Arkansas Administrative Code
Agency 016 - DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
Division 20 - Division of County Operations
Rule 016.20.99-026 - State Plan for Title IV-A of the Social Security Act: Temporary Assistance to Needy Families - Transitional Employment Assistance Program
Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 9, September, 2024
Section 1 ORGANIZATION
The Department of Human Services is an umbrella agency under which the various Divisions provide financial, medical, and social services. Within the Department, the Division of County Operations has primary responsibility for the administration and supervision of the Title IV-A assistance program. The Division of Administrative Services has responsibility for Title IV-A program functions relating to the financial aspects, personnel standards, and training.
An organizational chart of the Department, Division of County Operations, and the Transitional Employment Board is attached.
The Department of Human Services (DHS) will operate a statewide program. The Division of County Operations within DHS will be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the program.
The Department of Human Services implemented the Transitional Employment Assistance Program on My 1,1997.
The Department of Human Services may, as appropriate, provide work activities, training, and other services through contracts.
The Department will enter into interagency agreements with the Department of Health, the Department of Education, the Employment Security Department (ESD) and the Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) for the provision of necessary services and necessary exchanges of information. The Department may also interface with other agencies such as JTPA and Vocational Education in providing employment-related services.
The Department will solicit participation of private organizations, nonprofit organizations, charitable organizations, religious organizations, and institutions of education in the delivery of services.
The Arkansas Transitional Employment Board shall review, recommend and approve TEA regulations developed by the department, oversee the operation of the TEA program and progress toward the TEA outcomes, including activities of the local'TEA coalitions, advise and assist all State agencies in the implementation of the TEA program, provide evaluation and feedback on various aspects of the program', respond tojjid report citizen concerns about the TEA program, and submit biannual reports to'the State Legislature and to the Governor.
The Arkansas Transitional Employment Board is composed of the following members:
* Department of Human Services
* Arkansas Employment Security Department
* Department of Health
* Department of Workforce Education
* Department of Higher Education
* Arkansas Economic Development
" ' appointed by the Governor from a list often nominees, of whom five, at least one of whom shall be a current or former TEA or AFDC recipient, shall be submitted by the President Pro Tem of the Senate and five, at least one of whom shall be a current or former TEA or AFDC
"t recipient, shall be submitted by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
The appointed members shall be employed in the private sector and a majority of those members shall have managerial experience. ; " ':
Local TEA coalitions may organize and api[GREATER THAN]Iy to the Depaitnientof Human Services for a charter to plan and coordinate the delivery of TEA services at the local level. Such coalitions may be composed of representatives'of the principal entities that provide funding for the employment, education, training, and social service prograins'intlie area, the Chamber of Commerce, community development organizations the business community, DHS, and other local planning, coordinating, or service-delivery entities;
Section 2 PURPOSE AND GOALS
The purpose of the Transitional Employment Assistance program is to help economically needy families become more responsible for their own support and less dependent on public assistance. Central to this purpose is helping adults and minor parents increase their employment potential; helping to reduce out of wedlock births; and promoting family unity.
The Department of Human Services and the Governor's Office held sixteen public forums across the state between November 19, 1996 and December 13, 1996 informing the public of the TEA program. Five of the forums were "customer focus groups" primarily for client participation. It was estimated that a total of 2,000 persons attended the forums. Those in attendance included recipients, service providers, personnel from various public and private agencies, and representatives from various advocacy groups. Comments and concerns were solicited from those in attendance.
In September 1999, a copy of the Title IV-A State Plan was provided to each of the currently organized local TEA Coalitions (69 statewide) for review and comment during the forty-five (45) day public comment period. A copy of the plan was also available in each local DHS county throughout the State during this time.
Legislative Session
The Transitional Employment Assistance program was presented at the 1997/98 Arkansas Legislative session. The Arkansas House of Representatives and Senate both held public hearings during which testimony was taken from advocacy groups and private individuals.
During the 1999/2000 Arkansas Legislative session, ACT 1567 of 1999 was enacted which made various changes to the TEA program as a result of legislative review and public input. Those changes are reflected in this Plan.
Administrative Procedures Act
The policies developed to operate the Transitional Employment Assistance program are subject to the promulgation requirements of the Arkansas Administrative Procedures Act. This includes a thirty (30) day public comment period.
Measurement of the program goals will be accomplished through performance reports produced by the DHS and the Office of Child Support Enforcement, and through reports from the Arkansas Department of Health relative to out-of-wedlock births.
