Located in:
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
States that include TANF in the Combined State Plan must outline how the State will meet the requirements of section 402 of the Social Security Act including how it will:
(OMB Control Number: 0970-0145)
b. Require a parent or caretaker receiving assistance to engage in work (defined by the State) once the State determines the parent or caretaker is ready to engage in work, or once he or she has received 24 months of assistance, whichever is earlier, consistent with the child care exception at 407(e)(2) (section 402(a)(1)(A)(ii) of the Social Security Act)
Current Narrative:
Assessment and Individualized Plans: All Colorado Works work eligible clients will have a Workforce Development Screening completed within thirty (30) calendar days from the date of application consisting of an evaluation of basic skills, past employment, and employability. Once referred to Workforce Development, all Colorado Works work eligible clients are given a State prescribed workforce assessment that focuses on identifying what services and assistance will best support the family in achieving economic stability and particularly are centered on obtaining meaningful employment. . All workforce assessments, both initial and ongoing, are individualized and include formal and informal evaluations to determine strengths and challenges to obtaining economic stability, such as recent work history and skills, education level, needs of the assistance unit, and other relevant factors. Counties must use the state prescribed workforce assessment tool in order to fully develop a suitable and individualized plan. All individualized plans identify a long-term outcome or goal for lasting economic security, and are intended to support not only the process components of work participation and verification, but specific actions, activities, and supports Strategies and accommodations to address challenges are included in the individualized plan developed from the assessment, and roles are clearly delineated.
Colorado places a strong emphasis on employment as the most likely path to economic stability for families in need of assistance, and as such, works closely with existing agencies at the State and county levels to ensure service integration and innovative practices. This includes partnerships with the State’s Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Workforce Investment Board, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Higher Education and Community Colleges, and local workforce and education partners.
Work Eligible Individuals: Work eligible individuals are identified through logic in the Colorado Benefits Management System (CBMS), which is the State’s eligibility and work program tracking system for Colorado Works clients, as well as other public assistance. Colorado has executed sanctions since PRWORA was signed into law in 1996. Non-recipient parents are not considered work eligible individuals in Colorado for reasons outlined in the TANF Final Rule, such as non-citizen status and minor parents who are not a head of household. Colorado does not include SSI recipients in the work participation rate calculations. CBMS identifies cases where a parent is caring for a disabled family member and should not be categorized as a work eligible individual. County departments are trained and formally advised of the need to document medical verifications in the case file for this purpose. Medical verification will be updated at each redetermination of Colorado Works eligibility, or before, if warranted. A family member for the purpose of this coding is considered to be any person living in the household who is dependent on the work eligible individual(s) for care and receiving financial support.
Colorado employs a separate state program for a domestic violence program, not for programs which provide TANF employment assistance.