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Subject: Families First Assistance Units

Policy 23.02 Date of Last Review: 03/11/2024 Effective Date: 04/01/2024 Date of Next Review: 03/11/2027 RDA: SW22 Page 4 of 7 b. If a child lives with a specified relative who has a legally appointed guardian or custodian, the guardian/custodian must file the application and be named payee for the grant. 4. An individual convicted of a drug felony offense which occurred on or after August 22, 1996, and involves possession, use, or distribution of a controlled substance, may be eligible for Families First if they are in compliance with, or have already complied with, all obligations imposed by the criminal court, including any substance abuse treatment obligations, and the convicted individual: a. Is participating in a TDHS-approved substance abuse treatment program; or b. Is currently enrolled in and/or on a waiting list to enter a TDHS-approved substance abuse treatment program; or c. Has successfully completed a substance abuse treatment program approved by TDHS; or d. Has been determined by a treatment provider licensed by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Service not to need treatment. 5. Individuals who have been granted judicial diversion for a Class E felony charge will continue to be eligible for Families First benefits as long as they are cooperating with the conditions of the court, including successful completion of their probationary period provided no future charges occur. The court does not recognize a diversion plea as a conviction. 6. Parents who are not in the home must be included in the AU when: a. The parent is temporarily out of the home and maintains their function as a provider of maintenance, physical care, or guidance for the child. b. The parents have true 50/50 joint custody of the child. Unstable Assistance Units The caseworker must consider whether changes in the AU are needed if the child’s parent(s) comes into the home but does not stay for long periods of time when there is a non-parental caretaker. 1. When it is determined that the parent(s) is in and out of the home and the non-parental caretaker continues to maintain care and control of the child, both the non-parental caretaker and the parent(s) should be included in the AU. 2. When it is determined that the parent(s) is in the home permanently and has assumed care and control of the child(ren), the non-parental caretaker’s case must be closed. See Families First Assistance Unit Procedures for more information. Pregnant Woman Only Cases 1. A Families First AU may consist of a pregnant woman only when: a. There are no living eligible children in the home; b. It is medically verified that the woman is at least in her sixth (6th) month of pregnancy; c. The woman and child, if born, would meet all other Families First eligibility criteria; and