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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: 25

9. These operating principles apply to all participants according to their needs, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, disability, or sexual orientation.

Type of Employment Services

JFES is a “balanced work first” program. This means that if the cash assistance recipient is capable of going to work, he or she is expected to work. It also means that if cash assistance recipients are capable of working but need education or training to improve earnings to better support their families, they will generally be expected to work while receiving that training. In some cases, work follows immediately upon completion of intensive, short-term training or education.

To attain all three program goals, JFES includes a combination of job search, employment, education, training, and support services. The combination of services varies with each individual participant. This balance of employment activity with other services uses individual strengths and resources while addressing employment-related needs. This balanced work first approach ensures that participants will not only become independent but will remain independent from assistance while the federal participation rates are met.

Each participant, including volunteers, may receive employment services that include, but are not limited to, the following: orientation, assessment, case management, employment plan development, barrier resolution, employment related education and training programs, subsidized employment, job search skill training, job placement services, support services (such as Special Benefits), retention services, and re- employment services.

Post-secondary education (two- and four- year degree programs) is an allowable JFES activity when included in an employment plan as permitted by state and federal regulations. Self-initiated participation in such educational programs may co-exist with approved plan activities if funded with other resources, to the extent that such enrollment does not preclude participation in required plan activities.

Entry into Jobs First Employment Services

The Department of Social Services (DSS) refers clients to the JFES program. DSS conducts a service needs assessment of the TFA applicant during or soon after the initial TFA intake interview. The service needs assessment includes gathering information from the applicant on their education, employment and training history, time on assistance and social service needs. The result of the service needs assessment are then reviewed by the local case management entity.

American Job Center Intake

Intake sessions include a virtual orientation, employability assessment, initial employment plan development, eligibility determination for separately funded employment programs, assignment of a case manager, and assignment to initial employment plan activities by case managers.

All new participants for employment services must attend an intake session. However, special