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DHR B. J. Walker, Commissioner

Georgia Department of Human Resources
2 Peachtree Street NW, Suite 29-250
Atlanta, Georgia 30303-3142
(404) 656-2624

December 29, 2004

Mr. Eugene Roth
Regional Grants Officer
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Administration for Children and Families
Atlanta Federal Center
61 Forsyth Street
Atlanta, Georgia 30303-8909

Dear Mr. Roth:

Enclosed is Georgia’s Federal Fiscal Year 2004 annual report on TANF Maintenance of Effort. An electronic version was submitted to your office today. Please do not hesitate to contact Ms. Brenda Stith at 404-657-2318 or me should you have any questions or need any additional information.

I certify, to the best of my knowledge, that all families for which the state has claimed MOE expenditures for Federal Fiscal Year 2004 meet the state’s criteria for “eligible families”.

Sincerely,

B. J. Walker
Commissioner

BW:bms
Enclosure
cc: Mr. Jim Sanregret
Mr. Ken Jones
Mr. Steve Love
Mr. John Sartain
Administration for Children and Families
Office of Family Assistance
Aerospace Building
5th Floor – 370 L’Enfant Promenade, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20447

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. TANF MOE Obligation For FFY 2004 - Basic Assistance

II. TANF MOE OBLIGATION FOR FFY 2004 - Child Care Assistance

III. TANF MOE OBLIGATION FOR FFY 2004 - Transportation and Other
Supportive Services

IV. TANF MOE OBLIGATION FOR FFY 2004 - Work-Related Activities
Education and Training

V. TANF MOE OBLIGATION FOR FFY 2004 - Other Work Activity/
Non Assistance

VI. TANF MOE OBLIGATION FOR FFY 2004 - PreK Transportation

VII. TANF MOE OBLIGATION FOR FFY 2004 - Administration

VIII. TANF MOE OBLIGATION FOR FFY 2004 - Systems

IX. TANF MOE OBLIGATION FOR 2004 - Other Non-Assistance

X. TANF MOE OBLIGATION FOR FFY 2004 - Separate State Program

APPENDIX

I. TANF MOE OBLIGATION FOR FFY 2004– BASIC ASSISTANCE

1. PROGRAM NAME: BASIC ASSISTANCE

2. DESCRIPTION OF MAJOR PROGRAM ACTIVITIES:

The description of services detailed below support the dissemination of cash benefits to recipients such as: mailing client notices, reproduction/copying services, and notices related to the transfer of electronic benefits. Cash assistance benefits also includes the share of the assigned child support collection that is distributed to the family, and disregarded in determining eligibility for, and the amount of the TANF assistance payment. Homestead services are provided to assure the safety of children in child protective services (CPS) cases through the purchase of intensive, in-home counseling where children are at-risk of unnecessary foster care placement or ready for reunification.

3. PROGRAM PURPOSE:

The purpose of the program is to promote the well-being of the children of Georgia by providing the financial means to sustain families. A “needy” family is defined as “one or more children living with a responsible parent, parents or other caretaker relative or legal guardian. There is a maximum 48-month lifetime limit on receipt of TANF benefits. The program meets TANF purpose 1 (to provide assistance to needy families so that children can be cared for in their homes or in the homes of relatives).

4. PROGRAM TYPE:

____ Separate state/local program
__X_ TANF program

5. DESCRIPTION OF WORK ACTIVITIES: (Complete only if this is a separate state/local program): N/A

6. TOTAL STATE EXPENDITURES FOR PROGRAM:

7. TOTAL STATE MOE EXPENDITURES:

GRAND TOTAL = 66,684,715

8. NUMBER OF FAMILIES SERVED WITH MOE FUNDS:

9. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

For cash assistance benefits, a family’s income must be below the State’s Standard of Need.

10. PRIOR PROGRAM AUTHORIZATION: Was this program authorized and allowable under prior law?

11. TOTAL PROGRAM EXPENDITURES IN 1995: N/A

II. TANF MOE OBLIGATION FOR FFY 2004 - CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE

1. PROGRAM NAME: CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE

2. DESCRIPTION OF MAJOR PROGRAM ACTIVITIES:

• The Child Care Assistance program provides child care to families to assist in job preparation, job search, placement and job retention. Clients receiving services in the TANF Applicant and TANF Employment Services programs can receive day care services free of charge. Child care is provided in the form of payments to providers.
•State funds expended to meet the requirements of the CCDF matching fund (i.e., as match or MOE amounts) are also counted as basic MOE expenditures up to the State’s child care MOE amount that must be expended to qualify for CCDF matching funds in addition to excess state funds spent in this program not being used to match another grant.
• TANF recipients who go to work and lose their cash benefits may continue to receive transitional child care assistance for up to twelve months.

3. PROGRAM PURPOSE:

The purpose of the program is to provide child care to enable people to be placed in jobs and stay employed. The service meets TANF purpose 2 (to end the dependency of needy families by promoting job preparation and work).

