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STATE OF CONNECTICUT TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF) STATE PLAN 2024-2026

Effective Date: 10/1/23 – 9/30/26 ☐ Initial Submission Date: 12/31/2023 ☒ Revision Date: 04/15/2024 Page: 16

C. SERVICES & NON-ASSISTANCE MAINTENANCE OF EFFORT (MOE) PROGRAMS

This section, “Services and Non-Assistance Maintenance of Effort (MOE) Programs,” describes how Connecticut provides services and non-assistance benefits to needy families through TANF and Maintenance of Effort programs. The programs described in this section use either segregated state funds or separate state programs.

C. 1. Jobs Funnel – Department of Labor

The Department of Labor funds Jobs Funnel programs in various cities to help individuals avail themselves of career opportunities in construction jobs. The projects represent joint, public-private efforts to create career opportunities in the construction trades for residents in participating cities. Services through the Jobs Funnel projects include outreach, recruitment, assessment, case management, pre-employment preparation (consisting of math, remediation, life skills workshops, customized training, and/or pre-apprenticeship training), job placement, and retention support services for people who want to pursue construction related careers. The program offers an initial training followed by assistance in finding employment in apprenticeships and other jobs in the local areas. Integral to the program are the outreach, assessment, and support services provided by community-based organizations. By providing these services, the goal of the program is to help participants become more job ready.

Services for program participants who are members of families with dependent children are U.S. citizens and have income less than seventy five percent (75%) of the State Median Income (SMI) are funded by the TANF program.

TANF Purpose #2: End the dependence of needy parents by promoting work, job preparation, and marriage.

Funding: Separate State Program that uses state maintenance of effort funds.

C. 2. Connecticut Fatherhood Initiative - Department of Social Services

The Connecticut Fatherhood Initiative (CFI) is a broad-based, multi-agency, statewide effort led by the Department of Social Services that is focused on changing the systems that can improve fathers’ ability to be fully and positively involved in the lives of their children. The goal of the CFI is to support children, mothers, and fathers, through ongoing system change efforts as well as supporting direct services and programming for fathers, by focusing on the important influence of men who are or will be in fathering roles. The target population is fathers between the ages of 16 and 65 who reside in Connecticut. The program also serves noncustodial mothers.

The objectives of the CFI are as follows:  Promote public education concerning the financial and emotional responsibilities of fatherhood