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Annual Report on State TANF and MOE Programs
- 2005
Maryland
The following information is being provided in accordance with 45 CFR 265.9 based on instructions provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Program Instruction number TANF-ACF-PI-01-06. This report incorporates information gathered from Maryland’s Client Automated Resource and Eligibility System, Work Opportunities Management Information System, TANF State Plan and previously submitted fiscal reports. For Federal Fiscal Year 2005, the following information applied to the State of Maryland’s TANF program:
A. THE STATE’S DEFINITION OF EACH WORK ACTIVITY:
(1) Unsubsidized Employment
This category includes full-time or part-time employment where the person's wages are not being subsidized with any government funds. Employment as a member of the Armed Forces on active duty, self-employment, and entry into a registered apprenticeship program are considered to be work activities falling into this category.
Note:
- Local programs may count all hours of unsubsidized employment during each
month in which the person is receiving assistance authorized under the section
of the federal welfare reform legislation entitled Temporary Cash Assistance
for Needy Families. This includes recipients of Temporary Cash Assistance, Welfare
Avoidance Grants, and Emergency Assistance for Families with Children (federal
requirement).
(2) Subsidized Private Sector Employment
This category includes full-time or part-time employment in any private-for-profit or private-non-profit sector job where the person's wages are being subsidized with government funds, including work-study. An example of this type of activity is Grant Diversion, where part or all of the person's grant is diverted to reimburse the employer for some or all of the wages paid to the person. The term “subsidized” does not include tax credits to which the employer may be entitled for employing the person.
(3) Subsidized Public Sector Employment
This category includes full-time or part-time employment in any public sector job where the person's wages are being subsidized with government funds, including work-study. An example of this type of activity is Grant Diversion, in which part or all of the person's grant is diverted to reimburse the employer for some or all of the wages paid to the person.
(4) Work Experience
This category includes public or private sector work situations where the person has the opportunity to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to perform a broad array of jobs, including learning about appropriate work habits and behaviors. Typically, the person is not paid for participating in a work experience activity, although he or she may receive a needs-based payment to cover the incidental costs of participating.
(5) On-the Job Training
This category involves training that is given to a person by an employer in the public or private sector. The training is provided while the person is engaged in productive work with the employer, and provides knowledge or skills essential to the full and adequate performance of the position into which he/she was hired. The person receives a wage from the employer, which is considered to be a training wage.
Notes:
- The program operator must enter into a contractual relationship with the OJT
employer to specify the terms under which program funds will be used to reimburse
the employer for providing training and supervision to the person (State requirement).
- Payments to an employer must not exceed an average of 50% of the training wages paid by the employer to the person during the period of training (State requirement).
(6) Job Search and Job Readiness Assistance
This category includes a variety of activities aimed at assisting the person to locate unsubsidized employment as quickly as possible.
Job Search activities include instruction on the effective strategies that can be used by persons in seeking/obtaining their own jobs. Services include, but are not limited to, resume writing, interviewing skills, labor market information, telephone techniques, information on job openings, and job acquisition strategies, as well as the provision of office space and supplies for the job search.
Job Readiness Assistance includes instruction in career exploration, instruction
on basic work place expectations and behaviors. Also, substance abuse treatment
or other barrier removal activities can be considered to be a form of Job Readiness
Assistance.
Note:
- Activities in the Job Search and Job Readiness Assistance category are limited
by time. A person may participate in these types of activities for six weeks
per year, of which only four weeks can be consecutive (federal requirement).
(7) Community Service
This category includes any work that provides a benefit to the public and is not otherwise described in this list of activity categories. Generally, the person is not paid for his or her work; the person may be asked to locate his or her own community service position, or be placed in an existing position by the program operator.
(8) Vocational Education
This category includes instruction in an institutional or work-site setting, designed to upgrade a person's technical skills and information required to perform a broad array of related jobs.
Note:
- A person may participate in Vocational Education activities for a maximum
of 12 months (federal requirement).
- For any given month, persons engaged in this activity, plus teen parents (only) engaged in Education or Secondary Education (see below), may not constitute more than 30% of the State's total number of countable participants reported for that month (federal requirement).
(9) Child Care Services
This category involves child care provided by a person, for the child (or children) of another person who is participating in a Community Service activity, as defined above.
Note:
- Generally, the person is not paid for providing child care; if payment to
the child care provider is made, the child care arrangements must meet the State's
child care licensing regulations (State requirement).
(10) Secondary Education/GED
This category includes educational instruction provided by a secondary school or an alternative educational program leading to achievement of a high school diploma or high school equivalency (e.g., GED).
Notes:
- Persons placed in this type of activity must not have received a high school
diploma or a certificate of high school equivalency (federal requirement).
- Teen parents who participate in this activity may be determined by states to be Countable Participants, regardless of how many hours per week they participated and without first participating in a Core work activity, as long as the state considered their level of participation to be "satisfactory" (federal requirement). 80% attendance is considered satisfactory attendance.
- For any given month, teen parents engaged in this activity and in Education, plus all persons engaged in Vocational Education, may not constitute more than 30% of the State's total number of countable participants reported for that month (federal requirement).
(11) Education
This category includes education that is directly related to employment.
Notes:
- Persons placed in this type of activity must not have received a high school
diploma or a certificate of high school equivalency (federal requirement).
- Education must be directly related to employment (federal requirement).
- Teen parents who participate in this activity may be determined by states to be Countable Participants, without first having had participated in a Core work activity (federal requirement).
- For any given month, teen parents (only) engaged in this activity and in Secondary Education, plus all persons engaged in Vocational Education, may not constitute more than 30% of the State's total number of countable participants reported for that month (federal requirement).