Section 3 POPULATION TO BE SERVED
Transitional Employment Assistance will be available to economically needy families with children under the age of eighteen (18) years who are residing in the State of Arkansas and meet specified eligibility requirements.
Families receiving cash assistance must meet all of the following eligibility criteria. Families receiving only services provided through the local TEA Coalitions must meet the criteria as specified in Sections 3.1 - 3.5.
A needy family is defined as one which includes a child or children under the age of 18 years and the parent(s) or other adult relative caretaker who is living with such child(ren) and whose family income and resources are within specified limits.
Other adult relative caretaker is defined as a non-parent relative who is providing care for the child (when there is no natural parent in the home) and is in one of the following degrees of relationship to the child:
For purposes of determining family size and family income and resource eligibility, any other adult relative caretaker as defined above, with the exception of a step-parent, may choose to be included as an eligible family member or not. If such relative chooses not to be included (i.e., is a payee only), then his/her income and resources will not be considered when determining eligibility. In addition, employment services described in Section 4 will not be available to such excluded adult relative and the time limit described in Section 3.6 will not apply.
The family's countable income (as defined in the State policy and procedures manual) must be equal to or below $223 per month. The one income limit applies to all family sizes and to initial and on-going eligibility. This amount is 25% of what a full-time (40 hours/week) worker would earn at the federal minimum wage which was effective on September 1, 1997 ($5.15/hour) in a month.
For purposes of income eligibility, the following deductions will be made from a family's gross monthly earned income:
For services provided through the local TEA Coalitions, the family's gross monthly income must not exceed 185% of the federal poverty level applicable to the family size. No deductions are allowed from the monthly gross income when making this determination.
Local Coalitions may choose a lower income limit, e.g. 133%, but may not exceed 185%.
The family's countable resources must be equal to or below $3000. The one resource limit applies to all family sizes and to initial and on-going eligibihty.
Resources include real and personal property which are currently available or for which the family has the legal ability to make available for current use. The following will be excluded as countable resources:
For services provided through the local TEA Coalitions, there is no resource test.
Recipients must be citizens of the United States of America; or qualified aliens lawfully present in the United States before August 22, 1996; or aliens to whom public benefits must be provided by federal law; or aliens who entered the United States on or after August 22, 1996 and have been in "qualified alien" status for at least five (5) years.
A needy family who meets all other eligibility requhements will not be eligible to receive TEA assistance if the family includes an adult parent (or other adult relative caretaker who is included as an eligible member) who has received such assistance for twenty-four (24) months unless it is determined that the family meets one of the criteria outlined in Section 5 (Exemptions/Deferrals). The twenty-four months need not be consecutive months. The twenty-four (24) month count will begin July I, 1998.
NOTE: Services provided through the local TEA Coalitions are not considered assistance for purposes of the time limit requirement.
The Personal Responsibility Agreement (PRA) is an agreement between the department and recipient specifying the recipient's responsibilities that are a condition of receiving employment assistance, which may include an employment plan that describes what the recipient and the department will do to assist the recipient to achieve self-sufficiency through employment. (See Section 8.1 for a description of the PRA.)
The adult caretaker must agree to assign child support rights to the State. Such assignment will become effective upon receipt of cash assistance.
An individual who has been found guilty of or has pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to any state or federal offense classified as a felony by the law of the jurisdiction involved, and which has as an element of the offense, the distribution or manufacture of a controlled substance (as defined in section 102(6) of the Controlled Substances Act) will be ineligible for TEA benefits. This provision applies only to offenses occurring after July 1, 1997.
The eligibility of the other family members will not be affected by the ineligibility of a person described above. The amount of assistance for which they may be eligible will be determined without regard to the ineligible member's needs. However, if such ineligible person is the child's parent, his or her income and resources will be considered in detemiining the children's eligibility and amount of assistance.
In accordance with Section 16 of the Arkansas Personal Responsibility and Public Assistance Reform Act, Arkansas opts out of Section 115 of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996. Section 115 states that assistance may be denied to anyone who has been convicted any felony involving a controlled substance including the use or possession of a controlled substance.
An unmarried parent under the age of 18 must reside in a place of residence maintained by a parent, legal guardian, or other adult relative except in the following situations:
Section 4 WORK AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY
As a condition of eligibility, parents, and other adult caretakers who are included as eligible family members, will be required to seek and accept employment unless they are unable to do so due to one or more of the criteria outlined in Section 5 (Exemptions/Deferrals).