4. PROGRAM TYPE:

____ Separate state/local program
__X_ TANF program

5. DESCRIPTION OF WORK ACTIVITIES: (Complete only if this is a separate state/local program): N/A

6. TOTAL STATE EXPENDITURES FOR PROGRAM:

Program Name = Child Care
Amount of State Expenditures = 50,141,358

7. TOTAL STATE MOE EXPENDITURES:

Program Name = CCDF MOE
Amount of State MOE Expenditures = 22,182,651

GRAND TOTAL = 22,182,651

8. NUMBER OF FAMILIES SERVED WITH MOE FUNDS:

Program Name = CCDF MOE
Number Served = 19,044
Figure Represents Average monthly duplicated

9. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

TANF applicants or recipients may be eligible for free child care that are actively participating in job search, training or other work activities. A sliding fee scale is used for families with income once they are no longer eligible for TANF cash assistance.

10. PRIOR PROGRAM AUTHORIZATION: Was the program authorized and allowable under prior law?

Program Name – CCDF MOE – YES

11. TOTAL PROGRAM EXPENDITURES IN 1995: N/A

III. TANF MOE OBLIGATION FOR FFY 2004
TRANSPORTATION AND OTHER SUPPORTIVE SERVICES

1. PROGRAM NAME: TRANSPORTATION AND OTHER SUPPORTIVE SERVICES

2. DESCRIPTION OF MAJOR PROGRAM ACTIVITIES:

Transportation and Other Supportive Services are provided to assist families in overcoming barriers to employment, and intended to support job retention for the Georgia TANF program. Support services are provided to facilitate participation in all activities outlined in the Personal Responsibility Plan and the Personal Work Plan. Benefits and services may include:

– child care necessary during initial assessment
– transportation, including, but not limited to, direct subsidies, driver’s license fees, vehicle repairs, and car insurance
– work clothing (if required to maintain employment)
– eyewear
– medical and dental services (if required to maintain employment)
– tools (if required to maintain employment)
– occupational licensing fees
– emergency assistance with rent and utilities

3. PROGRAM PURPOSE:

The purpose of the program is to provide support services to facilitate participation in all work related activities outlined in the Personal Responsibility and Personal Work Plan. These services meet TANF purpose 2 (to end the dependency of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation and work).

4. PROGRAM TYPE:

____ Separate state/local program
__X_ TANF program

5. DESCRIPTION OF WORK ACTIVITIES: (Complete only if this is a separate state/local program): N/ A

6. TOTAL STATE EXPENDITURES FOR PROGRAM:

GRAND TOTAL = 3,582,427

7. TOTAL STATE MOE EXPENDITURES:

GRAND TOTAL = 3,582,427

8. NUMBER OF FAMILIES SERVED WITH MOE FUNDS:

9. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

To receive transportation and other supportive services, a family must be below the State’s Standard of Need.

10. PRIOR PROGRAM AUTHORIZATION: Was this program authorized and allowable under prior law?

11. TOTAL PROGRAM EXPENDITURES IN 1995:

IV. TANF MOE OBLIGATION FOR FFY 2004 - WORK RELATED ACTIVITIES EDUCATION AND TRAINING

1. PROGRAM NAME: WORK RELATED ACTIVITIES - EDUCATION AND TRAINING

2. DESCRIPTION OF MAJOR PROGRAM ACTIVITIES:

The Department of Technical and Adult Education plans and administers state post-secondary technical training at less than the baccalaureate degree level in a unified system of technical institutes/colleges. It provides an opportunity for students to learn a skill or upgrade an existing skill to keep pace with technology and competition in a world market. They also administer the state’s high school equivalency diploma program (GED).

These programs provide training and education opportunity to TANF clients. They focus on instructional support services, special services, student support services, workforce development initiatives, and performance accountability.

3. PROGRAM PURPOSE:

The purpose of the program is to provide necessary training and post-secondary education to TANF clients through the Department of Technical and Adult Education to enable them to become employable and retain employment. The program meets TANF purpose 2 (to end the dependency of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation and work).

4. PROGRAM TYPE:

___ Separate state/local program
_X_ TANF program

5. DESCRIPTION OF WORK ACTIVITIES: (Complete only if this is a separate state/local program): N/A

6. TOTAL STATE EXPENDITURES FOR PROGRAM:

7. TOTAL STATE MOE EXPENDITURES:

8. NUMBER OF FAMILIES SERVED WITH MOE FUNDS:

9. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

For cash assistance benefits, a family must be below the State’s Standard of Need. Other requirements may vary according to the program of study and applicants for admission must be at least sixteen years of age. The grade point average to qualify for HOPE comes only from core academic subjects, instead of all courses. The core academic subjects are: English/language arts, math, social studies, science and foreign language. A fourth year of math will be required to graduate with a college prep diploma. Also, a formula called the Freshman Index, combining a student’s grade point average with SAT scores, will be used to divert applicants below a certain minimum to the state’s two-year colleges. Students qualify for the HOPE Scholarship program with a cumulative grade point average of “B” or better.

