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HomeMy WebLinkAboutC04-126 Eagle County Works Program EAGLE COUNTY HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES EAGLE COUNTY WORKS PROGRAM Policies -Adopted November 20, 2001; Amended Apri12003; Amended Apri12004 by the Eagle County Board of County Commissioners Nothing in the Eagle County WORKS program shall be interpreted to create a legal entitlement in any participant to assistance or services provided pursuant to the Colorado WORKS program or the Eagle County WORKS program. I. Application and Assessment Process A. Ability to apply Applicants shall have the option of applying for any and all programs offered by Eagle County Health and Human Services. Applicants will be advised of various program options, benefits, services, eligibility requirements and client responsibilities at time of application. Applications will be available in ECHHS offices during normal working hours and by mail. B. Action on Applications Applicants will receive an appointment to process their application within five working days. If an emergency housing, food, childcare or medical need exists, applicants will be seen the same working day. All applications will be processed within 45 days. C. Assessment Applicants for WORKS will complete an assessment of job readiness within 30 days of application. This assessment will include a structured interview with an ECHHS case manager; an overview of employment readiness through identification of job skills and education, child care options, transportation, housing and other work support factors; and completion of other additional assessments of job readiness as may be indicated by the structured interview and overview of employment readiness. D. Participant Responsibilities Participants in the WORKS program are required to > give truthful and accurate information and to provide information on the factors that determine eligibility as required by State and County Program Regulations. > cooperate with child support enforcement efforts. > have current immunizations for their children and provide written proof. > participate in the job readiness assessment process. > participate in development and signing of Individual Responsibility Contract. > cooperate with training, education or work requirements. > report and document compliance with their Individual Responsibility Contract. > provide timely return of their Monthly Status Report (7th or 8th of the month). > notify the agency in advance if they cannot keep appointments. > follow through with the IRC plan and referrals agreed upon. > request good cause exemptions in a timely fashion. > voice grievances in accordance with the County's dispute resolution process. EAGLE COUNTY WORKS PROGRAM POLICIES Adopted November 20, 2001; Amended Apri12003; Amended Apri12004 Page 2 E. Agency Responsibilities > to treat participants with dignity and respect. > to hold private and confidential all information regarding the participant's application, benefits, IRC and case records. > to inform participants of their rights and responsibilities. > to provide information on agency programs and benefits. > to accept applications for benefits or services. > to apply the rules of eligibility equally. > to act in a timely and courteous manner on a participant's request for services. > to engage the participant in the planning of services. > to inform participants about the services or care that they will be receiving; the staff involved; the frequency and length of service. > to allow participants to refuse services or treatment within the confines of law and inform participants of the consequences of their actions. > to provide translation services or services in the participant' s own language. (including language translator, sign language, visually impaired assists) > to notify participants of the reasons for agency decisions. > to provide information on other community service options. > to receive grievances and complaints about unsatisfactory treatment without reprisal; and to investigate those grievances or complaints > to allow participants to appeal the decisions of the Department regarding their application for or receipt of benefits and services II. Basic Cash Assistance Basic Cash Assistance will be provided in accordance with statewide eligibility criteria and the rules established by the State Board of Human Services. A. Optional payment methods: 1. Monthly cash assistance grants. 2. Vendor payments. Vendor payments may be used for Statewide and County Diversion benefits; for lump sum payments; or, when the participant requests vendor payments. 3. Lump sum payments :Lump sum payments maybe authorized when the participant is at imminent risk of homelessness or loss of employment and when (1) a lump sum payment can secure housing or employment without, (2) jeopardizing the participant's ability to participate in work-related activities, or (3) the participant's ability to meet other basic needs of their family. EAGLE COUNTY WORKS PROGRAM POLICIES Adopted November 20, 2001; Amended Apri12003; Amended Apri12004 Page 3 B. Conditions for Authorizing Vendor Payments: 1. Statewide and County Diversion: Based on the Individual Responsibility Contract between the participant and Eagle County as approved by the County Director/designee. 