NOTICES
Publication and Availability of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Family State Plan
[32 Pa.B. 6401] The Department of Public Welfare is publishing, in its entirety, an updated Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) State Plan. The State Plan was developed in accordance with the requirements of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (Pub. L. No. 104-193). The Act provides each state with a TANF Block Grant and the opportunity, with broad Federal guidelines, to design and operate its own programs. The original State Plan was published at 27 Pa.B. 342 (January 18, 1997). An updated Plan was published at 29 Pa.B. 5658 (October 30, 1999) and was effective for 2 years. A new TANF plan for subsequent 2-year periods must be submitted to the United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) for completeness.
The updated State Plan incorporates changes identified through suggestions and recommendations from the public and through an ongoing review of the TANF program. The updated State Plan will be submitted to DHHS in December 2002 to begin the official 45-day comment period required by law.
Future amendments to the Plan will incorporate suggestions and recommendations received during the comment period.
Copies of the State Plan are available for all interested individuals and groups upon written request to Edward J. Zogby, Director, Bureau of Policy, Office of Income Maintenance, Room 431 Health and Welfare Building, Harrisburg, PA 17120. Persons may also request copies by facsimile machine at (717) 787-6765, using the above address on your cover document, or by means of the Department of Public Welfare's Web Site at http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/.
Persons with a disability may use the AT&T Relay Service by calling (800) 654-5984 (TDD users) or (800) 654-5988 (voice users).
FEATHER O. HOUSTON,
Secretary
PENNSYLVANIA TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES STATE PLAN I. PURPOSE
II. INTRODUCTION
III. PROGRAM GOALS
IV. MEASURING RESULTS
V. PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT
A. Public Availability and Review
B. Additional Outreach
C. Public Comments
VI. OUTLINE OF PENNSYLVANIA'S TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF) PROGRAM
A. General Provisions
1. Program Administration
2. Access to Benefits
3. Defining Assistance/Non-Assistance Benefits
4. Defining Needy Families
5. Personal Responsibility--The Agreement of Mutual Responsibility
6. Time Limit and Work Requirements for Receipt of TANF
7. Determining Eligibility
8. Child Support Requirements
9. Work and Self-sufficiency
10. Education in the Work First Environment
11. Noncompliance with the RESET Program
12. Supporting Employment with Child Care
13. Coordination with Child Welfare
14. Safeguarding Information
15. Transfers of TANF Block Grant Funds
16. Reductions of Out-of-Wedlock Births
17. Education and Training to Reduce Statutory Rape
18. Identifying Domestic Violence
19. Link with Medicaid
20. Food Stamp Outreach
B. Special Provisions
1. Time-Out Initiative
2. Extended TANF Cash Assistance
3. Families Entering Pennsylvania from Another State
4. Treatment of Noncitizens
5. Delivery of Benefits
6. Right to Appeal
7. Community Service Option
VII. OFFICE OF CHILDREN YOUTH AND FAMILIES AMENDMENT
A. Other State Programs and Services Designed to Meet the Purposes of TANF
1. General Relationship to TANF Purposes
2. Family Preservation, Reunification and Support Services Designed to Promote TANF Purposes
3. Services Provided to Dependent and Delinquent Children Who Have Been Placed into Residential Care
CERTIFICATIONS
FUNDING
PENNSYLVANIA TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF)
STATE PLAN I PURPOSE
This document outlines and updates the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's plan for providing assistance to families with children from funds provided under Title I of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) of 1996 (P. L. 104-193), and the TANF Final Rules published in the Federal Register on April 12, 1999. The Act amends Section 402 of the Social Security Act to require that states submit a plan to the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) that outlines how the state will provide Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits. Implementation was effective March 3, 1997. Submission of this State Plan renewal commits Pennsylvania to continue operation of its TANF State Program. Implementation is effective October 1, 2002.