10. PRIOR PROGRAM AUTHORIZATION: Was this program authorized and allowable under prior law?

11. TOTAL PROGRAM EXPENDITURES IN 1995: N/A

V. TANF MOE OBLIGATION FOR FFY 2004 - OTHER WORK ACTIVITIES

1. PROGRAM NAME: OTHER WORK ACTIVITIES/NON-ASSISTANCE

2. DESCRIPTION OF MAJOR PROGRAM ACTIVITIES:
The Other Work Activities cover case management to county DFCS staff related to supporting work activity. They include the following:

• GIA Elig. Dist Co. CAS – Cost for county eligibility case management staff based on applicable percentage of time determined by quarterly random moment sampling (RMSS), matched with State funds.

• GIA Svcs. Dist. Co. CAS – Cost for county social services case management staff based on applicable percentage of time determined by quarterly random moment sampling (RMSS), matched with State funds.

• CM Admin. Dist. To TANF Staff – County oversight costs applicable to direct charged TANF staff matched with county/local funds.

• CM Admin. Dist. To Elig. CAS – County oversight costs applicable to eligibility activities based on quarterly random moment sampling (RMSS), matched with county/local funds.

• CM Admin. Dist. To Svcs. CAS – County oversight costs applicable to social services activities based on applicable percentage of time determined by quarterly random moment sampling, matched with county/local funds.

• CM Admin. Dist. To Employability CAS – County oversight costs applicable to employability activity based on applicable percentage of time determined by quarterly random moment sampling, matched with county/local funds.

• Grts to Counties Employability CAS – County costs applicable to employability activity based on applicable percentage of time determined by quarterly random moment sampling, matched with State funds.

• GIA Services Dist. St. CAS – Cost for state level social services case management oversight based on applicable percentage of time determined by quarterly random moment sampling (RMSS), matched with State funds.

• Joint Dist. To Svcs – County cost for joint staff (staff that perform various tasks in all programs served by the county, i.e. food stamp, Medicaid, TANF) distributed to social services activity based on applicable percentage determined by quarterly random moment sampling matched with State funds.

• Admin Dist to Svcs. CAS – Cost for state level social services oversight based on applicable percentage of time determined by quarterly random moment sampling (RMSS), matched with State Funds.

3. PROGRAM PURPOSE:

The purpose of the program is to provide the necessary case managers and training to county Departments of Family and Children Services. The program meets all four of the TANF program purposes:

• Provide assistance to needy families so that children can be cared for in their homes or in the homes of relatives
• End the dependency of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation and work
• Prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies
• Encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families.

4. PROGRAM TYPE:

___ Separate state/local program
_X_ TANF program

5. DESCRIPTION OF WORK ACTIVITIES: (Complete only if this is a separate state/local program): N/A

6. TOTAL STATE EXPENDITURES FOR PROGRAM:

PROGRAM NAME = Case Management
AMOUNT OF STATE EXPENDITURES = 60,188,091

7. TOTAL STATE MOE EXPENDITURES:

GRAND TOTAL = 7,718,926

8. NUMBER OF FAMILIES SERVED WITH MOE FUNDS:

Program Name = Case Management
Number Served = 20,012
Figure Represents = Average monthly duplicated

9. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

These qualifying expenditures are developed through the Cost Allocation Plan based on the percentages of time and effort devoted to the TANF eligible population.

10. PRIOR PROGRAM AUTHORIZATION: Was this program authorized and allowable under prior law?

11. TOTAL PROGRAM EXPENDITURES IN 1995: N/A

VI. TANF MOE OBLIGATION FOR FFY 2004 – PRE-K TRANSPORTATION

1. PROGRAM NAME: OFFICE OF SCHOOL READINESS PRE-K TRANSPORTATION

2. DESCRIPTION OF MAJOR PROGRAM ACTIVITIES: Pre-K Transportation services are provided to TANF clients for their children to attend pre-kindergarten while they participate in training and educational programs, job search and employment.

3. PROGRAM PURPOSE:

The purpose of the program is to provide support to clients’ children to facilitate participation in all work related activities outlined in the Personal Responsibility and Personal Work Plan. These services meet TANF purpose 2 (to end the dependency of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation and work).

4: PROGRAM TYPE:

___ Separate state/local program
_X_ TANF Program

5: DESCRIPTION OF WORK ACTIVITIES: (complete only if this is a separate state/local program): N/A

6. TOTAL STATE EXPENDITURES FOR PROGRAM:

Pre-K Transportation = 2,156,381

7. TOTAL STATE MOE EXPENDITURES FOR :

Pre-K Transportation = 421,001

8. NUMBER OF FAMILIES SERVED WITH MOE FUNDS:

Program Name = Pre-K Transportation
Number Served = 5,712
Figure Represents - Average monthly duplicated

9. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

To receive these services a family must be eligible for TANF, Food Stamp and/or Medicaid.

10. PRIOR PROGRAM AUTHORIZATION: Was this program authorized and allowable under prior law?

Pre-K Transportation - NO

11. TOTAL PROGRAM EXPENDITURES IN 1995:

The Pre-K was a new program funded with State lottery funds and there were no expenses in FY 1995.

