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STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA FFY 2024 STATE PLAN FOR TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES

▪ West Virginia subsidizes a Student Service Specialist at each Community & Technical Colleges (CTC) across the state. Based on caseload sizes, some of these locations will have two specialists. These specialists will be responsible for assisting recipients of TANF with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), connecting the student with appropriate study skills, test-taking strategies, time management, and organizational skills needed to successfully complete their academic program of choice. Also, to help students make a successful transition into the workforce and/or continued post-secondary education. The goal of this program will be to assist and encourage our TANF individuals in our goal to build stronger families, TANF purposes number one and two. This program will be funded using co-mingled Federal TANF and State Maintenance of Effort (MOE) funds. Individuals referred to this program must receive WV WORKS, below $2,000 asset limit and 100% Standard of Need (SON).

● West Virginia implemented the West Virginia Healthy Relationship Initiative. These services and activities are designed to promote the formation and maintenance of two parent households. The services are defined as and include marriage education, marriage skills, relationship skills programs, and other relationship education programs. Services will be offered in conjunction with job readiness classes statewide and other family support programs statewide to ensure broad application and accessibility. Individuals referred to this program must be recipients of WV WORKS for themselves or the dependent children in their care. Referrals may also be received for participants in other Division of Family Support programs for needy families. A family with children receiving SNAP, Medicaid, CHIP; or families receiving or determined eligible for childcare subsidy assistance under the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) will be deemed to be a needy family for these referrals. The family’s income must also be below 300% FPL. This program will be funded with Federal TANF funds. This program supports TANF purposes numbers three and four.

● West Virginia is working with the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse on fatherhood engagement efforts across the state.

● The State may also contract other services or programs to keep families together and self-sufficient, TANF purpose number two. The financial eligibility criteria for these programs are the individual must be currently receiving WV WORKS or the family is at or below 200% Federal Poverty Level:

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