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Subject: Families First Work and/or Educational Activity

Policy 23.13 Date of Last Review: 06/26/2024 Effective Date: 07/01/2024 Date of Next Review: 06/26/2027 RDA: SW22 Page 5 of 9 b. VA benefits based on their 100% disability; c. Black Lung benefits based on their own disability. 2. DRS will determine whether the Families First customer is eligible for DRS services and whether those services would provide the customer an opportunity to voluntarily participate in the Families First work and/or educational activity. 3. Customers approved for services through DRS will be referred to the TANF Case Manager. 4. Customers who do not want to participate, attend the referral appointment, or comply with DRS will retain their exempt status and will not be subject to sanction. ADAAA Accommodation Some individuals may need Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) accommodations in order to participate in the Families First program and be able to fulfill their work and/or educational activity requirements. Individuals who are being assessed for an ADAAA accommodation will be exempt during the assessment period. Victims of Domestic Violence In order to accommodate victims who are actively seeking safety and/or shelter from domestic violence, several participation options are available. 1. Customers who are living in a residential shelter that provides rehabilitative services, such as therapy or other activities geared toward work, and requires sole participation in the shelter’s program have met their thirty (30) hour work and/or educational activity. These individuals may receive support services through TDHS if needed. 2. Customers who are living in a residential shelter that does not require sole participation in the shelter’s program and/or does not provide work programs will have a mandatory work and/or educational activity to participate in Families First. • Work and/or educational activity participation hours for individuals who are victims of domestic violence and are unable to meet the thirty (30) hour requirement may be modified, if necessary, to protect the safety of the individual. Modified hours for the work and/or educational activity can only be adjusted based on a recommendation from Family Focused Solutions (FFS). 3. Victims of domestic violence who are unable to participate in a Families First activity because it would pose a threat to their safety or the safety of their children will be granted a temporary waiver from the work requirement not to exceed thirty (30) calendar days due to a “short-term temporary crisis.” Volunteers 1. Exempt customers may volunteer to participate in Families First work and/or educational activities, except for child only caretakers, non-citizens who do not possess a valid work permit, and SSI recipients.