Page 302

14

MISSISSIPPI

[NON-FINANCIAL CRITERIA: TANF WORK PROGRAM]

Revised 10-01- NOTE: Individuals who are eligible to claim the JV work exemption but choose to volunteer for work program services will not be excluded from adverse action policy and procedures and may be sanctioned for failure to attend or participate satisfactorily in assigned work activities without good cause. DRUG TREATMENT TANF Recipients Approved Prior to 08-01-14 Many employers require drug testing prior to employment. TWP participants who are referred to these employers must comply in order to be hired. Failure to pass a pre-employment drug screening or failure to retain a job because of a positive drug test will be considered failure to comply with TWP requirements. In order to make sure a TANF recipient is informed about the substance abuse treatment exemption and understands the drug abuse requirements and has the opportunity to seek treatment, the worker must inform all TANF recipients about the specific provisions of the drug/substance abuse treatment exemption prior to referral to the TWP. The worker’s explanations must include the potential penalties if the individual fails to request an exemption and is later found in noncompliance due to a substance abuse disorder. This exemption can be requested only at the time of reevaluation, or at the time the individual’s participation status changes from exempt to mandatory (NE) or exempt volunteer (EV). This exemption can only be claimed during the substance abuse treatment period. It may not be claimed as a means of avoiding TWP participation or an individual drug sanction once a referral has been made to the TWP, or when referred to an employer who requires a drug test prior to employment. Failure to request this exemption in advance of the potential failure to participate or to obtain employment because of a substance abuse disorder will prohibit the granting of this exemption. Any failure to participate in TWP because of a substance abuse disorder after the opportunity to request the treatment exemption has been declined will mean a TANF drug sanction will be imposed on the adult. Refer to Sanction for Non-Compliance later in this chapter for additional and more detailed information.

3908 At each regular reevaluation interview, the TANF work exemptions must be explained and the MDHS-EA-336, TANF Work Program Substance Abuse Treatment Agreement, must be signed by the non-exempt recipient attesting to his/her understanding of the substance abuse exemption requirement. Each non-exempt adult must sign the TANF Work Program Substance Abuse Treatment Agreement, including a minor head of household. The form will be scanned to the TANF Temp folder in Worksite and a copy given to the individual. Any individual who is