2. Lump Sum payment: That portion of the lump sum payment required to secure housing or employment will be identified in the Individual Responsibility Contract between the participant and Eagle County as approved by the County Director/designee. 3. At Participant's Request: When the participant requests in writing that vendor payments be made. C. Hardship Extensions: An assistance unit containing an individual who has received Federal TANF assistance in Colorado or another state as an adult for sixty (60) or more cumulative months shall not be eligible for Colorado WORKS unless granted an extension by the county department due to hardship or domestic violence. Hardship extension will be accepted and processed pursuant to State regulations. Hardship is defined only as those criteria listed in State regulations. III. Individual Responsibility Contracts Individual Responsibility Contracts will be completed for all custodial parents of eligible children, persons over age 18, and for all persons under age 18 who have not completed high school and are not in school and who are recipients of basic cash assistance, statewide diversion grants and county diversion grants. Individual Responsibility Contracts will be developed in conjunction with the participant and other service providers. The expectations under the IRC will be in writing and will be acknowledged by signature of all parties to the IRC. The IRC will be effective upon review and approval by the Director or designee. For basic case assistance cases, refusal to participate in training, education, or work as evidenced by an affirmative statement by the participant or demonstrable evidence, may result in denial or termination of the basic cash assistance grant in its entirety as determined by the county for a minimum of one month. IV. Employment and Sob Preparation Requirements All WORKS applicants, and custodial parents of eligible children, are expected to participate in work-related activities. Eagle County may exempt participants from sanction for non-participation in work related activities. This exemption does not stop the individual's federal requirement to enter a work related activity within 24 months. A. Fair and objective criteria for the determination of exception from work-related requirements: 1. Parent Ability to Work: The parent/caretaker has a disability that interferes with work activity. Objective Criteria: physician or mental health professional statement or receipt of SSIlOASDI. 2. Pregnancy :The single caretaker is pregnant - for a period not to exceed 12 weeks that can extend from the ninth month of pregnancy through the 3rd month of infant care. Objective Criteria: verification of pregnancy status and request by the parent to provide care & bonding. EAGLE COUNTY WORKS PROGRAM POLICIES Adopted November 20, 2001; Amended Apri12003; Amended Apri12004 Page 4 3. Disabled Child Needing Care: The parent/caretaker is required in the home on a full-time basis. Objective Criteria: physician statement or certification by a Community Centered Board agency. 4. Lack of Child Care: There is no available childcare, as defined in Section XII, while the parent participates in work activity. Objective Criteria: The Department will verify the absence of relative, legally exempt or licensed childcare. 5. Transportation: There is no transportation to work activity. Objective Criteria: The Department will verify the absence of public transportation, the absence of private transportation that could be accessed by the participant. 6. Domestic Violence: Separation due to domestic violence or child abuse, or the parent/caretaker would be placed at imminent risk of domestic violence if they participated in a work related activity. Objective Criteria: The parent/caretaker makes such a request and there exists documentation of law enforcement reports and intervention to protect the parent/caretaker from domestic violence. 7. Family Trauma: Death of a child, parent, spouse or caretaker or the need to provide care for a family member. Objective Criteria: Assessment and statement by a mental health professional with a plan for counseling that will enable the family to restore family functioning or a statement by a physician that the parent/caretaker is needed in the home to provide care for another family member. B. Work-related activities The following activities are recognized by the county as meeting work related requirements: 1. Unsubsidized employment 2. Subsidized private sector employment 3. Subsidized public sector employment ' 4. Work Experience 5. On-the-Job Training - see B & C. 6. Job Search and Job Readiness Activities 7. Community Service Programs as available in the community. 8. Vocational educational training -not to exceed 12 months/individual 9. Provision of child care services to a participant in a community service program. 