II INTRODUCTION
On May 16, 1996, Act 1996-35 (Act 35) was signed into law. It was a dramatic welfare reform plan designed to move families off the welfare rolls and into the work force. The provisions of the Act encourage personal and parental responsibility, emphasize self-sufficiency through employment, strengthen child support requirements, and increase penalties for welfare fraud. It is a common-sense approach that provides Pennsylvania with the core components for reform of our welfare system. The TANF provisions of PRWORA provided the opportunity to make that reform a reality.
When signed into law on August 22, 1996, PWRORA ended the 60-year Federal welfare entitlement program known as Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) and the Federal JOBS employment and training program. In its place, each state was provided with a block grant for designing and operating its own welfare program within broad TANF requirements. These requirements include stringent work activity participation rates and a lifetime limit of five years for the receipt of benefits. The TANF Block Grant and the Final Rules published in the Federal Register on April 12, 1999, provided Pennsylvania with the opportunity to build on the core components of Act 35 to create a welfare system that makes the best use of welfare dollars.
The TANF Program is designed to provide short-term assistance to families when the support of one or both parents is interrupted. It also provides supplemental support when family income from employment and other sources is not sufficient to meet basic needs. It is not intended to provide long-term support or become a way of life. The provisions of the TANF Program are intended to meet one or more of the following basic purposes of this program as articulated in the Federal statue and regulation:
* Provide assistance to needy families so that children may be cared for in their own homes or in the homes of relatives;* End the dependence of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work, and marriage;* Prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies and establish annual numerical goals for preventing and reducing the incidence of these pregnancies; and* Encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families.III PROGRAM GOALS
The primary goal of Pennsylvania's TANF Program is to provide support to families as they make the transition from dependence on welfare to self-sufficiency and, finally, to long-term self-support. The following goals provide the framework on which the Program is designed:
1. Promote Personal Responsibility
Pennsylvania's TANF Program is based on the principle that welfare should provide temporary cash assistance to families and individuals, providing basic support that enables them to move to self-sufficiency. Inherent in this belief is the notion that the welfare recipient must be personally responsible for taking the necessary steps to end his or her dependence on a welfare ''check.''
2. Move Recipients into Jobs
For most recipients, the way to self-sufficiency and economic independence is through a job. Pennsylvania's approach provides the client with the opportunity to build work skills and a work history.
3. Provide Work Incentives and Supports
If we are to encourage employment, families must be better off if they work than if they depend on welfare. By allowing eligible families to receive supplemental cash assistance in addition to a paycheck, Pennsylvania's TANF Program rewards work and helps families establish a financial base that will support self-sufficiency. The TANF Program also supports family efforts to work by providing allowances for work-related expenses, such as child care and transportation.
4. Break the Cycle of Dependency Through Education
A high school diploma is critical to both short-term and long-term prospects for independence through employment. It opens the door to meaningful, productive employment. Training in a skill or trade, on-the-job training, job-search and job-readiness preparation classes and workshops, among other activities, provide a menu of opportunity for long-term self-sufficiency. Pennsylvania's Road to Economic Self-sufficiency through Employment and Training (RESET) Program encourages people to pursue education and training as a means of, and in addition to, meeting work requirements.
5. Strengthen Families and Support Children
Both parents play a role in achieving self-sufficiency. The TANF Program requires parents to fulfill their fundamental responsibilities to their children through a strengthened child support enforcement system.
6. Simplify Program Administration
Pennsylvania must be able to use resources productively--to assist the client in developing and successfully implementing his or her own plan for self-sufficiency. As administrators of the public welfare system, we must have two goals: to help recipients of public assistance become self-sufficient and to ensure that tax dollars funding welfare programs are used wisely.
IV MEASURING RESULTS
Monitoring implementation progress and evaluating attainment of program goals is an integral component of Pennsylvania's TANF Program. The primary focus of monitoring and evaluating activities is to gather data about a comprehensive set of performance indicators and performance measures which are used to document clear, specific program outcomes.
