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TANF POLICY MANUAL

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function within the family unit. With this in mind, a comprehensive plan of action should be developed with the client to encompass the needs of the household. The case situation may warrant the Case Manager not only to assist the client or other family members in attending appointments, but also to accompany them.

NOTE: The TANF case of CARES recipients cannot be closed if they fail to cooperate in developing case plans.

NOTE: The CARES Mutual Responsibility Agreement should be completed within (30) thirty days of case approval.

8. CARES Reassessment Assessment is an on-going process and the CM should determine when additional testing is needed. Vocational tests, inventories or surveys may be used when needed to determine the client’s skills, ability and the need for additional services. The CM may also acquire additional information from observation and data provided by the participant.

The CM should have a monthly contact with each participant in the CARES Program. These contacts may be made in person or by phone. This responsibility should rest with the CM and should not be transferred as a responsibility to the client.

Documentation of all activities is an essential element of this program. The DSS Form 1230D or case notes in SCOSA can be used to document all activities by the Case Manager.

9. CARES Case Management A major advantage of the CARES Program is the ability of the CM to assist the client by allowing participation in work activities without the constraints of TANF work program requirements and/or time limited benefits.

The CARES Case Manager should reference local county resource books that should be maintained and updated as part of the TANF and SNAP. This should be useful in identifying available services and opportunities in the county for disabled individuals. The CM must determine whether the disabled individual is capable of participating in TANF work activities and the level of participation. This should be based on information obtained from qualified medical professionals and the Self- Evaluation Activities of Daily Living, DSS Form 1247B. 10. CARES Non-Discrimination Depending on the abilities of the CARES participant, the Case Manager may provide the recipient with the same work activity opportunities as those clients participating in the TANF Work Program, even though special accommodations may have to be made.

Accommodations may include, but are not limited to: part-time or flexible hours for activities; providing the individual with activities in a specific environment that enables the individual to participate; providing particular types of jobs or work activities that are consistent with the person’s limitations; scheduling activities so they do not conflict with ongoing medical or mental health treatment; additional notice of program appointments; additional explanation of program rules; additional time to complete requirements and additional intervention to enable the individual to comply with CARES activities.