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Home My WebLink AboutR97-081 adopting colorado works program and childcare assistance programCommissioner _ moved adoption of the following Resolution: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COUNTY OF EAGLE, STATE OF COLORADO RESOLUTION NO. 97 - Q A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE COLORADO WORKS PROGRAM AND CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM INTERIM OPERATIONAL PLAN WHEREAS, on June 3, 1997 Governor Romer signed SB 97 -120 into law; SE 97 -120 is codified at X26 -2 -701 et seq., C.R.S. and is known as the "Colorado Works Program"; and WHEREAS, the Colorado Works Program was adopted in response to the federal "Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunities Reconciliation Act of 1996" which provides states with an opportunity to implement innovative strategies for enabling needy families to attain self - sufficiency; and WHEREAS, the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunities Reconciliation Act of 1996 also requires increased local input in developing the state plan for public assistance under that law and allows increased local control over the implementation of such a state plan; and WHEREAS, X26 -2 -715, C.R.S. requires that an annual performance contract ( "Performance Contract ") shall be entered into between a county and the state department that shall identify a county's duties and responsibilities in implementing the Works Program and the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program; and WHEREAS, the Ealle County Board of County Commissioners ( "Board ") desires to enter into such a Performance Contract with the State, as shown on Exhibit "A ", attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF THE COUNTY OF EAGLE, STATE OF COLORADO: THAT, the Board hereby authorizes the Chairman to sign the Performance Contract, as shown on Exhibit "A ", attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference. THAT, this Resolution is necessary for the public health, safety and welfare of the citizenry of the County of Eagle, State of Colorado. MOVED, READ AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Eagle, State of Colorado, at its regular meeting held the day of June, 1997. EAGLE �oF n c COUNTY OF EAGLE, STATE OF y _L+ COLORADO, by and Through Its ATTEST: C BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS 4 � A By: Clerk to th Board of Johnnette Phillips, County Commissioners Chairman James E. Jo son, Jr. Commissioner I �/fLii George X. Gates, Commissioner Commissioner seconded adoption of the fore- going resolution. The roll having been called, the vote was as follows: Commissioner Phillips Commissioner Johnson Commissioner Gates This Resolution passed by �� —n vote of the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Eagle, State of Colorado. 511 Interim Welfare Reform Plan - June 30,1997 Responsible Agency: Name of Agency: Eagle County Government Eagle County Health and Human Services Address: P.O. Box 660 Employer EIN: Contact Person: Phone: FAX.• Organization Chart Eagle, CO 81631 84- 600762 Kathleen Forinash, Director (970) 328 -8840 (970) 328 -6227 Eagle County Board of I County Commissioners James K. Hartmann, County Administrator Kathleen Forinash, Director I Health and Human Services Health Volunteer Programs Services Senior Child 'Welfare Public Assistance Colorado WORKS Colorado CCAP Child Support men Nothing in the Eagle County WORKS plan 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. C. Features - Components of the Eagle County WORKS Program 1. Overview: a. Eligibility Determination : Eligibility for the WORKS program will be in accordance with the Colorado WORKS program. b. Client Assessment : Client Assessment will utilize the Colorado WORKS Employment Readiness Assessment and will be completed within 30 days of application for WORKS . (Current clients will have assessments completed within 90 days following 7/l/97.) Benefits will be based on the assessment process. > Families who are assessed as job ready will be required to seek employment and participate in work. related activities until employed a minimum of 20 Eagle County Interim Welfare Reform Plan Page 2 > Families who are assessed as not job ready will complete ORJT (ISSA and 1313) and will be required to participate in work - related activities to prepare for employment a minimum of 20 hours /week. > Families who are identified as experiencing barriers to employment or participation in work related activities because of substance abuse, domestic violence, or mental health issues will be referred to community agencies for further assessment and treatment recommendations which can be incorporated in their Individual Responsibility Contract. c. Individual Responsibility Contracts: An IRC will be completed for every individual 18 years of age or older who is receiving TANF or Diversion benefits. The IRC is a contract between the participant and the Department. The IRC will clearly define the participant's responsibilities and benefits which will enable him or her to become self sufficient. The IRC will be for a time limited period and will be updated as appropriate. Violation of the IRC by the participant may cause sanctions to occur. Information contained in the TANF IRC will include: assessment results; employment goals; barriers to employment; specific work activity required; responsibilities of the participant; responsibilities of the Department; sanctionable issues and sanctions that may be applied. Information contained in a Diversion IRC will include: reason(s) why the participant does not need a basic cash assistance grant; expectations in terms of the diversion grant; specific need(s) and specific type(s) of assistance being delivered; possible impacts on other assistance including Medicaid, Food Stamps, and Child Care. IRCs will be completed within 30 days of the client assessment process. d. Basic Cash Assistance Grants: • Ongoing monthly cash assistance will be provided at the levels in effect 7/16/96. • County optional cash assistance may be provided in accordance with Section I. • One -time