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MFIP Counselors have communicated the need to mandate participants follow treatment plans, thus making them a sanctionable activity. The state looked at what other states were doing and decided that an assessment could be a required activity, or sanctionable activity, but not ongoing treatment.

There are now two mandatory screening tools: MFIP Self-Screen and Brief Screening Tool for Learning Disabilities.

Participants must be told the purpose for screening and how the information will be used to identify and overcome barriers to employment.

Require both screening tools within three months of the initial employment plan if there is a documented need, and as needed after that period.

Screening tools may only be administered by staff who have been trained in their use. You do not have to follow this process when the participant is already in treatment or counseling or it’s clear that an immediate response is necessary to ensure safety of staff or the participant.

If you attend the 3-day ES training, you will be able to administer the screening tools!

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Intake/Employability Measure

Complete an assessment as soon as possible after the overview for participants who are mandatory in MFIP Employment Services. The Employability Measure (EM) is an assessment tool which structures an interview or conversation between a job counselor and a participant around their challenges and strengths, and assists the participant in moving towards self-sufficiency.

DHS recommends completing an Employability Measure assessment at intake but no later than the third month on MFIP.

These 11 areas are also sections of the employment plan you will fill out, when you complete the EM training you will be able to use the EM as a tool to guide you in filling out an employment plan that is more relevant to the participant.

There is a separate Employability Measure training that you must take in order to perform these assessments and record them in WorkForce One.

Benefits of using the EM

• Gives an overall picture of as participants strengths and barriers

• You can use the information from the assessment to develop and update the Employment Plan.

• You can use an opportunity to talk with the participant and develop rapport

• You can assess the participant’s ability to obtain and retain employment

• You’ll be able to avoid activities that will not be beneficial for participant and help identify smaller steps that need to be taken to accomplish goals in EP

• You be able to identify participants who may qualify for Family Stabilization Services.

• You can use information when discussing education and training opportunities.

MFIP Self Screen (DHS-3482)

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Participants must be told the purpose for screening and how the information will be used to identify and overcome barriers to employment.

The MFIP Self Screen is available in English and 9 other languages.

A way to begin a conversation about a difficult and personal subject, and to make sure that a participant knows what services are available to help.

It may also offer some leverage to require a participant to complete a mental health diagnostic or a chemical health (Rule 25) assessment if you get to the point where other options aren’t working. (Only counties can provide Rule 25 assessments. Health plans may be contracted with other facilities to do such assessments.)

You can require a participant to complete the screening, BUT honest disclosure is up to them. That is why we strongly encourage you to use the self-screen along with the screening tool. Current program rules requires participants to complete the MFIP self screen. It is called the “Self-Screen” because participants are to take it themselves, it is not an interview. This is different that the LD screen where it is read to the client.

• If a participant asks you “what does this mean… Response: “whatever the question means to you.”

• You should not interpret the questions for the client.

• The participant should only think about the last 30 days.

Your handout has additional notes about “Chemical and Mental Health Assessments,” and referring participants for a mental health or chemical dependency assessment. There is also a section on “Things to Remember” and a list of “Terminology.”

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MFIP Self Screen Scoring Form

This form is used by you as a follow-up to the screen, it gives direction on follow-up procedures.

Based on the results of the screen and or documentation on the observation checklist, you can require a participant to complete a mental or chemical health assessment. The cut score on the screening tool is 3 points.

Before requiring a professional assessment, make sure that the participant has at least one opportunity to complete assessment voluntarily before making it a requirement in the EP (This was important to legal aide).

Remember, although you can require the assessment, you CANNOT require participation in counseling or treatment. These activities can be included in an EP as voluntary activities. One exception to this: If participants are in the ill/incapacitated category, you may require medical treatment – both pre-60 months and post-60 months.

Make sure to get a signed release of information so you can share information with the assessor/treatment provider.

When requesting a mental health assessment from the health plan, ask for a mental health diagnostic. Send the health plan provider copies of the screening tool, observation checklist, and other relevant information.

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A copy of the Brief Screening tool is in your handout packet. The Brief Screening Tool for Special Learning Needs is available to identify learning problems earlier and more accurately. It is to determine if a diagnostic assessment is needed. So its not a diagnostic assessment tool itself.

Many people enter the employment services system without ever having had a formal diagnosis or assessment to detect a learning disability. It is critical that they be identified and assessed as soon as possible so that pre-and post-employment services can be tailored to their learning needs.

