Page 26

TANF Section, WIOA Combined Plan Modifications 2026

26 populations include: pregnant women; specialized minority treatment agencies including tribal agencies; intravenous drug users; correctional clients; and child welfare related service populations. DHS awarded grants for providing new or expanded community-based AODA treatment programs that meet the special needs of TANF eligible individuals based on the program’s ability to emphasize parent education, vocational and housing assistance, and coordination with other community programs and with treatment under intensive care. This program falls under Purposes 1 and 2. Substance abuse issues can pose significant barriers to work and can result in children being placed in out-of-home care. By providing services to address underlying substance abuse issues, the program mitigates unsafe circumstances caused by substance abuse that can lead to a child’s removal from the home. In addition, these services mitigate the obstacle substance abuse can pose to gaining and maintaining employment, consistent with Purpose 2.

Home-Visiting Programs DCF, in collaboration with DHS, administers comprehensive home-visiting programs to expand the in-home services to needy families. These services for families who are at-risk focus on: improving birth outcomes; supporting maternal and child health; enhancing family functioning; promoting safety and development; and preventing child abuse and neglect. This program falls under Purpose 4, encouraging the formation and maintenance of two- parent families

(b) Require a parent or caretaker receiving assistance under the program to engage in work (defined by the State) once the State determines that the parent or caretaker is ready to engage in work, or once the parent or caretaker has received 24 months of assistance, whichever is earlier, consistent with the child care exception at 407(e)(2) (section 402(a)(1)(A)(ii) of the Social Security Act).

W-2’s goal is to connect parents with appropriate work or work training as soon as possible. A W-2 participant is placed in the highest possible employment or work-training level according to his or her ability. As participants gain work experience and skills, they are expected to move up to the next appropriate level of work or training at the earliest opportunity. Unsubsidized employment is the goal for most W-2 participants, and applicants may be required to search for unsubsidized employment while their applications are pending. The EP includes the specific program activities for the W-2 participant to achieve employment. These program activities focus on the participant’s employment, family, and personal needs identified in assessments and screenings. (See W-2 Manual Chapter 6, W-2 Manual Appendix on Activity Codes, and information on the Employability Plan within section above.)

Ongoing Case Management and Supportive Services The W-2 FEP provides ongoing case management for the W-2 participant, including periodic reassessment of the current placement based on circumstances at the time. The FEP works with the W-2 participant to assist in addressing family and work-related needs before situations result in a family crisis, nonparticipation in program activities, and/or loss of employment. The FEP provides information necessary to connect applicants/participants with supportive services available within the agency as well as other resources in the community. Supportive services may include housing, child care, transportation, family health care, economic supports, household budgeting, employment support needs such as