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Annual Report on State TANF and MOE Programs
- 2005
Kansas
December 2005
Section A
1. The state’s definition of each work activity:
See Kansas TANF State Plan, pp. 6-10.
2. A description of the transitional services provided to families no longer receiving assistance due to employment:
See Kansas TANF State Plan, p. 11.
3. A description of how the state reduces the amount of assistance payable to a family when an individual refuses to engage in work without good cause:
See Kansas TANF State Plan, pp. 11-12 for a description of the sanction for failure to meet work program requirements.
4. The average number of payments for child care services made by the state through the use of disregards by child care type:
See Kansas TANF State Plan, “Child Care Disregards,” p. 3.
5. 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 violence waivers granted:
See Kansas TANF State Plan, pp. 4-6, regarding the family violence option. Twenty-four local TANF offices have an on-site domestic violence advocate for safety planning and crisis counseling. In all other locations of the state, TANF recipients who have disclosed domestic violence issues or for whom domestic violence issues are suspected are referred to community domestic violence advocates for safety planning and crisis counseling. Following is more detailed information about the implementation of the family violence option in Kansas:
TANF recipients who are victims of domestic violence/sexual assault (DV/SA) may be placed in the domestic violence/sexual assault work component (commonly referred to as OARS (Orientation, Assessment, Referral, and Safety)) in cases where work program compliance in other components would:
1. Make it more difficult for such individuals and/or their children to escape
domestic violence, or
2. Unfairly penalize those who are or have been victimized by such violence
or who are at risk of further domestic violence.
When determining the existence of DV/SA as a barrier to employment or for determining good cause for noncompliance with work program activities, an individual’s statement and one corroborating piece of evidence shall ordinarily meet the burden of proof. If there is a need for additional verification, case managers suspend placement of the victim in non-OARS work components while awaiting verification. Evidence may include, but is not limited to, documentation from a DV/SA worker; police or court records; protection from abuse orders (filed for and/or obtained); attorney, clergy, medical, or other professional from whom the applicant/recipient has sought assistance; or other corroborating evidence such as a statement from any other individual with knowledge of the circumstances which provide the basis for the claim, or physical evidence of domestic violence, or any other evidence which supports the statement. In extremely rare situations such as when an individual is in hiding and is afraid that there could be a leak of information that could reveal her whereabouts and where the case manager does not doubt the veracity of the individual’s statement, a written statement from the victim meets the burden of proof.
When an individual discloses domestic violence/sexual assault, case managers do not require the victim to participate in specific work activities that could jeopardize her safety or children’s safety. However, case managers do not exclude individuals from activities that DV/SA staff have indicated would not endanger their safety.
Disclosure of domestic violence and acceptance of work program modifications is voluntary on the part of the victim. At any time, a victim may choose not to discuss domestic violence/sexual assault issues and choose not to be placed in OARS. At that point, placement in other work activities is required.
Local area TANF staff are responsible for the following:
The safety/service plans are developed by a person trained in domestic violence and follows the guidelines listed below. (Note: DV/SA staff and TANF staff who have received training designed by the Kansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse are considered “persons trained in domestic violence” for these purposes.)
a. OARS plans constitute all or part of the TANF Self-Sufficiency Agreement
b. The plans identify the specific program requirements from which an individual
is excused
c. The plans reflect the alternative services chosen as a result of the individualized
assessment and any revisions indicated by subsequent re-determinations
d. The plans are safety-focused and, where appropriate, contain employment goals.
Applicants or recipients who have voluntarily disclosed are placed in the OARS component unless they specifically request not to be. Domestic violence/sexual assault safety planning, counseling, and/or other supportive services are provided by the TANF case manager or through referral to the DM/SA agency. To meet the component requirements, OARS participants are required to participate in the development and execution of a plan that includes appropriate and safe activities.
Following safety planning, local DV/SA staff team with the TANF case manager to refine the self-sufficiency plan to reflect placement or removal from components and to provide the necessary TANF support services.