10. Job Skills Training directly related to employment -employer specific. 11. Education directly related to employment in the case of a participant who has not received a high school diploma or certificate of high school equivalency. 12. Satisfactory attendance at secondary school, Adult Basic Education, English as a Second Language or in a course of study leading to a certificate of general equivalence, in the case of a participant who has not completed secondary school or received such a certificate. 13. Domestic violence, mental health or substance abuse treatment that is necessary in order to participate in other work-related activities. Special Note :Items 10-13 do not count for purposes oJFederal work participation rate calculations. EAGLE COUNTY WORKS PROGRAM POLICIES Adopted November 20, 2001; Amended Apri12003; Amended Apri12004 Page 5 V. Other Assistance A. Cash Additional cash assistance may be provided to a WORKS' client to support employment and job training goals outlined in the client' s Individual Responsibility Contract. Additional cash assistance may be one-time or ongoing assistance. 1. One -time cash assistance: One time cash assistance may be equivalent to no more than three months' basic cash assistance level. One time cash assistance may be authorized for the following: > employment related transportation expenses > employment required tools, equipment or clothing. > glasses or other prosthetic devices necessary for employment and not covered under Medicaid or Vocational Rehabilitation Services. > relocation assistance with a firm job offer that will result in self-sufficiency and termination of WORKS benefits. > housing or utility deposits or installation of phone service. > emergency assistance for shelter, childcare and food. 2. Ongoing additional cash assistance: Ongoing additional cash assistance may be equivalent to no more than the monthly basic cash assistance grant. Ongoing additional cash assistance above that of the basic cash assistance grant may be provided to assist with the following: - transportation expenses to participate in employment, training or job preparation. - training, work supplies and equipment not otherwise covered by WIA. - personal care items and services needed for entering work related activities. - other work-related expenses specified in the IRC and approved by the County. 4. Additional cash assistance for kinship placement of children Non-parent caretakers within the 5th degree of relationship to the children who have been the subject of an open and active child welfare case that resulted in guardianship with the non-parent relative caretaker may receive ongoing cash assistance in an amount not to exceed the usual family foster care reimbursement of Eagle County. B. Other Services Eagle County Health and Human Services will connect WORKS participants with other community services which support self-sufficiency goals and will use WORKS funds to purchase these services through vendor payments when they are not available under Medicaid or in the community without additional cost to the family or the agency. Purchased Services may be provided in a total amount not to exceed the equivalent of six months basic cash assistance grant. EAGLE COUNTY WORKS PROGRAM POLICIES Adopted November 20, 2001; Amended Apri12003; Amended Apri12004 Page 6 These services will also be made available under the WORKS program to families that qualify for services under Title TVA-EA of the Social Security Act. That is, for families > whose children are living at home or with relatives within the 5th degree, and > who are US citizens or documented residents, and > whose gross family income is less than $ 75,000/ year, and > who are experiencing an Aemergency@ that impacts their ability to care for their children. Purchased Services will parallel the Title IV-A EmerFency Assistance and Family Preservation guidelines and may include the following: Services to help families gain employment > Adult literacy and English as a Second language > Adult Basic Education or General Equivalent Diploma > Pre-employment skills and Job coaching > Transportation or translation. Services to help families achieve independence > Legal services for domestic relations and landlord/tenant issues > Financial and household management services > Homemaker services for disabled adult caretakers or disabled children > Medical case management services > Child Support Enforcement services -custodial parent fee. Services to help strengthen family life > Parenting education and support and family mentoring > Family communication services > Substance Abuse treatment services > Domestic violence treatment Services to help youth achieve independence > Independent living services for youth between the ages of 16 and 18. > Day treatment services > Youth mentoring services > Youth sexual offender assessment and treatment Eagle County may also provide grants to community agencies for programs that stabilize family life and promote self-sufficiency