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Vermont Department for Children and Families Economic Services Division Reach Up Services Rules 2300 4

2300 Reach Up Services (08/01/2024, 23-30)

a. In combination with Reach Up financial assistance, the Reach Up Services program supports each participant pursuant to the Reach Up mission of overcoming obstacles, exploring opportunities, improving finances and reaching their goals.

b. The Reach Up Services program provides: 1. Case management services; 2. Coaching services;

3. Support services; and 4. Referrals.

2301 Definitions (08/01/2024, 23-30)

a. The following definitions apply to the terms used in the rules for the Reach Up Services program.

1. “Able‐to‐work” means to be free of any physical, emotional, or mental condition that would prevent the participant from engaging in any allowable and countable combination of work activities for at least 35 hours per week.

2. "Adult relative" means an adult individual, who is related to the minor parent. 3. "Approved living arrangement" means a minor parent living in the following settings: i. With a parent or adult relative, who provides supervision in a setting that includes, at a minimum, the following: A. Safe and adequate shelter; B. The opportunity and encouragement for the minor parent to learn independent living and parenting skills through experience; C. Strong support to help the minor parent meet the goals of the Reach Up family development plan (FDP); and

D. The minor parent considers the parental home acceptable; or ii. Group homes for pregnant and parenting teenagers, licensed foster homes, and ESD‐ approved transitional housing with an adult residing in one of the living units. 4. “Assessment” means: i. The Department's information‐gathering process that identifies a participant's skills, aptitudes, interests, life and work experience and obstacles; and ii. The determination of how these factors relate to the participant's goals and their ability to work.

5. “Case management” means the services provided by or through the Department to Reach Up households, including assessment, information, referrals, and assistance in the development of participant goals and implementation of a FDP.