Annual Report on State TANF and MOE Programs

Administration for Children and Families

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Annual Report on State TANF and MOE Programs - 2005
U. S. Virgin Islands

Attachment A

Annual Report On TANF Programs Under 45 CFR 265.9(b)

I. Definition of Work Activities

A. Unsubsidized employment is any service performed by a customer to any entity in exchange for payment that is not in any way provided by government funds local or federal.

B. Subsidized Private-Sector Employment is any service performed by a customer to the private sector in exchange for payment part of which may be provided by government funds local or federal.

C. Subsidized Public-Sector Employment is service provided by a customer to the public sector in exchange for payment part of which may be provided by government local or federal. Currently we are not providing this service.

D. Work Experience is any knowledge-enhancing or skill-enhancing service provided to an employer by a customer in exchange for training needed to make that customer more marketable.

E. On-the-Job Training is any knowledge or skill enhancing activity performed by a TANF recipient in direct preparation for a specific and specified employment opportunity.

F. Job Search and Job Readiness Assistance is theoretical and/or practical training in work preparedness provided a customer in an intense, structured format not exceeding 6 weeks in duration with no more than 4 of these weeks being consecutive.

G. Community Service is any knowledge or skill enhancing activity performed by a TANF recipient in preparation for general employment and performed in order to maintain eligibility for TANF benefits after 24 months of receipt of such benefits.
H. Vocational Educational Training is general, theoretical and/or practical instruction provided to a customer in a particular skill or discipline that would help the customer become more marketable.

I. Jobs Skills Training Directly Related to Employment is any knowledge or skill enhancing activity performed by a TANF recipient in preparation for specific employment.

J. Education Directly Related to Employment for Individuals with No High School Diploma or Certificate of High School Equivalency is any knowledge or skill enhancing activity performed by a TANF recipient and directed concurrently towards the attainment of the GED and preparation for general employment.

K. Satisfactory School Attendance for Individuals with No High School Diploma or Certificate of High School Equivalency is academic instruction intended to assist a customer obtain a High School Diploma or Certificate of High School Equivalency.

II. Transitional Services for Families no Longer Receiving TANF

A. Medical Assistance – Upon termination of TANF, families remain eligible for medical assistance for 8 months. This is done through collaboration with the Virgin Islands Department of Health

B. Childcare – Families who are no longer on TANF remain eligible for childcare based upon the Childcare Block Grant’s income eligibility guidelines. However, those families who were Welfare-to-Work participants before termination automatically continue to receive childcare from the Childcare Development Fund using United States Virgin Islands Department of Labor Welfare-to-Work funds.

C. Transportation – Families who are no longer on TANF and are not welfare-to-Work participants continue to receive TANF transportation assistance in the form of vouchers for 3 months. However, those families who were Welfare-to-Work participants before termination will automatically continue to receive childcare from the Childcare Development Fund using United States Virgin Islands Department of Labor Welfare-to-Work funds.

D. Food Stamp – Families no longer on TANF will continue to receive Food Stamps based on eligibility.

E. Financial Assistance – Families no longer on TANF do not receive transitional financial assistance.

III. Reduction of Financial Assistance Due to Refusal to Work

Pursuant to §261.14 persons refusing to work without being exempt, disregarded, or waived are penalized accordingly:

A. First Offence - For the first offense there is a 10% reduction in food Stamps, reduction of 60% of the TANF grant, loss of Medical Assistance, childcare, and transportation benefits

B. Second offense – For the second offense, the above penalty (#A) is repeated

C. Third Offense - For a third offense, the participant becomes ineligible for financial assistance and support services and remains ineligible until compliance

IV. The Average Number of Payments for Childcare Services Made by the United States Virgin Islands through Disregards

Licensed/Regulated Childcare facilities

Licensed/Regulated In-Home - 0

Licensed/Regulated Family - 5

Licensed/Regulated Group Home - 38

Licensed/Regulated Center-Based - 93

Legally Operated Childcare Facilities

Legally Operating IN-Home:

Relative - 0, Non-Relative - 0

Legally Operating Family:

Relative - 10, Non-Relative - 4

Legally Operating Group Home:

Relative - 0, Non-Relative - 0

Legally Operating Center-Based: 0
______________________________________________________
Legally Operating means no license category available in State or locality)

V. Strategies and Procedures to Ensure Domestic Violence Victims Receive Alternative Services Under Family Violence Option

Under section 402(a)(7), the United States Virgin Islands has adopted the Family Violence Option (FVO) and in accordance with subpart B of part 260 has implemented the following:

A. Screening – The Territory has developed a screening instrument used as part of the initial and on-going assessment protocol for identifying family violence victims.