During the initial interview with the applicant, information will be obtained regarding household and family employment circumstances. This information will be assessed and options or courses of action will be discussed with the applicant. The family may be diverted from assistance at this point through a Diversion Assistance payment (See Section 6.6 regarding Diversion).
Applicants who are job ready will be informed that as a condition of eligibility for cash assistance, up-front job search activhies may be required. (Note: Job Search Activities are not required if child care, transportation, etc., are not available.)
The purpose of the employability assessment will be to determine the applicant's abilities, talents, proficiencies/deficiencies, etc. The assessment is completed to determine the applicant's ability to move into employment and may be done by an agency or organization other than DHS.
During the assessment, the worker will present an orientation/overview of the program, gather pertinent information, and identify barriers which may prevent the applicant from becoming self-sufficient through employment. The worker may also identify the following:
* Family situation/circumstances
* Employment history/work experience
* Educational attainment/ literacy level/functional educational level
* Skills
* Interests
* Supportive Service needs, if any
NOTE: Applicants who are identified as victims of domestic violence may be referred for appropriate services. Appropriate services may include but are not limited to: counseling, housing relocation assistance, referral to mental health, referral to prosecuting attorney and/or law enforcement and the DHS Division of Children and Family Services. The worker will, where appropriate, use all available resources to help the victim of domestic violence receive timeiy/needed services.
Information obtained during the assessment will be used to develop the Employment Plan and engage the customer in work or a work-related activity designed to move him/her into full-time employment in the shortest period of time.
The employment plan is a written document which specifies a planned series of actions necessary for the client to accept full time employment The plan will identify (1) the client's employment goals; (2) problems or impediments which may delay or adversely affect employment and what is needed to solve those problems; (3) the particular TEA work activity which is most appropriate for the client; and (5) specific actions planned with, for, and by the customer in order to attain employment.
During the employment planning interview, the worker verifies, with the client, the severity of any problems (i.e., poor/lack of housing, drug abuse, domestic violence) and identifies actions required to alleviate them. Services will be limited to those necessary for the client to accept employment.
Upon completion of the assessment process, the worker may engage the client in one or more of the following work activities: Employment (Unsubsidized or Subsidized); Education; Vocational Education Training; Skills Training; Job Search/Job Readiness; On-the-Job Training; Community Service; Work Experience Training and Micro-Enterprise (Self-employment).
This activity is for clients who enter employment but are not yet self-sufficient. Employed clients may be involved in additional activities directed at increasing their earning potential. To the extent possible, program services for clients will be arranged so as not to conflict with the client's employment.
Employment may be either unsubsidized or subsidized.
Subsidized Employment
Subsidized employment may be in either the private sector or public sector. Such employment is directly supplemented by federal or state funds.
Education includes elementary and secondary education and education to obtain the equivalent of a high school diploma and education to learn English as a second language. In consultation with adult education or rehabilitative services a person with a high school diploma or the equivalent who tests at less than a working functioning level shall be eligible to participate in basic remedial or adult education. If an individual does not have a high school diploma or equivalency, education also includes basic remedial education and adult education.
Vocational educational training is post-secondary education, including, at least, programs at two or four year colleges, universities, technical institutes and vocational schools which is in a field directly related to employment.
This activity provides job skills training in a specific occupation. Job skills training may include customized training designed to meet the needs of a specific employer or a specific industr[GREATER THAN]'.
Persons engaged in this work activity may include those (1) for whom no major personal or family problems were identified and who are job ready; (2) who are determined to have limited or no job search knowledge or skills; (3) who have limited or no recent employment; and (4) those the worker thinks would benefit from this work activity.
Job Search may consist of Job Club and Assisted Job Search activities, or Assisted Job Search alone. In Job Club, clients are provided group employment counseling and instructions on effective job search and interview techniques followed by a period of assisted job search.
Job readiness activities may include any type of activity deemed necessary for the individual to become ready for work. Such activities may include substance abuse treatment, employment counseling and life skills training, etc.
The State opts out of the provision at Sec. 402(a)(l)(B)(iv) of the Act with regard to requiring community service after an individual has received assistance for two months if he or she is not engaged in work. However, Community Service is an allowable work activity when the individual is engaged in it through another agency or organization, e.g., community punishment, Arkansas Rehabilitative Services, etc.
