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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 27 | P a g e

Section VI: TANF State Plan Certifications

Maine will operate a program to provide TANF so: that children may be cared for in their own homes or in the homes of relatives; to end dependence of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work, and marriage; to prevent and reduce the incidence of out- of-wedlock pregnancies; and to encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families.

The state program is known as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).

The Executive Officer of the State of Maine is Governor Janet T. Mills.

In administering and operating a program which provides TANF under the Title IV-A of the Social Security Act, the State:

1) Maine’s TANF Program 42 U.S.C. 602(a)(1)) Certifies that the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Family Independence, is the State agency that will supervise the administration of the program.

2) Child Support (42 U.S.C. 602(a)(2)) Will operate a child support enforcement program under the State plan approved under part D;

3) Foster Care and Adoption Assistance (42 U.S.C. 602(a)(3)) Will operate a foster care and adoption assistance program under the State plan approved under part E, and certify that the State will take all necessary actions to ensure that children receiving assistance under such part are eligible for medical assistance under the State plan under title XIX;

4) Administration (42 U.S.C. 602(a)(4)) Assures that local governments and private sector organizations: A. Have been consulted regarding the plan and design of welfare services in the State so that services are provided in a manner appropriate to local populations; and B. Have had at least forty-five (45) days to submit comments on the plan and the design of such services;

5) Equitable Access (42 U.S.C. 602(a)(5)) Will provide each member of an Indian tribe, who is domiciled in the State and is not eligible for assistance under a tribal family assistance plan approved under Section 612, with equitable access to assistance under the State program funded under this part attributable to funds provided by the Federal Government;

6) Program Fraud and Abuse (42 U.S.C. 602(a)(6))