diversion assistance may be provided at a maximum level equivalent to three times the monthly cash assistance in effect 7/16196. (See Statewide Diversion Grants and County Diversion Grants.) e. Statewide Diversion Grants: Families, who meet the eligibility criteria for the Colorado WORKS program and who do not need long -term cash assistance as determined by the assessment, may elect a one -time diversion grant. One -time optional assistance will be for specific items or type of assistance to support employment plans and to divert a participant from the ongoing WORKS program. They may include cash assistance in the form of vendor payments or in -kind services for a maximum amount not to exceed the equivalent of 3 months cash assistance for the following: > housing deposits. Eagle County Interim Welfare Reform Plan Page 3 > employment required tools, equipment or clothing. • glasses or other prosthetic devices necessary for employment. • tuition and school supplies for a training program which would lead to employment. • other individual needs documented by the assessment and approved by the County Director. Participants in the Diversion Program will be individually assessed and their proposed program approved by the County Director. All approved Diversion Program participants must agree in writing not to re -apply for the Colorado WORKS program in any Colorado County for a period of 12 months. Guidelines established by the state for participants in Diversion programs will apply. f. Domestic Violence Screening & Referral: Applicants for TANF and Diversion programs will be provided information on domestic violence and will be informed of their right to self - identify as a victim of domestic violence and request referrals for service or a waiver from the work requirement. Assessment of the impact of domestic violence on applicants for work waivers will be done by the Department in conjunction with local Domestic Violence, Law Enforcement and Mental Health agencies. Recommended exemptions from the work requirement will be forwarded to the CDHS with assessment information and a rehabilitation plan. Exemption from work requirements may be granted to victims of domestic violence if an IRC and rehabilitation plan are in place. Exemptions will be reviewed at a minimum interval of six months. g. Assistance to participants concerning the Federal Earned Income Tax Credit : Staff will provide information on the Earned Income Tax Credit and volunteers will be able to assist participants in completion of paperwork. h. Opportunities to establish Individual Development Accounts: Based on the Assessment process, clients may be approved for the establishment of IDAs. IDAs will be limited to: > Post - secondary educational expenses, > First home purchase, or > Business capitalization. IDAs can be funded only from earned income and may be accumulated up to the equivalent of 12 months cash assistance. Withdrawals can be only for the qualified purpose. IDAs are accounts held "in trust" by the Department in the name of the participant. Income contributed to the IDA shall be disregarded in determining eligibility to receive benefits. Eagle County Interim Welfare Reform Plan Page 4 L County optional assistance: One - time • up to one month's assistance with employment transportation_ expenses. • assistance with employment required tools, equipment or clothing equivalent to no more that one month's cash assistance grant. > assistance with glasses or other prosthetic devices necessary for employment and not covered under Medicaid or Vocational Rehabilitation Services - up to the equivalent of one month's cash assistance grant. Vendor payments will be utilized wherever possible. > relocation assistance equivalent to one month's assistance to assist relocation with a firm job offer that will result in self - sufficiency and termination of TANF benefits. Ongoing. Ongoing optional assistance in addition to the basic cash assistance grant may be approved to support work- related activities including: > transportation costs - actual or not exceeding .13 /mile to participate in training and job preparation activities. • assistance with training supplies and equipment not otherwise covered by JTPA. • personal care items and services needed for entering work related activities. • installation of phone service. • other work - related expenses identified by the client and Self- Sufficiency Council and approved by the County Director and specified in the IRC. Ongoing optional assistance will not exceed the equivalent of % the monthly TANF grant. j. County Optional Diversion Grants : Families, whose gross family income is less than 185 % of federal poverty levels and who meet other eligibility criteria for the Colorado WORKS program and who do not need long -term cash assistance as determined by the assessment, may elect a one -time diversion grant. One -time optional assistance will be for specific items or type of assistance to support employment plans and to divert a participant from the ongoing WORKS program. They may include cash assistance in the form of vendor payments or in -kind services for a maximum amount not to exceed the equivalent of 3 months cash assistance for the following: > housing deposits. >employment required tools, equipment or clothing. • glasses or other prosthetic devices necessary for employment. • tuition and school supplies for a training program which would lead to employment. Participants in the Diversion Program will be individually assessed and their proposed program approved by the County Director. All approved Diversion Program participants must agree in writing not to re -apply for the Colorado WORKS program in any Colorado County for a period of 12 months. Guidelines established by the state for participants in Diversion programs will apply. t / Eagle County Interim Welfare Reform Plan Page 5 k. Other Services : Participants in the WORKS program, CCAP, and Diversion Programs may request referral tc or be required to work with the Community Self- Sufficiency Council in developing plans for services that are supportive to employment and work - related activities