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b. Education & Occupational Training (EOT) Service Providers assist customers navigate and enroll in education programs that lead to nationally recognized certifications and credentials. The EOT incentive structure recognizes education and occupational training enrollment, maintenance, and completion. Programs may include, but are not limited to, linkage to adult education and vocational educational training, programs that provide fast- track GED exam in 10 weeks or less, English as a Second Language programs, and family literacy programs. For example, DHS worked with its education partner, the University of the District of Columbia (UDC), to develop a Community Health Worker (CHW) training for TANF customers in response to the city’s efforts to hire 900 Contact Tracers to address to spread of the COVID-19 national pandemic. This falls under TANF purposes #1 & #2 and is not considered assistance.

c. Behavioral Health and Substance Abuse Assessment and Services - to assess families for behavioral health and substance abuse disorders. The results of the assessments help case managers identify the appropriate resources and supports to assist families with treatment (these are for services which are not covered by Medicaid). This falls under TANF purpose #2 and is not considered assistance.

In recognition of the importance of a strong mind, body and soul to the development and empowerment of parents and children, DHS is expanding a suite of services under a Behavioral Health Unit (BHU) and is investing time and resources into cultivating relationships with professional groups that support behavioral health programming for parents and their children. DHS is exploring programming that addresses and promotes maternal mental health, peer-led mental health talk therapy groups, and health, wellness, and mindfulness strategies.