VII. TANF MOE OBLIGATION FOR FFY 2004 - ADMINISTRATION

1. PROGRAM NAME: ADMINISTRATION

2. DESCRIPTION OF MAJOR ACTIVITIES:

Administration costs cover state level administrative staff, program personnel, and overhead expenses. Qualifying state expenses are direct charged and identified through the state’s Cost Allocation Plan and include the following:

• Albany Office Building – Office space for the Office of Fraud and Abuse.

• GIA Elig. Dist. St. CAS – County administration cost for eligibility staff based on applicable percentage of time determined by quarterly random moment sampling, matched with state funds.

• CM Admin. Dist. To Elig. CAS – County administration costs distributed to eligibility activities that are applicable to TANF based on percentages determined by quarterly random moment sampling matched with county/local funds. This cost includes all administrative costs such as county directors, accountants, building rents, telephones, etc.

• CM Admin. Dist. To Employability CAS – County administration costs distributed to employability activities applicable to TANF employability activities determined by quarterly random moment sampling matched with county/local funds.

• Grts to Counties Employability CAS – County administrative costs of employability staff based on applicable percentage of time determined by quarterly random moment sampling matched with county/local funds.

• IT Fraud & Abuse DOAS & F&A DOAS IT Contract Holding Pool Dist. – Both organization codes are synonymous, the first being the new SFY02 code the other now obsolete used in SFY01 for the same purpose; computer mainframe charges related to fraud investigation and prevention applicable to TANF based on time sheet distribution of investigators performing Food Stamp and TANF activities.

• Office of Fraud & Abuse – Investigation of suspected fraud in the TANF program based on time sheet distribution of investigative staff including detailed reports concerning case transactions, case dispositions and providing supporting documentation to office director, matched with state funds.

• Office of Fraud & Abuse – Retention – Same description above except matched with retained earnings from fraud recoveries rather than state funds.

• DHR General Admin. – Investigation IDC – Costs for fraud & abuse liability insurance and workers compensation charges applicable to TANF based on investigator time sheets.

• Work First Eligibility Training – Cost for new caseworker training.

• UGA Contracts Training – Cost Allocation – Cost of on-going training for caseworker staff distributed proportionately to TANF based on applicable percentage determined by quarterly random moment sampling matched with state funds.

• Fraud & Abuse Prosecuting Attorney – Contractual agreement between the Office of Fraud and Abuse (OFA) and the prosecuting Attorney Council for adjudicating guilt in suspected TANF fraud cases.

• Family Connection – DFCS – Holding Pool –

• DHR Act Admin – RMSS Alloc to Division of DFCS – Quarterly distribution of departmental overhead expenses based proportionate to the quarterly Division of Family of Children Services random moment sampling applicable to TANF

• DHR Act Admin. – RMSS Alloc to MH/MR – Quarterly distribution of departmental overhead expenses based proportionate to the quarterly Division of Mental Health, Retardation and Substance Abuse random moment sampling applicable to TANF.

• MH Division Overhead – Applicable percentage of Division of Mental Health, Retardation and Substance Abuse administration activity related to TANF based on quarterly random moment sampling.

3. PROGRAM PURPOSE:

The purpose of the program is to provide state level administration and program staff to manage the TANF program. This program meets all four of the TANF program activities:

• Provide assistance to needy families so that children can be cared for in their homes or in the homes of relatives
• End the dependency of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation and work
• Prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies
• Encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families.

4. PROGRAM TYPE:

___ Separate state/local program
_X_ TANF program

5. DESCRIPTION OF WORK ACTIVITIES: (Complete only if this is a separate state/local program): N/A

6. TOTAL STATE EXPENDITURES FOR PROGRAM:

Program Name = Administration
Amount of State Expenditures = 36,692,397

7. TOTAL STATE MOE EXPENDITURES:

GRAND TOTAL = 2,269,128

8. NUMBER OF FAMILIES SERVED WITH MOE FUNDS:

Program Name = Administration
Number Served = 20,012
Figure Represents Average monthly duplicated

9. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

These qualifying expenditures are developed through the state’s Cost Allocation Plan based on the percentages of time and effort devoted to the TANF eligible population.

10. PRIOR PROGRAM AUTHORIZATION: Was this program authorized and allowable under the prior law?

11. TOTAL PROGRAM EXPENDITURES IN 1995: N/A

VIII. TANF MOE OBLIGATION FOR FFY 2004 - SYSTEMS (SUCCESS)

1. PROGRAM NAME: SYSTEMS (SUCCESS)

2. DESCRIPTION OF MAJOR PROGRAM ACTIVITIES:

The information technology (IT) systems costs regarding eligibility, client activities, payments and services for families receiving assistance.

3. PROGRAM PURPOSE:

The purpose of the program is to provide for effective data management and automated transfer of client data and payments. This program meets all four TANF purposes:

• Provide assistance to needy families so that children can be cared for in their homes of relatives
• End the dependency of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation and work
• Prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies
• Encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families.

