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Vermont TANF State Plan Renewal October 1, 2024 through December 31, 2027 9

State-funded EA

When there are sufficient general funds, the EA benefits detailed on page 7 are funded with TANF MOE.

Reach Ahead

Reach Ahead is a separate state nutritional assistance and support services program that provides nutritional assistance and services to families who have left the Reach Up or the Postsecondary Education (PSE) financial assistance programs within the past six months. The purpose of the Reach Ahead is to mitigate the benefits cliff, improve families’ financial stability and overall well-being while transitioning off Reach Up or PSE, and reduce the need for ongoing financial assistance

Eligible families receive $50 of nutritional assistance each month for the first 12 months and $5 for the second 12 months of Reach Ahead participation. Families can purchase only food with Reach Ahead nutritional assistance. Eligible families also receive support services, including a 100% childcare subsidy, for the duration of time they receive nutritional assistance.

To be eligible for Reach Ahead a family must:

1. Seek enrollment in Reach Ahead within six months of leaving Reach Up or PSE; 2. include a work-eligible adult who is meeting the applicable TANF work requirement through unsubsidized employment; 3. include a minor child; and 4. meet all other Reach Up requirements such as residency, family composition and verification of income.

Boys and Girls Clubs (B&G) Services

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Vermont provide safe and healthy after-school and out-of-school activities to needy school aged children throughout Vermont. Vermont counts B&G Club expenditures to provide these services as third party MOE. For the purposes of eligibility for MOE-funded B&G services, “needy” is defined as families with a student who is eligible to receive free or reduced lunch. The B&G Club and DCF recognize it is beneficial to the residents of the State of Vermont that the DCF and the BGC join together to optimize services that will prevent out-of-wedlock pregnancies, by providing children healthy, educational opportunities in the community.

(a)(1)(A)(ii) Require a parent or caretaker receiving assistance under the program to engage in work (as defined by the State) once the State determines the parent or caretaker is ready to engage in work, or once the parent or caretaker has received assistance under the program for 24 months (whether or not consecutive), whichever is earlier.

Vermont requires a parent or caretaker receiving assistance to engage in activities related to family well- being, financial stability, employment, training, education, and addressing obstacles to employment.