The detailing of a definitive set of performance indicators and measures continues to evolve as program planning decisions are made and modified. The ongoing program evaluation information system includes such performance indicators and measures as:
* The proportion of the active TANF caseload who are working* The proportion of TANF applicants diverted from ongoing caseload status to employment* The average length of stay in active TANF status* The average number of stays in active TANF status* The work experiences and quality of life indicators of former TANF recipients* The relationships between provision of work incentives and family support allowances and successful, long-term employment* The relationships among program components which focus on clients assuming personal responsibility, implemented primarily through the use of an Agreement of Mutual Responsibility, and successful long-term employment* The relationships among a variety of program components designed to provide education and training and successful, long-term employment* The relationships of program components designed to strengthen and support families and appropriate indicators of success* The relationship between program simplification changes and timely and accurate benefits* The relationship between TANF program changes and indicators of fraud, waste and abuse* The use (and continued use after cash benefits end) of other subsidized or social service support programsA primary focus of program evaluation efforts associated with implementation of the TANF Program is to develop, maintain and refine, where necessary, an integrated and comprehensive evaluation information system which provides data and information on outcome and performance measures related to key components of TANF. These data are used to provide ongoing monitoring assessments of program implementation and to provide summary statements describing attainment of program goals. In order to ensure the appropriate degree of program accountability, the measures used are defined by data and information which are timely, accurate, valid, reliable, credible and easily communicated.
This information system is composed of TANF data and available data for pre-TANF welfare programs. The information system is supplemented by those data and information necessary to track the provisions of the TANF legislation and satisfy mandated reporting requirements. This collection of data about TANF participants, combined with data detailing critical program components, provides documentation of specific outcome and performance measures established for the TANF goals. Additionally, analyses of the data available in this information system combined with data from other sources provide important information about the configurations of participant and program characteristics which produce the most favorable long-term outcomes. Comparisons of these relationships between participant and program characteristics and their effects on outcome measures across time permit systematic, evolutionary, incremental shaping of TANF programs to effectively meet the TANF goals.
V PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT
A. Public Availability and Review
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's TANF State Plan will be made available for public review on December 28, 2002 in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. Copies of the TANF State Plan are available at the 67 County Assistance Offices (CAOs) around the State and on the Department of Public Welfare's (the Department) Website (http://www.dpw.state.pa.us).
The State Plan was also submitted to key stakeholder groups for review and comment. These groups include members of the legislature and the Governor's Cabinet, as well as associations representing county government, client advocacy groups, business interests and community agencies providing a variety of services to recipients of public assistance.
B. Additional Outreach
The TANF State Plan will be published in its entirety in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. The Pennsylvania Bulletin is the official gazette of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and is the temporary supplement to the Pennsylvania Code, the official codification of agency rules and regulations. The Bulletin also serves as the vehicle whereby agencies publish proposed programmatic and regulatory changes. The Notice published in the Bulletin will indicate that comments on the TANF State Plan are to be directed to the Department of Public Welfare, Office of Income Maintenance.
The Income Maintenance Advisory Committee (IMAC) will receive a briefing on the TANF State Plan. IMAC is composed of current and former welfare recipients, representatives of welfare rights organizations, employment and training specialists and other client advocates. IMAC advises the Department on policies, procedures and other activities related to the programs administered by the Office of Income Maintenance.
C. Public Comments
During the 45-day public review period, the Department will accept comments on the TANF State Plan from the general public.
The Department's ongoing review of the TANF Program includes review and consideration of public comments along with the tracking of outcomes of the TANF Program. The Department will submit amendments to the State Plan on an as-needed basis.
