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Nevada TANF State Plan P a g e | 2 5 Effective December 31, 2020 • Address the minor parent’s school attendance, plans to stay or return to school or its equivalent. 4. EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING The Division’s employment and training program known as New Employees of Nevada (NEON) is implemented statewide. In compliance with the Social Security Laws Title 42 Section 402 [42 U.S.C. 602] (a)(1)(A)(ii) NEON participants are required to engage in work once the State determines the parent or needy caretaker is ready to engage in work, or once the parent or needy caretaker has received assistance under the program for 24 months (whether or not consecutive) whichever is earlier, and consistent with the exemption for a single custodial parent with a child under age 6 that has proved that appropriate child care is unavailable, unsuitable, or unaffordable as defined below. TANF benefits will be terminated if a participant fails or refuses to participate in work activities as required, unless exempt. 4.1 Exemptions from Work Participation All heads-of-household – including minor parent heads-of-household – are required to participate in NEON with the following exemptions, in alignment with NRS 422A.555: • A single parent caring for a child less than 12 months of age for not more than 3 months per pregnancy – unless a hardship exists – and a total of 12 months in a lifetime. • A single custodial parent with a child under 6 years of age that proves appropriate child care is unavailable, unsuitable, or unaffordable. 4.2 Definitions and Criteria Regarding Inability to Obtain Child Care Definitions A. The definitions below are the same definitions used in the Child Care & Development Fund State Plan to inform parent(s) that receive TANF benefits about the exemption to the individual penalties associated with the work requirement for any single custodial parent that has demonstrated inability to obtain needed child care for a child under 6 years of age. • Appropriate Child Care: Child care chosen by the parent which offers developmentally appropriate practices meeting the needs of that parent and child. • Reasonable Distance: A parent should not be required to travel more than 60 minutes to drop off or pick up the child. • Unsuitability of Informal Care: o Informal child care is unsuitable if it is not being provided legally or it does not meet basic health and safety standards as outlined in the State Child Care Plan. o Informal child care is unsuitable if circumstances exist that cause possible abuse, neglect or harm as outlined in county or state statutes. o Informal child care is unsuitable if the arrangements do not support the working schedule of a parent, are not affordable, not easily-accessible, or do not meet quality standards as defined by the parent.