- A person may participate in Education activities for a maximum of 12 months (State requirement).
- Hours spent by a person in this type of activity are only countable toward the State's participation rate after the person has participated in one of the "Core" work activities, activity categories numbered 1 - 9 above (federal requirement).
- State and/or federal funds provided to the program may not be used to pay
for the education, unless the person is a teen parent. Persons are expected
to obtain loans or grants if they need financial assistance. However, the State
will offer the person child care assistance and other appropriate support services
(State requirement).
(12) Job Skills Training
This category includes training which is provided in an institutional or work-site setting and is designed to upgrade a person's technical skills and information required to perform a specific job.
Note:
- Job Skills Training must be directly related to employment (federal requirement).
- Hours spent by a person in this type of activity are only countable toward the State's participation rate after the person has participated in one of the "Core" work activities, those numbered 1 - 9 above (federal requirement).
(13) Other Activities
This category includes any other activity that can not be reasonably identified as fitting into one of the federally recognized (previous) 12 categories. Please remember that if you use any Activity Code beginning with the letters OT, the hours spent by the person in that activity will not be counted in the calculation of the state’s two Participation Rates (All Families and Two-Parent Families rates). However, activities that are documented with OT* Activity Codes will be considered as State-defined activities when a local program’s compliance with the 24 Month Work Requirement is monitored.
The reserved OT codes listed below should be used to represent activities that fit the category definition. If an activity can not be reasonably identified as fitting into any of these reserved categories, the code OTH may be used (Other, Other), or the local program operator may create and use additional OT* codes in order to separately track that type of activity.
Reserved codes:
OTA – Caring for a family member
This subcategory of Other Activities has been reserved to document that the
person is caring for a family member who is ill, incapacitated or for other
reasons needs the in-home supervision and care.
OTC – Involved in the local conciliation process
This subcategory of Other Activities has been reserved to document that the
person has failed to cooperate with the work or other TCA requirements and is
involved in the local conciliation process.
OTF – Receiving help with a family problem
This subcategory of Other Activities has been reserved to document that the
person is in the process of resolving a family problem that interferes with
his/her participation in another activity. Examples of activities include receiving
family counseling, legal help or financial counseling.
OTM – Receiving treatment for a medical/mental health problem
This subcategory of Other Activities has been reserved to document that the
person is receiving medical or other appropriate treatment for an illness (physical
or mental) or disabling condition that prevents him or her from participating
in other activities.
OTZ – Single parent with a child under six who is searching for appropriate
child care
This subcategory of Other Activities has been reserved for use with a single
parent who is caring for a child under six years of age and who has been unable
to obtain needed child care for one or more of the following reasons:
- unavailability of appropriate child care within a reasonable distance from
the individual’s home or work site;
- unavailability or unsuitability of informal child care by a relative or under
other arrangements; or,
- unavailability of appropriate and affordable formal child care arrangements.
By federal law, the person described above is exempt from the 24 Month Work Requirement during the period that appropriate child care is not available. However, DHR expects local departments to continue working with the person to obtain appropriate child-care. Such efforts should be documented using Activity Code OTZ.
Note:
If the activity of the person does not fit into any of the previously listed
subcategories, the local departments may create additional variations of the
OTH code by changing the third letter (e.g., OTS). Use of these additional Activity
Codes will enable program operators to better identify the type of Other Activities
in which persons participate. We recommend that the number of these other varied
OT codes be limited and carefully defined so the subcategories created do not
overlap with the subcategories already identified above.
B. A DESCRIPTION OF THE TRANSITIONAL SERVICES PROVIDED TO FAMILIES NO
LONGER RECEIVING ASSISTANCE DUE TO EMPLOYMENT:
As described in Maryland’s State TANF Plan on page 8– Families determined eligible for Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) benefits are eligible for Medical Assistance coverage. Working families who received TCA in at least 3 of the 6 months prior to case closing and become ineligible for a TCA benefit because of increased earned income are eligible to receive Medical Assistance for an additional 12 months. After 12 months of extended Medical Assistance, families may continue to be eligible for medical benefits through the Medical Assistance Program if they meet the eligibility requirements for that program. They may also receive coverage through the Maryland Child Health Insurance Program which has an extensive outreach campaign intended to inform former TCA customers, among others, of their potential eligibility.
Families are also eligible for child care assistance based on the caretaker relative's income, as long as the family has a child under age thirteen.
Many low-income working families are eligible for food stamps. Maryland issues five months of transitional food stamp benefits to most TANF recipients when their TCA case closes. Most families receive more food stamps than they received while on TCA. Transitional food stamps ease the recipient’s transition from welfare and bring federal dollars into the economy. After the transitional food stamp period, many families retain their food stamps but at a reduced level of benefits. Other low-income families are encouraged to apply for food stamp benefits. The Department of Human Resources’ Communication Office and Family Investment Administration take advantage of opportunities in the communities to build awareness of the support that medical assistance and food stamps can be to low-income families.
Maryland and one of its local jurisdictions also provide a State Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), part of which is refundable. Many former TCA customers are eligible to receive both the state and federal EITC which, when combined with moderate earnings, food stamps, child care assistance, medical assistance and child support, can help the family rise above the federal poverty level.
Local Departments of Social Services in Maryland also provide transitional assistance to families on an individual basis. This assistance can be in the form of transportation, clothing, funds for licensing fees or accreditation, tools, and other work supports. Certain local departments also provide job skills enhancement training, mentoring, job shadowing, intensive case management, employer/employee mediation, 24-hour job retention hotlines and counseling to employed low income families.