VI OUTLINE OF PENNSYLVANIA'S TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF) PROGRAM
Although the TANF Program replaced the former Federal cash benefits program known as Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), many of the rules and procedures under which the Department administered AFDC remain in effect as part of the TANF Program. These rules and procedures are contained in Chapter 55 of the Pennsylvania Code of regulations (55 Pa. Code), Notices of Rule Change to the Code published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin, Office of Income Maintenance (OIM) Bulletins, OIM Operations Memoranda and Departmental Handbooks. Financial eligibility criteria for Maintenance of Effort (MOE)-funded assistance and services are the same as for other TANF assistance and services, except MOE claimed for child care under the provisions of 45 CFR § 263.3 follows the financial eligibility criteria established under the Child Care and Development Fund State Plan and associated State regulations.
New or revised rules and procedures are set forth in the State Plan. These changes and revisions are adopted pursuant to the authority of PRWORA, Pennsylvania's Act 35, §§ 201(2) and 403(b) of the Public Welfare Code (62 P. S. §§ 201(2) and 403(b)) and Act 1997-58 (P. L. 549, No. 58).
Federal statue 42 U.S.C.A. § 609(a)(7)(B)(i) provides for the possibility of separate and segregated state programs. Stakeholders were consulted and input was solicited. The decision to create a segregated state program is incorporated and included in this State Plan.
A. GENERAL PROVISIONS
1. Program Administration
The Department is responsible for administering the TANF Program in 67 CAOs. While program requirements are applied consistently Statewide, the maximum TANF benefit varies from county to county based on the four benefit schedules currently in effect.
The Department continues to use private contractors to supplement the work of the CAOs to provide services, such as job search, job-readiness preparation, education and training services, and to assist clients to enter the work force, retain jobs and advance in employment.
Persons who receive TANF benefits on or after March 3, 1997 are subject to all requirements of the TANF Program. Recipients are subject to the 60-month lifetime limit and the work requirements of Act 35 beginning March 3, 1997.
2. Access to Benefits
Pennsylvania continues to provide access to TANF benefits and related services in each of the Commonwealth's 67 counties based on the policies and procedures in effect.
3. Defining Assistance/Non-Assistance Benefits
Assistance
For purposes of applying TANF time limits, work and work activity requirements and child support assignment requirements, the term ''assistance'' is defined as cash payments, vouchers and other forms of benefits designed to meet a family's ongoing basic needs (i.e., for food, clothing, shelter, utilities, household goods, personal care items and general incidental expenses). ''Assistance'' also includes:
* Stipends and allowances for participation in education and training by non-employed cash assistance recipients;
* Needs-based payments to individuals in any work activity whose purpose is to supplement the money they receive for participating in the activity; and
* Supportive services such as transportation and TANF-funded child care provided to non-employed cash assistance recipients.
If a benefit falls within the definition of assistance, the benefit counts as assistance even when receipt of the benefit is conditioned on participation in work experience, community service or other work activities.
Non-Assistance
The final Federal TANF Rules of April 12, 1999 include the potential for funding a class of benefits known as ''non-assistance.'' Pennsylvania excludes from the definition of ''assistance'' activities that support employed former TANF recipients or those who are eligible for, but not receiving ''assistance.'' For example, case management services, job retention programs, child care and wage subsidies may be provided as on-going supports to employed former cash assistance recipients. These services and benefits received by the family are considered ''non-assistance,'' and the family receiving them after leaving cash assistance is no longer using months of time-limited TANF assistance.
The Department incorporated a total of 25 non-assistance initiatives included in the FY 2002-2003 budget that provide work supports and other services to eligible low-income families and non-custodial parents. Although these work supports and services are funded with TANF funds, they are excluded from the definition of ''assistance'' in 45 CFR § 260.31. As a result, these work supports and services do not count towards the 60-month TANF time limit. In addition, persons receiving these benefits are not subject to the TANF work requirement or to a Federally-imposed child support requirement. Pursuant to 45 CFR § 260.31, the term ''non-assistance'' is defined below:
[ ] Non-Assistance includes:
* 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 ongoing needs; and
- Will not extend beyond four months.
