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201.3 TANF Manual 7/22 Page 4b

3. a schedule of actions which the caretaker agrees to complete; and

4. a description of the performance that will constitute compliance.

The worker or designated agency staff must conduct a 30-day progress review and a 60-day compliance review. The purpose of the 30-day progress review is to determine the family’s progress toward achieving compliance with school attendance requirements and to assist the family in achieving compliance. If during the 30-day progress review, it is determined that the plan needs to be modified, then an addendum to the plan should be made. A copy of the modified plan must be provided to the parent/caretaker relative and school. The truant child meets the school attendance requirement during this time provided the parent/caretaker relative continues to cooperate in meeting plan requirements. A 60-day compliance review must be completed to determine what action, if any, needs to be taken regarding the child’s continued eligibility. Note: If an addendum to a plan is implemented during the 30-day progress review, then the 60-day compliance review may be extended.

The local agency must determine what agency staff will be responsible for establishing individual case plans and for verifying cooperation with the plans. The local agency must monitor individual case plans to assure consistent application of the above guidelines.

E. Failure to Establish or Cooperate with the Plan

1. If no response is received to the written notice within five working days as specified in Section 201.3 C, the local department must do the following:

a. make reasonable efforts to personally contact the applicant/recipient. This may include a direct telephone contact or a face-to-face contact to explain the requirement to develop a plan to return the child to school and the result of not cooperating with the requirement. The case record must be documented as to the agency's attempts to contact the applicant/recipient; and

b. if, after reasonable efforts, the local department is unable to make personal contact, the local department must mail an "Advance Notice of Proposed Action" to the caretaker advising him that the truant child will be ineligible for TANF benefits if the caretaker fails to contact the agency to develop a plan to return the child to school.

2. If the caretaker responds to the written notice specified in Section 201.3 C or to the personal contact, but fails to cooperate in developing or complying with the plan, the agency must take action effective the next month, if administratively possible, to remove the truant recipient from the payment due to noncooperation.

The child's failure or refusal to cooperate with the plan is considered noncooperation by the caretaker, as the caretaker is responsible for the child's actions.

If the truant child is the only eligible child, the case is ineligible for assistance and must be closed. If the caretaker and child subsequently decide to cooperate with the plan, the caretaker must reapply for TANF.

TANF Transmittal 74