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Attachment A

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

(1) The State's definition of each work activity.

45 CFR 261.30 encompasses the 12 categories of work activities listed in Section 407(d) of the Social Security Act for purposes of determining the State's required minimum work participation rate(s). Each State defines the activities that fall under each of these 12 categories and provides them to us. This item is for that purpose. Therefore, your definitions should include the kinds of work activities that apply to each of the 12 categories. For example, what activities comprise "job skills training directly related to employment" in your State?

The Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) operates the TANF program throughout the state, with the exception of a portion of Maricopa County (District 1-East) where the Department contracts for TANF employment and supportive services operated by a private, for profit vendor.

Unsubsidized Employment. Unsubsidized employment is all paid employment in the public or private sector, except the JOBStart Program or On-the-Job Training. The types of countable unsubsidized employment are wage and salary, commission earnings, self-employment, casual labor, and work study.

Subsidized Employment. Subsidized employment, as it relates to the DES Jobs Program, is employment in a public or private sector organization that receives a JOBStart Program subsidy to offset the cost of wages (and possibly employer-paid benefits) of an employee.

Unpaid Work Experience. Unpaid work experience is any unpaid work in the public or private sector utilized to establish a work record, to develop good work habits and skills in a particular occupation, and to provide opportunities for the person to network, identify paid positions, and transition into paid employment.

On-the-Job Training. On-the-Job Training is a paid, “hands-on” training opportunity at the work site for a specified period of time. The employer receives a subsidy, based on the employee’s rate of pay, as a reimbursement for costs associated with providing training and supervision. Training wages are paid in part by the employer and in part by another agency.

Job Search. Job search is a structured activity in which participants are required to actively seek employment by identifying employment opportunities, applying for employment, and participating in employment interviews.

Career Preparation. Career Preparation services consist of three tracks designed to assist the participant to prepare for, obtain, and maintain employment. The three tracks will offer enhanced life skills training, job readiness workshops, job development/placement services, and resume preparation services. These services are provided through group, one-on-one, English, or Spanish settings.

Community Service Programs. Community service programs are unpaid activities with the purpose of providing a service to the community or an organization. These activities do not necessarily provide work experience related to skill development or to transitioning the individual to paid employment. Community service programs are mainly in the public or private sector and will be used when the case manager determines that individuals are unlikely to meet the requirements of or succeed in other primary activities.

Vocational Education/Training. Vocational education/training is directly related to a career or occupation. Vocational education/training includes individuals already enrolled in education/training at the time of registration in the Jobs Program, as well as those participating in educational or training activities as assigned through the Occupational Training Referral process after entering the Jobs Program. Training is limited to 12 months.

Jobs Skills Training. Job skills training consists of training opportunities that enable a participant to become proficient in an occupation or skill necessary to meet their employment goal.

Education Directly Related to Employment (English for Speakers of Other Languages [ESOL] and Remedial Education). Participants who lack a high school diploma or GED, or who do not speak English, may be offered ESOL or remedial education if needed in order to implement the Employment Plan.

High School/Secondary Education and GED Preparation. Participants who lack a high school diploma or GED may be offered a high school program, GED preparation, or alternative secondary educational activities. Satisfactory attendance in high school/secondary education or GED preparation is a primary activity for single teen custodial parents who are heads of household, married teen parents under age 20, or dependent teens aged 16 through 18.

Postsecondary Education. Postsecondary education provides training for employment that is in demand in the local labor market. Training is provided for upgrading job skills, improving literacy levels, obtaining certificates of general equivalency, and increasing English language skills. Participants in postsecondary education must participate in the mandated work activities.

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

Indicate the kinds of help provided to working families that received, but no longer receive, "assistance" as defined in 45 CFR 260.31.

Arizona offers a variety of supportive services to families who no longer receive assistance due to employment. These transitional services are intended to assist participants who are employed as they transition from welfare.

Transportation. Transportation-Related Expenses and Contracted Transitional Transportation Services.

Transportation-Related Expenses. An allowance to reimburse participants with transportation expenses that were incurred as a part of the mandated work activity.

Contracted Transitional Transportation Services. These services may be provided to employed participants for up to two years from the date the TANF Cash Assistance case closed due to employment. These services include vehicle maintenance and/or repair, gas vouchers, tire replacement, bus passes/fares, bicycles, carpools/taxi, van rides, vehicle liability insurance, bicycle safety kits, and bicycle repairs.

Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Services. Referrals to substance abuse treatment when appropriate.

Mental Health Counseling. Referrals to mental health counseling services when appropriate.

Tools, Equipment, and Specialized Garments. Assistance in purchasing employment-related tools, equipment, and specialized garments.

Clothing. Purchases are limited to attire normally needed for work or training.

Health-Related Services. Examinations (tests and physicals), optical services (including eyeglasses), dental services (upper/lower dentures, partials/bridges and fillings) that are not covered by Medicaid (Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System/AHCCCS).

General Equivalency Examinations. Assistance in obtaining General Equivalency Diploma when appropriate.

Shelter and/or Utility Assistance. Assistance is available for individuals who have an emergent need that cannot be met by their own resources or available incomes.

Post employment Education Program (PEP). PEP provides training for employment that is in demand in the local labor market. Training is provided for upgrading job skills, improving literacy levels, obtaining certificates of general equivalency, and increasing English language skills for employed participants whose TANF Cash assistance closed due to employment.

Licenses. This service provides fingerprinting, health cards, occupational certification, and licensure fees.

Transitional Supportive Services. Arizona emphasizes the importance of available transitional supportive services, Food Stamps, Transitional Medical Assistance, Transitional Child Care (TCC), and any other services that may assist the participants in succeeding in their employment goals.

Transitional Medical Assistance. This service is available only for Medicaid households who are no longer eligible in the 1931 Medicaid category when both the following occur:

• The earned income of a specified relative contributes to the 1931 budgetary unit’s ineligibility for 1931, and
• At least one participant in the current 1931 budgetary unit was eligible for and received Medical Assistance under 1931 in Arizona for three out of the six months immediately preceding the month they became prospectively ineligible for 1931 Medical Assistance.

Transitional Child Care (TCC). DES administers the state’s child care programs including the TCC program. TCC helps families who were formerly receiving Cash Assistance with the cost of child care, so that parents can maintain employment. In the DES District 1-East, these programs are administered through the Arizona Works Pilot Project by a private vendor. However, the services are identical to those offered by DES in the balance of the state.

To be eligible for TCC, a family must:

• Be employed.
• Have received Cash Assistance in Arizona for at least one month of the last six-month period.
• Request TCC within six months of the Cash Assistance closure date.
• Meet the income eligibility requirements (currently 165% of the Federal Poverty Level).

Child care is provided for the portion of the 24-hour day when neither parent is available to provide care because of employment. Income eligibility requirements are based on family size and gross income. Eligible families are required to pay a portion of the child care costs.

To receive TCC, a family must:

• Apply for TCC services.
• Provide information and verification as requested by DES.
• Inform DES of the child care provider that has been chosen. (Providers must have a registration agreement with DES in order to receive payments.)
• Report changes within two working days regarding child care needs, changes in providers, family size, employment, income, address, and other changes.

Parents may select from the following types of child care providers who have registration agreements with DES:

• DES-certified small family child care homes and in-home providers.
• Arizona Department of Health Services (DHS) licensed child care centers.
• DHS-certified child care group homes.
• Certain relatives.

Child care providers have registration agreements with DES for payment purposes and are not DES employees. Parents are required to sign children in and out of care to ensure accurate DES reimbursement. The parent pays the parent’s portion of the cost of care directly to the child care provider.

Additional assistance with child care related expenses for costs such as child care registration fees and other charges may also be provided.

(3) A description of how a State will reduce the amount of assistance payable to a family when an individual refuses to engage in work without good cause pursuant to 45 CFR 261.14 of this chapter.

Arizona sanctions individuals who fail to comply with certain program requirements without good cause. Parents or caretakers who do not comply with work program requirements without good cause will experience a reduction or termination in their family’s Cash Assistance.

Sanctions are not imposed for any single custodial parent who fails to comply with work program requirements when the person has verified an inability to obtain needed child care for a child under age 13 due to unavailability, unaffordability, or unsuitability of child care.

For all families, except two-parent families for whom deprivation is based on the unemployment of the primary wage-earning parent, Cash Assistance will be decreased as follows:

• For the first incident of noncompliance, the Cash Assistance grant will be reduced by 25 percent.
• For the second incident of noncompliance, the Cash Assistance grant will be reduced by 50 percent.
• For the third and subsequent incident of noncompliance, the Cash Assistance grant will be terminated.

