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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: 23

intellectual disabilities. This service provides important assistance to a caregiver so a child with intellectual disabilities may continue to be cared for in their own home rather than be institutionalized. Respite Centers provide 24-hour care for extended weekends in comfortable home-like environments. Centers offer guests opportunities to participate in recreational activities amongst the guest group and within the local community. Each center can accommodate up to 6 guests. Centers generally operate Thursday at 4pm to Monday at 10am.

TANF Purpose # 1: Provide assistance to needy families so that children may be cared for in their own homes or the homes of relatives.

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

Funding: Segregated Federal TANF funds

D. 5. Employment Services – Department of Labor

The state provides employment services to recipients of Temporary Family Assistance (TFA). Employment services are also provided to those who are participating in an employment service activity authorized by their employment plan at the time of becoming ineligible for TFA until they complete that activity. The state refers to these employment services as Jobs First Employment Services (JFES). The Connecticut Department of Labor (DOL) administers JFES through the American Job Centers (AJCs). The American Job Centers are a partnership of the CT Department of Labor, the five Workforce Development Boards (WDB's), and other state and local agencies, including the Department of Social Services.

Jobs First Employment Services are provided to adults or minor parents in families applying for or receiving Temporary Family Assistance funded by TANF, and to Two- Parent families funded as a solely state funded program. All TFA applicants and recipients, including Two-Parent families, are eligible for employment services even if they are not required to participate by the regulations governing the TFA program.

If a TANF funded TFA recipient is in an employment service activity authorized by the employment plan at the time of becoming ineligible for TFA, employment services continue until completion of that activity, provided the individual remains part of a needy family with income less than seventy- five percent (75%) of the state's median income level.

Similarly, services to participants in two-parent families who become ineligible for TFA while in an authorized activity will continue until the completion of that activity. The goals of the Jobs First Employment Services (JFES) program are as follows:

1. Enable TFA participants, through employment, to become independent from cash assistance by the end of the Jobs First time limit established by state law;

2. Enable TFA participants who become independent from cash assistance to remain employed