4. PROGRAM TYPE:

____ Separate state/local program
__X_ TANF program

5. DESCRIPTION OF WORK ACTIVITIES: (Complete only if this is a separate state/local program): N/A

6. TOTAL STATE EXPENDITURES FOR PROGRAM:

Program Name = DFCS SUCCESS
Amount of State Expenditures = 10,857,033

7. TOTAL STATE MOE EXPENDITURES:

Program Name = IT DFCS SUCCESS Operations RMSS
Amount of State MOE Expenditures = 1,025,288

8. NUMBER OF FAMILIES SERVED WITH MOE FUNDS:

Program Name = DFCS SUCCESS
Number Served = 20,012
Figure Represents = Average monthly duplicated

9. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: N/A

10. PRIOR PROGRAM AUTHORIZATION: Was this program authorized and allowable under prior law?

DFCS SUCCESS – TANF/USDA Intermediate – YES
DFCS SUCCESS – All Programs Ratified – YES

11. TOTAL PROGRAM EXPENDITURES IN 1995: N/A

IX. TANF MOE OBLIGATION FOR FFY 2004 – OTHER NON-ASSISTANCE

1. PROGRAM NAME: OTHER NON-ASSISTANCE

2. DESCRIPTION OF MAJOR PROGRAM ACTIVITIES:

• Unreimbursed Child Protective Services – Child protective services are provided to abused or neglected children in order to protect the child and strengthen the family.

• Outdoor Therapeutic – Program services are provided to at-risk emotionally disturbed youths with serious behavior disorders. Services include camping, educational activities, construction adventure-based trips, ropes course, parenting classes, and medical services.

• Short/Long Term Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services –Program services are provided to at-risk emotionally disturbed youths with serious behavior disorders.

• Pre-K Family Support – Program services identify at-risk children enrolled in Pre-K and assist these families with access to services to promote stability, good parenting and coping skills.

• TANF Family Violence – TANF funds are used to contract with family violence shelters and counselors to conduct domestic violence assessments of TANF recipients and applicants. Service plans are developed for those suspected of being or identified as victims of domestic violence. Assessors make referrals and assist domestic violence victims in accessing existing community resources in order to successfully make their transition to self-sufficiency. DFCS contractors conduct domestic violence training sessions.

3. PROGRAM PURPOSE:
The purpose of the program is to provide all other support services that are not direct benefits under the TANF program guidelines. The seven programs described above support TANF purpose 1 (to provide assistance of needy parents so that children can be cared for in their homes or in the homes of a caretaker relative), and TANF purpose 2 (to end the dependency of needy families by promoting job preparation and work).

4. PROGRAM TYPE:
___ Separate state/local program
_X_ TANF program

5. DESCRIPTION OF WORK ACTIVITIES: (Complete only if this is a separate state/local program): N/A

6. TOTAL STATE EXPENDITURES FOR PROGRAM:

7. TOTAL STATE MOE EXPENDITURES:

GRAND TOTAL 58,621,676

8. NUMBER OF FAMILIES SERVED WITH MOE FUNDS:

9. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

Unreimbursed Child Protective Services These services are provided to families who require them and who meet one of the following criteria: currently receiving TANF, Food Stamps, Medicaid, PeachCare, and/or previously received TANF during the past twelve months.

Outdoor Therapeutic These services are provided to at-risk children and adolescents who are emotionally disturbed or at-risk of abuse or neglect. Services include camping, educational activities, construction adventure-based trips, ropes course, parenting classes, and medical services. These children are currently receiving TANF.

Short/Long Term Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services These services are provided to at-risk children and adolescents who are emotionally disturbed or at-risk of abuse or neglect. These children are currently receiving TANF.

Office of School Readiness – Pre-K Family Support These services are provided to at-risk children enrolled in Pre-K and assist these families with access to services to promote stability, good parenting and coping skills.

TANF Family Violence These services are provided to TANF recipients and applicants.

10. PRIOR PROGRAM AUTHORIZATION: Was this program authorized and allowable under prior law?

Unreimbursed Child Protective Services – YES
Outdoor Therapeutic – NO
Short/Long Term Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services – YES
Office School Readiness – Pre-K Family Supp – NO
TANF Family Violence – YES

11. TOTAL PROGRAM EXPENDITURES IN 1995:

Unreimbursed Child Protective Services – N/A
Outdoor Therapeutic Program – $3,319,875
Short/Long Term Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services – N/A
Office of School Readiness Pre-K Family Support – N/A
TANF Family Violence – N/A

X. TANF MOE OBLIGATION FOR FFY 2004-SEPARATE STATE PROGRAM

1. PROGRAM NAME: SEPARATE STATE PROGRAM, ASSISTANCE TO TWO PARENT FAMILIES

2. DESCRIPTION OF MAJOR PROGRAM ACTIVITIES:

Georgia provides cash assistance and employment supports to families with two able bodied parents. State funds spent for assistance to two parent families are reported as maintenance of effort; therefore, these families are not included in calculating our work participation rate. However, work requirements for these families closely follow the requirements specified in the federal law.

