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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: 26

accommodations are made for participants who cannot attend the group sessions due to their employment schedule. These participants are scheduled for separate individual appointments at times that do not interfere with work hours. Participants are not required to miss work, training, or a job interview to attend any employment services activity.

Every participant leaves the intake session with a clear understanding of the next step in his/her employment plan, the name and phone number of his/her case manager and a copy of his/her employment plan.

Case Management

After intake into American Job Center, the assigned case manager in conjunction with the participant completes the employment plan. The case manager arranges for services and tracks and monitors the participant to ensure progression towards independence from cash assistance. If the participant does not comply with the provisions of the employment plan without good cause, the case manager refers the participant to DSS for conciliation and possible sanctioning. Prior to referring any participant for sanction, the participant is given a Barrier Intervention Referral to a contracted support agency in an attempt to re-engage the participant into their JFES activities and avoid a sanction.

Special Benefits and Child Care Assistance

To facilitate maximum participation, TFA applicants or recipients who participate in employment services are supported by special benefit payments.

Transportation benefits are provided to participants of regular, on-going employment services activities other than unsubsidized employment. Payment is made for mileage reimbursement, bus passes, ride sharing services, taxi and train fares or other reasonable transportation solutions.

A participation allowance which is intended to assist participants with transportation and baby- sitting expenses is provided for short-term, intermittent employment services activities that last no longer than five consecutive days. In addition, participants that secure either part—time or full-time employment are provided with transportation supports in the form of mileage reimbursement, bus passes, ride sharing services, taxi and train fares or other reasonable transportation solutions for the entire time they are working and still on TFA.

Ongoing childcare assistance is provided through the Care 4 Kids Program administered by the Office of Early Childhood.

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 #2: End the dependence of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work, and marriage.

Funding: Commingled funds that use state maintenance of effort funds.