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Vermont Department for Children and Families Economic Services Division Reach Up Services Rules 2300 27

2. The steps in the conciliation process; 3. The right to have a representative present at the conciliation meeting; and 4. The actions to be taken if conciliation is unsuccessful.

e. Participants may conciliate disputes for each instance of non‐engagement.

1. Any subsequent non‐engagement without good cause during the conciliation process will result in the immediate initiation of the sanctions process or termination of benefits without an opportunity for additional conciliation.

f. Any time a participant makes a claim of good cause the Department must make a determination of whether documentation of such good cause is required.

1. The participant will have 10 days to provide good cause documentation after the Department's request.

2. When the participant is unable to obtain required documentation, the Department shall provide assistance, if possible. g. When it is determined, at any time during a conciliation process, that the participant had good cause for non‐engagement, including qualifying for a deferment of requirements that relates to the non‐ engagement, conciliation will end.

1. Under these circumstances, there will be no conciliation resolution plan.

2327.2 Conciliation Resolution Period (08/01/2024, 23-30)

a. The conciliation resolution period begins on the date of the first scheduled conciliation meeting and lasts for no more than 15 consecutive calendar days.

b. The conciliation resolution period is the time frame when the Department and the participant meet and discuss how the participant may engage in Reach Up services requirements, including a review of all applicable good cause and deferment criteria.

c. The product of the conciliation meeting is a conciliation resolution plan, which describes what the participant must do to achieve satisfactory participation and the time frames involved.

1. The Department and participant will revise the FDP in accordance with the conciliation resolution plan.

d. The Department shall advise the participant of their right to terminate the conciliation process at any time, which will result in a determination of unsuccessful resolution and immediate initiation of the sanctions process or termination of benefits.

2327.3 Successful Conciliation Resolution (08/01/2024, 23-30)

a. Conciliation is considered successfully resolved when the participant demonstrates engagement with the activities outlined in the conciliation resolution plan and the revised FDP.

b. Engagement must begin within five calendar days of the date the conciliation resolution plan is signed and continues for a period of two weeks to three months, as specified by the Department in