Page 27

TANF Section, WIOA Combined Plan Modifications 2026

27 work connection and retention services, and other needs identified by the participant that impede the participant’s ability to find and retain a job. (See W-2 Manual Chapter 7.)

W-2 Employment positions (Work Training or Subsidized Employment placements) The W-2 FEP may offer the W-2 applicant a work training placement (TEMP, CSJ or W-2 T), if the applicant’s good-faith attempts to obtain employment have been unsuccessful, or if the W-2 agency determines that the applicant is not prepared for unsubsidized employment. While participating in a work training placement, the W-2 participant may be required to continue appropriate ongoing employment search with the assistance of the W-2 agency. (See W-2 Manual Chapter 7.)

W-2 Education and Training W-2 emphasizes that education and training are a pathway to meaningful employment, rather than an alternative to employment. Combining work or work training activities with short-term education and training at a minimum prepares participants for entry-level employment. W-2 agencies may coordinate with the Technical College system or other educational programs to provide a variety of Adult Basic Education opportunities including literacy skills and remedial math, as well as completing a high school diploma or equivalency or certified (or diploma/degree) training program consistent with the participant’s career assessment results. (See W-2 Manual Chapter 8.)

Required Hours of Participation W-2 participants are required to participate in up to 40 hours of assigned activities per week. The number of assigned hours depends on the participant’s circumstances. For CSJ participants, within the up to 40 hours per week of assigned activities, up to 10 hours per week may be in education and training activities. For W-2 T participants, within the up to 40 hours per week of assigned activities, up to 12 hours per week may be in education and training activities. (See W-2 Manual Chapter 7).

Performance Outcomes The performance outcomes, stated in the W-2 Contracts for the period beginning on January 1, 2013, reinforce that the focus of W-2 agencies is engage participants in work, educational attainment, and vocational training activities; assist participants in obtaining employment with opportunities for wage increases; and support participants in maintaining long-term employment.

Work Verification Plan Wisconsin’s TANF Work Verification Plan addresses countable work activities, hours engaged in work, procedures for identifying work-eligible individuals, etc.

Learnfare Case Management Services Learnfare, a component of the W-2 program, requires school-age children of W-2 participants to enroll in and attend school. Learnfare also requires minor parents, habitual truants, dropouts, and returning dropouts to participate in case management. 2015 Wisconsin Act 55 extended the requirement to participate in case management to children whose parents were assigned to a CSJ, W-2 T, or TEMP placement but were unable to participate in required activities due to the child’s school-related problems. 2017 Wisconsin Act 59 revised the Learnfare statute to require children to attend school regularly and not be