B. Individualized Service Strategy – Family violence victims receive an Individual Responsibility Plan and are referred to the Territory’s Family Resource Center and the Women's' Coalition, non-profit organizations dedicated to the prevention and treatment of family violence.

C. Alternative Services – Under inter-agency agreement, and in collaboration with the Department of Human Services, the Family Resource Center and the Women's Coalition ensure the participant receives legal services, advocacy, medical services, educational services, vocational training, and support services. All services are guided by the Individual Responsibility Plan.

D. Re-evaluation – The Individual Responsibility Plan and commensurate alternative services are issued for no longer than 6 months in duration and are subject to re-evaluation at the end of that period.

E. Confidentiality – Rigorous confidentiality guidelines consistent with federal confidentiality regulations are established between both agencies.

VI. Non-Recurrent Short-term Benefits

Emergency Welfare Assistance Program - N/A

TANF Diversion – N/A

Eligibility – N/A

Policy – N/A

VII. Procedures for Resolving Displacement Complaints Pursuant to 407(f)(3) –

This Section does not apply to the United States Virgin Islands.

VIII. Programs and Activities Directed to the 3rd and 4th Statutory Purpose of
TANF

A. Prevent and Reduce Incidents of Out-of-Wedlock Births – The Territory provides family planning assessment for all TANF recipients and a trained Family Planning Social Worker is assigned to each district. We provide seminars on birth control, parenting training, and life skills management training. In addition, each year the Territory produces and airs a series of Public Service Announcements (PSA) on radio and television on the subject to educate the public on family planning, to discourage teen pregnancy, and to encourage intact family structures. The PSA spots are developed with, and directed to the TANF and general populations.

B. Encourage the Formation and Maintenance of Two-parent Families
The Territory does not have a two-parent family program. However, we encourage two-parent families through counseling and PSA announcements. The Territory also encourages two-parent families through its inter-agency relationship with the Virgin Islands Department of Justice, Division of Paternity and Child Support. Specifically, we require all TANF recipients to establish paternity and take legal action to collect child support from the non-custodial parent as part of the childcare eligibility protocol.

C. The Territory convened a family life conference which addressed the
spectrum of family needs. Replete with several concurrent tracks, the conference dealt with parenting, self-sufficiency, abstinence, fatherhood, and family mental health. A one hour television documentary of the conference is available.

D. Faith-Based and Community Initiative workshop - The Territory convened a Faith-Based and Community Initiative workshop to assist potential grantees in applying for Compassion Capital grants. Over 100 faith-based and community providers attended the function. The Territory is also exploring ways to become a faith-based liaison.

IX. An Estimate of the Total Number who Participated in Subsidized
Employment

The Territory does not have a subsidized employment program under TANF (in accordance with (§261.30(b) and (c) at this time.

Attachment B

Annual Report on State Maintenance-of-Effort Programs: Form ACF-204

State Virgin Islands Fiscal Year: 2005

Date Submitted: December 23, 2005

Provide the following information for EACH PROGRAM (according to the nature of the benefit or service provided) for which the State claims MOE expenditures. Complete and submit this report in accordance with the attached instructions.

1. Name of Benefit or Service Program: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families

2. Description of the Major Program Benefits, Services, and Activities:

Same as Federal

3. Purpose(s) of Benefit or Service Program:

To provide services in order to assist participants become self-sufficient

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 (Complete only if this program is a separate State program):

Not applicable

6. Total State Expenditures for the Program for the Fiscal Year: $627,938

7. Total State MOE Expenditures under the Program for the Fiscal Year: $627,938

8. Total Number of Families Served under the Program with MOE Funds: 476

This last figure represents (check one):

_X_ The average monthly total for the fiscal year.

____ The total served over the fiscal year.

9. Financial Eligibility Criteria for Receiving MOE-funded Program Benefits or Services:

Same as TANF

10. Prior Program Authorization: Was this program authorized and allowable under prior law? (check one)

Yes _X_ No ____

11. Total Program Expenditures in FY 1995: _________________________

(NOTE: provide only if response on 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: Mrs. Sedonie Halbert

TITLE: Commissioner

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This is a Historical Document.