in accordance with the goals of TANF. C. Time Limits for Other Assistance and Services 1. Cash Assistance One-time assistance -payments may be extended over afour-month period. On-going assistance - up to 24 months. EAGLE COUNTY WORKS PROGRAM POLICIES Adopted November 20, 2001; Amended April 2003; Amended Apri12004 Page 7 2. Purchased Services -throughout the time of WORKS eligibility and for six months after achieving self-sufficiency (termination of cash assistance payments). D. Restrictions on Other Assistance 1. Cash Assistance: Must be categorically eligible under the Colorado WORKS program. Additional or transitional needs must be documented and included in the Individual Responsibility Contract between the participant and Eagle County as reviewed and approved by the County. Services: Service needs for WORKS participants must be documented and included in the Individual Responsibility Contract between the participant and Eagle County and approved by the County Director or designee. Service needs for Title IVA-EA families must be documented in an application for services and approved by the County Director or designee. All services except for services related to training and employment will be available to client families on a VOLUNTARY basis. Eligibility and appropriateness for services will be determined by ECHHS in conjunction with service vendors. VI. Statewide Diversion A. Criteria for receipt of a statewide diversion grant 1. The family is NOT in need of long-term cash assistance as determined by: a. Client statement b. Verification of employment and other income that will be sufficient to assure long-term self-sufficiency. Determination of self-sufficiency will compare total monthly income to total monthly expenses for shelter, food, transportation, medical needs and personal items as identified by the client. 2. The family, at time of application, meets the eligibility criteria for the Colorado WORKS program. 3. The amount of diversion payment, up to the equivalent of six month's basic cash assistance under WORKS, is sufficient to divert the family from assistance and assure long-term self-sufficiency. B. Method of Payment Vendor payments or direct payments to participants will be utilized for statewide and county diversion grants. C. Limits on reapplication Applicants for Statewide Diversion grants will agree in writing to NOT apply for basic cash assistance or diversion grants for a period of 1 Z months. EAGLE COUNTY WORKS PROGRAM POLICIES Adopted November 20, 2001; Amended April 2003; Amended Apri12004 Page 8 D. Good Cause: Families who have received an optional state diversion payment may apply for basic cash assistance or subsequent diversion payments prior to the end of the 12-month exclusionary period for the good cause. (see Section VIII: sanctions & fraud) E. Services Eagle County Health and Human Services will make the following in-kind services available to recipients of statewide diversion grants:> Information and Referral services to other community agencies. > Case Management and Service Coordination VII. County Diversion Program A. Criteria for receipt of a county diversion grant 1. The family's income does not exceed 200% of the federal poverty level. 2. The family meets all criteria for eligibility under the Colorado WORKS BCA program except that the family's income exceeds the BCA eligibility level. 3. The family is NOT in need of long-term cash assistance as determined by: a. Client statement b. Verification of employment and other income that will be sufficient to assure long-term self-sufficiency. Determination of self-sufficiency will compare monthly income to monthly expenses for shelter, food, medical needs, transportation, and personal items as identified by the client. 4. The amount of diversion payment, up to the equivalent of six month's basic cash assistance under WORKS, is sufficient to divert the family from assistance and assure long-term self-sufficiency. Eagle County Health and Human Services will connect WORKS participants with other community services which support self-sufficiency goals and will use WORKS funds to purchase these services through vendor payments when they are not available under Medicaid or in the community without additional cost to the family or the agency. Purchased Services may be provided in a total amount not to exceed the equivalent of six months basic cash assistance grant. These services will also be made available under the WORKS program to families that qualify for services under Title IVA-EA of the Social Security Act. That is, for families > whose children axe living at home or with relatives within the 5th degree, and > who are US citizens or eligible qualified aliens, and > whose gross family income is less than $ 75,000/ year, and > who are experiencing an emergency that impacts their ability to care for their children. EAGLE COUNTY WORKS PROGRAM POLICIES Adopted November 20, 2001; Amended April 2003; Amended April 2004 Page 9 Purchased Services will parallel the Title IV-A EmerQency Assistance and Family