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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: 22

of-wedlock births. There are no income guidelines for this program. This service is claimed under TANF Purpose 3.

Funding: Segregated Federal TANF funds

D. 2. Addiction Treatment Services – Department of Correction

The Department of Correction (DOC) provides addiction services to clients who have varying levels of needs, from basic addiction education to intensive counseling. Services are optional and based on self-identification and evidence-based screening tools. TANF claiming is limited to costs of non- medical services provided to clients who are noncustodial parents. By providing addiction treatment to parents, the program helps them become clean and sober, which ultimately will enable them to become contributing and positively engaged members of the family when transitioning out of incarceration.

TANF Purpose # 4: Encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families.

Funding: Segregated Federal TANF funds

D. 3. Education and Training Services – Department of Correction

The Department of Correction (DOC) provides education and training services that prepare noncustodial parents to develop job skills and ultimately secure employment upon reentry to their communities. By providing education and training services to parents, the program helps them obtain the skills and ultimately jobs that will enable them to be contributing members and positive role models within their families upon transitioning out of incarceration. These services are not a general cost of government because the state is not obligated to provide these services. The state statute that establishes the DOC school district (CGS 18-99a) through which these services are provided is permissive, stating the Commissioner "may" create a school district, not that a school district is required. A school district has been created and education and training services are offered to all inmates at all DOC locations, but inmates are not required to participate in the education and training services. There is no general state requirement to provide education services to individuals aged 18 or older. TANF is only used to fund services for noncustodial parents aged 18 or older with dependents. TANF claiming is limited to costs related to services provided to noncustodial parents.

TANF Purpose # 4: Encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families.

Funding: Segregated Federal TANF funds

D. 4. Respite Centers - Department of Developmental Services

Respite is the temporary care of a person with a disability for the purpose of offering relief to the family or caregiver. It is a service that allows family of respite participants time to re-energize, deal with emergency situations, or engage in personal, social, or routine activities and tasks that otherwise may be neglected, postponed, or curtailed due to the demands of caring for a person who has