Penalties are not applied for failure to comply with OARS work component activities. OARS participants who do not follow through with OARS activities are reassessed and, if appropriate, reassigned to OARS activities or, if no longer desiring OARS participation, reassigned to other work program activities. Penalties may be applied in cases where individuals do not respond to appointment letters. In these situations, case managers make thorough efforts to determine if good cause due to DV/SA exists.
A reassessment takes place at least every six months to determine if the family violence option waivers are still necessary and if the service plan remains appropriate.
Aggregate figure for the total number of good cause domestic violence waivers
granted:
During Fiscal Year 2005, 2535 TANF recipients disclosed domestic violence issues.
During the fiscal year 1967 persons were determined to require a family violence
waiver. (Some of these were continuations from the prior year.)
6. A description of any non-recurrent, short-term benefits provided:
See Kansas TANF State Plan, “Family Emergency Assistance,” pp. 16-17. In addition, applicants who receive employment services but are subsequently determined ineligible receive non-recurrent, short-term benefits.
Beginning in late August, 2005, Kansas provided non-recurrent, short-term assistance
to the Hurricane Katrina families who came to Kansas fleeing the Hurricane Katrina
devastation area. During fiscal year 2005, 136 families were served, for a total
expenditure of $130,458. Special processing and program guidelines were enacted
to give quick response to the evacuees and to provide short-term assistance.
Assistance given to these families did not count toward their 60 month lifetime
limit. Also, child support referrals were not completed where a parent or both
parents were separated from their children during the evacuation process. On
a case by case basis, eligibility for assistance was determined with:
• Waiving residency requirements.
• Accepting client’s statement regarding identify, proof of Social
Security number, citizenship status, and relationship of household members.
• Accepting client’s statement of income. Income verifications were
waived.
• Accepting client’s statement of resources. Treated real property
within the devastation area as unavailable.
• Exempting these family members from work requirements.
Effective January 1, 2006, families must meet regular TANF program requirements and guidelines. Their on-going eligibility has been determined using normal verification and eligibility requirements.
7. A description of the procedures the state has established and is maintaining to resolve displacement complaints:
See Kansas TANF State Plan, “Displacement Complaints,” pp. 14-16.
8. A summary of state programs and activities directed at the third and fourth statutory purposes of TANF:
See Kansas TANF State Plan, A Summary of State Activities Toward Reducing Out-of-Wedlock Births and Promoting Marriage,” pp. 28-29.
9. An estimate of the total number of individuals who have participated in subsidized employment:
40 total individuals for an average of 3 individuals per month
Annual Report on State Maintenance of Effort Programs: ACF 204
State: Kansas Fiscal
Year: 2005
Date Submitted: December 12, 2005
Provide the following information for EACH PROGRAM for which the State claims MOE expenditures.
1. Name of Benefit or Service Program:
Temporary Assistance to Families (TAF)
2. Description of the Major Program Benefits, Services, and Activities:
See Kansas TANF State Plan, “Temporary Assistance to Families (TAF), pp.
1-16
3. Purpose(s) of Benefit or Service Program:
See Kansas TANF State Plan, “Temporary Assistance to Families (TAF), p. 1.
4. Program Type. (Check one)
__X__ This Program is operated under the TANF program.
______ This Program is a separate State program.
5. Description of Work Activities in the SSP MOE program (I.e., Complete only if this program is a separate State program):
N/A
6. Total State Expenditures for the Program for the Fiscal Year: $32,414,924
7. Total State Expenditures Claimed as MOE under the Program for the
Fiscal Year: 32,414,924
8. Total Number of Families Served under the Program with MOE Funds: 17,230
This last figure represents (check one):
____X___The average monthly total for the fiscal year.
________ The total served over the fiscal year.
9. Eligibility Criteria for Receiving MOE funded Benefits or Services under the Program:
See Kansas TANF State Plan, “Eligibility”, pp. 1-3.
10. Prior Program Authorization: Was this program authorized and allowable under prior law (i.e., as defined at §260.30)? (check one)
Yes _X_ No ___
11. Total Program Expenditures in FY 1995: N/A
(NOTE: provide only if the response to question 10 is No.)