C. A DESCRIPTION OF HOW MARYLAND WILL REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF ASSISTANCE PAYABLE TO A FAMILY WHEN AN INDIVIDUAL REFUSES TO ENGAGE IN WORK WITHOUT GOOD CAUSE PURSUANT TO SECTION 261.14:
As stipulated in Maryland’s TANF State Plan on page 8 – When an
adult does not comply with program requirements, the entire assistance unit
is ineligible. In the first instance of noncompliance, the FIP case manager
investigates the reasons and helps the individual comply by sending a letter
to schedule a conciliation conference, and following up through telephone or
personal contact to the extent appropriate and feasible. In addition, the case
manager works with the customer to help identify any exemptions or good cause
reasons for noncompliance. The sanction is not imposed less than 30 days from
the start of the conciliation process. There is no conciliation process for
the second and subsequent instances of noncompliance; the customer has ten days
to respond to the notice of adverse action.
For noncompliance with a work activity, TCA is resumed:
D. PAYMENTS FOR CHILD CARE SERVICES MADE BY THE STATE THROUGH THE USE OF DISREGARDS:
Maryland can provide information regarding the number of TCA families and total child care deduction amounts. The information is as follows:
The total number of TCA families where a portion of earned income is disregarded due to out-of-pocket child care expenses – 401
The total disregarded amount for families where a portion of earned income is disregarded due to out-of-pocket child care expenses – $179,907
E. DESCRIPTION OF MARYLAND’S FAMILY VIOLENCE OPTION:
Beginning on November 1, 1996, applicants and recipients in Maryland were screened for potential family violence. Training is provided to staff statewide to help screen and identify families with a history of family violence. Since victims of family violence generally hide the situation, sample screening questions have been provided with ways to rephrase and integrate the questions throughout the interview. Family violence experts are in place in local departments of social services offices statewide.
Certain program requirements are waived for these families. In addition, good cause reasons for not meeting program requirements are in place to protect these fragile families. The team of case manager, family violence expert, social worker or counselor determines that the family could participate in a work activity.
Families who are victims of Family Violence and who are working with the family violence expert and the FIP case manager towards resolving the violence issues and removing barriers are served through a Separate State Program described in Maryland’s TANF State Plan and funded with 100% state funds.
The total number of families served through this option was 289 in FFY 2005.
F. A DESCRIPTION OF ANY NONRECURRENT, SHORT-TERM BENEFITS PROVIDED:
As described in Maryland’s TANF State Plan on pages 1 and 2 – Maryland provides the following programs for eligible families:
Welfare Avoidance Grants (WAG). A local department may offer a WAG to families with children according to criteria described in the local plan approved by the Maryland Department of Human Resources. A WAG is cash assistance in an amount up to three times the TCA grant for that family size, which is paid based on an agreement signed by the applicant or recipient and the local department. Any application for TCA is denied during the period covered by the WAG.
Emergency Assistance to Families with Children – Funds are allocated to local departments to meet emergencies for families with children under 21 years old according to local plans. The financial eligibility criteria for this component differ from the other components. The family is needy if they have an emergency situation as defined in the local plan, do not have income or liquid assets to meet that emergency, and the emergency is not the result of quitting a job. The State uses segregated federal TANF funds to operate this program.
Burial Assistance (BA) – This State-funded program pays reasonable funeral expenses for deceased persons. A representative must file on the person’s behalf. The program provides assistance for persons who were TANF recipients, foster care children, Medical Assistance nursing home patients and TEMHA/TDAP recipients. The local department may also use BA funds to prepare and transport a deceased migrant worker’s body to the place of origin. The state will not issue BA to reimburse a representative or vendor for paid funeral expenses.
Medical Assistance Outreach – Maryland has instituted an extensive outreach campaign to inform citizens, especially former TCA customers, of their potential eligibility for Medical Assistance. This program pays medical bills of certain needy and low-income individuals. Coverage is automatically granted to persons receiving public assistance such as Supplemental Security Income, Temporary Cash Assistance and Foster Care. Low-income families, children, pregnant women, and aged, blind, or disabled adults may also qualify. Maryland’s automated eligibility system for TCA, food stamps and Medical Assistance ensures that families leaving TCA or denied TCA are automatically considered for Medicaid and Maryland Children’s Health Program (MCHP) eligibility.
G. A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROCEDURES THE STATE HAS ESTABLISHED AND IS
MAINTAINING TO RESOLVE DISPLACEMENT COMPLAINTS:
An employee who feels employment was lost due to displacement may initiate a grievance by presenting:
(1) The complaint to the local department in writing not later than 30 days after the:
(a) Alleged cause of the complaint, or
(b) Employee knew or should have known of the alleged cause of complaint; and
(2) Information to the local department in support of the allegation that the employee was displaced.
The local department shall:
(1) Schedule a conference with the employee, or with the employer and the employee, within 10 days after receipt of the complaint;
(2) Within 15 calendar days from the date of the conference with the employee:
(a) Determine whether displacement occurred and send written notice to the
employee and employer of the local department decision; and
(b) Notify the employee and employer in writing that if either disagrees with
the decision, either has a right to request a conference before the Welfare
Displacement Review Panel which shall be comprised of:
(i) Two representatives from the Department of Human Resources (DHR)
(ii) One representative from the Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation
(DLLR), and
(iii) Two public representatives appointed by the Secretary of Human Resources.
A written request under Subsection G (2) (b) of this regulation shall be filed with the Family Investment Administration not later than 15 days from the date of the local department decision.
The Welfare Displacement Review Panel shall:
(1) Hold a conference with the employer and the employee within 30 days of
receipt of the request; and
(2) Within 30 days from the date of the conference;
(a) Render a decision upholding, reversing, or modifying the local department
decision,
(b) Notify the employee, the employer, and the local department, in writing,
of the panel’s decision,
(c) Give to each employee and employer written notification that if either disagrees
with the Welfare Displacement Review Panel’s decision, each has a right
to request a fair hearing in the same manner that a recipient would request
a fair hearing under COMAR 07.03.11.
Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH).
(1) The OAH shall conduct the hearing in accordance with State Government Article,
Title 10, Subtitle 2, Annotated Code of Maryland, COMAR 28.02.01.
(2) Notice of the hearing shall be sent to the parties at least 15 days before
the hearing and shall advise the parties of the right to be represented by a
lawyer or other person at the hearing.
(3) A party may examine the Department’s record for the purpose of discovering
information pertinent to the appeal, if information the Department is required
to keep confidential is protected.
(4) A hearing is open the public.
(5) The employee bears the burden of proof.
(6) The administrative law judge shall:
(a) Determine whether displacement occurred;
(b) Issue the final administrative decision not later than 90 days after the
date of the request for the hearing; and
(c) Send a copy of the decision to the parties and to the local department.
(7) The decision of the administrative law judge is:
(a) Binding on the local department; and
(b) Subject to review by the circuit court.
Upon final finding of displacement in the grievance process, the local department may:
(1) End the subsidy in the case of subsidized employment; and
(2) Remove the participant from work experience, on-the-job training, or community
service.
H. A SUMMARY OF STATE PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES DIRECTED AT THE THIRD AND FOURTH STATUTORY PURPOSES OF TANF:
As described in Maryland’s TANF State Plan on pages 12 through 16 – Maryland has developed a broad array of services to families and children that are reasonably calculated to accomplish the third and fourth purposes of the TANF law.
Office of Work Opportunities Youth Operations’ Youth Service Program – The Youth Services Program is designed to deter youth from becoming TCA customers. The program provides opportunities for youth to look at careers and the world of work linked closely to the local labor market and youth development, such as leadership through volunteer community service and connections between academic and occupational learning.
Through this program, youth learn early in their development how to access workforce services and continue to use those services throughout their working lives. The goal is to promote motivation, performance and self-esteem of youth and to prevent teen pregnancies and develop career awareness including the necessary academic, technical and vocational skills to successfully transition into adulthood.
Governor’s Council on Adolescent Pregnancy – The Governor’s Council on Adolescent Pregnancy provides funding for initiatives throughout the state that focus on teen pregnancy prevention and/or intervention. The program’s main goal is to prevent adolescent pregnancies, which will at the same time prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock births. The program includes initiatives that provide parenting skills and promote responsible fatherhood. The program serves pre-adolescents, teenagers, parents, educators and counselors, according to specific program criteria.
Maryland’s Tomorrow – Maryland’s Tomorrow is a statewide dropout prevention program operating in 70 high schools across the State (all jurisdictions are covered) and 23 middle schools in nine jurisdictions. The purpose of the program is to prevent and reduce out-of-wedlock pregnancies, improve self-esteem, attendance, school performance and promotion rate, and behavior of at-risk students in grades six through twelve. The program also motivates the students to succeed in high school, make wise career choices, and continue their education and training. Case managers visit elementary schools and identify students who meet at least one of the following criteria (no monetary criteria):
Programs are arranged during the summer between fifth and sixth grade. This
approach is also used for eighth graders who are going into high school.
Local school systems can choose different approaches. Services can include after
school tutoring and computer assisted instruction, daily help with homework,
student-operated businesses, jobs in the school community, weekly service learning,
wellness activities, rewards and incentives. Activities may involve families,
businesses and communities.
Healthy Families – This program provides home visitation and on-site services to families such as parenting education, family planning, and employment services. The program’s main goal is to reduce subsequent out of wedlock pregnancies among participants through family planning counseling. The program serves youths over age sixteen who are expecting their first child and who receive TCA or grew up in a family that received TCA. Both parents must be involved in this program which is also designed to prevent intergenerational welfare dependency. This program provides non-assistance.
Safe and Stable Families – This program helps families by providing to protective services or potential protective services families: family support through projects such as parenting classes and after school programs and family preservation by counseling families in crisis. The program prevents or reduces out-of-wedlock pregnancies.
Family Support Center Network – Family Support Centers (FSCs) were developed to establish preventive supports for families during the early formative years and to encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families. The FSCs are community-based programs that provide services to assist mothers and/or fathers with children age birth through 3, particularly those in high-risk communities, raise healthy children and build productive futures. Comprehensive services are provided either on-site or through referral, coordinating existing programs to benefit mothers and/or fathers and their children, and developing new resources to satisfy unmet needs. Services include parenting skills, outreach, peer support and recreational activities, infant and child stimulation, employability and literacy opportunities, health education and referral for services.
There are no income criteria required in order to participate in the FSC program, although a significant number of participants receive TCA. Others may need cash assistance, but choose not to receive TCA. There are also participants that are financially capable of attending to their basic daily living needs but need FSC services to enhance their parenting skills. The objective is to develop a cadre of services appropriate for each family. There are 27 FSCs in the network located in 19 counties across Maryland, with six FSCs located in Baltimore City.
Young Fathers Responsible Fathers Programs (YFRF) – One of six father-focused
initiatives, YFRF programs provide services to custodial and non-custodial fathers
such as parenting education, family planning, GED instruction, job training,
employment-search assistance and self-esteem building. Seven sites in six counties
and Baltimore City serve young fathers, age 16+, who have one or more children.
The program’s main goal is to reduce subsequent out-of-wedlock pregnancies
among participants through family planning counseling. Program objectives seek
to increase parent-child interaction, emotional support, financial responsibility
and the development of two parent families. YFRF programs also encourage co-parenting
for non-custodial fathers. Although participation is voluntary, participants
are required to comply with Child Support Enforcement, if not currently doing
so.