including, but not limited to: • Literacy and English as a Second Language services. • Adult Basic Education or General Equivalent Diploma services. • Pre - employment skill building including self - esteem services. • Parenting education and support services. • Family and interpersonal communication skill building services. • Substance Abuse treatment. • Domestic violence prevention and treatment. • Financial and household management education and coaching. • Job coaching - how to look for and apply for a job, resume writing, interview coaching. • Translation services that would aid in application for employment or participation in work related activities. • Transitional services in child care assistance and Medicaid. • Vocational Rehabilitation Services. • Medical case management services. • Child welfare core services, protective services, placement services. • Eagle County Juvenile WRAP program services. • Family Planning. • Attendance and school performance services. • Child Support Enforcement services. • Legal services related to domestic relations and landlord/tenant issues. • Recognition for youth/adults who perform exceptionally on their IRCs. 2. Work Requirements: a. Definition of job ready : An individual is "job ready" when they possess the job skills and experience which meet the requirements of local employers for employment, when the jobs available are consistent with a long term goal for self - sufficiency, and when child care and transportation are available in the community to support an employment plan. Parents /Caretakers may be exempt from the work related activities when: • disability of parent/caretaker is documented by a physician or by receipt of SSI /OASDI. • a disabled child under the age of three requires the parent or caretaker's presence in the home as documented by a physician or by a Community Centered Board agency. • lack of child care is documented by the local CORRA agency. • lack of transportation in the community is documented. b. Determination of job ready: Individuals will be determined "job ready" through completion of individual client assessments noted under #1 -b. Eagle County Interim Welfare Reform Plan Page 6 c. Completion of assessment and individual responsibility contracts: Will be completed in conjunction with the participant, utilizing consultation of the Community Self - Sufficiency Councii as appropriate. Assessments and contracts will be written in the primary language of the participant and will bear the signatures of the participant and the authorized agency representative. d. Work Activities approved in addition to those authorized by State and Federal Law: None. e. Reasons for good cause of not imposing sanctions: > 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 a time - limited family emergency. f. Process to be used for good cause determinations: A participant may request a good cause exception from the imposition of sanctions. Recipients must contact their worker within 48 hours of any emergency unless that individual is incapable of making such contact. Such a request must be accompanied by written documentation or signed releases for the agency to obtain such written documentation. Verification of a family emergency and review by the County Director or designee will be accomplished within two working days of the request. During the period of the review, sanctions will not be imposed. If the good cause determination is not approved, the participant will be notified in writing of imposition of sanctions in accordance with the general procedures of the Colorado WORKS program. 3. Contracts or other agreements to purchase services: Services may be purchased from community agencies for assessment and evaluation services and for components of the service plan listed under k -other services and not otherwise available to the client or the Department without cost. 4. Other Assistance in addition: to the Basic Assistance Grant: a. Types of services or benefits to be provided: • child care assistance. • transitional Medicaid. > housing deposits. >employment required tools, equipment or clothing. > glasses or other prosthetic devices necessary for employment. > tuition and school supplies for a training program which would lead to employment. .r Eagle County Interim Welfare Reform Plan Page 7 • Literacy and English as a Second Language services. • Adult Basic Education or General Equivalent Diploma services. • Pre - employment skill building including self - esteem cervices. • Parenting education and support services. • Family and interpersonal communication skill building services. > Substance Abuse treatment. • Domestic violence prevention and treatment. • Financial and household management education and coaching. • Job coaching - how to look for and apply for a job, resume writing, interview coaching. • Translation services that would aid in application for employment or participation in work related activities. • Vocational Rehabilitation Services. • Transitional services in child care assistance and Medicaid. • Medical case management services. • Child welfare core services, protective services, placement services. • Eagle County Juvenile WRAP program services. • Family Planning. • Attendance and school performance services. • Child Support Enforcement services. • Legal services related to domestic relations and landlord/tenant issues. • Recognition and appreciation for youth and adults who are performing exceptionally on their IRCs. b. Dollar limits: Diversion program - > for one -time diversion grants - the equivalent of three month's cash assistance. Special needs for WORKS participants - > One time needs : not to exceed the equivalent of one month's cash assistance. > On -going needs : not to exceed the equivalent of 1 /2 of the monthly TANF grant in any given month c. Eligibility criteria: > for on -going WORKS participants and Statewide Diversion program - eligibility under the WORKS program. > for County Diversion program - income at or below 185% of poverty and meeting all the other requirements of the Colorado WORKS program. d. Criteria to determine that assistance may be provided. • completion of