Page 722
refuses to seek assistance from all available resources, the case manager will explain that failure to cooperate or participate satisfactorily, e.g., continuous unsatisfactory attendance, failure to make satisfactory progress, etc., in assigned work activities may cause the individual to be sanctioned, if good cause cannot be substantiated. Drug and Alcohol Addictions If the job readiness trainer/employer coordinator or the employer suspects that drug or alcohol problems are preventing satisfactory participation, the case manager will be notified. The case manager will inform TWP participants at orientation, assessment and whenever appropriate thereafter about the possibility of drug testing as a condition of employment. The job readiness trainer will also inform participants about drug testing requirements during the job readiness/job search training period and at the time of referral to potential employers who require testing. NOTE: A substance abuse exemption can only be approved at the time of application, reevaluation or change from exempt to mandatory participation status. An exemption cannot be requested as a way to avoid TWP participation or a sanction after the person has been referred to case management or at the time of referral to an employer who requires drug testing prior to employment. Once the individual has declined the opportunity for a substance abuse treatment exemption, no such exemption will be granted until the next reapplication, reevaluation, or change from exempt to nonexempt status. A substance abuse exemption from the TANF Work Program will only be allowed during the treatment period and will not exempt the individual from the 60-month time limit. Any evaluation for alcohol or substance abuse may be provided through the participant's family physician and should be covered by Medicaid. Refer to Chapter 11, Determining Good Cause, Drug and Alcohol Abuse. Other Temporary Incapacity Situations Emergency situations such as a short-term illness of the participant or a family member living in the home may arise and prevent the individual’s participation in the assigned work activity. A family member is defined as the spouse, parent, step-parent, sibling, child, step-child, grandchild, grandparent, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, mother-in-law, father-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister- inlaw of the case head. A child means a biological, adopted or foster child, or a child for whom the individual stands in loco parentis. MDHS realizes that situations beyond the participant’s control may occur to prevent participation in the TANF Work Program. Excuses for not Volume III | Chapter 9 9170