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Vermont Department for Children and Families Economic Services Division Reach Ahead Rules 2500 Reach Ahead 2500 Reach Ahead (7/1/2015, 15-08) The Reach Ahead program assists employed families with unsubsidized earnings who have recently left Reach Up or the Postsecondary Education program. The purpose of the program is to assist these families in their transition from public assistance and to help them maintain employment by providing work supports and incentives. Reach Ahead is designed to improve family financial stability while the family transitions off of public assistance by providing work supports, services and food assistance. Reach Ahead provides information and referrals to workforce development options, time-limited work supports, and food assistance. Participation in this program is limited to no more than 24 months in a participating adult’s lifetime. When necessary, Reach Ahead provides individualized case management that addresses the individual participant’s situation or barriers to self sufficiency and assists the participant to maintain employment.