours per week, as defined in the federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act, a TANF client is required to complete as a condition of eligibility for benefits.

DHS Provider Manager

The Bureau of Employment and Training Resource Development Services staff person who manages the Providers' contractual Agreements in collaboration with the Division of Human Capital Development's regional and FCRC staff.

Reconciliation

The process used to resolve issues involving non cooperation by a TANF client who fails to fully comply with their assigned work and training activities.

Referring Family Community Resource Center

The referring FCRC, formerly known as "Local Office", is the site designated by the Department to refer clients to the Provider for services.

Repeat Referral

When a client is assigned to a Provider that they were previously assigned to, it is a repeat referral. There must be a break in participation of at least 30 days. During the first 30 days, the client received outreach services from the Provider.

Retention

Unsubsidized employment retained for the period(s) of time as specified in the contractual agreement.

Sanction

Action taken to reduce a client's benefits when the client fails and/or refuses to complete the assigned activities and required number of hours, as assigned by the FCRC caseworker and/or work and training Provider.

Staffing

The meeting between the Provider and Department staff to discuss the progress of individuals assigned to the Provider for services.

Subsidized Employment

Subsidized Employment is work with earnings provided by an employer who receives a subsidy for the creation and maintenance of the employment position.