WorkForce21   PA State Sample TANF Amendments 10/1/2000

WorkForce21 ANALYSIS OF PROPOSED TANF AMENDMENTS (Pennsylvania Sample as Published by Pa. DPW in June 10, 2000 Pennsylvania Bulletin) The expressed intent of this Notice was to alert all interested parties of the impending modification of the permitted use of state TANF funds to finance the provision of "11 initiatives that that provide certain work supports and other services to ELIGIBLE LOW-INCOME FAMILIES." This represents a significant philosophical change from the prior interpretation of eligibility which required that only CASH-RECEIVING welfare clients be entitled to these vital services. There other conditions which should be noted including: - these support services will not cound towards the 60 month TANF limits - clients receiving these services are not subject to the TANF work requirements - clients receiving these services are not suject to Federal child support requirements - the new term to be applied to these services is "non-assistance" Under 45 CFR 260.31, the term "non-assistance" is defined as: - Non-recurrent, short-term benefits that: · are designed to deal with a specific crisis situation or episode of need; · are not intended to meet recurrent or on-going needs; and · will not extend beyond 4 months. - Work subsidies (payments to employers or 3rd parties to help cover the costs of employee wages, benefits, supervision or training); - Supportive services such as CHILD CARE OR TRANSPORTATION provided to families who are employed; - Services such as counseling, case management, peer support, child care information and referral, transitional services, job retention, job advancement and other employment-related services that do not provide basic income support. Based upon the availability of resources, DPW intends to provide funding included in the Fiscal Year 2000-2001 budget to eligible recipients for these non-assistance services. Each of the 11 initiatives has varying criteria for eligibility. For example, a "needy" family is defined as "a minor child and his/her parent(s) or other adult-specified relative with whom he/she lives. Pregnant women are also included. The following summaries describe those 11 initiatives. PA DPW "11 NON-ASSISTANCE INITIATIVES" 1) Job Retention, Advancement and Rapid-Re-employment Services. - Needy families within gross income under 235% FPIG - Families not served by existing contracted programs - Designed to retain and advance clients 2) Place-Based Employment Options. - Needy families with gross income under 235% of FPIG - Designed for to develop collaborations within public housing communities - Job readiness/preparation, job search and life skills classes are preferred - 2 main service components are: · employment-related activities and services · community support including fostering work-related information sharing through peer support and aid from other residents 3) The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) Initiative. - Needy current & former TANF families with gross income under 235% of FPIG - Financial support in the form of loans, grants and work-study opportunities may be made available to assist certain eligible, needy individuals with the costs associated with attending post-secondary educational programs 4) The Community College Program. - Needy current & former TANF families with gross income under 235% of FPIG - Supplements "Up Front Job Placement Program" by enrolling individuals who have participated in Up Front programming with access to a variety of community college programs - Intensive case management services will be provided BY THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE - Blending "Up Front" and the Community College Initiative encourages individuals who may be new to the welfare rolls to engage early in employment-based training - DPW will also set aside $$ for community colleges to design and develop remedial curricula for working TANF or former TANF families. 5) Childcare Provided to Employed Families. - Needy current & former TANF families with gross income under 235% of FPIG - Provides subsidized childcare benefits to eligible employed families needing childcareto participate in subsidized/unsubsidized employment or education/training activities. 6) Workforce Investment Boards (WIBS) Transportation Grant Initiative. - Needy families with gross income under 235% of FPIG - Provides $$ for additional transportation services to employed families in an effort to resolve specific public transportation-related barriers, including linkages to childcare, and 2nd and 3rd shift employment for those transitioning to self-sufficiency. 7) Eyeglass and Hearing Device Initiative. - Needy current & former TANF families with gross income under 235% of FPIG - Provides a cost-limited, non-recurring short-term benefit toward the actual cost of the purchase of eyeglasses and/or hearing exams or devices to help client seek and maintain employment - Available through the DPW Employment and Training Program-contracted provider in whose program they are participating. 8) The Workforce Investment Act's (WIA) Youth Development Program - Eligible youth between 14 and 21 who are enrolled in the Summer Youth Program administered through local WIB's. - The following goals are supported: · improving educational achievement · preparing for and succeeding in employment · supporting life-skill development · developing youth potential, including leadership opportunities 9) Clients with Mental Health, Substance Abuse, Developmental and Learning Disabilities and Related Barriers to Employment- Non Medical. - Needy current & former TANF families with gross income under 235% of FPIG - Provides specialized services to enable eligible TANF families to begin employment or continue to work - Specialized services include: · mental health services · anger management counseling · non-medical substance abuse counseling · assessment and evaluation for developmental and learning disabilities · assistive technology and equipment · vocational rehabilitation services for physical or mental disabilities  *** (Continuation of services proved critical in helping families find employment to assist in maintaining that employment- DPW must approve such services on a case-by-case process) 10) The Fatherhood Initiative. - Non-custodial parents of TANF minor dependent children with gross income of non- custodial parent under 235% of FPIG - Designed to: · assist non-custodial mother or father of TANF minor dependent children to return to school and obtain High School diploma or GED · develop responsible parenting skills · become positive role models for their children · become productive citizens of their communities - Services to include: · intensive case management · anger management · parenting and child development education · problem-solving skills. 11) Home Access Program Initiative. - Needy families with gross income under 235% of FPIG - Provide assistance to repair homes through non-recurring, short-term benefits to low-income families housing a disabled adult or child - May provide help with initial purchase that needs repairs or a with the repairs of an existing home - Benefits may be offered to homeowners and potential homeowners to support efforts to become self-sufficient and secure or retain work - Issues that address barriers to persons with disabilities making it difficult to enter or leave their living quarters to seek and maintain employment. This includes barriers which arise subsequent to present employment and may address structural barriers. These 11 initiatives are under consideration by Department of Public Welfare staff and suggest that surplus TANF dollars MAY be utilized to fund "non-assistance" supportive services for eligible low-income clients of Pennsylvania. Written comments regarding the proposed Notice were requested to be submitted within 30 days of the June 30th publication date. Further action is pending.