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Basic Assistance - same as Temporary Assistance.

Child Care - Income eligibility for child care exists when the adjusted gross income does not exceed the 138% poverty maximum based on the household size. Temporary Assistance households are automatically eligible for child care. For households who show a need for child care will include a statement to show how Child Care Assistance supports the family’s employability plan. If participants are in educational components, they must be attending at least half time as defined by the facility. The participant must make satisfactory progress in the educational component and be able to document this progress. The course of study must be consistent with a reasonable goal as reflected in an individual employment plan. A reasonable goal is one that leads to employment and/or increases the family’s self-reliance. Additionally, early childhood programs increase licensed child care slots and provide early learning opportunities for eligible families with children up to the age when the child is eligible to enter kindergarten. These programs include Home Visitation (185% of the federal poverty level), and Early Head Start Programs (185% of the federal poverty level).

Summer Food Service Program: Eligible participants include: children 0 through 18 years of age whose family incomes are less than or equal to 185 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) helps assure that eligible populations have access to nutritious meals during the summer months. When school is not in session, SFSP provides reimbursement to community agencies offering the required continuum of meals. SFSP contracts with schools and other community-based organizations to sponsor the local programs and provide meals that meet established guidelines. By increasing the nutrient intake of program participants, SFSP reduces their risk for health problems and enhances their learning capacities. The program also improves the quality of the summer programs offered in areas of economic need.

Food Bank(s): Eligible participants include families with children 0 through 18 years of age whose family incomes are less than or equal to 185 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. The Food Banks provide food to emergency food programs, which include local food pantries, soup kitchens, and short-term emergency shelters.

Domestic Violence Crisis Services: Eligible participants include families with children 0 through 18 years of age whose family incomes are less than or equal to 185 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Services include both shelter and non-residential domestic violence services: meeting the needs of families in a crisis by providing housing, counseling, health supplies, clothing, and related crisis services. All services are less than 120 days in duration.

Homeless Shelters: Eligible participants include families with children 0 through 18 years of age whose family incomes are less than or equal to 185 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Services include: shelter services for less than 120 days, serving families facing an immediate homelessness crisis.

After-School Programs. Eligible participants include: children 0 through 18 years of age whose family incomes are less than or equal to 185 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. The general purpose of the Boys & Girls Club is to promote the health, social educational, vocational, and character development of youth. It provides constructive leisure time activities and guidance under trained leadership. Traditionally the Boys & Girls Club focuses on assisting youth from low-income families. Many Boys & Girls Clubs serve youth from other economic levels making certain to include the poorer youth. Boys & Girls Clubs generally are located in low-income areas, where cost of membership is low so that it is within the reach of every youth on an equal basis so the least interested youth will be encouraged to try membership.

Caring Communities - Out of School Support. Eligible participants include: children 0 through 18 years of age whose family incomes are less than or equal to 185 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. The Local Investment Commission (LINC) is a neighborhood-based community governance body that seeks to provide opportunity and services to low-income families. One of the services LINC provides is support for school and neighborhood services in multiple school districts. LINC operates out-of-school programs in area districts and charter schools, implementing federal 21st Century Community Learning Center grants. LINC provides referrals to the families in its community that are in need of emergency assistance, utility assistance, health services support, and access to food, to agencies and community programs that can provide the appropriate assistance. The Out of School Support provides after-school activities, homework help, and general mentorship to school-age children.

Caring Communities- Community Support: Eligible participants include: children 0 through 18 years of age whose family incomes are less than or equal to 185 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. The Local Investment Commission (LINC) is a neighborhood-based community governance body that seeks to provide opportunity and services to low-income families. Services include emergency assistance, parental engagement activities, utility assistance, and food assistance.

Community Partnerships - Community Initiatives: The portion of funding serving families claimed for purposes of TANF MOE are those with family income not above 185% of the federal poverty level with children less than 18 years of age. Capable Kids and Families (CKF) programs promote early intervention for families who have a child with a developmental delay or disability. Services provided connect families to community resources and focus on children’s potential for development. Families feel less isolated, build coping skills, and are able to help their child learn and develop. By participating in this program, parents are able to provide a safe, secure, structured home environment that promotes the family and responsible parenting so that children may be cared for in their own homes. This program meets TANF purpose 1.

Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) - JAG is a 35-year-old non-profit and employment program dedicated to helping at-risk young people to graduate from high school and make successful transitions to postsecondary education and meaningful employment. JAG is a voluntary in-school program that counts as a high school elective.

Alternatives to Abortion: The portion of funding serving families claimed for purposes of TANF MOE are those with family income not above 185% of the federal poverty level, and only allowable services for TANF funding. The goals of the Alternative to Abortion (A2A) program include: improving pregnancy outcomes by helping women practice sound health-related behaviors; improving child health and development by helping parents provide more responsible and competent care for their children so that children may be cared for in their own homes; and improving families’ economic self-sufficiency by helping parents continue their education and find employment which will end their dependence on government benefits. Services are provided to pregnant women and families for up to one year following childbirth. This program meets TANF purpose 1 and 2.

Adult High School Program - The Adult High School program provides funding for a Missouri nonprofit organization to operate four adult high schools, licensed and contracted by DESE, to offer individuals, age 21 and over, industry certification programs, provide diplomas, and on-site child care. The program allows an adult student to complete required coursework at his/her own pace and as available through the adult high school. Preference will be given to a student who receives any local, state, or federal assistance in which a person or family is required not to exceed a certain income level in order to qualify for the assistance.

Program Administration: Program administration costs are used to support basic assistance program, which is the same as Temporary Assistance.

Missouri Work Assistance (MWA): The MWA program provides services to families receiving Temporary Assistance (TA) to assist them in engaging in job preparation and work activities. The goal is for families to become independent of the need for cash assistance. Services include the provision of training, education, and employment preparation that will lead to employment within the shortest time possible. An assessment is completed to identify strengths and resources, identify and remove barriers, and prepare and assist them in securing and maintaining employment to attain self sufficiency.

Utilicare Program: The portion of funding serving families with children under 18 years of age are claimed for purposes of TANF MOE. The Utilicare program helps families with income below 135% of the federal poverty level meet their immediate energy needs. Priority is given to families with disabled household members and children under 5 years of age. The program provides utility assistance to needy families. These families have limited resources for living expenses and may be at risk of termination of utility service and/or eviction. Utilicare helps ensure these children may be cared for in their own homes, providing parents with assistance that will help them to become self-sufficient.

Data Processing: Data processing costs include the cost are used to support basic assistance program, which is the same as Temporary Assistance.

Activities Promoting Responsible Fatherhood: The portion of funding claimed for purposes of TANF MOE are those families with income not above 185% of the federal poverty level. The activities funded may include: involving fathers in the lives of their children; improving fathers economic stability through subsidized employment; financial counseling and planning; reconnecting with their children when returning home from incarceration; and skill-based parenting education. Participation in these programs reduces dependence on government assistance by promoting job preparation and work, and encourages the formation and maintenance of two parent families. This program meets TANF purpose 2 and 4.

Character Education: This program is offered to all interested teachers, school personnel, and parents with no income or resource restrictions. This program provides professional development for teachers, school personnel, and parents to enable them to meet Show-Me Standards for schools. By providing a good learning base and promoting and supporting children’s learning, teachers, school personnel and parents encourage a delay in sexual activity, raise self-esteem, improve problem-solving and coping abilities, and promote goal setting and career choices.

Parents as Teachers: This program is available to all parents, regardless of income and/or resources. This program focuses on teaching parents about child development and how to promote learning by their children. It provides activities they can do with their child, and provides resources to the parent not otherwise available. By participating in this program, parents are able to provide a safe, secure, structured home environment that promotes the family and responsible parenting.

Missouri Pre-School Program: This program is available to all pre-school age children, regardless of income and/or resources. This program provides funding for high quality early childcare programs to prepare children to enter school. Having quality early childhood education improves brain development and cognitive capacity in children, as well as improving language skills. This means the child is able to communicate his/her needs better, and the child will feel less frustration. Children will develop improved problem-solving skills and coping strategies. The child(ren) also thrive in a setting that provides safety and security and ensures they enter school ready to learn. Increased education also enhances the chances for healthy outcomes for all children. Active parental involvement is a criterion for the pre-school program, which includes participation in Parents as Teachers program and/or parental advisory committee.

