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:
The State includes the following activities in its definition of work activity:
- Unsubsidized paid employment
- Subsidized paid employment
- Work experience
- On-the-job training
- Job search and job readiness assistance
- Life skills training
- Community service
- Vocational education including internships and practicums
- Job skills training related to employment
- Education related to employment for a parent who has not completed high school or equivalent
- Volunteering in a child’s licensed child care, pre-school or elementary school
- Internships
- Practicums
- Participation in other services to become employable to the extent federally countable such as
- Mental health services
- Family violence services
- Substance abuse services
- Participation in post-employment activities to the extent federally countable
What criteria will Washington State use to determine whether a parent or caretaker relative is ready to engage in work before 24 months?
The State requires all WorkFirst participants to undergo an evaluation/screening to determine most appropriate activities for initial engagement. Per this evaluation, if determined ‘work ready’ based on current or recent work experience, the participant may enter into a job search activity initially.
What criteria has the State established relative to a single custodial parent’s “demonstrated inability” to obtain needed child care?
The State recognizes that informed choice is consistent with individual responsibility and that parents should be given a range of options for available child care while participating in the WorkFirst Program. Criteria established for “demonstrated inability” to obtain needed child care include:
- Is not affordable – costs more than the co-payment would be under the state’s primary subsidized child care program, Working Connections Child Care (WCCC)
- Is not appropriate – not licensed, certified or approved under federal, state, or tribal law and regulations for the type of care used or there is no appropriate and approved relative or in-home provider available
- Does not meet the level of care required for a child with special medical or behavioral health needs
- Is not within a reasonable distance – within reach without traveling farther than is normally expected in the community