Preservation guidelines and may include the following: Services to help families gain employment > Adult literacy and English as a Second language > Adult Basic Education or General Equivalent Diploma > Pre-employment skills and Job coaching > Transportation or translation Services to help families achieve independence > Legal services for domestic relations and landlord/tenant issues > Financial and household management > Homemaker services for disabled adult caretakers or disabled children > Medical case management services > Child Support Enforcement services -custodial parent fee. Services to help strengthen family life > Parenting education and support and family mentoring > Family communication services > Substance Abuse treatment services > Domestic violence treatment Services to help youth achieve independence > Independent living services for youth between the ages of 16 and 18. > Day treatment services > Youth mentoring services > Youth sexual offender assessment and treatment. Eagle County may also provide grants to community agencies for programs that stabilize family life and promote self-sufficiency in accordance with the goals of TANF. B. Method of Payment Vendor payments and direct payments to participants may be utilized for county diversion grants. C. Limits on reapplication Applicants for County Diversion grants will agree in writing to NOT apply for basic cash assistance or diversion grants for a period of 12 months. D. Good Cause: Families who have received an optional county diversion payment may apply for basic cash assistance or subsequent diversion payments prior to the end of the 12 month exclusionary period for good cause. (See Section VIII: sanctions & fraud) EAGLE COUNTY WORKS PROGRAM POLICIES Adopted November 20, 2001; Amended Apri12003; Amended Apri12004 Page 10 E. Services Eagle County Health and Human Services will make the following in-kind services available to recipients of county diversion grants: Information and Referral services to other community agencies. Case management and service coordination. F. Community Resource Investment Assistance Eagle County will contract with community agencies to provide services that address one or more of the four federal TANF goals. The community resources in which Eagle County will invest include prevention, early intervention, and treatment services which assist youth and families in achieving economic self-sufficiency, stabilizing families to prevent family breakdown, prevention and reduction of out-of-wedlock pregnancies, and promotion of two parent families. For PRWORA Goals 1 8c 2 : Self-sufficiency and Family Stabilization Families may be eligible for services: > whose children are living at home or with relatives within the 5th degree, and > who are US citizens or documented residents, and > whose gross family income is less than $ 75,000/ year, and > who are experiencing an Aemergency@ that impacts their ability to care for their children. For PWORA Goals 3 do 4 : reduction of out of wedlock pregnancy and promotion of two parent families, there are no income eligibility or residency requirements. Contractors are responsible to obtain information from participants establishing participant eligibility. Contractors maintain eligibility documentation for audit. Eagle County reimburses contractors only for services to TANF eligible participants. Dispute resolution process: Participants are provided with a written notice of their potential benefits and right to appeal. The overall TANF dispute resolution process also applies to community investment grant services. VIII. Demonstrable Evidence, Sanctions and Fraud A. Basic Cash Assistance 1. Demonstrable Evidence The county may deny a case or terminate the entire basic cash assistance grant for a minimum of one month when the participant refuses or fails, without good cause, to participate in all training, education or work related activities as evidenced by an affirmative statement or demonstrable evidence. EAGLE COUNTY WORKS PROGRAM POLICIES Adopted November 20, 2001; Amended April 2003; Amended Aprii 2004 Page 11 2. Sanctionable Items Sanctions will be imposed in accordance with State rules for sanctions and disqualifications. Sanctionable items include: > Refusal or failure to fully participate in one or more training, education or work related activities as outlined in the IRC- 3 tier sanction > Failure to cooperate with Child Support Enforcement - 3 tier sanction > Failure to secure immunizations for children - 3-tier sanction. > Fraud -removal of caretaker from the grant for 12-month period for the first offense, 24 months for the second offense and lifetime for the third offense. > Misrepresentation of information to receive assistance in two states or two counties at the same time -ineligible for a period of 10 years. An appointment for conciliation will be provided in the first month after a client has not met the cumulative hourly requirements of work activity or failed to complete a sanctionable item as outlined in their IRC. The conciliation appointment