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Vermont Department for Children and Families Economic Services Division Reach Up Services Rules 2300 7

2. Determination of whether the participant has obstacles and how these obstacles relate to their goals and ability to work; 3. Literacy evaluation; and 4. Determination of what services are needed to achieve their goals and implementation of their FDP.

2303 Support Services (08/01/2024, 23-30)

a. Support services are the services and referrals needed for the accomplishment of the participant's goals and the implementation of their FDP (Reach Up Eligibility rule 2201). b. The Department shall determine the full range of support services needed by each Reach Up household and include the support services in the FDP.

2304 Determination of Support Services (08/01/2024, 23-30)

a. The Department determines the support services needed by each Reach Up household based upon the results of the participants’ assessments and the goals established by the participants.

b. Whenever the FDP is modified, the case manager shall reassess the household's needs for support services.

c. Participants may be eligible for services for a period of 6 months, subject to program regulations, if they no longer receive Reach Up benefits due to employment.

d. If the successful completion of the FDP requires a support service that is unavailable, the individual must cooperate with the case manager in developing an alternative FDP for which the necessary support services are available at a cost that does not exceed the limits established for the program.

1. Support services will be considered unavailable if: i. The service cannot be obtained within an hour commute of the participant's residence; or ii. The service is only available at a cost to the Department, and the Department does not provide funding for the service for reasons allowable under these rules. e. The Department does not guarantee: 1. The availability of funds for the purchase of services; or 2. The availability of services in the community at the price established to enable the program to serve all participants.

2305 Support Services Providers (08/01/2024, 23-30)

a. The Department may provide support services directly, may refer participants to other programs for services, or may pay for services from other entities.

b. The Department shall refer participants to any existing programs that provide the needed services at no cost to the participant or Department.