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13 specialists who will provide assistance to minimize barriers such as substance abuse, physical or learning disabilities, domestic violence and other impediments to employment.

DSS will require each work-eligible individual to sign an individual employment plan. The individual employment plan is an agreement between the recipient and DSS that describes the actions necessary to fulfill the vocational goals and time frames for completing those actions. Each work-eligible individual will be placed in work-related activities consistent with his/her skills, education, experience and competence. Work activities may include: employment, on-the-job-training, job search, job readiness activities, work experience, community service programs, vocational educational activities, job skills training or educational activities. Those caretaker relative families identified as “Child-Only” will not be required to participate in the TANF work program as they are exempt from work requirements and will not require an individual employment plan. The individual employment plan is also inclusive of the entire family and set forth steps that family members can take to attain a higher level of individual functioning.

DSS currently does not have a plan to assist individuals in training for, seeking and maintaining employment in the eldercare workforce as outlined in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010. DSS works with various state agencies to provide referrals of TANF participants seeking training and/or employment in the elder care workforce. Additional assistance is also available to include vocational education training, job search and job readiness assistance, and support services.

3.1.1 Job Search Requirement as a Condition of Eligibility DSS will require TANF applicants, identified as work-eligible, to conduct an initial job search. Applicants who meet the criteria outlined in Section 2.4 #1 of the TANF Manual are exempt from the initial job search requirement.

Applicants considered young custodial parents (YCP) are required to conduct an initial job search as a condition of TANF eligibility. County staff will provide job search information during the initial interview with the YCP applicant. Young custodial parents: • Are between the ages of 18-25; • Do not have a high school diploma, GED or certificate of completion; and • Have a child under the age of 12 months.

The YCP must make and document a minimum of five employer contacts during the application process. It is recommended that the search be completed within two weeks. Failure to complete the job search without good cause (good cause reasons are those generally considered to be beyond the control of the applicant) will result in denial of the application.

Individuals who are exempt from initial job search requirements are: • Ineligible non-citizens