3. PROGRAM PURPOSE:

The purpose of this program is to encourage the formation and maintenance of two parent families.

4. PROGRAM TYPE:

__ X_Separate state/local program
____ TANF program

5. DESCRIPTION OF WORK ACTIVITIES: (Complete only if this is a separate state/local program):

Every applicant for and recipient of TANF has a work requirement and must participate in work activities in accordance with federal TANF guidelines. In two-parent families, both parents are required to participate in work activities. Once the State has determined that a recipient is ready to engage in work, or when 24 months of cash assistance has been received, whichever comes first, the recipient must participate in work activities. Minor parents who do not have a high school diploma or its equivalent are required to participate in educational activities directed toward the attainment of a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent or to participate in alternate training as soon as possible following the birth of their child.

Adults who are older than 20, but younger than 51 years of age, who have not received their high school diploma or GED may be provided supportive assistance to enable them to work toward attaining a high school diploma or recognized equivalent. Priority for the assistance will be given to those adults who are older than age 20 but younger than age 26, have at least a tenth-grade education and are not engaged in a work activity. (See Appendix)

6. TOTAL STATE EXPENDITURES FOR PROGRAM:

Program Name – Basic Assistance Two Parent Families
Amount of State Expenditures – 1,526,697

7. TOTAL STATE MOE EXPENDITURES:

Program Name – Basic Assistance Two Parent Families
Amount of State MOE Expenditures – 1,526,697
GRAND TOTAL = 1,526,697

8. NUMBER OF FAMILIES SERVED WITH MOE FUNDS:
Program Name – Basic Assistance Two Parent Families
Number Served – 572
Figure Represents – Average monthly duplicated

9. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

For cash assistance benefits, a family’s income must be below the State’s Standard of Need.

10. PRIOR PROGRAM AUTHORIZATION:

BASIC ASSISTANCE TWO PARENT FAMILIES – YES

11. TOTAL PROGRAM EXPENDITURES IN 1995: N/A

APPENDIX

Annual Reporting on TANF Programs Under 45 CFR 265.9 (b)

State: Georgia      Fiscal Year: 2004
Date Submitted: December 29, 2004

Each state must provide the following on the TANF program (for the previous fiscal year).

1) The State’s definition of each work activity:

TANF recipients are expected to participate at a level consistent with full-time employment whenever feasible. Placement in activity is based on individual assessment and in accordance with federal and state law. Activities of first choice are those that are work related.

Unsubsidized Employment – Employment in the public, private for-profit or private non-profit sector.

Subsidized Private Sector Employment – Full-time in the private for-profit sector in which the participant’s wages are subsidized by DHR as an incentive to an employer to hire the participant.

Subsidized Public Sector Employment – Full-time employment through a public or private non-profit entity in which the participant’s wages are subsidized by DHR as an incentive to the employer to hire the participant.

Subsidized Work Experience – Salaried work at a closely supervised work site. Work experience will provide participants with an opportunity to develop basic work habits, practice old skills, learn new skills and demonstrate their abilities to a prospective employer. Placements may be made with public or private non-profit employers. The participant’s wages are subsidized by DHR.

On-the-Job Training – Training provided on-site by an employer. Under OJT, a participant is hired by a private or public employer and, while engaged in productive work, receives training that provides knowledge or skills essential to an adequate performance of the job.

Job Search and Job Readiness – Closely monitored job seeking combined with training to prepare participants to successfully find employment and remain employed.

Community Service – Unsalaried work that provides a service to the community. While the goal of this activity is to provide service to the community, it may not lead to skill development or employment. Community service may be either outside of the home as volunteer or in the home caring for a disabled household member. Medical documentation is required to establish the need for the recipient to remain in the home to care for a disabled household member.

Vocational Training – Training that will provide the participant with a specific job skill.

Provision of Child Care to an Individual Participating in Community Service – A participant may provide childcare for another recipient who is participating in the activity of Community Service. The participant providing the child care receives no pay.
Secondary Education – Participation in a course of study designed to prepare a person to qualify for a high school diploma or its equivalent.

Job Skills Training – Closely monitored training that will provide the participant with a specific job skill.

Education Directly Related to Employment – Classroom training in specific academic skills required for employment in a particular field. The goal of such training is not a diploma or equivalency, but employment.

Job Readiness – Training that prepares participants to successfully find employment and remain employed.

English as a Second Language – Education designed to provide the participant with skills in speaking, reading, or writing English commensurate with the demands of her employment goal.

College – Education that may lead to an undergraduate degree. Support for undergraduate or post-graduate is only provided if college attendance is part of a recipient’s work plan.

Mental Health Counseling/Treatment – Treatment that assists recipients in alleviating the symptoms of mental illness that interfere with their ability to function in the home and in the workplace.

Substance Abuse Intervention – Treatment that assists recipients in overcoming alcohol and/or drug dependence so that drug-free work place requirements can be met.

Life Skills Training – Training that assists recipients in developing the skills necessary to manage the activities of everyday life.

