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TANF POLICY MANUAL

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See the Job Accommodation Network site for an extensive list of accommodations by disability http://www.jan.wvu.edu/media/atoz.htm

NOTE: Any support services payments offered to participants in the TANF Work Program must also be offered to CARES participants when needed to participate in any activity.

11. CARES Tracks The determination of a participant’s disability must be made and documented through a physician statement or other acceptable means of verification from a licensed health care professional. The statement must clearly lead to the conclusion that the participant will be unable to fully participate in the TANF Work activities for a period of 90 days or more. This documentation is the driving force for the CARES program and will determine the path of services the Case Manager offers the participant.

There are two tracks of participation in the CARES Program. Each track will be clearly defined based on the medical information provided by the participant’s doctor or licensed health care professional.

These tracks will help determine the services offered by the Case Manager. The Case Manager will be responsible for updating the PATS system with the CARES track code once the appropriate track is determined.

The following codes will be used to identify CARES Tracks:

TRACK 1 - T1 – Disabled for 90 days or more but able to participate in some activities.

TRACK 2 - T2 – Disabled for 90 days or more, unable to participate, must apply for SSI or RSDI benefits when appropriate.

A. CARES Track 1 Characteristics The following characteristics will identify those participants who will be placed in track 1 case management activities:

a. Track 1 participants experience a disability severe enough to prevent full-time participation in the TANF Work Program, but not to the extent that all work and training activities are prevented.

b. Track 1 participants may show an indication of a learning disability on the, TANF Family Success Assessment (TFSA), and diagnosed as Learning Disabled (LD) by a licensed psychologist and the learning disability prevents full-time TANF participation for a period of 90 days or more.

c. Track 1 recipients may participate in any TANF Work Program activities for which they qualify even though special accommodations may be needed. Again, the participant’s disability must prevent full participation in these TANF Work Activities for 90 days or more.