Employment First Assessment Tool & Rules (HCS/TxHmL/CLASS/DBMD)

by | Dec 1, 2023

December 1st, 2023

As of Nov. 14, 2023, service coordinators and case managers in the CLASS, DBMD, HCS, TxHmL waiver programs and STAR+PLUS Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) must use the Employment First Discovery Tool as part of the service planning process to explore an individual’s desire to work.

Review IL 2023-41 Employment First Discovery Tool for more information.

Be sure to sign up for :

Employment First Discover Tool Webinar

Jan. 10, 2024

10–11 a.m.

Register here to attend the webinar.

Email questions to John Huffine.

November 13th, 2023

Employment First Discovery Tool:

HHSC publishes a newly, updated Employment First Discovery Tool (Form 8401) and accompanying instructions based on the rule implementation related to Senate Bill 50, 87th Legislature, Regular Session, 2021. Effective November 14, 2023, use of the tool is required to ensure that individuals who want to work receive employment services from the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) or through the Medicaid waiver program in which the individual is enrolled.

Impacted programs:

  • Community Living Assistance and Support Services (CLASS)
  • Deaf-Blind with Multiple Disabilities (DBMD) programs
  • Home and Community-Based Services (HCS)
  • Texas Home Living (TxHmL)
  • STAR+PLUS Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS)

HHSC has published IL 2023-41 Employment First Discovery Tool. Beginning on November 14, 2023, service coordinators and case managers in the CLASS, DBMD, HCS, TxHmL waiver programs, and STAR+PLUS Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) must use the Employment First Discovery Tool as part of the service planning process to explore an individual’s desire to work.

The tool with instructions is located under the Forms section on the respective program areas HHSC webpage.

June 5th, 2023

IL 2023-22

Employment First Assessment Tool: Proposed Rules

The employment first assessment tool should be utilized to ensure individuals receiving services through HCS, CLASS, DBMD & TxHmL, who want to work receive employment services from TWC.
The Information Letter and proposed rules (informal comment period)  presented below are the result of SB 50 (Zaffirini), 87th Texas Legislature.
SB 50 
IL 2023-22, Employment First Uniform Assessment Tool:  As indicated in the Information Letter, upon adoption of the rules, Service Coordinators and Case Managers will be required to use the assessment tool to assess an individual’s desire to work.  Though not required now, until the rules are adopted, which will supposedly be by this fall.
**HHSC is encouraging Service Coordinators (HCS/TxHmL) and Case Managers to begin using the tool.

Home and Community-Based Services (HCS) and Texas Home Living (TxHmL) – During the completion of the Service Coordination Assessment (Form 8647), the service coordinator asks the person about their desire to work. Document the person’s response on Form 8647.

If the individual indicates a desire to work, the service coordinator must complete the Employment First Uniform Assessment and make a referral to Texas Workforce Commission or refer the person for employment services through the waiver program where the person is enrolled.

Employment First Uniform Assessment   Form 8401

The draft rules and instructions for submitting comments can be found at the following link under Draft Rules (see Project #22R102): https://www.hhs.texas.gov/regulations/policies-rules/health-human-services-rulemaking/comment-proposed-draft-rules