OR* Work subsidies (i.e., payments to employers or third parties to help cover the costs of employee wages, benefits, supervision and training);
OR* Supportive services such as child care and transportation provided to families who are employed;
OR* 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.In accordance with 45 CFR § 260.31 and subject to the availability of resources, the Department intends to provide funding included in the FY 2002-2003 budget for the following non-assistance initiatives to certain needy families, based on the program descriptions and eligibility set forth in each initiative appearing on page 8 through page 22.
[ ] Job Retention, Advancement and Rapid Re-employment Services
Effective April 2001, this initiative provides job retention, advancement and rapid re-employment services to needy families and non-custodial parents who are not served through existing contracted programs. The purpose of the job retention and advancement services is to help participants retain employment and move to better employment whenever possible. Services provided under this initiative may include:
* Case management* Supportive services not provided by the CAO* Programs and activities for participants' children, e.g. tutoring and before and after school programs for participant's children while the participants engage in employment activities such as paid work experience* Job development* Job placement* Skills training* Education incentivesEligibility for this initiative is limited to needy families, as defined on page 22, or a non-custodial parent of a minor child. The needy family or non-custodial parent must have a gross annual earned income that does not exceed 235 percent of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines (FPIGs). Additionally the adult in the family or the non-custodial parent must:
* Be working in unsubsidized employment at the time of application for the program;AND* Not be participating in any employment and training program funded through the Department, including the job retention periods for those programs.This initiative meets TANF purpose number two - end dependence of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work and marriage, and is funded with commingled funds.
[ ] Place-Based Employment
Effective July 2000, this initiative brings together resources to focus on needy families and non-custodial parents in public housing developments. Public housing developments have historically been areas where long-term dependency has co-existed with poverty and joblessness. The goal of this initiative is to collaborate with public housing authorities to help transform low-work, high-welfare dependency housing developments into high-work, low-welfare communities. Services such as job readiness/preparation, job-search instruction and life skills classes are provided. The two 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
Services provided under this initiative may include:
* Job search
* Job coaching
* Case management
* Mentoring and peer support activities
* Skills training
* Financial incentives such as bonuses, gift certificates and shopping vouchers to employed participants. Bonuses are nonrecurring and do not cover living allowances or basic needs.
* Transitional services
Eligibility for this initiative is limited to needy families, as defined on page 22, or a non-custodial parent of a minor child. The needy family or non-custodial parent must have a gross annual earned income that does not exceed 235 percent of the FPIGs. Additionally, the adult in the family or the non-custodial parent must reside in public or assisted housing developments.
This initiative meets TANF purpose number two--end dependence of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work and marriage, and is funded with commingled funds.
[ ] The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) Initiative
Effective July 2000, this initiative provides financial support in the form of loans, grants and work-study to assist eligible needy individuals with the costs of tuition, books and fees associated with attending post-secondary educational programs.
Eligibility for this initiative is limited to needy families, as defined on page 22, or a non-custodial parent of a minor child. The needy family or non-custodial parent must have a gross annual earned income that does not exceed 235 percent of the FPIGs. Additionally, the adult in the family or the non-custodial parent must:
* Be attending a post-secondary educational program;
AND* Be a current or former TANF recipient.
This initiative meets TANF purpose number two--end dependence of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work and marriage, and is funded with commingled funds.
[ ] The Community College Program
Effective July 2000, this initiative supplements an existing program known as the Up Front Job Placement Program by permitting individuals who have participated in Up Front to have access to a variety of programs through community colleges. The Workforce Investment Act fiscal agent that runs Up Front subcontracts to the college. The funding received by the college is used to purchase slots in various training programs offered by the college. The funding is also used to support the costs incurred by the college for intensive case management offered to these clients. Blending the Community College initiative with the Up Front Program encourages individuals who may be new to the welfare rolls to engage early in training activities that lead to permanent employment. In addition, the Department has set aside funding for community colleges to design and develop remedial curricula for working TANF or former TANF families.
