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NEGOTIATED SUITABILITY TRAINING (NST) 3.10

OWO operates the NST program, formerly known at Self-Initiated Training. NST provides assistance to TANF recipients who have independently enrolled or who wish to enroll independently in a training program. Customers who participate in NST must meet TANF work activity requirements (see Chapter 1: Work Requirements in Part V.) NST staff persons are responsible for monitoring the required activity hours. They also hold periodic advisory conferences with participants to check on their progress. They authorize stipends, and make referrals for other support services such as child care.

Prior to selecting a training program, the customer should work with NST staff to identify the training program most appropriate to his/her interests, potential and abilities. This would also help to ensure that the selected program is accredited, cost effective, and appropriate for the customer's particular work goals as set out in their Individual Responsibility Plan (IRP) or an addendum to the IRP.

NST staff can be reached at (202) 698-1860.

PROGRAM ON WORK, EMPLOYMENT, AND RESPONSIBILITY (POWER) 3.11

POWER is funded entirely by District funds. It will provide locally-funded cash assistance to families whose head of household (or caretaker whose needs are included in the grant) is unlikely to meet TANF work requirements due to short-term incapacity related to physical or mental health problems or substance abuse. POWER will also be available for TANF applicants/recipients needing additional support to achieve work requirements.

Screening and Referrals to the Medical Review Team (MRT) 3.11.1

At application for TANF benefits, the Preliminary Assessment form should be used to identify heads of households who face physical/mental incapacities that interfere with their ability to participate in countable work activities. Similarly, at recertification, the SSR should screen heads of households for incapacities.

Neither TANF applicants nor recipients can apply directly for the POWER program. Eligibility is determined by the SSR’s identification of a possible incapacity and subsequent referral of an individual for a medical evaluation. The medical evaluation will be used as the basis for a determination of incapacitation.

In order for a case to qualify for POWER, the head of a single-parent assistance unit must be designated as incapacitated. In the case of a two-parent assistance unit, both parents must be incapacitated in order for the unit to qualify for POWER. If only one parent of a two-parent assistance unit is incapacitated, the assistance unit will be treated as a TANF single-parent assistance unit and the non-incapacitated parent will be subject to TANF work requirements.

Recipients of POWER are not subject to the TANF 60-month lifetime limit. Individuals are expected to return to the TANF program following successful completion of POWER activities.