Work Experience Training is job training experience at a supervised public or private not-for-profit agency or organization or with a private, for-profit employer, which is Hnked to education or training and substantially enhances a recipient's employability. Work experience may include work-study, training-related practicums and internships.
The development of this activity will be on a very limited basis, when definite entrepreneurial potential is present. Assistance may include the dissemination of available information on starting businesses, developing a list of sources of possible contacts, locating training and business information centers, determining potential lenders, etc.
An individual participating in this activity may set up escrow accounts into which the profits from their business will be deposited. This account will be disregarded when determining eligibility for assistance or future transitional benefits.
The minor parent program is a special program designed to assist adolescent parents to prepare themselves for entrance into the labor market. The emphasis will be on the minor parent completing his/her basic education.
Objectives
* To enable more minor parents to complete high school or its equivalent.
* To reduce the prevalence of welfare dependency.
* To reduce the number of pregnancies occurring among Arkansas' teenage population,
The minor parent program will ensure that participants are enrolled in either basic education or some kind of training, getting basic skills and education or work experience. Clients will receive supportive services while in the program and for as long as a year after they leave the program.
All non-exempt/deferred minor parents will be required to participate in the program.
Section 5 EXEMPTIONS AND DEFERRALS
The following individuals may be exempted or temporarily deferred from any work activity requirement:
A parent may be exempted for this reason for a maximum of twelve (12) months in his or her adult lifetime.
The twenty-four (24) month time limit will not apply in any month in which an individual is exempt/deferred for any of the above reasons. In addition, the following individuals may receive an extension of the time limit:
Section 6 BENEFITS
The TEA program provides various services and assistance to low-income families. TEA benefits may include monthly cash assistance, employment and supportive services for cash assistance recipients, and Extended Support Services for certain former cash assistance recipients. In some situations, a family may be determined eligible for a diversion payment instead of regular monthly TEA assistance. In addition, relocation assistance may be available on a limited basis.
TEA benefits may also include employment and supportive services, job retention services, and preventive services provided to low-income families through local TEA Coalitions.
The Division Director also has the flexibility to authorize the use of TANF funds to provide assistance or services to at-risk children or families through programs deemed consistent with the intent of federal and/or state law.
The following amounts by family size are the monthly cash assistance maximums an otherwise eligible TEA family may be paid:
|
Family Size |
Maximum Grant |
|
1 |
$81 |
|
2 |
162 |
|
3 |
204 |
|
4 |
247 |
|
5 |
286 |
|
6 |
331 |
|
7 |
373 |
|
8 |
415 |
|
9 or more |
457 |
The above monthly amounts are not reduced by monthly countable income until a specified income trigger is achieved. When the family's monthly gross earned income plus unearned income equals the monthly equivalent of 20 hours per week of work at the September 1997 minimum wage, then the above maximum payment for the family size is reduced by 50%. Based on the September 1997 minimum wage of S5.15 per hour, this income trigger is S446.
The cash assistance amount is not increased due to the addition of a newborn to the family. Newborn is defined as a child bom while the mother is receiving TEA benefits, either for other children of her own or as a minor child herself, or who is bom within nine months of the month such assistance was terminated to the mother unless the mother's case has been closed continuously for at least six (6) months.
A family's cash assistance will be reduced when the adult caretaker or a minor parent is found to be in non-compliance with the child support cooperation requirement, the work activity requirements, and/or other requirements of the Personal Responsibility Agreement.
Non-Cooperation with the Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE)When the OCSE determines that an adult caretaker or a minor parent whose cooperation is required in order to establish paternity or to obtain child support payments has failed to cooperate in those activities and so notifies the DHS county office, the non-compliance penalty will be imposed.
The penalty may be lifted at any time upon compliance with child support enforcement requirements.
Non-Compliance with the Work Activity RequirementsWhen it is determined that a person who is required to participate in work activities has failed to do so without good cause, the non-compliance penalty will be imposed.
The penalty may be lifted at any time upon compliance with the work activity requirements for a period of at least two (2) weeks.
Non-Compliance with Other Requirements of the PRAWhen it is determined that a person who has signed a Personal Responsibility Agreement has failed to comply with any other activity required by the PRA (such as ensuring the children receive immunizations), the appropriate non-compliance penalty will be imposed. The penalty may be lifted at any time upon the receipt of proof that the particular requirement has been met.