WORKS program application with appropriate verification. • completion WORKS employment readiness assessment. i f Eagle County Interim Welfare Reform Plan Page 8 > completion of County Diversion Program request, authorization for release of information. > comp etion of IRC or Diversion Program contract. S. Separate County Diversion Program a. Types of services or benefits provided. • > housing deposits. > employment required tools, equipment or clothing. > glasses or other prosthetic devices necessary for employment. > tuition and school supplies for a training program which would lead to employment. b. Other conditions and dollar litnits: • Dollar limits : the equivalent of three month's cash assistance. • Participants in the Diversion Program will be individually assessed and their proposed program approved by the County Director. All approved Diversion Program participants must agree in writing not to re -apply for the Colorado WORKS program in any Colorado County for a period of 12 months. c. Eligibility Criteria : Income at or below 185% of poverty and meeting all the other requirements of the Colorado WORKS program. 6. Participant sanctions: a. Conditions that will result in sanction and sanction imposed: Sanctions will be imposed in accordance with State rules for sanctions and disqualifications. Sanctionable items include: • Failure to cooperate with Child Support Enforcement - 25% sanction. • Failure to participate in work related activities as outlined in the IRC - 25% 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. > Failure to secure immunizations for children - 25% sanction for the entirety of the grant. Sanctions will be combined to determine the number of sanctions a family has received. b. Process for good cause: see 42 -f. 7. Notices to AFDC recipients: > Current AFDC recipients were notified by mail in April, 1997 of changes coming in the program. In May and June, 1997 AFDC clients were notified by mail of changes in the disregard payments beginning in July, 1997. All AFDC clients will be notified by mail by June 30, 1997 of changes in the program and how Eagle County will implement the Colorado WORKS program. Eagle County Interim Welfare Reform Plan Page 9 > Current AFDC clients will be encouraged to initiate job search or enter into a training program as initial assessments are completed beginning July 1, 1997. 8. Other county policies and options: None III. General Provisions: The State of Colorado Department of Human Services is the designated state agency to supervise the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program which will be called the Colorado Works Program. The Colorado Works Program shall be administered by the agency identified in this interim operational plan. There is no individual or family entitlement to any services or benefits under the Colorado Works Program. IV. Funding Subject to available appropriations, in state FY 1997 -98, the Department will provide the county with an allocation of federal and state funds equal to the funds received by the county in state FY 1994 -95. The county shall be required to expend county funds in state FY 1997 -98 equal to at least 100% of the spending in state FY 1995 -96. The county shall be subject to financial sanction for misuse of WORKS funds and will be required to meet such costs from county funds. V. County Assurances The Colorado Works Program shall be administered in accordance with state law, federal law, state rules, federal regulations and the provisions of this interim operational plan. The county shall establish county policies that will govern the county Works program including the separate county division program, other assistance, sanctions on participants receiving other assistance and good cause for not imposing sanctions for work activities. The county shall make a good faith effort to meet or exceed the 25% federal work participation requirement for the duration of this interim operational plan. J J Eagle County Interim Welfare Reform Plan Page 10 The county shall not impose any restrictions on eligibility, limit the provision of services or reduce the basic cash assistance grant for applicants and participants in any manner that is inconsistent with state law, state rules and this i;rterim operational plan. All contracted functions shall be provided in accordance with appropriate federal, state and county policies. VI. Joint County and State Assurances A performance contract shall be negotiated and entered into by October 1, 1997. The county work participation rates for federal FY 1997 -98 shall be negotiated and included in the performance contract by October 1, 1997. The maximum allowable administrative expenditures for the county for FY 1997 -98 shall be negotiated and included in the performance contract by October 1, 1997. VII. The State Department Assurances Monitor the county to assure that it is in compliance with the terms of this interim operational plan. Develop, modify and operate automated systems for purposes of eligibility determination, client payment and case and individual tracking. Provide training to county and/or contractor staff. Submit information as provided by the county to meet the reporting requirements of the federal law and regulations. Cooperate with the counties in simplifying the requirements for determination and verification of eligibility for Works. Cooperate with the counties in developing reports on 1.) Participant migration and 2.) The impacts resulting from the birth of additional children on participant self sufficiency. VIII. Amendments to the Interim Operational Plan This interim operational plan may be amended with the signed agreement of both parties. Amendments shall be effective on the latest of the following dates : the date the amendment is signed by both parties; the date approved by the federal government, only if such approval is required; or the date agreed to by both parties. Eagle County Interim Welfare Reform Plan Page 11 IY. Signatures Executive Director Colorado Department of Human Services Date: yt3 Chairperson Eagle County Board of County Commissioners Date: j:\dhhsadm\pubasst\welreffin 6/25/97