Programs serve low-income fathers, initially unemployed. Income is verified
at point of enrollment. The average household income of participants is below
200 percent of poverty. Though not a requirement of program enrollment, participant
referrals are actively solicited from local departments of social services’
TCA and child support enforcement rolls.
Youthbuild Sandtown Program (YSP) – A subsidiary of Youthbuild USA, YSP serves at-risk, low-income West Baltimore Sandtown community youth, age 16-24, with a requirement that 25 percent of program participants must be female. Participants are school dropouts (75 percent), teenage parents, single parents, non-custodial fathers or juvenile offenders who are given a second chance. YSP trainees participate in a rigorous program that combines training in the construction industry, basic vocational education and leadership development.
The YSP partners include The Enterprise Foundation, AmeriCorps, Baltimore City Housing Authority, and Habitat for Humanity. Nationally, the Youthbuild program model has an 86 percent success rate with graduates going to college and into the labor force earning an average of $11 per hour. The purpose of the program is to enhance the motivation, performance and self-esteem of youth and is thus reasonably calculated to achieve the third goal of the TANF law, the reduction of out of wedlock pregnancies.
Child First Authority Extended School Day Programs (CFA) – CFA provides extended school day activities from 3-6 p.m. to 1,100 children of low income families in ten Baltimore City public elementary/middle schools where 98 percent of the schools’ student population is eligible for free or reduced lunch. The average household income of students receiving services from CSA is at or below 200 percent of poverty. Teachers and/or school principals in participating schools can refer a child to CFA, if the child is determined to be at risk of poor school performance or attendance. All parents of participating children must actively participate in nine hours of CFA sponsored training or activities each school year.
The extended school day enriches children’s lives and enables parents to work or attend school. CFA programs focus on safety, self-esteem, motivation, performance, character development and educational enrichment. CFA programs provide additional educational experiences by conducting sessions in art, music, dance, history, reading, writing and math. Many of the participating schools do not have arts activities as a part of their curriculum. CFA was chosen as one of nine successful initiatives nationally by the Anneberg Institute for School Reform. CFA partners include the Maryland Historical Society, Maryland Institute of Art, numerous faith organizations and parent volunteers. The purpose of the program is to enhance the motivation, performance and self-esteem of youth and is thus reasonably calculated to achieve the third goal of the TANF law, the reduction of out of wedlock pregnancies.
Baltimore City Public Schools After School Program – In an agreement between State and City officials, the Maryland After School Opportunity Fund Program was expanded for Baltimore City. As required by legislation, vendors chosen to operate the program must incorporate features that "will have a positive measurable impact on one or more of the conditions of well-being for Maryland children and youth identified by the Maryland Partnership for Children, Youth and Families.” The Maryland Partnership has developed results and indicators of child well being with assistance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation. One of the results and indicators is “Babies Born Healthy,” which includes a measure for “the rate of births to adolescents less than 18 years of age.”
The programs support the Baltimore City Public Schools' efforts to provide quality after school experiences for at risk students enrolled in the City's public schools. Programs are designed to help children succeed in school, increase positive and healthy behaviors and decrease negative behaviors such as juvenile crime, substance abuse and teen pregnancy. This program provides supervision and activities for children of many low-income families and is reasonably calculated to achieve the third goal of the TANF statute. This program provides non-assistance.
Maryland After School Opportunity Fund Program – Legislation passed by the Maryland General Assembly in 1999 requires the Governor to fund the Maryland After School Opportunity Fund. The program will be statewide for school age children.
The legislation requires that vendors chosen to operate the program must incorporate features that “will have a positive measurable impact on one or more of the conditions of well-being for Maryland children and youth identified by the Maryland Partnership for Children, Youth and Families.” The Maryland Partnership has developed results and indicators of child well being with assistance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation. One of the results and indicators is “Babies Born Healthy,” which includes a measure for “the rate of births to adolescents less than 18 years of age.” Another is “Stable and Economically Self-Sufficient Families,” which includes a measure of “the percent of single parent households.” Therefore, this program is reasonably calculated to achieve purposes three and four of the TANF statute.
Youth Service Bureau – Youth Service Bureaus are community based, multi-service prevention programs serving youth and families. All YSBs are either incorporated non-profits with Boards of Directors or considered a part of local government and have advisory boards. The youth served are those at risk of becoming delinquent because of their behaviors and circumstances, and youth who committed minor delinquencies. Referrals are accepted from schools, parents, Department of Juvenile Justice, police, self, other agencies and friends. The purpose of the program is to enhance the motivation, performance and self-esteem of youth and is thus reasonably calculated to achieve the third goal of the TANF law, the reduction of out of wedlock pregnancies.
HotSpot Communities Initiative – The HotSpot Communities Initiative is a statewide crime reduction strategy that promotes locally based, comprehensive planning in high-crime at-risk neighborhoods for youth and adults. HotSpot Communities is based on strategies implemented by neighborhoods and nonprofit community advocate groups that are successful in collaborating and involving key community leaders in solving problems in the community. The purpose of developing HotSpot Communities is to develop locally based strategies to respond to the problems that interact at the neighborhood level and bring the justice system to the community as opposed to the community to the justice system. Many of the strategies include an after school program. These strategies are designed to enhance the motivation, performance and self-esteem of youth and are thus reasonably calculated to achieve the third goal of the TANF law, the reduction of out of wedlock pregnancies.
The overall goal for the Community HotSpot initiative is a 25 to 35 percent reduction in serious crime and quality-of-life improvements in HotSpot communities that implement a comprehensive strategy. Each HotSpot community surveys residents to measure whether there are improvements in the quality of life and changes in their sense of hopefulness and ability to make a difference. This program seeks to involve youth, as much as possible, in all phases of planning and implementation.
