Narrative: c.

(c) Ensure that parents and caretakers receiving assistance engage in work in accordance with section 407 (section 402(a)(1)(A)(iii) of the Social Security Act). Consistent with the required strategic elements discussed in section II (a)(2) herein, provide a specific analysis of how the State’s workforce development activities are addressing employment and training services for parents or caretakers receiving assistance.

State policy and procedures are in place to identify TCA Work Eligible Individuals (WEI).  WEIs are identified by case managers or employment specialists in the Local Department of Social Services (LDSS) and coded in the Enrollment and Eligibility and Enrollment (E&E) system as such.  Work Eligible Individuals are an adult or minor child head of household receiving assistance under TANF or SSP or a non-recipient parent living with a child receiving assistance.

When identifying WEIs within its TCA caseload, Maryland first removes from consideration its solely state-funded households, as these cases are neither in TANF nor in SSP-MOE.  Then the WEI exempt cases are sorted in the following categories:  Parent headed SSI (and SSDI parent headed cases in which the SSDI was awarded after the family received assistance and that the State opts not to include in the denominator), caretaker relative headed child-only cases, and caring for a disabled household member cases.  Teen parents who are not heads of household will not be defined as WEIs.  Maryland will opt to include in the WEI numerator and denominator, on a case-by-case basis, SSI or SSDI parent headed cases where the parent is engaged in a work activity 30 or more hours per week or 20 or more hours for single parents with a child under six years of age.  Maryland will also opt to include child under one cases where the parent is engaged in a work activity for 20 or more hours per week. We will make an on-going review of possible changes in the work status of the WEI.  These can occur when the family member leaves the household. All TCA recipients are required by our current regulations to report changes in household composition and other factors that affect programs requirements. All WEIs are assessed and assigned to participate in appropriate Federal core and non-core activities and approved state defined activities. All participation hours are tracked via weekly attendance sheets the WEIs must turn in. The case managers and/or employment specialists verify the hours of participation. 

To ensure that individuals receiving assistance are engaging in work, there is a sanctioning process in place for noncompliance. Refer to Section (a), Failure to Comply with Program Requirements. Also Section (a) refers to the TANF Workforce Development Programs description that discusses how LDSS workforce development activities are addressing employment and training services for individuals receiving assistance.