allows the client to explain the mitigating circumstances that interfered with compliance on items within the Individual Responsibility Contract. If the client fails to appear for the conciliation appointment and/or the department determines good cause does not exist, the 3-tier sanction will be implemented. Notices of sanctions or termination of benefits will be provided certified return receipt requested mail. a. Three tier sanction for basic cash assistance First Sanction: 1 month or until cured Second sanction: 3 months or until cured Third sanction: 6 months or until cured 3. Reasons for good cause for not imposing sanctions or closing case for demonstrable evidence: > domestic violence > inability to obtain child care > incarceration. > jury duty. > time-limited family emergencies such as a death in the immediate family; illness in the immediate family, documented by a physician as requiring the care of the parent or caretaker; a family disaster such as a fire, flood or major crime victimization; eviction necessitating a search for housing; or other situations which are reviewed by the County Director as meeting the definition of atime-limited family emergency. 4. Process for establishing good cause: A participant may request conciliation or good cause exception from the imposition of sanctions or case closure for demonstrable evidence at the conciliation appointment. A request for conciliation is a request to explain the mitigating circumstances that interfered with compliance on items within the Individual Responsibility Contract. A request for good cause exception must be accompanied by written documentation of domestic violence, inability to obtain child care, incarceration; jury duty; or family emergency or signed releases for the agency to obtain such written documentation of good cause. Verification of a family EAGLE COUNTY WORKS PROGRAM POLICIES Adopted November 20, 2001; Amended Apri12003; Amended Apri12004 Page 12 emergency and review by the County Director will be accomplished within two working days of the request. During the period of the review, sanctions will not be imposed nor will case closure for demonstrable evidence occur. If the good cause determination is not approved, the participant will be notified in writing of imposition of sanctions or case closure for demonstrable evidence in accordance with the general procedures of the Colorado WORKS program. B. Other Assistance Case closure for demonstrable evidence and sanctions on other cash assistance and purchased services will be applied in the same proportions as case closure sanctions on the basic cash assistance grant. Reasons for good cause will be the same as in basic cash assistance. Client notice, decision making and review of decision will be conducted in the same manner as in basic cash assistance. C. Statewide Diversion Grants The Statewide Diversion program is a one-time authorized payment plan. Sanctions, other than the agreement to not reapply for 12 months, will not be imposed. Applicants who misrepresent their need, income, resources and situation will be prosecuted for fraud. Families who have received an optional state diversion payment may apply for basic cash assistance or subsequent diversion payments prior to the end of the 12-month exclusionary period for the following good cause: Parent Ability to Work: Layoff due to reduction in force; or the parent/caretaker has a disability that interferes with work activity. Objective Criteria: physician or mental health professional statement or receipt of SSUOASDI. Pregnancy :The single caretaker ispregnant - for a period not to exceed 12 weeks that can extend from the ninth month of pregnancy through the 3`d month of infant care. Objective Criteria: verification of pregnancy status and request by the parent to provide care & bonding. Disabled Child Needing Care: The parent/caretaker is required in the home on a full-time basis. Objective Criteria: physician statement or certification by a Community Centered Board. Lack of Child Care: There is no available childcare while the parent participates in work activity. Objective Criteria: The Department verifies absence of relative, legally exempt or licensed childcare. Transportation: There is no transportation to work activity. Objective Criteria: The Department will verify the absence of public transportation, the absence of private transportation that could be accessed by the participant. Domestic Violence: Separation due to domestic violence or child abuse; or, there is an imminent risk of domestic violence to the participant. Objective Criteria: The parent/caretaker makes such a request for exemption and there is documentation of law enforcement reports/intervention to protect the parentlcaretaker from domestic violence. EAGLE COUNTY WORKS PROGRAM POLICIES Adopted November 20, 2001; Amended Apri12003; Amended Apri12004 Page 13 D. County Diversion Grants The County Diversion program is a one-time authorized service plan. Sanctions, other than the agreement to not reapply for 12 months, will not be