Appropriate supportive services will be available to TEA family members. Such services include, but are not limited to, case management services, child care assistance, medical coverage for all Medicaid eligible family members, transportation or reimbursement for transportation costs, a onetime purchase (or reimbursement) for work related expenses, referrals to appropriate agencies or organizations for counseling, treatment, etc., and other services deemed necessary by the Case Manager for successful participation by the client.
Cash assistance to help a family move from an area of limited job opportunities to a new locality within Arkansas for full-time employment may be available on a limited basis. Before relocation assistance is provided, the person must have a bona fide offer of full-time employment in the new locality.
In selected pilot communities, TEA recipients may establish Individual Development Accounts (IDA) for the purpose of accumulating savings, up to certain maximums specified in the State policy and procedures manual,
for education for themselves or their children, small business development, home ownership, or transportation needs. Such funds will not be considered an available asset in determining the family's TEA eligibility for as long as the family receives TEA benefits.
TEA recipients who secure employment while participating in this project will receive matching fund donations to then: IDA's. Recipients who are not employed will not receive matching funds.
For those families who become ineligible for continued TEA benefits due to employment, or who choose to no longer receive cash assistance due to employment, extended support services will be available as provided for by federal and state law. Such services will include one year of extended Medicaid coverage for those who meet the eligibility criteria under federal law for such coverage and one year of extended child care assistance at no cost with an additional two years of child care assistance based on a sliding fee scale.
For those families who become ineligible for continued TEA cash assistance benefits due to employment, or who choose to no longer receive cash assistance due to employment, an Employment Bonus cash payment will be made to such family provided a bonus payment has not already been made to the family in the preceding twelve (12) months. The purpose of such payment is to help the employed adult meet employment related expenses, such as transportation, clothing, and other miscellaneous work-related expenses, until he or she has received a full month's earnings. It is expected that this one-time bonus payment will help enable the adult to maintain his or her emplojmient.
The Employment Bonus will not count toward the adult's maximum twenty-four month limit.
For those families who become ineligible for continued TEA cash assistance benefits due to employment, or who choose to no longer receive cash assistance due to employment, two months of Extended Support Transportation assistance will be made to the family. These payments will assist the family in meeting transportation costs in the first two months following termination of TEA cash assistance.
The Extended Support Transportation payments will not count toward the adult's maximum twenty-four month limit. This assistance will be funded by all state monies.
For those families who become meligible for continued TEA cash assistance benefits due to employment, payments for the purpose of enabling the adult to retain his or her job may be made during the twelvemonth period following the closure due to employment. The individual must show that there is an immediate job-related need which, if not resolved, will result in the termination of his or her job.
The Extended Support Job Retention payment will not count toward the adult's maximum twenty-four month limit.
Extended Case Management Services are provided to an individual whose case closes due to employment for up to twelve months following case closure. Periodic contacts are made with the employed person to ensure that necessary support services are being received and to make appropriate referrals if necessary.
A diversion payment may be provided to an otherwise eligible TEA family in certain specified circumstances so that the family does not come on to regular TEA cash assistance. To qualify for diversion, the adult caretaker must meet the following conditions:
The diversion pajTnent will be the actual cost of what it would take to resolve the problem up to a maximum equal to three (3) months of what the monthly TEA cash assistance would have been for the family size.
Under Arkansas State Law, a diversion payment is considered a loan. If not repaid, it will count toward the adult's maximum time limit of twenty-four (24) months.
The same benefits will be available to new residents of Arkansas as are available to all other Arkansas residents.
Local TEA Coalitions may provide services to low-income families (as defined in Section 3) for any of the following purposes:
To enable a working adult to retain employment;
To prevent a family from needing to come on to regular cash assistance;
To enhance the employability of any member of the family;
To encourage and enable any member of the family without a high school diploma or GED to obtain a diploma or equivalency.
Any other purpose deemed necessary at the local level which will address the needs of an "at-risk" family.
Any services provided under this section must be included in the Coalition's approved Local Implementation Plan.
Section 7 OFFICE OF CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT (OCSE)
In accordance with Arkansas State Law, child support rights are assigned to the State when an individual accepts Transitional Employment Assistance.
The Division of County Operations within the Department of Human Services will make the good cause determinations for nonparticipation in child support activities.
The exchange of information between DHS and OCSE will be system generated and/or by written notice.