Eligibility for this initiative is limited to needy families, as defined on page 22, who have a gross annual earned income that does not exceed 235 percent of the FPIGs. Additionally the adult in the family must be a current or former TANF recipient.
This initiative meets TANF purpose number two--end dependence of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work and marriage, and is funded with commingled funds.
[ ] Child Care Provided to Employed Families
Effective July 2000, this initiative provides subsidized child care benefits to eligible employed families who need child care to participate in unsubsidized employment, subsidized employment and/or education/training activities.
Eligibility for this initiative is limited to needy families, as defined on page 22, who have a gross annual earned income that does not exceed 235 percent of the FPIGs. Additionally the adult in the family must:
* Be working;
AND* Be a current or former TANF recipient.
This initiative meets TANF purpose number two--end dependence of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work and marriage, and is funded with commingled funds.
[ ] Workforce Investment Board's (WIBs) Transportation Grant Initiative
Effective July 2000, this initiative funds additional transportation services to employed families in an effort to resolve specific public transportation-related barriers, including transportation to child care providers, and second and third shift employment for those transitioning to self-sufficiency. Services contracted through the WIBs may include:
* Reverse commutes
* Guaranteed ride home program services
* Vanpooling
* Carpooling
* Shared taxi service
* Automobile acquisition
Eligibility for this initiative is limited to needy families, as defined on page 22, who have a gross annual earned income that does not exceed 235 percent of the FPIGs. Additionally, the adult in the family must:
* Be working;
AND* Reside in certain rural or semi-urban WIB areas;
AND* Be in a Department-funded employment and training program through the local WIB.
This initiative meets TANF purpose number two--end dependence of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work and marriage, and is funded with commingled funds.
[ ] Eyeglass and Hearing Device Initiative--Non-Medical
Effective July 2000, this initiative provides a cost-limited non-recurring, short-term benefit towards the actual cost of eyeglasses and/or hearing exams and devices to help clients seek and maintain employment. These benefits are available to eligible individuals through the Department's RESET-contracted provider in whose program they are participating. Services provided under this initiative include:
* Eye exam and the purchase of eyeglasses (once per year per individual and actual cost up to a maximum of $100)
* Hearing exams and hearing devices (once a year per individual and actual cost up to a maximum of $1,000)
Eligibility for this initiative is limited to needy families, as defined on page 22, or a non-custodial parent of a minor child who meets the eligibility criteria of the Fatherhood Initiative. The needy family or non-custodial parent must have a gross annual earned income that does not exceed 235 percent of the FPIGs. Additionally, the adult applicant must:
* Demonstrate the need for eyeglasses through an eye exam;
OR* Demonstrate the need for an exam with an audiologist and hearing devices through referral by an M.D.;
AND* Be enrolled with a Department-contracted program provider funded through the Department's RESET program;
AND* Need the eyeglasses or hearing devices for participation in pre-employment, education, training or other approved activities related to job search and placement in employment.
This initiative meets TANF purpose number two--end dependence of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work and marriage, and is funded with commingled funds.
[ ] The Workforce Investment Act's (WIA) Youth Development Program
Effective May 2000, this initiative is a work-based learning opportunity provided to youth or young adults ages 14-21 through local WIBs. This program supports the following goals:
* Improving educational achievement
* Preparing for and succeeding in employment
* Supporting life-skill development
* Developing youth potential, including leadership opportunities
Subsidized wages are provided under this initiative.
Eligibility for this initiative is limited to a youth or young adult between the ages of 14-21 who are enrolled in the Summer Youth Program administered by the Department of Labor and Industry.
This initiative meets TANF purpose number three--prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies and establish annual numerical goals for preventing and reducing the incidence of these pregnancies. This initiative is funded with 100 percent segregated Federal funds.
