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:
- Based on assessment, parents and needy caretaker relatives who are not otherwise exempt or temporarily excluded from participation will, in collaboration with a case manager, develop an Individual Employment Plan (IEP) to assist individuals in overcoming barriers to employment by developing a job readiness plan.
- Agencies that contract or have agreements with Family Support Division for work and training activities are responsible for placing families referred to them by Family Support Division in a work activity as outlined below. Federal, state and agency policy related to work activities, hours of participation; exemptions, exclusions, and good cause for not participating in a work activity are followed. In Missouri, work participation services are called Missouri Work Assistance (MWA).
- The Family Support Division requires providers must make referrals to mental health providers, substance abuse service providers, domestic violence service providers, support groups, and any other entities to help recipients find appropriate resources and services to achieve the goal of employment and economic self-sufficiency. This collaboration is to be structured to include contacts and an infrastructure to facilitate access by Temporary Assistance recipients and their families.
- Missouri is using a “Best Interest of the Participant” approach when assisting participants.
- An individual in a single-parent family with a child age six or older is engaged in work if s/he participates an average of 30 hours per week.
- A single custodial parent or caretaker relative with a child under age six is engaged in core work activities if the individual participates in work activities for at least an average of 20 hours per week.
- If the individual is a single custodial parent caring for a child under age six and if the individual has demonstrated the inability to work as determined by the Family Support, the Family Support Division shall not reduce assistance because of the individual’s refusal to engage in required work because of one or more of the following reasons:
- Unavailability of appropriate child care within reasonable distance from the individual’s home or work site;
- Unavailability or unsuitability of informal child care by a relative or under other arrangements; or
- Unavailability of appropriate and affordable child care arrangements.
- Workforce Development Expansion Program: The workforce development program expansion projects funded through TANF will serve Food Stamp recipients with child(ren) at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level. The Food Stamp recipients will be enrolled in the SkillUP program which provides a variety of employment and training services through multiple providers to reduce and end the dependency on government benefits. These funds will also allow for short-term payment of services to ensure the participant’s success, such as, childcare copayments; housing assistance; and utilities. This program meets TANF purpose 2.