Parenting Skills Training – Training that assists recipients in developing the skills necessary to properly raise their children.

2) A description of the transitional services provided to families no longer receiving assistance due to employment:

Transitional Child Care (TCC) – Recipients who become ineligible for cash assistance due to an increase in earned income may be eligible to receive assistance with child care costs for up to twelve months.

Work Transition Medicaid (WTM) – Recipients who become ineligible for Low Income Medicaid due to an increase in earned income may have their wages disregarded for twelve months, becoming eligible to receive Medicaid under this category.

Transitional Medical Assistance (TMA) – Recipients who exhaust their eligibility for WTM may be eligible to receive Medicaid under TMA for up to twelve months.

TANF to Work Support Payment (TWSP) – Recipients who become ineligible for cash assistance due to employment may be eligible to receive an allowance to pay the cost of transportation and other incidental expenses. This assistance is only available once in a twelve-month period.

Transitional Support Services – Recipients who become ineligible for cash assistance due to an increase in earned income may be eligible, for a period of up to twelve months following the termination of cash assistance, to receive assistance with child care, transportation, and other expenses related to employment retention.

3) A description of how a state will reduce the amount of assistance payable to a family when an individual refuses to engage in work without good cause pursuant to 261.14:

Sanctions are applied to those families who fail to meet the obligations and responsibilities outlined in their Personal Responsibility Plan and Personal Work Plan. As assessment is made of the possible risk to children from a failure to comply with the Personal Responsibility Plan and the Personal Work Plan or from a failure to achieve self-sufficiency within the time limit. The sanctions are applied as follows:

___ Initial failure to meet work requirements or stated obligations is called a material violation and can result in a 25% reduction of the grant.

___ Subsequent material violation of work requirements or stated obligations can result in the permanent termination of the family’s assistance.

Recipients who may have committed a material violation are given the opportunity to conciliate and thus avoid the imposition of sanctions. The county DFCS office must initiate the conciliation process. A successful conciliation results in no sanction and no strike being imposed on a TANF family.

4) The average monthly number of payments for child care services made by the state through the use of disregards, by the following types of childcare providers:

CHILD CARE PROVIDERS

AVERAGE MONTHLY PAYMENTS
(i) Licensed/regulated in-home child care;
(ii) Licensed/regulated family child care;
(iii) Licensed/regulated group home child care;
(iv) Licensed/regulated center-based child care;
(v) Legally operating (i.e., no license category available in state
or locality) in-home child care provided by a nonrelative;
(vi) Legally operating (i.e., no license category available in state or
locality) in-home child care
(vii) Legally operating (i.e., no license category available in state or locality)
family child care pro provided by a non-relative;
(viii) Legally operating (i.e., no license category available in state or locality)
family child care provided by a relative;
(ix) Legally operating (i.e., no license category available in state or locality)
group child care provided by a nonrelative;
(x) Legally operating (i.e., no license category available in state or locality)
group child care provided by a relative; and
(xi) Legally operated (i.e., no license category available in state or locality)
center-based child care.

The State’s aggregate number of unduplicated TANF clients that received a child care disregard during the eligibility determination for the period 10/1/2003 to 9/30/2004 is (12,326)

Note: The State of Georgia is still in the process of modifying its SUCCESS system to capture this data in the 11 categories outlined in the above chart.

5) If the state has adopted the Family Violence Option and wants Federal recognition of its good cause domestic violence waivers under subpart B of part 260, a description of the strategies and procedures in place to ensure that victims of domestic violence receive appropriate alternative services and an aggregate figure for the total number of good cause domestic waivers granted.

Under the State’s TANF Plan for Domestic Violence Services, TANF funds are used to contract with family violence shelters and counselors to conduct domestic violence assessments and training for TANF recipients and applicants. Domestic Violence Assessors are responsible for assessing TANF applicants and recipients for eligibility for the Family Violence Option (FVO). Assessors make referrals and assist domestic violence victims in accessing existing community resources in order to successfully make their transition to self-sufficiency. The Domestic Violence Assessors are not providers of direct services except for the actual assessment, development of the service plan, safety planning, and reassessments. Assessors make referrals and assist domestic violence victims in accessing existing community resources in order to successfully make their transition to self-sufficiency. Domestic Violence Services are provided to TANF recipients and applicants, and no income or resource limits are specified.

For FFY 2004, there were 3,882 good cause domestic waivers granted.

6) A description of any non-recurrent, short-term benefits provided, including:

(i) The eligibility criteria associated with such benefits, including any restrictions on the amount, duration, or frequency of payments;

Family Resettlement Program (FRP) assistance is made available to families receiving TANF as well as to families that do not currently receive TANF but have received TANF within the past twelve months. Families in the latter group must have a total household income at 100% or less of the federal poverty level (FPL).

Families that become homeless or that are in danger of becoming homeless can receive assistance through the FRP. Funds are provided that enable an at-risk family to remain in its current home or to assist the family in relocating to a new residence.

