You are here:  DOL Web Site Training Welfare-To-Work Connecticut Department of Labor - Jobs First and Welfare to Work Programs - Desk Aid for Collecting and Using Sensitive, Personal Information

	Background
	Principles For All Employment Services Staff Regarding Collecting And Using Sensitive, Personal Information
	Suggested Script For Collecting And Using Sensitive, Personal Information

BACKGROUND 

Mandatory participants of the TANF employment services program (Jobs First Employment Services) are required to engage in activities to become and remain independent of welfare.  If they do not comply with their employment plan without good cause, they may be sanctioned by the Department of Social Services.  This is a reduction of welfare benefits.  These participants have 21 months to become  independent of welfare.  If they have not been successful by the end of the time limit, they may be granted 6-month extensions if they have made a good faith effort to comply with their employment plan activities.  The Department of Social Services is the TANF agency, but the Department of Labor is responsible by law for administering the employment services part of the program.  The Department of Labor administers the program through the Workforce Investment Boards and also by providing direct job search type services through DOL staff in the field. 

The employees asking these questions are case workers at the Department of Social Services and case managers at community based organizations under contract with the Workforce Investment Boards.  The Workforce Investment Boards are the local administrators of service contractors for the TANF Jobs First and  federal Welfare to Work programs.  DOL employees do not ask the questions.  These questions would be asked in the course of conducting an individual employability assessment for the purposes of constructing an employment plan to assist the individual to become independent from welfare and reach self-sufficiency.  The DSS workers and case managers for Jobs First and Welfare to Work are responsible for referring the participant to appropriate services and activities to help them achieve the goals of their employment plan. 

DSS workers and case managers for Jobs First and Welfare to Work do not provide job counseling or job placement themselves – these services are provided by other entities to which the participant is referred.  Activities can include, but are not limited to, job search, job readiness training, job placement, finishing high school or obtaining a GED, occupational skills training, post-secondary education, seeing a counselor or appropriate health professional for assessment and treatment of barriers to employment.  

DOL
8/22/00

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PRINCIPLES FOR ALL EMPLOYMENT SERVICES STAFF REGARDING COLLECTING AND USING SENSITIVE, PERSONAL INFORMATION 

1.      We uphold respect for a participant’s privacy. 

We have no ‘right’ to this information.  Such information is personal and belongs to the participant.  Having such information may help us do our job.  And our having it may help the participant.  However, access to this information is still not a right.   

2.      The decision to disclose sensitive, personal information belongs entirely to the participant. 

If a participant chooses not to disclose such information, we may not use any pressure or coercion to obtain it.  We have no right to it.   

3.      The participant retains complete authority over how this information is used. 

This includes recording and sharing of information.  The exception to this is information that gives staff reasonable cause to suspect there may be issues of child abuse or neglect.  A child’s safety overrides a person’s right to privacy.   

4.      We hold all disclosed information confidentially and professionally. 

Information is shared only within the context of assisting a participant complete their employment plan and only with the participant’s express consent.  Again, the exception to this are matters of child abuse or neglect.

5.      We do not necessarily ‘solve’ a participant’s personal problems.  However, we can find others who may help her or him. 

Our work is employment focused.  However, if those we work with need other services, we can help them find these services. 

6.      We assist participants to get and to keep employment even though problem areas in their lives may remain. 

We work with people with difficult problems and, in conjunction with the participant, try to figure out how a person gets and keeps a job despite the difficulty.  Problems often do not ‘go away.’  We learn how to manage our lives  -  job, problems and all.  

DOL
8/22/00

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SUGGESTED SCRIPT FOR COLLECTING AND USING SENSITIVE, PERSONAL INFORMATION 

“Sometimes, matters in our private lives affect us at work or in class.  These are things like health concerns, math and reading difficulties and stressful situations with our families and friends.  So although these are private matters, we like to address these areas so that we can work with them. 

If I have your permission I would like to ask you several questions about these areas.  I will use your answers to determine what kind of activities to include in your employment plan.  Also, if any of these areas are concerns for you, you may already be taking steps to address them.  If this is the case, I want to be sure that I don’t include a requirement in your plan that will conflict with what you are doing.  The only reason for me to ask these questions is so that we can figure out which activities are best for you.  If you do not want me to ask the questions, you can stop me at any time.  Or, if you like, you may answer some questions and not others.   There is no penalty at all for not answering.  May I continue? 

Thank you.  May I also record your answers in the computer system?  I would do this for two reasons.  One, so that I have all information about your case in one place.  Two, if other people work with you, they will be able to see what we’re working on and why.  Only staff people involved in the employment services program would see this, and only so that they can do a better job of helping you.   

Thank you.  It’s not unusual for people to have difficulty with reading or math.  Most jobs with career potential require reading or math skills.  Fortunately, there are ways to compensate or work with these difficulties.  Now, I would like to ask you three questions related to math and reading.  Is that okay with you?   If you find that you do not want to answer a particular question, just say, “No answer.” 

• Have you ever been diagnosed with a learning disability? 

• Do you have trouble learning or remembering new information?

• Did you ever stay back in school or receive extra help, or were you ever in a special program? 

Thanks.  Again, if I have your permission, I would like to ask four questions related to alcohol and drugs.  This is a sensitive area.  Some people do not think we should ask these questions because there are people who work that use alcohol or drugs.  However, we often find that using alcohol or drugs can causes patterns that prevents someone from getting a job or keeping a job once they get it.  So, we try to find whether a person’s use of alcohol or drugs have to be taken into consideration when developing an employment plan.  May I ask four questions on this topic?  If you find that you do not want to answer a particular question, just say, “No answer.”

• Do you drink alcohol or use drugs?   (Note: if participant answers yes, proceed to next four questions.)

• Have you ever felt you should cut down on your drinking/use of drugs?

• Have people ever annoyed you by criticizing your drinking/use of drugs?

• Have you ever had a drink or fix first thing in the morning?

•  Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your drinking/use of drugs?

Thank you.  I have three questions regarding health and medical concerns?   Some health issues completely prevent a person from working or going to training.  Most people with health concerns, however, are able to work on or go to school.  If you have health concerns, we can work with you on ways to prevent them from interfering with your job or training.  May I ask you these questions?  If you find that you do not want to answer a particular questions, just say, “No answer.” 

• Have you ever received treatment for a mental/psychological condition (anxiety, depression, stress, etc.)?

• Do you ever feel too sad, too anxious or too confused to go to work, school or to meet your other responsibilities?

• Do you have any health issues or special needs that would prevent or limit you from participating in employment plan activities?

Thank you.  The last area that I want to address is domestic violence.  This is probably the most difficult issue we raise.  Our reason for raising it is that if an individual is in this situation, we do not want to require that she do anything that might increase the risk of danger.  I have to tell you that if what you tell me indicates that your child may  not be safe, I have to let DCF know. May I ask you these questions?  There are two of them.  If you find that you do not want to answer a particular question, just say, “No answer.” 

• Do you ever feel unsafe at home because of someone in your life?

• In the last year, has anyone tried to control what you do, where you go, your money, telephone, health care or your relationships with your family and friends?

Thank you.  Before we go on, I would like to give you the number for Infoline.  Infoline was discussed at the intake/orientation meeting.  They provide names and numbers of child care providers.  They also can give you the names and numbers of agencies and people that can help with some of the issues I just asked you about.  If you ever want to follow up on any of these areas on your own, give them a call.  This number is different from the number Infoline has for child care questions.  Phones calls to Infoline are confidential.   

DOL
8/22/00

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Published by the Connecticut Department of Labor, Project Management Office