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1000.13 TANF MANUAL 2/12 PAGE 38a

Note: Federal requirements limit countable hours of job search/job readiness for participants with a child under age 6 to 120 hours in a 12-month period. A successful 4-week job search will use up 80 of the total 120 hours available in the 12-month period as well as 4 consecutive weeks of job search/job readiness. However, only 40 additional hours can be counted toward participation for the remainder of the 12-month period.

1) Job readiness training includes activities to assist the participant in program participation by helping her recognize and overcome personal and family problems which may be a barrier to accomplishing her employment and training goals. Job readiness activities also prepare the participant for work by assuring that she is familiar with general work place expectations, work behaviors, and attitudes necessary to compete successfully in the labor market. Job readiness should also address the economic benefits of going to work. These include wages above the TANF payment, the enhanced earned income and savings disregards, and the Federal Earned Income Tax Credit.

2) Job readiness topics may include, but are not limited to, communication skills, life skills, motivational training, problem solving, assertiveness, nutrition, money management, time management training and other activities that enhance specific work place expectations and behaviors. Substance abuse treatment, mental health treatment or rehabilitative activities may also be counted as job readiness based on the same conditions and time limits that apply to job readiness generally.

3) Job readiness training may be conducted through workshops or seminars and through treatment programs, as well as through one-on-one counseling.

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