Page 28
STATE OF ARKANSAS TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES REVISED 2023 Page 28 of 46 7.3.1 Department of Human Services to the Office of Child Support Enforcement The Department of Human Services will refer recipients of Transitional Employment Assistance to the Office of Child Support Enforcement for participation in child support activities by a system-generated notice upon certification of assistance. 7.3.2 Office of Child Support Enforcement to the Department of Human Services The Office of Child Support Enforcement will notify DHS when paternity has been established; a recipient has not cooperated in the establishment of paternity or other child support activities and when child support collected exceeds the cash assistance amount. The Office of Child Support Enforcement will make available to DHS employer reported New Hire data. Section 8 PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES The Transitional Employment Assistance program will encourage parental responsibility through various elements of the program. 8.1 Personal Responsibility Agreement As a condition of the family's eligibility for TEA, the adult caretaker and/or minor parent must sign a Personal Responsibility Agreement (PRA) as a part of the application for assistance. The PRA lists the adult's and/or minor parent's responsibilities relative to receiving TEA assistance as well as responsibilities directly related to the wellbeing of the children. These responsibilities include but are not limited to ensuring that school-age children attend school, that the children receive immunizations at the appropriate ages, and that all reasonable efforts to establish paternity and obtain child support are made. 8.2 Focus on Employment The primary focus of the TEA program is to move the parent into employment that will lead to self-sufficiency for the family and increased parental responsibility. This focus is stressed from the first contact with the participant and employment focus continues throughout the time the family receives assistance.