The Department of Human Services will refer recipients of Transitional Employment Assistance to the Office of Child Support Enforcement for participation in child support activities by a system generated notice upon certification of assistance.
The Office of Child Support Enforcement will notify DHS when paternity has been established, a recipient has not cooperated in the establishment of paternity or other child support activities and when child support collected exceeds the cash assistance amount.
The Office of Child Support Enforcement will make available to DHS employer reported New Hire data.
Section 8 PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY
The Transitional Employment Assistance program will encourage parental responsibility through various elements of the program.
As a condition of the family *s eUgibility for TEA, the adult caretaker and/or minor parent must sign a Personal ResponsibiHty Agreement (PRA) as a part of the appUcation for assistance. The PRA hsts the adult's and/or minor parent's responsibilities relative to receiving TEA assistance as well as responsibilities directly related to the well-being of the children. These responsibihties include but are not limited to ensuring that school-age children attend school, that the children receive immunizations at the appropriate ages, and that all reasonable efforts to establish paternity and obtain child support are made.
The primary focus of the TEA program is to move the parent into employment which will lead to self-sufficiency for the family and increased parental responsibility. This focus is stressed from the first contact with the appUcant when an assessment is made as to whether job search activities should be required pending disposition of the application. If the appUcation is approved, the employment focus continues throughout the time the family receives assistance.
Unmarried birth prevention should be viewed as a process, not a program, involving multiple strategies and multiple agencies in a sustained effort. The rise in unwed births is an lu-gent social problem that resists easy solutions. Arkansas' approach is multifaceted with five major components:
* Abstinence programs using funding in the welfare reform act
* Improve access to family planning services statewide
* Community-based efforts in targeted counties
* Media campaign with emphasis on 9-14 year olds
* Two state-level steering committees to coordinate the efforts
Abstinence Programs
Abstinence programs, especially those targeting 9 to 14 year olds, serve as our best hope for long tenn success. Federal funding authorized in the federal welfare reform act with state matching funds have been available since October 1, 1997 through the Maternal and Child Health Block Grant to support abstinence models that have been tested and found effective.
Combined federal and state funding in the amount of approximately $1.1 million is currently available for local abstinence programs. Through a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process, twenty local community grantees will be granted funds for abstinence programs in federal fiscal year 2000,
Improved Access to Family Planning Services
On July 1, 1997, the Arkansas Medicaid program began operating a five-year demonstration program that makes all women of childbearing age with incTomes at or below 133% of the federal poverty levels eligible for family planning services. Working closely with the Arkansas Department of Health (the Title X family planning agency), this program has increased the financial access to these services and expanded the number of private and pubUc providers.
All applicants for Transitional Employment Assistance are eUgible for services under this demonstration program. Case Managers advise them of the services available and local providers.
Unwed Birth Prevention Program - Community-Based Initiatives
The many successful models for reducing births to imwed mothers have one common theme: they are developed and implemented at the local level. Community participation and support must be broad-based and reflect a partnership of the many people and organizations that are essential to success.
State funding in the amount of $600,000 per year is available to local community coaUtions for Unwed Birth Prevention Programs. This effort targets the fifteen counties in the state with the greatest number of teenage unwed births. The local coalition must conduct a needs assessment to determine where gaps exist in prevention programs and leverage resources to fill those gaps. The Unwed Birth Prevention Program through the Arkansas Department of Health is m its second year of funding.
Media Campaign
A comprehensive media campaign targeting females and males age 11 to 24 is a joint effort of the Abstinence and Unwed Birth Prevention projects. The media campaign is funded by a state appropriation and focuses on radio and television messages delivered at appropriate listening and viewing times of the target population. The initial phase of the campaign occurred over a nine-month period. The second phase will begin in early 2000.
State Steering Committees
Two Steering Committees are currently in place to provide input and direct the State's Abstinence and Unwed Birth Prevention initiatives.
The Governor's Abstinence Education Steering Committee, composed often members appointed by the Governor, was established by Executive Order of the Governor. This committee pro-vides input regarding abstinence education programs on a statewide basis.
The Unwed Birth Prevention Steering Committee is a legislatively appointed committee of twenty members and is currently chaired by State Senator Jay Bradford. This committee provides oversight and makes recommendations regarding the Unwed Birth Prevention Program.