Consolidated Education Grant – The grant is administered through the school system to needy families through out Maryland and serves abused and neglected children, boys and girls who are parents, and disruptive youths. The program provides funding to local school systems to reduce and prevent child abuse, out-of-wedlock pregnancy, and teen suicide for middle and high school students. The program does not have upper income or asset limit.
I. AN ESTIMATE OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE PARTICIPATED
IN SUBSIDIZED EMPLOYMENT:
In FFY 2005, 459 individuals participated in subsidized employment programs in Maryland. Of these, 129 were employed in private sector jobs and 325 were employed in public sector jobs.
Annual Report on State Maintenance of Effort Programs: ACF-204
State: Maryland Fiscal Year: 2005 Date Submitted: 11/14/2005
Provide the following information for EACH PROGRAM for which the State claims MOE expenditures.
1. Name of Benefit or Service Program #1: Temporary Cash Assistance – Special Populations
2. Description of the Major Program Benefits, Services, and Activities:
Long-term Disabled Adults/Children:
This program serves families with an adult and/or child who has a disability
which will last more than 12 months, as verified by a doctor. Families are assisted
with the Social Security application process (especially obtaining detailed
past and present medical documentation) by the Disability Entitlement and Advocacy
Program (DEAP) case managers. Once SSI is received or all appeals have been
exhausted, the family is moved back into federally funded TCA, if otherwise
eligible.
This customer group is not subject to 24 or 60-month time limits.
Victims of Domestic Violence:
This program serves families where an adult or child is a victim of family violence
and is actively receiving services as part of a service plan to overcome barriers
to independence caused by family violence. These families work with their case
manager and in-house Family Violence Specialist. These families may also have
a social worker or therapist to help overcome barriers to employment, training,
etc.
These families are not subject to 24 or 60-month time limits.
Once the barriers have been resolved, the family is moved back into federally funded TCA, if otherwise eligible.
Non-parent Relatives:
This program serves families with a child cared for by a non-parent relative,
who is included in the assistance unit and has no dependent children of his
or her own in the assistance unit.
Families who have dependent children of their own and other related children
and who receive TCA are not part of this group and are subject to time limits
and work requirements.
19 Year Old Full-time Students:
This program serves families with a child who is a full-time student in a secondary
school or an equivalent program and expected to graduate in the year the child
turns 19. The month the child turns 19 through the month of graduation will
be totally state funded. The child’s eligibility ends the month after
the month of graduation. The family is moved back into federally funded TCA,
if otherwise eligible. This customer group is subject to 24 and 60-month time
limits.
Legal Immigrants:
Families with legal immigrant adults and children (admitted to the country after
August 22, 1996) who are not eligible under federal law and meet all other TCA
eligibility requirements. This customer group is subject to 24 and 60-month
time limits. These cases are reassessed in the 59th month. These families receive
the same benefits and support services available to federal TCA families.
Two Parent Households:
This program serves families with two able-bodied parents in the assistance
unit. Because this customer group is a “revolving door” population,
it is difficult to meet the needs of the assistance unit. These families receive
all benefits and support services available to federal TCA customers. This customer
group is subject to 24 and 60-month time limits.
3. Purpose(s) of Benefit or Service Program:
In general, this program provides assistance to needy families who have been designated as special populations within the State’s Temporary Cash Assistance program.
Long-term Disabled Adults/Children:
Because of the complicated and technically demanding application process, it
is highly unlikely that our customers would receive SSI/SSA benefits without
assistance from DEAP. Once SSI is received, the disabled adult or child is removed
from the TCA assistance unit and the monthly SSI amount is disregarded. Once
the customer’s share of TCA is recouped from an SSI lump sum, the customer
is paid the remainder. The remainder is also disregarded.
Victims of Domestic Violence:
The purpose of the program is to screen and identify individuals with a history
of domestic violence and the barriers that prevent the family from being independent.
Some individuals may self-disclose. Others can be identified through answers
to specific screening questions that elicit indicators for domestic violence
situations. Questions are integrated into the interview in appropriate places.
Once the barriers are identified, the family is provided the support services
needed. Time limits and work requirements are not imposed for these families
to allow enough time for them to work with support services.
Non-parent Relatives:
The purpose of this program is to allow children who can no longer live in the
home of their parents (or other caretaker relatives) to be cared for in the
home of a relative. These children would most likely be placed in foster care
if this program were not available to the caretaker relative. If the caretaker
relative is needy, this program provides financial and medical benefits to them
as well.
These families are not subject to the 24 or 60-month time limits.
19 Year Old Full-time Students:
The purpose of this program is to acknowledge the efforts of the children who
are making a concerted effort to obtain a high school diploma or certificate
from an equivalent program and to provide benefits to the family that would
otherwise stop when the child turned 19. This program reinforces the value of
education to the family and especially to the child.
Legal Immigrants:
The purpose of this program is to provide cash and medical benefits to a population
who would otherwise not be eligible for TCA. While receiving TCA, these families
are provided with the support services that help move the family to independence.
This can be English as a Second Language, GED or other work activities that
lead to permanent employment.
Two Parent Households:
The purpose of the program is to identify the barriers that prevent long-term
employment and stability for these families. If long-term disabilities are identified,
the family is moved into the SSP for disabled TCA customers. Many of these families
have a good work history, pending unemployment claims and only need assistance
for one or two months and may require only minimal support services. Other families
require and are provided intensive support services to move the family to independence.
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):
Long-term Disabled Adults/Children:
This customer group is not subject to work requirements but must be complying
with the application requirements for other cash benefit programs, SSI or SSDI.