This certifies that all families for which the State claims MOE expenditures for the fiscal year meet the State's criteria for "eligible families."
SIGNATURE: ___________________________________
NAME: Gary Daniels
TITLE: Secretary, Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services
Approved OMB No. 0970 0199 Form ACF 204, expires 6/30/2002.
Annual Report on State Maintenance of Effort Programs: ACF 204
State: Kansas Fiscal Year: 2005
Date Submitted: December 13, 2005
Provide the following information for EACH PROGRAM for which the State claims MOE expenditures.
1. Name of Benefit or Service Program:
Family Emergency Assistance
2. Description of the Major Program Benefits, Services, and Activities:
See the Kansas TANF State Plan, pp. 16-19.
3. Purpose(s) of Benefit or Service Program:
See the Kansas TANF State Plan, p. 17, “Maintenance of Effort (MOE) Expenditures.”
No MOE expenditures are claimed for the cost of foster care or for children
who are in foster care, except for temporary emergency placements during an
investigation of reported abuse or neglect. MOE expenditures are claimed for
doing assessments of families reported for abuse and neglect and for providing
services to keep families together and the children in the home of their parents,
in keeping with the first goal of the TANF program.
4. Program Type. (Check one)
___X__This Program is operated under the TANF program.
______ This Program is a separate State program.
5. Description of Work Activities in the SSP MOE program (I.e., Complete only if this program is a separate State program): N/A
6. Total State Expenditures for the Program for the Fiscal Year: $1,327,727
7. Total State Expenditures Claimed as MOE under the Program for
the Fiscal Year: $1,128,662
8. Total Number of Families Served under the Program with MOE Funds: 411
This last figure represents (check one):
__X__ The average monthly total for the fiscal year.
_____ The total served over the fiscal year.
9. Eligibility Criteria for Receiving MOE funded Benefits or Services under the Program:
See the Kansas TANF State Plan, pp. 16-17.
10. Prior Program Authorization: Was this program authorized and allowable under prior law (i.e., as defined at §260.30)? (check one)
Yes _X_ No ___
11. Total Program Expenditures in FY 1995: N/A
(NOTE: provide only if the response to question 10 is No.)
This certifies that all families for which the State claims MOE expenditures for the fiscal year meet the State's criteria for "eligible families."
SIGNATURE: ___________________________________
NAME: Gary Daniels
TITLE: Secretary, Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services
Approved OMB No. 0970 0199 Form ACF 204, expires 6/30/2002.
State: Kansas Fiscal Year: 2005
Date Submitted: December 13, 2005
Provide the following information for EACH PROGRAM for which the State claims MOE expenditures.
1. Name of Benefit or Service Program:
Family Preservation
2. Description of the Major Program Benefits, Services, and Activities:
See Kansas TANF State Plan, pp. 18-19.
3. Purpose(s) of Benefit or Service Program:
See Kansas TANF State Plan, pp. 18.
4. Program Type. (Check one)
___X_ This Program is operated under the TANF program.
______ This Program is a separate State program.
5. Description of Work Activities in the SSP MOE program (I.e., Complete only if this program is a separate State program): N/A
6. Total State Expenditures for the Program for the Fiscal Year: $5,486,291
7. Total State Expenditures Claimed as MOE under the Program for
the Fiscal Year: $4,611,664
8. Total Number of Families Served under the Program with MOE Funds: 5,676
This last figure represents (check one):
_____ The average monthly total for the fiscal year.
__X_ The total served over the fiscal year.
9. Eligibility Criteria for Receiving MOE funded Benefits or Services under the Program:
Having a child at risk of out-of-home placement
The parent or caretaker of the child lacks the means to pay for family preservation
services or refuses to do so
Services and assistance necessary to meet the family preservation need are allowable if the assistance is not provided under Title IV-E or Title XIX
10. Prior Program Authorization: Was this program authorized and allowable under prior law (i.e., as defined at §260.30)? (check one)
Yes _X_ No ____
11. Total Program Expenditures in FY 1995: N/A
(NOTE: provide only if the response on to question 10 is No.)
