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Massachusetts TANF State Plan

The state’s workforce development activities for parents and caretakers receiving TAFDC include the resources available through Pathways to Work. The WIOA Steering Committee, policy makers and leadership at DTA regularly discuss the need to increase the available resources for education and training programs focused on career pathways that can help move the skill set of individuals receiving assistance into the range of employment that provides family-supporting wages. Successful strategies typically require multi-year education and training that leads to a credential along with family support (public assistance, child care, transportation), coaching at the education and training provider, on- the-job experience (subsidized or internships) and intensive job placement (unsubsidized) support upon completion (potentially through the MassHire Career Centers). Before a TAFDC case is approved, a case manager helps parents or caretakers who may be ‘work ready’ register with the MassHire system through JobQuest. Registering with JobQuest allows someone to create a job match profile that matches their skills and experience against current job openings. A resume can also be attached and profiles can be made visible to hiring employers. This is a critical first step for parents and caregivers to be positioned for hire. Once a TAFDC case is approved, the family is referred to the FEW who completes a welcoming phone call, an orientation and an assessment to help the family identify goals they want to work on. The FEW then helps to connect the family to a program that can help them meet their identified goal. A referral for fully subsidized child care is provided so that the parent or caretaker can participate in their chosen program. Young parents without a high school degree and not work ready participate in the Young Parents Program to achieve their high school equivalency degree. DTA is also engaged in a partnership with the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) to increase options for parents and caregivers who have a disability but want to engage in work. DTA has found that these partnerships are critical resources for families receiving TAFDC to not only gain additional skills but to receive the supports necessary to move from public assistance to employment. FEWs maintain relationships with all of the ESP providers in their area. When a parent or caretaker stops participating in a program, the FEW and the program work collaboratively to re-engage the parent or caretaker in the activity quickly, before there is any reduction to the family’s grant. Massachusetts also encourages work through the earned income disregards described above under employment incentives. These disregards allow families to maintain access to benefits when they begin working so they can access all of the supports needed to maintain employment. The disregards also allow families to build assets and gain job experience so that they are better positioned to stay off public benefits once their TAFDC case closes. While Massachusetts allows families to participate in activities that are appropriate for them and will help them meet their goals, Massachusetts only reports the activities and hours in the WPR as allowed under the Social Security Act and described in the Work Verification Plan. (a)(1)(A)(iv) Take such reasonable steps as the State deems necessary to restrict the use and disclosure of information about individuals and families receiving