Again the Brief Screening Tool for Special Learning Needs” is a way to begin a conversation about a difficult and personal subject. Be sure that a participant knows what services are available to help.

It may also offer some leverage to require a participant to complete an assessment to determine developmental disabilities or learning disability if you get to the point where other options aren’t working.

Participants don’t easily disclose learning problems to their job counselors - or acknowledge them to themselves.

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This Tool for Special Learning Needs is available in English only, and SHOULD NOT be used with participants who speak limited English.

Ask the participant each question, in each section.

Record participants response - “yes” or “no”

Truthful completion of the form is up to the participant.

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Brief Screening Tool Scoring Form

Job counselor completes form after participant has taken the Brief Screening Tool for Special Learning Needs.

If participants total score is 12 or more, refer for further assessment.

Based on the results of the screen and/or documented observations on participant’s lack of progress, you can require a participant to complete a Learning Disability Assessment. If you need IQ determined, ask for psychological assessment for determination of Developmental Disability or learning disability

Before requiring a professional assessment, make sure that the participant has at least one opportunity to complete assessment voluntarily before making it a requirement in the EP. Case note.

Although you can require the assessment, you CANNOT require participation in counseling or treatment/remedial classes, ect. (not sanctionable) during the first 60 months of assistance.

Make sure to get a signed release of information so you can share information with the assessor/treatment provider.

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Assisting Participants in Obtaining a Psychological Assessment

Referrals and covering cost of Psychological assessments; useful terminology

Prepaid Medical Assistance Program (PMAP) eDocs form DHS-4484

ES Manual 6.3.21

All mental health diagnostic assessments have an integral functional component necessary for diagnostic purposes but which is not in and of itself a billable service. A diagnostic assessment is a specific medical service that can only be conducted by a licensed mental health professional.

DO NOT use TANF funds to pay for medical services, including mental health diagnosis, psychological testing to make a learning disability determination and chemical dependency assessments.

Participants who are enrolled in health plans or Managed Care programs should be assessed through the behavioral health network used by that plan. The cost will be covered for enrolled participants as long as the assessment is completed within the health plan’s network of providers. Find out which health plan participant is enrolled in, it often helps to ask your participants to look at the back of their medical cards to see who their provider is and the number to make an appointment.

DHS contracts with PMAPS (Prepaid Medical Assistance Programs) and makes payments to health plans to deliver health care to eligible MA and GMAC recipients. A listing of PMAPs can be found on eDocs form # DHS-4484.

Be sure to use the correct terminology to ensure that health plans recognize the request as a covered service – we have a given you a handout regarding terminology.

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Do Not Administer the Screening Tools

When a professional assessment of chemical or mental health has been obtained in the past year. When a professional assessment has already been obtained, you must work with the participant and other professionals involved with the case to develop an appropriate plan.

When it is clear that an immediate response is necessary to ensure the safety of the participant, staff, or others. Follow your agency’s procedures in cases where it is clear that an immediate response is necessary.

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The DWP/MFIP Observation Checklist (DHS-3483) is an important part of documentation for supporting actions taken with your participant and requirements included in a plan or when requiring a participant to complete the MFIP Self-Screen or Learning Disabilities tool prior to 6 weeks of unsuccessful job search.

Use this checklist if you suspect MH or CD to substantiate your reasoning if it is outside of the 6 weeks or if your participant responds NO to MH/CD questions on the MFIP Self Screen.

Document on the Observational Checklist or in a case note the reason you are requiring the participant to complete these tools prior to 6-weeks of unsuccessful job search.

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Use the DWP/MFIP Observation Checklist (DHS-3483) to record behaviors of concern and related information as you work with participants who may be experiencing mental or chemical health issues.

Document the following items in the case file:

• Signals that triggered an intervention. – in a case note

• Level of intervention – in a case note

• Screen results (screen and scoring sheet) – form on file

• Summary of discussion w/participant – in a case file

• Whether assessment was required/voluntary – in a case note

• Copy of signed release of information – form on file

• Assessment results – document on file.

• Impact on participation and employment – in a case note

• Support services (transportation and child care) – on WF1 or in EP

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Update Employment Plans to:

Incorporate assessment activities.

Treatment (including continuation of care activities) may be included in an EP on a voluntary basis for participants in the 1st 60 months on assistance.

Include and require treatment recommendations in the EP as a condition of an MFIPextension.

Clearly indicate in the EP whether the activity is required or voluntary.

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