(ii) Any policies that limit such payments to families that are eligible for TANF assistance or that have the effect of delaying or suspending a family’s eligibility for assistance, and

Family Resettlement funds are considered Non-TANF assistance. Non-TANF assistance includes payments for non-recurrent, short-term benefits designed to deal with individual crises rather than ongoing need.

Short-term benefits that are not counted as TANF cannot provide for needs that will extend beyond four months.

(iii) Any procedures or activities developed under the TANF program to ensure that individuals diverted from assistance receive information about, referrals to, or access to other program benefits (such as Medicaid and food stamps) that might help them make the transition from welfare to work;

Agency policy requires that the worker “refer to other services requested” by the client or “as determined by the agency” (page 401-3 of the Economic Support Services policy manual). Prior to a family reaching its lifetime TANF limit, the client is required to attend two face-to-face conferences. During these conferences, the caseworker determines whether or not the family meets any of the hardship waiver criteria and if it is eligible to receive a TANF extension.

Discussion of several issues is required during these conferences, one of which is the family’s potential eligibility to receive Food Stamps and Medicaid after TANF is terminated, and any other services for which the family should be referred.

Because Medicaid eligibility is not linked with TANF eligibility as it had been with AFDC, the termination of a TANF case has no direct effect on the Medicaid case. Eligibility for Medicaid is determined separately from that of TANF. If, for example, TANF were terminated because the assistance unit AU has reached its lifetime limit, that change in TANF eligibility would have no impact on concurrent changes that negatively impacted Medicaid. Similarly, the termination of TANF would not adversely affect a family’s Food Stamp Case, but would probably cause an increase in Food Stamp benefits due to the family’s overall decrease in income.

The agency’s computer system, SUCCESS, automatically completes a determination of continuing Medicaid eligibility when a Medicaid case is terminated for certain reasons. Based on the information in the system, SUCCESS changes the Medicaid class of assistance to a lower level for the (AU) determining
The Medicaid eligibility for each member of the AU.

7) A description of the procedures the State has established and is maintaining to resolve displacement complaints, pursuant to section 407(f)(3) of the Act. This description must include the name of the state agency with the lead responsibility for administering this provision and explanations of how the state has notified the public about these procedures and how an individual can register a complaint.

All matters pertaining to unemployment, including methods of procedure covering the general population, public and private employers are covered under OCGA 34-8-70, duties and powers of the Commissioner of Labor. No TANF specific procedures have been established other than existing law. We are unaware of any complaints of worker displacement as a result of TANF.

(8) A summary of State programs and activities directed at the third and fourth statutory purposes of TANF (as specified at 260.20 (c) and (d)).

Based on the acknowledgement that no single approach can be effective in achieving its goals, the State has expanded its strategies and goals for reducing teen pregnancies. Among the approaches used are the promotion of abstinence from sexual relations outside of marriage, personal responsibility and parental involvement, numerous community projects, youth entrepreneur programs, and targeting of areas where teen pregnancy rate are highest. All members of the family identified as needing information regarding family planning are referred as part of the eligibility determination process.

a) The Department of Human Resources coordinates and manages Georgia’s Teen pregnancy prevention programs through Teen Plus, an interdivisional office that coordinates all DHR teen pregnancy prevention programs. The goal of Teen Plus is to reduce pregnancies among girls aged 15 through 19 years of age by 5% each year beginning in 1999, or by 15% by the year 2002.

The Georgia Department of Education, the Children and Youth Coordinating Council and the Board of Regents provide funds for expanded after-school programs, summer programs, programs Requiring parental involvement, programs aimed at preventing children from dropping out of School, and other alternative programs that provide youth with opportunities for intellectual and social enrichment, and other positive alternatives to becoming a teenage parent.

Such programs supplement the basic education curricula and are designed to focus effort on at- risk children as they move toward adulthood. The services provided by these programs include requiring parental involvement and programs aimed at preventing children from dropping out of school.

a) In order to encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families, Georgia broadened the definition of deprivation to allow more two-parent families with marginal resources to access the benefits and support services of the TANF program. The TANF program provides these parents an opportunity to participate in a wide range of activities to enhance their job skills, parenting skills and general life skills leading to self-sufficiency. More stringent rules under the AFDC program sometimes led to one parent leaving the home to allow the other parent and children to gain access to the support services and benefits they needed.

Georgia also established the Fatherhood Initiative, which focuses on providing non-custodial parents with job skills so that they are able to find employment and contribute to the support of their children.

Training in parenting skills in also provided. Non-custodial parents are encouraged to spend time with their children and become a part of their lives. Billboards, posters, and public service announcements utilizing well-known athletes have been used to foster the support of both parents for their children. In some instances these efforts have resulted in the marriage of the parents, but even if the parents do no live together, the child benefits from the involvement of both parents. The state also provides adoption subsidy assistance to support the formation of two-parent families.

(9) An estimate of the total number of individuals who have participated in subsidized employment under 261.30 (b) or (c).

Total Number of Individuals Participated:
•Subsidized Private-Sector Employment – 3,717
•Subsidized Public-Sector Employment – 801

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This is a Historical Document.