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Vermont Department for Children and Families Economic Services Division Reach Up Services Rules 2300 14

1. Their participation status; 2. A change in participation status; 3. The rights and responsibilities associated with the participation status; 4. The availability of deferments to engage in Reach Up participant requirements; 5. The potential for sanction or closure of benefits for noncooperation; 6. The right to request conciliation; and 7. The right to a fair hearing for participants who do not agree with the status determination.

2313 Family Development Plans (08/01/2024, 23-30)

a. Every participant must have a family development plan (FDP). b. The FDP documents participation in Reach Up services (rule 2300).

c. The FDP sets forth each participant’s responsibilities, which include:

1. Engaging in goal achievement related to employment, training, education, and other applicable goals;

2. The schedule of activities to attain the goals; and

3. The specific FDP requirements they must fulfill to avoid sanctions or closure.

d. Development of the initial FDP begins during application for Reach Up benefits (Reach Up Eligibility rule 2202).

1. A second parent who joins an existing Reach Up household shall develop an initial FDP as a condition of their eligibility and the household's continuing eligibility, while a decision on their eligibility is pending.

e. Within 30 days of the first Reach Up services meeting the FDP shall be created and include the following: 1. Employment, training, education, and other applicable goals of each participant; 2. An assessment (rule 2302.2) of each participant's strengths and whether they have any obstacles to their goals and ability to work, including a literacy evaluation followed by referral to an appropriate resource or program, if needed; 3. Identification of the services, supports, and accommodations needed to overcome any obstacles and move them toward their goals; 4. Assignment of Department and participant responsibilities with a time schedule for fulfillment of these FDP responsibilities; and 5. Definition of goals for successful completion of activities relative to incentive payments (rule 2310). 2314 Participant Goals in the FDP (08/01/2024, 23-30)

a. The participant's goals are essential elements of the FDP.