I. General Questions
What are the counties you serve?
Florida Crown Workforce Board has centers conveniently located within Columbia, Gilchrist, Dixie and Union counties.
Can you tell me where to go to get help with obtaining a GED?
Assistance with obtaining your GED may be available through your county’s Adult Education Program, our Welfare Transition Program or WIA Youth Program.
II. Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Program
How do I apply to receive help from the WIA Program?
WIA services are delivered through the state’s network of One-Stop centers operated by the state’s 24 Regional Workforce Boards. You may visit any of the One-Stop centers to obtain information and assistance in applying for services.
Do I need a high school diploma or GED to be enrolled in the WIA Program? You may not be enrolled into the WIA Program (adult) until such time as you attain your GED. You may be pre-assessed to determine the level of need in basis education skills and referred on to Adult Education at a local training provider. If determined eligible for the WIA Youth Program you may request gas assistance when attending remediation classes and assistance in payment for the GED test on a one time basis.
Can I keep my Pell dollars when I go to school?
The amount of Pell and any additional grant or scholarship funding will be a factor when calculating the amount needed from the WIA Program. Loans will not be included in the Individual Training Account and will be the responsibility of the WIA Program participant.
What determines the type of training a customer can receive?
To be eligible for training services, a customer must demonstrate that the training is needed to upgrade skills and remove barriers to employment. The program would provide an assessment of the individual’s basic and occupational skills and help determine the type of training best suited for that individual. The training must be in an occupation determined in demand for the area and identified on the Targeted Occupations List developed by Labor Market Statistics and approved by Workforce Florida, Inc. Customers are then provided a choice of training providers listed on the State of Florida Approved Training Provider List that provide training in the chosen occupation.
What kind of training can I get?
Training can be either short-term or long-term occupational training that is no longer than two years in duration and that leads to an industry certification in a Targeted Occupation as described in the previous response.
Can my wife and I each receive gas cards for travel to school?
In cases where two individuals from the same household are eligible for WIA and enrolled in training and are traveling to the same training provider and have similar training schedules, only one will be paid for training. If both are eligible for WIA and enrolled in training and are attending different schools, then they may both receive gas assistance.
Will you give me a computer for school?
WIA will pay for those items which are training related costs as described by the training provider, for example tuition, books, state exams, uniforms and tools with a budget for gas allowance.
Will you buy tools, etc. for my job when I start?
WIA may pay for tools of the trade as outlined and confirmed with the employment, on a case-by-case basis.
I understand that training assistance (needs-based payment) is available while I am receiving Unemployment Compensation benefits (UC); is this correct?
No. Our local policy provides that needs-based payments can only be made while the customer is enrolled in training as a continuation/replacement of UI benefits. If UI benefits are reinstated, the need-based payments must be discontinued. Training is for a maximum of 6 months and other eligibility requirements do apply. Needs-based payments may be considered on a case-by-case basis review, including justification, and must be pre-approved in writing by the Executive Director. All other options of income must be investigated, exhausted, and documented before a request is made.
What kind of training can I get?
if you are receiving Unemployment Insurance and funding is available you can receive a needs-related payment while you are enrolled in training with certain limitations.
Training can be either short-term or long-term not to exceed 2 years for completion. The focus of the stimulus is on training that will meet the skill needs of existing and emerging employers and high growth occupations as well as the needs of under-skilled adults. To be eligible for training services, a customer must demonstrate that the training is needed to upgrade skills and remove barriers to employment. The program would provide an assessment of the individual’s basic occupational skills and help determine the4 type of training best suited for that individual. The training must be in an occupation determined in demand for the area and identified on the Targeted Occupations list developed by the Labor Market Statistics and approved by Workforce Florida, Inc. Customers are then provided a choice of training providers that are listed on the Approved Training Provider List.
Can you tell me where to go get help with a GED?
You may not be enrolled into the WIA Program until such time as you attain your GED. You may be pre-assessed to determine the level of need in basis education skills and referred on to Adult Education at a local training provider. If determined eligible for the WIA Youth Program you may request gas assistance when attending remediation classes and assistance in payment for the GED test on a one time basis. Assistance with obtaining your GED may be available through other programs.
Is there a backlog of customers requesting training?
As a general rule, when the economy takes a downturn people turn to training to attempt to get the skills needed to obtain employment in a field that is hiring. Over the past few years funding for training has been cut and that has led to limitations on the number of customers that can be trained. The general decline in the current economy has resulted in even more people requesting training. The stimulus funds have allowed us to increase the number of individuals being provided services.
Who is eligible for WIA Youth Programs?
The WIA Youth Program serves low-income individuals who are 14 to 21 years of age. The stimulus legislation has increased the upper age limit to 24 for programs funded with stimulus funds. The age limit of 21 is still in effect for regular funded WIA Youth Programs. The definition for low-income may be found at any of the local career centers.
III. Welfare Transition Program (WT)
Do you have funding for utility bills, housing assistance, or car repairs?
