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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: 48

SECTION B – PART VI – Sexual Harassment, Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Section 402(a)(8) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 602(a)(8)); Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022, section 703. In General - Each state must certify that it has established and is enforcing standards and procedures to ensure that applicants and potential applicants for TANF are notified of assistance made available by the state to victims of sexual harassment and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.

It must also ensure that case workers and other agency personnel responsible for administering the TANF program are trained in: the nature and dynamics of sexual harassment and domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking; state standards and procedures relating to the prevention of, and assistance for, individuals who are victims of sexual harassment or survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking; and methods of ascertaining and ensuring the confidentiality of personal information and documentation related to applicants for assistance and their children who have provided notice about their experiences of sexual harassment, domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.

If the state has adopted the Family Violence Option (optional certification) set forth in section 402(a)(7) to establish and enforce standards and procedures regarding the screening for, and identification of, domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, it must provide information about the options available to current and potential beneficiaries and ensure that case workers and other agency personnel are provided with training regarding relevant state standards and procedures.

Connecticut has established and is enforcing standards and procedures to ensure TANF applicants and potential applicants for assistance under the state program funded under this part are notified of assistance made available by the state to victims of sexual harassment and survivors of domestic violence sexual assault, or stalking. The state will ensure that case workers and other agency personnel responsible for administering the state program funded under this part are trained in the nature and dynamics of sexual harassment and domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking; state standards and procedures relating to the prevention of, and assistance for, individuals who are victims of sexual harassment or survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking; and methods of ascertaining and ensuring the confidentiality of personal information and documentation related to applicants for assistance and their children who have provided notice about their experiences of sexual harassment, domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. The TANF program provides information about the options available to current and potential beneficiaries; and case workers and other agency personnel responsible for administering the TANF program are provided with training regarding state standards and procedures related to the Family Violence Option.