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Iowa’s TANF State Plan

31 The Iowa HHS has provisions and procedures for training staff and contractors about identifying, assessing and providing comprehensive services to children who are sex trafficking victims, including efforts to coordinate with state law enforcement, juvenile justice, and social service agencies such as runaway and homeless youth shelters. The Iowa HHS considers any child who is identified by a state as a victim of sex trafficking or severe forms of trafficking as a victim of “child abuse and neglect” and “sexual abuse.”

In order to reduce relationship violence and teen pregnancy, the Iowa HHS funds Domestic Sex Trafficking courses and has commissioned providers to develop mini conferences that focus on the emotional, physical and financial transitioning needs of teens in care.

Community providers access a common meeting space and provide opportunities for local service providers and youth experts to share their skills and connect programs. There are shared opportunities for youth to attend classes on sexual health, relationships, parenting, cooking, budgeting, wellness, self-care, trauma, etc. The Iowa HHS supports these activities because citizens and community partners are engaging with youth to discuss supports and services to benefit youth.

The Iowa HHS works to identify opportunities for appropriate program expansion. Although participation in the educational aspects of the program is currently limited to adolescents, one of the objectives of the program is to provide for public awareness and education, which reaches beyond the scope of adolescence. In addition, the program works to build community coalitions to provide for a holistic approach, ensuring that adolescents have the safety, support, and resources they need to thrive, be healthy, and realize their full potential preventing teen pregnancy. Also, PROMISE JOBS and the Family Development and Self- Sufficiency (FaDSS) programs provide information about family planning counseling services.

(vii) Implement policies and procedures as necessary to prevent access to assistance provided under the State program funded under this part through any electronic fund transaction in an automated teller machine or point-of-sale device located in a place described in section 408(a)(12), including a plan to ensure that recipients of the assistance have adequate access to their cash assistance.

The State has implemented the following policies and procedures to comply with this requirement. These policies and procedures are based on Iowa’s reasonable interpretation of P.L. 112-96 and subsequent implementing federal regulations and are supported by state statute and administrative rules.

Effective February 1, 2014, FIP participants are prohibited from using their electronic access card (EAC) to access benefits at any of the following locations as defined by federal statute or regulation, and as further defined by state statute or administrative rule: (1) A liquor store; (2) A casino, gambling casino or gaming establishment; or (3) A retail establishment that provides adult-oriented entertainment in which performers disrobe or perform in an unclothed state for entertainment.

When the Iowa HHS receives a detailed complaint or suspects that a participant has used their EAC at a prohibited location, the case is referred to the Department of Inspections, Appeals