If the customer is currently receiving cash assistance, has an open case and is in compliance, he/she may be eligible for assistance. Determinations are made on a case by case basis.
Why do I have to complete 33 hours per week for cash assistance?
The State makes it mandatory for any customer who is receiving cash assistance and/or Food Stamps to do some sort of activity in exchange for their benefits. These activities may consist of CWEP, WE, Vocational Training, Job Search or Job Club.
How can I get a childcare referral?
If you are receiving cash assistance and have an open case with Florida Crown or if your case has closed with employment within the past 2 years, you may be eligible for a childcare referral. You will need to see a Florida Crown Welfare Transition Career Manager for eligibility.
When do I start getting gas cards?
Once your cash is approved and you begin your activity you will be eligible to receive gas cards.
How can I get my sanction lifted for cash assistance?
If your case is currently sanctioned, you will need to reapply for your benefits through DCF. Once you have complied with wages and served your penalty period you may be eligible to receive cash again.
Do I have to participate if I do not have transportation?
Yes, you will still need to participate if you do not have transportation. Not having transportation is not considered a good cause reason for non-participation for this region. We will issue gas cards to assist with transportation problems.
Can I get Up-Front Diversion?
If you have applied for cash assistance and been deemed eligible to receive the cash but it has not been posted to your EBT card and you have obtained suitable employment then you may be eligible for Up-Front Diversion.
How long is the TABE Survey Test good for?
It is good for six (6) months within our organization. If you have not taken the TABE Survey within the last six (6) months you will need to take it again. We do not offer the full TABE Battery.
Can I get help with relocation?
If you currently have an open Cash Assistance case with Florida Crown or have been deemed eligible to receive cash through DCF you may be eligible for relocation assistance. It was designed to assist families who have significant barriers to finding and retaining employment to relocate to communities where there will be greater opportunities for attaining self sufficiency. To be eligible, you must have secured employment with an increased salary, have family support in the new area, enrolled in educational programs resulting in employment or be a victim of domestic violence.
IV. Wagner-Peyser and Unemployment
Is this the Unemployment office?
No the only Unemployment office left is in Tallahassee. All communications are handled by phone, mail, fax or internet only.
Is this where I file my Unemployment claim?
You are welcome to use our internet resources or faxing resources, as available. We have the application available to you; however we are not the Unemployment office and cannot assist beyond providing the resources mentioned so that you can apply for your initial Unemployment benefit claim and weekly benefit claims.
Why haven't I received my Unemployment check?
We are unable to answer that question. Customers need to contact Unemployment in Tallahassee regarding their Unemployment.
Can I still receive Unemployment benefits while attending school?
Yes, but you will still have to do 2-3 job searches per week. Tallahassee would have to approve or disapprove any training as exemption from job searches as we are not the Unemployment office and are unable to make those determinations.
How do I get my Unemployment check?
Contact Unemployment in Tallahassee regarding any issue with Unemployment compensation outside of assistance with resources for filing your initial claim and weekly benefit claims.
V. Veterans Services
What about Veteran services?
Veterans receive priority of service at Florida Crown, and any question can be answered by any staff member. Your veterans’ status is determined by your service for 6 months of active duty excluding training and receiving a discharge other than dishonorable. This excludes National Guard and reservist unless you have been called to federal active duty, not State duty. The LVER (Local Veteran's Employment Representative) is also available to assist, however his main duties are to contact local employers with "Hire Vets 1st program". By appointment he can assist you in the effective use of EFM's job search service and advise on other available services.
VI. Navigator Program
What is the Disability Navigator Program?
The Disability Navigator Program is designed to assist persons with disabilities who want to work.
What is a Navigator?
A resource coordinator, problem solver, relationship builder and systems change agent. Not a case manager or frontline staff person
Do I have to prove I have a disability?
No. People often have undiagnosed or yet to be diagnosed disabilities.
Do I have to be receiving social security benefits to participate in the Navigator Program?
No.
If I have a Social Security Ticket to Work, do I have to assign my ticket?
While Florida Crown is a designated Employment Network and does accept Social Security’s Ticket to Work you do not have to assign your ticket. The Ticket to Work Program is voluntary and so is your choice to assign your ticket. You will receive quality services even if you do not have or decide not to assign your ticket.
Isn’t the Navigator Program and Vocational Rehabilitation the same thing?
No. Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) can provide eligible persons with a wide variety of services but they are not the same services provided by Florida Crown through the Navigator Program.
Can I go through VR and still participate in the Navigator Program?
Yes. While VR and Navigator provide different services we are mandated partners and work together to help ensure customer’s needs are met.
What supportive services are available through the Navigator Program?
You will be assessed for needs and barriers and then provided referrals to other agencies or programs to meet your needs. Any barriers to Florida Crown program access will be addressed and accommodated.
Where can I get more information on this program?
You can get more information by calling or visiting Florida Crown at one of our four locations or you can speak to the Navigator in person by calling (386) 755-9026 X 3114. You can also access the following website http://www.onestoptoolkit.org/