For two-parent families for whom deprivation is based on the unemployment of the primary wage-earning parent, Cash Assistance is paid only after assigned work requirements are completed. The family does not receive the corresponding Cash Assistance payment if assigned work activities are not completed.

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

• Licensed/regulated in home child care.
• Licensed/regulated family child care.
• Licensed/regulated group home child care.
• Licensed/regulated center based child care.
• Legally operating (i.e., no license category available in State or locality) in home child care provided by a non-relative.
• Legally operating (i.e., no license category available in State or locality) in home child care provided by a relative.
• Legally operating (i.e., no license category available in State or locality) family child care provided by a non-relative.
• Legally operating (i.e., no license category available in State or locality) family child care provided by a relative.
• Legally operating (i.e., no license category available in State or locality) group child care provided by a non-relative.
• Legally operating (i.e., no license category available in State or locality) group child care provided by a relative.
• Legally operated (i.e., no license category available in State or locality) center based child care.

DES does not track payments for child care services through the use of disregards by the type of child care provider. The average monthly number of payments for child care services through the use of disregards during Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2004 was 230.

(5) If the State has adopted the Family Violence Option and wants Federal recognition of its good cause domestic violence waivers under 45 CFR 260.50-58, then provide (a) a description of the strategies and procedures in place to ensure that victims of domestic violence receive appropriate alternative services and (b) an aggregate figure for the total number of good cause domestic waivers granted.

a) All individuals are screened for issues that may prevent participation in program activities. Specific questions regarding whether the individual or anyone in the family is experiencing physical or emotional harm are asked of all individuals. Jobs Program case managers review any issues with the individuals that may cause potential employment barriers, including domestic violence situations.

Jobs Program case managers are instructed to establish if the individual is currently a victim of domestic violence, whether the individual has been a victim in the past, or if the individual is at risk of experiencing domestic violence in the future. The Jobs Program case manager requests verification of an individual's claim of domestic violence; however, when verification is unavailable, the individual's statement is accepted for work program deferral purposes.

Additionally, TANF funds are used to support a statewide system of lay and professional legal assistance for domestic violence victims. This program assists victims with self-advocacy, obtaining orders of protection, legal advice, and representation in civil matters to assist in the achievement of short-term and long-term safety and self-sufficiency.

b) The number of individuals that have been deferred due to domestic violence for FFY 2004 is 305.

(6) A description of any nonrecurrent, short-term benefits (as defined in 45 CFR 260.31(b)(1) provided, including:

(i) The eligibility criteria associated with such benefits, including any restrictions on the amount, duration, or frequency of payments;
(ii) Any policies that limit such payments to families that are eligible for TANF assistance or that have the effect of delaying or suspending a family's eligibility for assistance; and
(iii) Any procedures or activities developed under the TANF program to ensure that individuals diverted from assistance receive information about, referrals to, or access to other program benefits (such as Medicaid and food stamps) that might help them make the transition from welfare to work.

(i) The eligibility criteria for the Short-Term Crisis Services (STCS) program include Arizona residency, documentation of a crisis situation making it difficult to meet the household’s monthly expenditures, and household income below the poverty guidelines during the most recent 30-day period. A person that refuses employment or employment training is ineligible for the STCS program.

(ii) Under the STCS program, financial assistance may be authorized to pay a utility bill or deposit, rental obligation or deposit, or mortgage payment. Payments for special needs related to employment such as eyeglasses, car repair, and dental care may also be approved. The maximum allowance for utility assistance and special needs is $300. A rent or mortgage payment in an amount up to $1,500 can be authorized. Regardless of the type of payment, a family can only receive financial assistance once in a 12-month period.

(iii) Individuals participating in the STCS program receive referrals for appropriate services and benefits available in the community such as Employment and Training, Utility Discount Programs, and other supportive programs designed to move clients towards self-sufficiency. Some contractors have developed innovative employment assistance and money management programs, such as Individual Development Accounts.

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

DES has the responsibility for administering this provision.

Displacement Complaints. DES has a policy of nondisplacement by Jobs Program participants who are placed in unpaid or subsidized work. Employees of employers, with whom Jobs Program participants are placed in unpaid or subsidized jobs, may file a grievance regarding displacement. Displacement includes assigning a participant to a position that:

• Results in the termination or reassignment of a regular employee.
• Results in the reduction of nonovertime work, wages, or benefits of a regular employee.
• Impairs an existing contract for service or a collective bargaining agreement.
• Fills the position of a regular employee on layoff status.
• Creates a new position for a Jobs Program participant when the new position performs substantially the same job functions as the position held by a regular employee on layoff, or who is subsequently terminated.
• Infringes upon the promotional opportunities of a regular employee.
• Fills any established, unfilled position.