Victims of Domestic Violence:
Work requirements are conditional for these customers. These families are evaluated
on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the specific individual
issues that surround each domestic situation.
Until the case manager, in-house Family Violence Specialist and any other social worker/therapist/counselor all agree that the family can participate in work activities, they are not subject to work requirements. If they are to participate in work activities, the activities and requirements are the same as under the TANF funded TCA program.
Non-parent Relatives:
This customer group is not subject to work requirements. They may, however,
volunteer for a work activity. If they do not comply, no sanction is imposed.
19 Year Old Full-time Students:
Any adults and 16-17 year old children not in school, who are included in the
TCA assistance unit are subject to the same requirements as TANF funded TCA
customers as defined in the TANF Annual Report Section 1.
Legal Immigrants:
These families are subject to the same requirements as TANF funded TCA customers
as defined in the TANF Annual Report Section 1.
Two Parent Households:
This customer group is subject to the same requirements as TANF funded TCA customers
as defined in the TANF Annual Report Section 1.
6. Total State Expenditures for the Program for the Fiscal Year: $15,323,490
7. Total State Expenditures Claimed as MOE under the Program for the Fiscal
Year: $15,323,490
8. Total Number of Families Served under the Program with MOE Funds: 2,958
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:
Long-term Disabled Adults/Children:
TCA adults or children must have a disability that will last 12 or more months.
Customers are required to apply for SSI, and they will receive TCA while the
application is in a pending or appeal stage. When the customer’s SSI application
is approved, the state is reimbursed for TCA funds paid if there is an accrued
SSI claim. Adults must comply with the application process for disabled children
in their TCA assistance unit.
These families must meet all other financial and non-financial TCA requirements (with the exception of work activity for the disabled adult).
Victims of Domestic Violence:
These families must meet all TCA financial and non-financial requirements (with
the exception of time limits and work activity).
Non-parent Relatives:
Children must be living with a needy non-parent caretaker relative. These families
must meet all other financial and non-financial TCA eligibility requirements
(with the exception of work activity).
19 Year Old Full-time Students:
Families with a child who is a full time student in a secondary school or an
equivalent program and expected to graduate in the year the child turns 19.
These families must meet all other financial and non-financial TCA eligibility
requirements.
Legal Immigrants:
Families with legal immigrant adults and children who are not eligible under
federal law. These families must meet all other financial and non-financial
TCA eligibility requirements.
Two Parent Households:
These families must have two able-bodied parents and meet all TCA financial
and non-financial eligibility.
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.
(NOTE: Provide only if the response to question 10 is NO)
1. Name of Benefit or Service Program #2: Temporary Cash Assistance –
Earned Income Families
2. Description of the Major Program Benefits, Services, and Activities:
This program serves families with at least one assistance unit member who is employed, has countable earned income and receives Maryland’s 40 percent income disregard. Once there are no employed assistance unit members with countable income and the 40 percent disregard applied, the family will be moved back into federally funded TCA.
3. Purpose(s) of Benefit or Service Program:
The purpose of this program is to provide benefits and support services and to our lowest-income working families. State law exempts this customer group from 24 or 60-month time limits.
This customer group remains a segregated state-funded 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):
6. Total State Expenditures for the Program for the Fiscal Year: $3,545,115
7. Total State Expenditures Claimed as MOE under the Program for the Fiscal Year: $3,545,115
8. Total Number of Families Served under the Program with MOE Funds: 1,014
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:
There must be an employed adult in the TCA assistance unit. These families are
subject to all other TCA requirements (with the exception of the 24-month or
60-month time limits).
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.
(NOTE: Provide only if the response to question 10 is NO)
1. Name of Benefit or Service Program #3: EIC Refund Program
2. Description of the Major Program Benefits, Services, and Activities:
The Income Tax – Earned Income Credit Refunds (1998 Md. Laws, Chapter 5) provides a state earned income credit that is refundable to eligible low-income taxpayers with one or more dependents. A further tax credit is available to low income families in Montgomery County, Maryland due to a local EITC, administered by the State Comptroller’s Office and authorized by the Maryland General Assembly (SB 240, 2000 session). In addition, EIC Support Services include, but are not limited to, volunteer tax preparation, a public awareness campaign, and a 24-Hour hot line.
3. Purpose(s) of Benefit or Service Program:
The purpose is to increase the income levels in low-income families and end dependence of low-income, needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work and marriage.
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): This program provides non-assistance
as defined by TANF regulations, therefore this customer group is not subject
to work requirements.
6. Total State Expenditures for the Program for the Fiscal Year: $91,970,465
7. Total State Expenditures Claimed as MOE under the Program for the Fiscal Year: $91,970,465
8. Total Number of Families Served under the Program with MOE Funds: 225,564 (claims approved)
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:
“Eligible low income taxpayer” means an individual, or an individual and individual’s spouse if taxes are filed jointly, whose federal adjusted gross income does not exceed the applicable poverty income level. Maryland and Montgomery County EIC refunds are only available to families with children.
The “applicable poverty income level” is defined as the amount specified in the poverty income standards that corresponds to the number of exemptions to which the taxpayer is entitled to claim. Poverty income standard means the most recent poverty income guidelines published by HHS, as of July 1 in the taxable year.
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. $0.00
Maryland did not have a refundable EITC in FY 1995.
(NOTE: Provide only if the response to question 10 is NO)
1. Name of Benefit or Service Program #4: Kinship Care Assistance and Administration
2. Description of the Major Program Benefits, Services, and Activities:
This program serves children who can no longer reside in their home of origin because of abuse or neglect. These children were determined to be a Child in Need of Assistance (CINA) through the court system, committed to a local department of social services and placed in the home of a relative. The targeted population is relative caregivers of needy children committed to a local department of social services and the CINA children living with that relative who is a licensed foster parent.