Missouri Customer Service Partnership: Eligible participants are young individual’s age 17 - 24 living in their home or a relative’s home with family income under 185% FPL. The Departments of Social Services and Economic Development provide career coaching to young people who are aging out of foster care and transitioning into independence in select customer service occupations. The selected occupations are growing and include employers committed to continuous employee learning and development that ensures they are on a career track. These youth are aging out of foster care, are not on a post-secondary or career path, and volunteer for the program. Participants will have/obtain their high school diploma / HiSET and are ready to earn career-readiness certifications. These jobs teach responsibility, resourcefulness, decisiveness and confidence, while also providing opportunities to learn self-sufficiency. Studies have indicated that educational attainment increases the likelihood that a person will become a supportive member of a two-parent household. Participation in the program decreases the likelihood of dependence on public assistance while preventing and reducing the number of non-marital births for these young adults. Missouri will only claim MOE on those individuals in an approved living arrangement.

State Park Youth Corps (SPYC): Eligible participants are between the ages of 17 - 24 with family income not above 185% of the federal poverty level. Missouri’s Workforce Development Boards in partnership with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Division of State Parks, and the Missouri Department of Economic Development’s Division of Workforce Development administers the program that provides Missouri youth the opportunity to work outdoors improving Missouri’s state parks and historic sites from May 1 through Dec. 31. SPYC employs eligible Missourians at state parks, historic sites and natural areas across Missouri. Participation in the program decreases the likelihood of dependence on public assistance while preventing and reducing the number of non-marital births for these young adults. Missouri will only claim MOE on those individuals in an approved living arrangement for SPYC.

Summer Jobs for Youth: The portion of funding serving youth claimed for purposes of TANF MOE are those with family income not above 185% of the federal poverty level. The youth participating are between the ages of 16 - 24, or are parents of young children themselves. Missouri will only claim MOE on those individuals in an approved living arrangement. Missouri’s Department of Economic Development’s Division of Workforce Development in partnership with local businesses and community groups provides jobs for low income youth during summer months. Participation in the program provides work and supportive services so that children can be cared for in their own homes or in the homes of relatives. Participation in the program also decreases the likelihood of dependence on public assistance while preventing and reducing the number of non-marital births for these young adults. This program meets TANF purpose 1 and 3.

Access Missouri Scholarship Program: The portion of funding serving students claimed for purposes of TANF MOE are those with family income not above 185% of the federal poverty level. The students are between the ages of 17 - 24, or are parents of any age with children less than 18 years of age. Missouri’s Department of Higher Education, Coordinating Board for Higher Education administers this need-based financial assistance award program for low income undergraduate students. Participation in higher education decreases the likelihood of dependence on public assistance by building marketable skills, promoting job preparation, and work, and reduces the number of non-marital births for young adults. Missouri will only claim MOE on those individuals in an approved living arrangement. This program meets TANF purpose 2 and 3.

Activities Promoting Healthy Marriage: The portion of funding claimed for purposes of TANF MOE are those families served with income not above 185% of the federal poverty level. The activities funded may include: public awareness campaigns on the value of healthy marriages; programs that enhance relationship and parenting skills; marriage preparation programs and counseling; financial planning classes; divorce reduction and conflict resolution programs; providing job training to improve economic stability. Participation in these programs reduces dependence on government assistance by promoting job preparation and work, and encourages the formation and maintenance of two parent families. This program meets TANF purpose 2 and 4.

Activities Promoting Responsible Fatherhood: The portion of funding claimed for purposes of TANF MOE are those families with income not above 185% of the federal poverty level. The activities funded may include: involving fathers in the lives of their children; improving fathers economic stability through subsidized employment; financial counseling and planning; reconnecting with their children when returning home from incarceration; and skill-based parenting education. Participation in these programs reduces dependence on government assistance by promoting job preparation and work, and encourages the formation and maintenance of two parent families. This program meets TANF purpose 2 and 4