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201.5 TANF MANUAL 2/09 Page 4

The priority order for living arrangements of all minor parents is the following: with a parent, with a relative, with a legal guardian, or with a person 21 years of age or older who is standing in place of the parent. If the minor parent does not reside with her parent, the local agency shall consider this priority order by encouraging the minor to move, when a more appropriate placement is found in a higher priority level. If the minor parent does not live with her parent(s) and the local agency determines that living with the parent(s) is more appropriate, the worker must make reasonable efforts to advise the parent(s) of their legal responsibility for the minor parent.

Example 1: Sue is a minor parent living with her daughter in the home of her grandmother. Sue states she does not like her mother's rules. Sue's grandmother does not make Sue attend school and does not impose a curfew. Sue's mother provides appropriate supervision. The agency encourages Sue to move in with her mother to receive TANF, and sends a letter to Sue's mother advising her of her legal responsibility for Sue.

1. Exceptions - The minor parent residency requirement shall not apply if one of the following situations exists:

a. The minor parent is married;

b. The minor parent has no parent or person standing in loco parentis who is living;

c. The minor parent has no parent or person standing in loco parentis whose whereabouts are known; or

d. The physical or emotional health or safety of the minor parent or his dependent child would be jeopardized if the minor parent and dependent lived in the same residence with the minor parent's parent or person standing in loco parentis. Such a claim shall be corroborated by clear and convincing evidence from court, medical, criminal, child protective services, psychological or law enforcement records.

If the minor parent meets an exception, then TANF is to be approved (if otherwise eligible).

2. Locating Adult-Supervised Living Arrangements - If the minor parent meets an exception b through d above and no parent or person standing in loco parentis is available, the local department of social services must assist the minor parent in locating an adult-supervised supportive living arrangement. This is to be done by determining, with the minor parent, why she does not live with a parent or person standing in loco parentis and what her needs are. The local agency must attempt to find an appropriate adult-supervised supportive living arrangement such as, but not limited to, a group home.

TANF Transmittal 40