Section 9 GENERAL PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION
It is unlawful, except for purposes directly connected with the administration of the Transitional Employment Assistance program, for any person or persons to solicit, disclose, receive, make use of, or to authorize, knowingly permit, participate in, or acquiesce in the use of, any list of names, of or any information concerning persons applying for or receiving such assistance. This includes information from the records, papers, files or communications of the State or County Office, or information acquired in the course of the performance of official duties.
Information concerning an applicant, recipient, or other persons known to the Department will not be made available without the written consent of the applicant, recipient, or other persons known to the Division except to authorized employees of the Department of Human Services and other state or federally funded agencies for certain purposes directly connected to the implementation of the program or other federally fianded programs based on need.
A ten-day notice will be sent prior to adverse action being taken on a TEA case. The recipient will be allowed to appeal the adverse action if he or she responds within the 30 day time period. Continuation of benefits will be granted provided the appeal was received within 10 days from the date of the notice.
The Department of Human Services shall administer and conduct hearings in accordance with the Arkansas Administrative Procedures Act 25-15-201 et seq.
The Transitional Employment Assistance Manual will be available to the public at a cost determined by the Department of Human Services. If an entity wants to view the manual, it will be made available at no cost.
With the implementation of the Transitional Employment Assistance program, a culture change from previous cash assistance programs is being made. While maintaining program integritv', the primary focus of the program will be on individual family self-sufficiency and employment efforts.
To this end, the functions of the eUgibility worker with a separate worker focusing on employment activities will be combined into one Case Manager for the family.
Case Managers are an integral part of the success of TEA. They work with families to help guide those families to self-sufficiency. Families must be treated individually, on a case-by-case basis, due to each family's specific needs and abilities. While eligibility determination is a part of the process, it is not the primary focus. Case Managers and clients work together to form and follow a plan specifically designed for that family. In most cases, a Case Manager follows and works with the family for the entire period that the family is in the TEA program. The Case Manager may also work with the family in other programs.
The State of Arkansas recognizes that in order to adequately and effectively implement the cultural changes and the move to case management, it is necessary to provide training to workers, supervisors and managers on changing their organizational culture and in case management provision.
Because of the paradigm shift in thought, the initial training needs to be at all levels of the organization. A training contract between the American Public Welfare Association (APWA) and the Department of Human Services (DHS) addresses that initial training need. The training incorporates specially designed welfare training and case management procedures that are unique to Arkansas' TEA program.
Approximately three hundred Central Office and field staff, including field trainers, will be trained by APWA. The field trainers will then conduct the training for the county field staff. This training will be completed by June 30, 1997.
Section 10 FRAUD CONTROL
The family of any individual who pleads guilty or nolo contendere to, or is found guilty of, an Intentional Program Violation in the Transitional Employment Assistance program will be ineligible for further participation in the program for the following minimum time periods:
In addition, the family will continue to be ineligible for TEA assistance until the resulting overpayment (e.g., the total amount of assistance received to which the family was not entitled) has been repaid to the State with interest. This requirement may be waived by the Director of the Division of County Operations or his designee.
The family of an individual who is convicted in a Federal or State court of having made a fraudulent statement or misrepresentation of residence in order to receive assistance simultaneously from two (2) or more states will be ineligible to receive Transitional Employment Assistance for a minimum period often (10) years beginning with the date of such conviction.
In addition, the family will continue to be ineligible for TEA assistance until the resulting overpayment (e.g., the total amount of assistance received to which the family was not entitled) has been repaid to the State with interest. This requirement may be waived by the Director of the Division of County Operations or his designee.
ARKANSAS
STATE PLAN FOR TITLE IV-A OF THE
SOCIAL SECURITY ACT:
TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES
TRANSITIONAL EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
This addendum to the Arkansas Transitional Employment Assistance (TEA) plan will assist the State in assuring that the Foster Care and Adoption Assistance Program is operated in accordance with Part E of the Social Security Act that encourages parental responsibility and promotes family unity.
The Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Children and Family Services will provide services to a needy family who has insufficient resources immediately available to alleviate an emergency situation. For purposes of this addendum, an emergency situation will be defined as a family member at-risk of maltreatment.
For families who are experiencing an emergency situation, the Division will provide a maltreatment assessment of the family needs. This assessment will not affect the eligibility or the benefits that are due a family under the TEA Program.
In addition, the State uses TANF funds for emergency assistance activities that were previously authorized as of September 30, 1995 under the AFDC Emergency Assistance State Plan.