[ ] Clients with Mental Health, Substance Abuse, Developmental and Learning Disabilities and Related Barriers to Employment--Non-Medical
Effective February 2002, this initiative provides specialized services to enable current and former TANF families with barriers to begin employment or to continue to work. These specialized services include mental health services, anger management counseling, non-medical substance abuse counseling services, assessment and evaluation for developmental and learning disabilities, assistive technology and equipment and vocational rehabilitation services to needy individuals who have physical or mental disabilities. Continuation of services that were critical in helping families find employment may also be critical in helping them maintain employment. Services provided under this initiative may include:
* Assessment
* Drug and alcohol treatment
* Physical therapy
* Vocational rehabilitation services
* Case management
Eligibility for this initiative is limited to needy families, as defined on page 22, or a non-custodial parent of a minor child. The needy family or non-custodial parent must have a gross annual earned income that does not exceed 235 percent of the FPIGs. Additionally the adult in the family or the non-custodial parent must be a current or former TANF recipient.
This initiative meets TANF purpose number two--end dependence of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work and marriage, and is funded with commingled funds.
[ ] The Fatherhood Initiative
Effective April 2001, this initiative is designed to assist non-custodial parents of minor children to return to or remain in school, obtain their high school diploma or General Equivalency Diplomas (GEDs), develop responsible parenting skills, become positive role models for their children and become productive members of their communities. Service provided under this initiative may include:
* Intensive case management
* Parenting and child development education
* Decision making
* Self-discipline
* Anger management
* Problem-solving skills
* Assistance in paternity establishment
* Year-round programming
* GED
* High school
* Skills training
Eligibility for this initiative is limited to a non-custodial parent of a minor child with a gross annual earned income that does not exceed 235 percent of the FPIGs.
This initiative meets TANF purpose number two--end dependence of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work and marriage; purpose three--prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies and establish annual numerical goals for preventing and reducing the incidence of these pregnancies; and purpose four--encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families. This initiative is funded with 100 percent segregated Federal funds.
[ ] Home Access Program Initiative
Effective July 2000, this initiative is designed to provide assistance to repair homes via non-recurring, short-term benefits to low-income families that include a disabled adult or child in the household. These benefits may be provided to such families who are in the process of purchasing a home where repairs are needed to facilitate accessibility or to families who presently own a home needing repairs. Benefits may be offered to homeowners and potential homeowners to support efforts to become self-sufficient and secure or retain work. Many existing homes contain obvious barriers to persons with disabilities, making it difficult for those persons to enter or leave their living quarters to seek and maintain employment. Also, some individuals may unexpectedly acquire a disability and find that their home contains structural barriers making them virtually homebound and unable to return to work.
Eligibility for this initiative is limited to needy families, as defined on page 22, who have a gross annual earned income that does not exceed 235 percent of the FPIGs.
This initiative meets TANF purpose number two--end dependence of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work and marriage, and is funded with 100 percent segregated Federal funds.
[ ] The Elect Initiative
Effective April 2001, this initiative is designed to assist parents or non-custodial parents of minor children to return to or remain in school, obtain their high school diploma or GEDs, develop responsible parenting skills, become positive role models for their children and become productive members of their communities. Services provided under this initiative may include:
* Intensive case management
* Parenting and child development education
* Decision making
* Year-round programming
* GED
* High school
Eligibility for this initiative is limited to a parent of a minor child or a non-custodial parent. The parent of a minor child or non-custodial parent must have a gross annual earned income that does not exceed 235 percent of the FPIGs.
This initiative meets TANF purpose number two--end dependence of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work and marriage; purpose three--prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies and establish annual numerical goals for preventing and reducing the incidence of these pregnancies; and purpose four--encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families. This initiative is funded with commingled funds.
[ ] Family Savings Accounts
Effective July 2001, this initiative uses matched savings to help finance the purchase of a new home, pay for educational expenses, pay for day care to enable job training, start a new business or other activities that are approved by the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).