imposed. Participants who misrepresent their need, income, resources and situation will be prosecuted for fraud. Families who have received an optional county diversion payment may apply for basic cash assistance or subsequent diversion payments prior to the end of the 12-month exclusionary period for the following good cause: Parent Ability to Work: Layoff due to reduction in force; or the parent/caretaker has a disability that interferes with work activity. Objective Criteria: physician or mental health professional statement or receipt of SSUOASDI. Pregnancy: when the single caretaker is pregnant - for a period not to exceed 12 weeks that can extend from the ninth month of pregnancy through the 3`d month of infant care. Objective Criteria: verification of pregnancy status and request by the parent to provide care & bonding. Disabled Child Needing Care: The parent/caretaker is required in the home on a full-time basis. Objective Criteria: physician statement or certification by a Community Centered Board. Lack of Child Care: There is no available childcare, as defined in Section XII, while the parent participates in work activity. Objective Criteria: The Department verifies absence of relative, legally exempt or licensed childcare. Transportation: There is no transportation to work activity. Family Trauma: Family disaster such as a fire, flood or major crime victimization, eviction, through no fault of the family, necessitating a search for housing, death or incarceration of a parent, spouse or caretaker, the death of a child, or the need to provide care for a family member, or other situations which are determined by the County Director as meeting the definition of a family disaster. Objective Criteria: Verification through independent sources of a family disaster; or, assessment and statement by a mental health professional with a plan for counseling that will enable the family to restore family functioning; or, a statement by a physician that the parentJcaretaker is needed in the home to provide care for another family member. Domestic Violence: Separation due to domestic violence or child abuse; or, there is an imminent risk of domestic violence to the participant. Objective Criteria: The parent/caretaker makes a request for exemption and there is documentation of law enforcement reports/intervention to protect the parent/caretaker from domestic violence. IX. Dispute Resolution Participants may request a meeting with the County Director or her designee to review the factors of their individual situation and the basis for the county decision regarding cash benefits, services or sanctions. Meetings with the County Director or designee will occur within 5 working days. Benefits will continue during the period of County dispute resolution. Participants who disagree with the Director's review of their situation will be provided information on the their right to appeal the county' s decision. Eagle County will not provide interim relief when a participant appeals an agency decision after the prior notice has expired. EAGLE COUNTY WORKS PROGRAM POLICIES Adopted November 20, 2001; Amended April 2003; Amended Apri12004 Page 14 X. Segregated Funds The county will segregate TANF funds according to State rules and regulations XI. Eagle County Health & Human Services Employee as Applicant/Participant Applications submitted by an employee of the Department will be processed according to the same guidelines as all other applications. The Director will review any planned action regarding an applicant/participant who is an employee of the Department. XII. Child Care Availability Appropriate and affordable childcare arrangements are defined as unavailable or unsuitable when the following conditions exist: A. Formal Childcare Arrangements 1. There are no openings in licensed child care programs that accept Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) families within a 15 miles radius of home or prospective employment - or between the location of home and prospective employment; or, 2. When only public transportation is available to transport children under the age of six and the distance and conditions of walking from the bus stop to the childcare program is considered dangerous by the Department. B. Informal Childcare Arrangements 1. For two-parent families when the non-working parent is physically, mentally or emotionally unable to care for their children as documented by a physician or mental health professional. 2. For all families, when the extended family member is physically, mentally or emotionally unable to care for their children as documented by a physician or mental health professional; or when the extended family member or legally exempt provider has been the subject of a founded child abuse or neglect report; or involved in situations of domestic violence; substance abuse; or criminal activity. Adopted by the Eagle County Board of County Commissioners on this 20th day of November, 2001; Amended on April 15, 2003 and April 13, 2004. Tom .Stone, Chairman Eagle County Board of Commissioners