Procedures for Filing and Receiving Complaints.

1. Upon request, Jobs Program staff will provide information to regular employees and project employers regarding their rights to file a grievance and the correct procedure for filing a grievance.
2. The aggrieved party may seek to informally resolve a grievance at the regional level with the Jobs Regional Program Manager or designee, or may request a fair hearing.
3. To pursue informal resolution, an aggrieved party shall file a DES grievance form with the Jobs Regional Program Manager or designee. The form shall contain the following information:

• Aggrieved party's name, address, and phone number.
• Date of grievance.
• Contact person, if other than the aggrieved party.
• Jobs Regional Program Manager's or designee's name, address, and phone number.
• A description of the action that is the subject of the grievance and the date of the action.
• The proposed resolution.

4. If the aggrieved party requests an informal resolution, DES shall hold an informal resolution meeting with the aggrieved party within 15 working days from the date DES receives the grievance.

5. If a grievance is not resolved at the informal meeting, the aggrieved party may request a fair hearing with the DES Office of Appeals within 20 days from the date of the informal meeting, by sending a request for a fair hearing to the Jobs Program local office.

6. If the aggrieved party does not choose to seek an informal resolution, the aggrieved party may request a fair hearing by filing a request with the Jobs Program local office. An employee who requests a fair hearing shall file a request within 20 calendar days of the date of adverse action notice. Upon request, the Jobs Program shall assist the aggrieved party in preparing the hearing request. Assistance shall include an explanation of the aggrieved party's right to fair hearing, the fair hearing procedures, and the processes.

7. Jobs Program staff shall prepare and forward the request for a hearing to the DES Office of Appeals. The request shall include all information submitted by the aggrieved party and the decision reached at the informal resolution meeting. Upon receipt of a request for a fair hearing, the Office of Appeals will conduct the hearings.

Public Notification. The Jobs Program will make information available in each office about the displacement policy. Upon request, the policy manual will be made available to the public for examination during regular working hours. Individual copies of manual pages may be made available to individuals without charge.

(8) A summary of State programs and activities directed at the third and fourth statutory purposes of TANF (as specified at 45 CFR 260.20(c) and (d) of this chapter).

a. Summarize below, the State programs and activities directed at preventing and reducing the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies and establishing annual numerical goals for preventing and reducing the incidence of these pregnancies (TANF purpose 3):

Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program – The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) awarded contracts to seven community-based organizations for programs to promote sexual abstinence until marriage. The programs operate in five counties. Organizations that were funded include a local health department, faith-based and community-based organizations, and community partnerships. Details regarding Arizona’s goals for reducing out-of-wedlock births are included in the TANF State Plan.

b. Summarize below, the State programs and activities directed at encouraging the formation and maintenance of two-parent families (TANF purpose 4):

Marriage and Communication Skills Program. This program encourages the formation and maintenance of two-parent families through three activities that are funded with TANF. First, community- and faith-based organizations conduct Marriage and Communication Skills workshops that teach a variety of relationship and communication skills to couples. Couples pay 15 percent of the cost of the workshops and the state pays the remaining 85 percent. Second, parents whose income is below 150 percent of the federal poverty level are eligible for a voucher that covers the entire cost of the workshops. Third, DES developed a State of Arizona Marriage Handbook that is distributed free of charge to all marriage license applicants.

In addition, Arizona has a number of programs and services that meet TANF purpose #4. These include, but are not limited to, such programs and services as the Two-Parent Employment Program that provides Cash Assistance and Jobs Program services, supportive services such as transportation, Postemployment Program, Fatherhood Program, child welfare, and child care services. A description of these services is included in the Arizona TANF State Plan.

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

The JOBStart Program is the subsidized work activity in the private sector. A total of 13 individuals participated in JOBStart Program in FFY 2004.

SIGNATURE: __________________________
NAME/TITLE: David A. Berns, DES Director DATE ____________

Attachment B

Annual Report on State Maintenance-of-Effort (MOE) Programs: ACF-204

State: Arizona      Fiscal Year: FFY2004
Date: December 2004

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/TITLE: David A. Berns, DES Director__________

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