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I V - A S T A T E O F M A I N E T A N F S T A T E P L A N 9 | P a g e

• Paid employment, including subsidized options such as apprenticeship or OJT (On the Job Training), with private and public employers, student work study, and self- employment. • Vocational education training, which includes hours spent in class time required to achieve a credential required for sustainable work, including an Associate’s Degree or Bachelor’s degree. This also includes high school diploma or equivalency completion, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes, college courses and degree attainment programs, short term training, adult education certificate courses, technical/trades courses or technical training that is employer sponsored. One hour of study time is included toward participation for every hour of classroom participation. • Work Experience Placements, which includes working in a non-profit agency work site (community service) and in some cases in a private business in order to develop work skills and preparedness • Job Search, which may include structured group classes or individual job search activities. • Job Readiness, which includes activities and services that help an individual prepare for work. This may include treatment or individualized job development and work experience placement assistance. • Providing Child Care Services to an individual who is participating in a community service program.

Individuals may either meet their full participation requirement with all core activities listed above or they may participate in the following activities for their additional required hours. These activities are “non-core” activities.

• Additional education activities, which include adult education work for those over 20 who have not achieved a high diploma or equivalency. • Education Directly Related to Employment- English for Speakers of Other Languages courses, and any other training or coursework that is meant to improve an individual’s employability or employment advancement.

Individuals who participate in a work experience placement or community service program may not be required to participate for more than the maximum number of hours per week allowable by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). This hourly requirement is calculated by dividing the individual’s total TANF and SNAP benefit by minimum wage. If the resulting number is less than the minimum number of hours required by federal and/or state law, the individual may participate in non-core activities to meet their full participation requirement.

Temporary Exemptions from Participation for All Families

An individual may request to be exempt from participation with the ASPIRE-TANF Program. The allowable exemptions include: