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Washington State Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) State Plan States that include TANF in the Combined State Plan must outline how the State will meet the requirements of section 402 of the Social Security Act including the following information.

(a) Conduct a program designed to serve all political subdivisions in the State (not necessarily in a uniform manner) that provides assistance to needy families with (or expecting) children and provides parents with job preparation, work, and support services to enable them to leave the program, specifically cash assistance, and become self-sufficient (section 402(a)(1)(A)(i) of the Social Security Act).

On November 1, 1997, Washington’s WorkFirst Program became operational statewide. The program was designed to move families on welfare into employment as quickly as possible through upfront job search, work experience activities, and short-term education and training.

Today the program is an integral part of a statewide effort to reduce poverty in Washington. It aims to connect families to resources and opportunities with the overall goal of reducing poverty in a way that eliminates disparities. The State has instituted, by rule, uniform program policies in all political subdivisions, including uniform TANF cash benefit standards.

Washington State provides cash benefits to all needy families who meet the eligibility criteria established by rules of the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) and in accordance with this State Plan. TANF is the major cash assistance program providing cash benefits for low-income families with (or expecting) children in Washington State. The WorkFirst program offers services and activities to help program participants find and maintain paid, unsubsidized employment and improve wages over time, with the vision of supporting pathways towards economic stability and mobility. The WorkFirst program links families to a variety of state, federal, and community resources. Examples include: • Child support collection. • Food assistance. • Subsidized child care. • Medical assistance. • Tuition assistance at community and technical colleges. • Employment related services. • WorkFirst support services.

WorkFirst support services include assistance with paying for work clothing/tools, car repair, driver’s and vehicle licensing, diapers, hygiene supplies and transportation. Job preparation services also include education and training tuition assistance, books, test fees and subsidized work experience. In addition, the program is dedicated to assisting families in working towards continued economic stability and mobility once they become employed by providing employment retention and wage progression services.

In operating the WorkFirst Program, Washington State: • Provides an up-front employability screening and assessment for participants prior to any activity assignment to assess work readiness and barriers to employment. Washington elects by