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Delaware TANF State Plan 10-1-23 to 09-30-26 Page 21 of 59

within 30 days of the hearing. If either party is dissatisfied with the State's written decision, they may appeal the decision to the U.S. Department of Labor within 20 days of receipt of the written decision. The procedures for appeal, which must be sent to the Office of Administrative Law Judges, in the U.S. Department of Labor, will be provided in writing with the decision.

Addressing Child Poverty

Delaware's summit on Poverty and Economics, held on April 22, 2009, had approximately 500 participants including state and local policymakers, advocates, and members of the public. The summit was a vehicle for release and consideration of the findings and initial recommendations of the Delaware Child Poverty Task Force whose goal is to reduce child poverty in Delaware.

ii. Require a parent or caretaker receiving assistance under the program to engage in work (as defined by the State) once the State determines the parent or caretaker is ready to engage in work, or once the parent or caretaker has received assistance under the program for 24 months (whether or not consecutive), whichever is earlier, consistent with section 407(e)(2).

Goals for Work

Delaware's TANF program is based on the belief that assistance provided is transitional and should not become a way of life. The State maintains that the way for persons to avoid dependency on welfare is to find and maintain employment. The primary goal of TANF is to help recipients find meaningful work and to help them keep such work by providing them with necessary supports.

To assist families in obtaining and maintaining employment, the State will engage the efforts of the Delaware Departments of Health and Social Services, Labor, Economic Development, and Delaware's private sector to provide job readiness and placement opportunities, health care, childcare, and family services. In turn, TANF recipients who have the capacity to work will be required to accept work, to keep their children in school, to cooperate with child support, and to leave the welfare rolls after a defined time period.

State Agencies Involved

Delaware Departments of Health and Social Services and Labor have a unique partnership. The two agencies are responsible for moving welfare clients to work. These three agencies have