Services may be provided to children who live with their non-parent relatives through an informal arrangement made within the family. Both the child and the relative caregivers receive informal kinship care support services through local departments of social services and the Kinship Care Resource Center funded by the Department of Human Resources and the Brookdale Foundation.
3. Purpose(s) of Benefit or Service Program:
The purpose of the program is to serve non-IV-E eligible non-parent caretaker relatives of needy CINA’s so that the children may live with them.
The purpose of the additional services is to provide both the child and relative caregivers supportive services to stabilize the family and resolve issues that arise when children are removed from their own homes and parents. The services also assist the relative caregivers in adjusting to having children in their homes when they have not had the responsibility of the care of children for some time.
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): This program provides both assistance
and non-assistance.
6. Total State Expenditures for the Program for the Fiscal Year: $117,524,226.
7. Total State Expenditures Claimed as MOE under the Program for the Fiscal Year: $8,696,948
8. Total Number of Families Served under the Program with MOE Funds: 1,959
(Kinship Caregivers)
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:
Relative caregivers in this program are local department-approved foster parents
of the kin child. The foster care families must have income within 200 percent
of the poverty level.
The complete financial and eligibility criteria for the foster care maintenance payment are in the Code of Maryland Regulations at 07.02.11.26 and the schedules against which payment is measured is at 07.02.11.34. Foster care maintenance payments are made to the caregiver on behalf of the child.
The families’ income must be within 200 percent of poverty to receive additional services.
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.
(NOTE: Provide only if the response to question 10 is NO)
1. Name of Benefit or Service Program #6: Temporary Cash Assistance
2. Description of the Major Program Benefits, Services, and Activities:
This program serves families in need of temporary financial assistance by providing cash benefits. Families participating in this program receive assistance payments funded in part by TANF and in part by State Maintenance of Effort funds. The assistance payments are time limited and based on compliance with established eligibility requirements.
3. Purpose(s) of Benefit or Service Program:
To provide assistance to needy families.
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):
6. Total State Expenditures for the Program for the Fiscal Year: $63,387,611
7. Total State Expenditures Claimed as MOE under the Program for the Fiscal
Year:
$14,741,615
8. Total Number of Families Served under the Program with MOE Funds: 22,120
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:
These families must meet all financial and non-financial requirements for the
cash assistance program. The recipients must be needy families who agree to
participate in the activities stated in their individualized Independence Plan.
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.
(NOTE: Provide only if the response to question 10 is NO)
1. Name of Benefit or Service Program #7: Approved Cost Allocation Table
2. Description of the Major Program Benefits, Services, and Activities:
The approved cost allocation formula charges costs to appropriate program funding for overhead. This includes costs associated with executive management staff, shelter and nutrition program overhead, women’s services overhead, child care program overhead, automated systems overhead, and local departments of social services.
3. Purpose(s) of Benefit or Service Program:
These funds allow the Department of Human Resources to accomplish its mission to aggressively pursue opportunities to assist people in economic need, increase prevention efforts and protect vulnerable children and adults.
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):
6. Total State Expenditures for the Program for the Fiscal Year: $147,869,460.
7. Total State Expenditures Claimed as MOE under the Program for the Fiscal Year: $6,823,392
8. Total Number of Families Served under the Program with MOE Funds: N/A
This last figure represents (check one):
______ 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: N/A
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.
(NOTE: Provide only if the response to question 10 is NO)
2. Description of the Major Program Benefits, Services, and Activities:
The Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) provides subsidies to eligible families for the purchase of child care. State funds expended in accordance with CCDF regulations are claimed as TANF Maintenance of Effort expenditures.
3. Purpose(s) of Benefit or Service Program:
This program seeks to end dependence of needy parents by promoting job preparation, work and marriage.
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):
6. Total State Expenditures for the Program for the Fiscal Year: $57,182,445.
7. Total State Expenditures Claimed as MOE under the Program for the Fiscal Year: $29,182,445. This entire amount was also used to meet CCDF Matching Fund Requirements.
8. Total Number of Families Served under the Program with MOE Funds: 8,029
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:
These families must meet all TCA financial and non-financial requirements (with the exception of time limits and work).
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. __________________
(NOTE: Provide only if the response to question 10 is NO)
1. Name of Benefit or Service Program #9: Emergency Assistance and Services
2. Description of the Major Program Benefits, Services, and Activities:
MOE eligible programs from the Department’s Community Services Administration (CSA) and the Social Services Administration (SSA) comprise this project area. CSA and SSA have several programs that serve needy families, such as the Electric Universal Service Program is a grant program to help low-income Maryland residents afford electric service and to have safe and reliable power. The program makes one-time payments that are applied to past due balances, current balances or weatherization services.
3. Purpose(s) of Benefit or Service Program:
The CSA and SSA programs target the elderly, working poor, disabled and families with children and provides affordable electric services. As with Emergency Assistance under Maryland’s IV-A Plan prior to PRWORA, benefits include one-time grants for bill payment assistance and arrearage retirement. The portion of the EUSP budget counted as TANF MOE is taken from the subset of EUSP recipients that are families with children and receive one time grants for arrearage retirement.
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): This program provides non-assistance.
6. Total State Expenditures for the Program for the Fiscal Year: $11,580,194
7. Total State Expenditures Claimed as MOE under the Program for the Fiscal Year: $8,208,194.
8. Total Number of Families Served under the Program with MOE Funds: 3,132
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:
The program serves families and individuals with income up to 150% of the federal poverty level who are responsible for payment of electric bills and are US citizens.
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:
(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.” This applies to all ten programs described above.
Signature:
Name: Kevin M. McGuire, Executive Director