This certifies that all families for which the State claims MOE expenditures for the fiscal year meet the State's criteria for "eligible families."
SIGNATURE: ___________________________________
NAME: Gary Daniels
TITLE: Secretary, Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services
Approved OMB No. 0970 0199 Form ACF 204, expires 6/30/2002.
State: Kansas Fiscal Year: 2005
Date Submitted: December 13, 2005
Provide the following information for EACH PROGRAM for which the State claims MOE expenditures.
1. Name of Benefit or Service Program:
State Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
2. Description of the Major Program Benefits, Services, and Activities:
See Kansas TANF State Plan, “Refundable Income Tax Credits,” p.
19.
3. Purpose(s) of Benefit or Service Program:
See Kansas TANF State Plan, “Refundable Income Tax Credits,” p. 19.
4. Program Type. (Check one)
____ This Program is operated under the TANF program.
_X__ This Program is a separate State program.
5. Description of Work Activities in the SSP MOE program (I.e., Complete only if this program is a separate State program):
None
6. Total State Expenditures for the Program for the Fiscal Year: $28,565,882
7. Total State Expenditures Claimed as MOE under the Program for the
Fiscal Year: $27,407,123*
*Note: Only the refundable portion of the state earned income tax credit has been claimed as MOE.
8. Total Number of Families Served under the Program with MOE Funds: 87,501
This last figure represents (check one):
______ The average monthly total for the fiscal year.
___X _ The total served over the fiscal year.
7. Eligibility Criteria for Receiving MOE funded Benefits or Services under the Program:
See Kansas TANF State Plan, “Refundable Income Tax Credits,” p. 19. All Kansas residents eligible for a federal earned income tax credit are eligible for a state earned income tax credit.
10. Prior Program Authorization: Was this program authorized and allowable under prior law (i.e., as defined at §260.30)? (check one)
Yes __ No _X__
11. Total Program Expenditures in FY 1995: $ 0
(NOTE: provide only if the response to question 10 is No.)
This certifies that all families for which the State claims MOE expenditures for the fiscal year meet the State's criteria for "eligible families."
SIGNATURE:?___________________________________
NAME: Gary Daniels
TITLE: Secretary, Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services
Approved OMB No. 0970 0199 Form ACF 204, expires 6/30/2002.
State: Kansas Fiscal
Year: 2005
Date Submitted: December 13, 2005
Provide the following information for EACH PROGRAM for which the State claims MOE expenditures.
1. Name of Benefit or Service Program:
TAF Child Care
2. Description of the Major Program Benefits, Services, and Activities:
Subsidized child care assistance
3. Purpose(s) of Benefit or Service Program:
To provide child care assistance to TAF families who are working or engaged
in work activities.
5. Program Type. (Check one)
__X_ This Program is operated under the TANF program.
____ This Program is a separate State program.
5. Description of Work Activities in the SSP MOE program (I.e., Complete only if this program is a separate State program): N/A
6. Total State Expenditures for the Program for the Fiscal Year: $20,209,674
7. Total State Expenditures Claimed as MOE under the Program for the
Fiscal Year: $7,890,102
8. Total Number of Families Served under the Program with MOE Funds: 1,539
This last figure represents (check one):
__X_ The average monthly total for the fiscal year.
____ The total served over the fiscal year.
7. Eligibility Criteria for Receiving MOE funded Benefits or Services under the Program:
Must be a TAF cash assistance recipient who is working or participating in
a work or training activity.
10. Prior Program Authorization: Was this program authorized and allowable under
prior law (i.e., as defined at §260.30)? (check one)
Yes _X_ No __
11. Total Program Expenditures in FY 1995: N/A
(NOTE: provide only if the response to question 10 is No.)
This certifies that all families for which the State claims MOE expenditures for the fiscal year meet the State's criteria for "eligible families."
SIGNATURE:?___________________________________
NAME: Gary Daniels
TITLE: Secretary, Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services
Approved OMB No. 0970 0199 Form ACF 204, expires 6/30/2002
