Paper and Process: How Youth Programs Manage Program Intake, Individual Service Strategy Development, and Case Files.

This guide presents information and materials to help youth programs manage program intake, design an individual service strategy (ISS) as mandated in the Workforce Investment Act, and manage case files. The materials are based on information obtained from staff working in seven successful youth workforce investment programs in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Washington DC, and West Virginia. Section 1, which focuses on the intake process, discusses strategies for creating a user-friendly enrollment process (using customer checklists, staff tape recorders, and staggered intake sessions to streamline the enrollment process) and steps in designing an objective assessment process to review applicants' academic and occupational skills and identify their service needs. Section 2 presents guidelines for developing an ISS approach that identifies each applicant's employment goal, appropriate achievement objectives, and appropriate services to achieve those objectives. Specific guidelines for two approaches to the ISS process the compliance approach and the integrated case management approach--are outlined. Section 3 explains how to integrate paper and electronic files, organize case files, and ensure that files are accurate. The following items are appended: (1) program summaries; (2) sample forms and procedures from actual successful youth workforce development programs; and (3)descriptions of tools for assessing life skills, basic skills, occupational skills, and interests and aptitudes. (MN)