This initiative is administered by DCED.
Eligibility for this initiative is limited to needy families, as defined on page 22, or a non-custodial parent of a minor child. The needy family or non-custodial parent must have a gross annual earned income that does not exceed 200 percent of the FPIGs.
This initiative meets TANF purpose number two--end dependence of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work and marriage, and is operated under 42 U.S.C.A. § 404(a)(1). This initiative is funded with 100 percent segregated Federal funds.
[ ] Nurse-Family Partnership
Effective October 2001, this initiative provides home visitation management services to eligible low-income, first-time mothers only. The home visitors are nurses who follow guidelines that focus on the mother's personal health, quality of care provided to the child and the parents' own life-course development.
The purposes of this initiative are as follows:
* To improve pregnancy outcomes by helping women practice sound health-related behaviors, including obtaining good prenatal care from their physicians, improving diet and reducing use of cigarettes, alcohol and illegal drugs.
* To improve child health and development by helping parents provide more responsible and competent care for their children.
* To improve families' economic self-sufficiency by helping parents develop a vision for their own future, plan future pregnancies, continue their education and find jobs.
Eligibility for this initiative is limited to women who are first-time mothers with a dependent child, or women pregnant with their first child and who have a gross annual earned income that does not exceed 235 percent of the FPIGs.
This initiative meets TANF purpose number three--prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies and establish annual numerical goals for preventing and reducing the incidence of these pregnancies. This initiative is funded with 100 percent segregated Federal funds.
[ ] Digital Divide
Effective February 2002, this initiative seeks to help bridge the technology digital divide and narrow the access gap that exists for low-income families. Digital Divide grants are available to qualified community organizations that bring digital technologies, including increasing computer and high-speed Internet access and computer literacy skills, to low-income Pennsylvania residents.
Both non-needy and needy families are eligible for this initiative. However, organizations must prioritize service for needy families, as defined on page 22, or a non-custodial parent of a minor child. The needy family or non-custodial parent must have a gross annual earned income that does not exceed 235 percent of the FPIGs.
This initiative meets TANF purpose number four--encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families and is funded with 100 percent segregated Federal funds.
[ ] Child Care Challenge Grants
Effective July 2001, this initiative is part of a multi-year Early Childhood Initiative designed to make sure Pennsylvania's children are healthy, safe and ready for school. The grants are intended to improve access to child care that is so often a necessity for many hardworking families.
The purpose of the grant is to enhance child care programs in vulnerable communities and to support cognitive development efforts for at-risk children. The Child Care Challenge Grant Program provides grants to non-profit and for-profit organizations to increase center-based child care capacity in underserved areas. Capacity refers to increasing the number of centers, increasing the size of existing centers, and retaining centers by assisting with upgrades to allow for better performance. This does not include construction, rehabilitation or expansion of centers.
Many centers are offering non-traditional hours to support families moving from welfare to work.
At the time of application, Child Care Resource Developers verify whether a shortage of child care for low-income families exists in that area. Eligibility for this initiative is limited to applicants who are licensed child care centers or in the process of becoming licensed and who use the grant to provide child care services to children from low-income families whose income does not exceed 235 percent of the FPIGs.
This initiative meets TANF purpose number two--end the dependence of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work and marriage, and is funded with 100 percent segregated Federal funds.
[ ] ''I Am Your Child''
Effective October 2001, this initiative is a national public awareness and engagement campaign created by the Rob Reiner Foundation to help people understand the direct connection between the loving support, nurturing and education of a young child and the child's healthy brain development.
''I Am Your Child'' includes a free six-video set and other educational materials designed to educate new parents. The videos cover child development, health and nutrition, safety, literacy, discipline and child care. The videos were made available to all new parents beginning in January 2002.
Eligibility for this initiative is limited to families or adults who have a newborn baby.
This initiative meets TANF purpose number four--encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families, and is funded with 100 percent segregated Federal funds.
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