Issue Summary:

     The TANF State Plan is available for review through March 27, 2003.  The 11 Electing Counties have received feedback regarding their Plans.  Feedback regarding Standard County Plans should be received by the end of March.  Key changes purposed in the TANF State Plan include:  (1) Elimination of Child Support and Caseload Reduction Goals; (2) Elimination of Pay After Performance; (3) Deletion of Welfare-to-Work references; (4) Detailed Work Supplementation Guidelines; and (5) First Stop registration time frame changed from 10 to 12 days.  Directors are encouraged to review the Sanctions policies (pages 26-27 of the Plan).

     The Employment Programs Committee will consider any concerns or proposed changes to the Plan at the March 12, 2003 meeting.  Recommendations will be presented to the NCACDSS Executive Board on March 13 for consideration.

Position or Policy Recommendation for Board Action:

General Information for Dissemination:

1. The Farm Bill authorized $20 million annually to be allocated among States that provide job training and work experience opportunities to “at risk” able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDS).  These include persons 18-50 years old who are in the last month of the three-month certification and reside in an area subject to the Food Stamp Program E&T requirements.  North Carolina is considering making an application for a portion of these funds.  A letter will be sent to the 70 E&T County Directors in early March to request feedback on interest in participating in the program, including innovative program ideas and estimated program expenditures.  If there is sufficient interest among counties, an application for funds will be made by North Carolina.  These are 100% Federal funds; neither State nor County matching funds are required.  At present, if North Carolina receives these funds, all E&T counties must participate.  This requirement will be discussed with Federal authorities based upon the response of counties.  If an application is completed and approved, the funds would be available in FFY 2003-2004.  The amount of funding will depend on the number of other states participating each year through 2007.
2. The Federal TANF legislation allows 20% of the caseload to receive exemptions to the 60 month lifetime limit for assistance.  In North Carolina less than 2% of the caseload has received assistance beyond 60 months.
3. The results of the Work First Applicant Survey, completed during the month of November, will be sent to counties.
4. The State Work First caseload was 41,843 on 2/1/03.  53% (22,011) of these are Child-Only cases.

To provide input or seek additional information, you may contact:

            Wayne E. Black; Co-Chair

            (336) 679-4210; wblack@yadkincountydss.org

            Bobby Boyd; Co-Chair

            (828) 695-5603; bobby@mail.co.catawba.nc.us

Attachments:  (List here)