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subject to the 24-month lifetime limit. This program serves TANF purpose 1 and is funded through TANF and State Maintenance of Effort.

Adults engaged in TANF employment services activities are provided opportunities for education and training for workforce preparation and provided assistance with child care costs so that children can be cared for in a safe environment while their caregivers are participating in such activities.

Child care assistance is available to families who participate in approved work activities such as work, job search, education, or training. Furthermore, child care is offered to eligible families for up to 12 months after their TANF case is closed, with no family share deduction or minimum hours of employment, to assist families in achieving economic stability. If a new child care application is received within two months of losing TANF eligibility, a 12-month eligibility period is established with no family share deduction.

Families receiving TANF are encouraged to apply for health care coverage at the same time they apply for TANF. Families receiving cash assistance and those not receiving cash assistance can apply for the Medical Assistance program.

Families who receive TANF must cooperate with child support services to establish and enforce their child support orders. Kansas maintains a substance abuse case management program that meets TANF purpose 2 and is funded by TANF: ▪ This program includes expenditures for screening, assessment, multi-disciplinary care management and individualized care coordination for TANF participants with substance use disorders. This program is designed to assist those with substance use disorders to maintain sobriety to reduce barriers to employment and increase family stability. Income of participants must fall below 30% of the Federal Poverty Level.

Kansas provides a diversion (non-recurrent) payment for qualifying families in lieu of cash assistance. It is designed to assist a family in overcoming a short-term obstacle to employment with the goal of avoiding long-term dependence. This program meets TANF purpose 1 and is funded by TANF.

2. Show how the State intends to require a parent or caregiver receiving assistance under the program to engage in work (defined by the State) once the State determines the parent or caregiver is ready to engage in work, or once the parent or caregiver has received assistance under the program for 24 months (whether or not consecutive), whichever is earlier, consistent with the child care exception at 407(E)(2) (Section 402(A)(1)(A)(ii) of the Social Security Act.

Following TANF approval, the parent or caretaker receiving assistance is assigned to a career navigator. The parent or caretaker will meet work related/self-sufficiency requirements by participating in the TANF Employment Services Program. Specific screenings and assessment tools help identify strengths and barriers to assist in the client/career navigator collaboration for work program assignment. A complete assessment is expected to occur within 90 days of the approval of TANF. Individuals who are determined to be ready for work will be assigned to appropriate activities.