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Vermont Department for Children and Families Reach Ahead Rules Economic Services Division 2501 Definitions 2501 Definitions (03/01/2017, 17-02) Reach Ahead terms are either defined in Reach Up rules and incorporated into Reach Ahead rules or defined in this section. A. The following Reach Ahead terms are defined in Reach Up rule 2301 and incorporated into Reach Ahead rules by this reference: 1. Adult 2. Barrier 3. Caretaker 4. Commissioner 5. Department 6. Dependent Child 7. Living with a relative or caretaker 8. Parent 9. Relative 10. Temporary Assistance to Needy Families or TANF B. The following definitions apply to these terms as used in Reach Ahead program rules: 1. “Eligible family” means a family that meets the requirements in rule 2502 and a. has one or more dependent children living with one or both parents or a relative or caretaker of such children (the temporary absence criteria defined in Reach Up rule 2230.3 are incorporated into Reach Ahead rules by this reference); or b. is a pregnant individual who is in her last month of pregnancy, in her final trimester of a medically verified high risk pregnancy, or in her final trimester of pregnancy and is under age 18. 2. “Food assistance” means a monthly financial assistance benefit in the form of food support. If receiving food stamps, the food assistance may supplement the family’s food stamp benefit. 3. “Participant” or “participating adult” means an adult member of a participating family. 4. Participating family” means an eligible family that participates in the Reach Ahead program. 5. “Reach Ahead services” means the service component of the Reach Ahead program consisting of case management services, support services, and referrals provided to eligible families to assist them in maintaining self-sufficiency. 6. “Reach First” means Vermont’s diversion program established under chapter 10 of title 33 of the Vermont Statutes Annotated and operated in accordance with Reach First rules 2100 to 2199. 7. “Reach Up” means Vermont’s financial assistance program established under chapter 11 of title 33 of the Vermont Statutes Annotated and operated in accordance with Reach Up rules 2200 to 2399.