AUGUSTA - In the Department of Health and Human Services' continued effort to help families achieve independence, the state's Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and ASPIRE program is set to undergo some important changes this year.
The changes will create a more streamlined system to help families, provide one-on-one assistance and allow them to find employment more effectively and efficiently. The services offered by the program will be intensely focused on moving TANF/ASPIRE families toward self-sufficiency and out of poverty.
Currently, Maine's TANF program faces nearly $29 million in federal penalties because benefit recipients have not met required federal TANF work participation rates over several years, dating back to 2007. This issue must be addressed with aggressive action steps. The LePage Administration introduced legislation twice over the past two years to solve this problem by eliminating exceptions in state law to the federal work participation requirement, but members of the Democratic Party denied that solution both times.
Beginning in mid-2016, the Department will contract with a partner who will support family and employment services through technology, innovation and collaboration with established business and community partners. The Office for Family Independence will continue to determine eligibility and issue support services as well as other administrative duties. The contracted partner will be determined through a formal Request for Proposal process set to begin this month.
Other states have taken similar action and found success within the first year. Under the new model, TANF/ASPIRE families will receive comprehensive assessments, job readiness training and development, transportation and other support services, along with immediate engagement from a dedicated case management team.
In August, the Department received a letter from the Administration of Children and Families (ACF) informing the state that it would need to pay the first penalty of the $29 million currently assessed. The amount totaled $1.16 million and will need to be paid with state funds. The letter is the first of its kind sent to Maine and demonstrates the real financial liability associated with continued failure to meet the federal work requirements.
"Despite repeated failures by the legislature to address this problem with law changes, we are moving forward with this reform. The $29 million in looming federal penalties can no longer be ignored, and our clients must be provided with the best service available to help them get back to work. The Department looks forward to the positive changes coming to the program and what it means for TANF/ASPIRE families working toward a life of independence," explained DHHS Commissioner Mary Mayhew.
The Department has operated the program with diligence within the current rule structure and system to address performance in this program. The Department has determined the necessary step is to add significant resources to engage clients one-on-one with education, skill-building and work readiness activities.
The changes will create a more streamlined system to help families, provide one-on-one assistance and allow them to find employment more effectively and efficiently. The services offered by the program will be intensely focused on moving TANF/ASPIRE families toward self-sufficiency and out of poverty.
Currently, Maine's TANF program faces nearly $29 million in federal penalties because benefit recipients have not met required federal TANF work participation rates over several years, dating back to 2007. This issue must be addressed with aggressive action steps. The LePage Administration introduced legislation twice over the past two years to solve this problem by eliminating exceptions in state law to the federal work participation requirement, but members of the Democratic Party denied that solution both times.
Beginning in mid-2016, the Department will contract with a partner who will support family and employment services through technology, innovation and collaboration with established business and community partners. The Office for Family Independence will continue to determine eligibility and issue support services as well as other administrative duties. The contracted partner will be determined through a formal Request for Proposal process set to begin this month.
Other states have taken similar action and found success within the first year. Under the new model, TANF/ASPIRE families will receive comprehensive assessments, job readiness training and development, transportation and other support services, along with immediate engagement from a dedicated case management team.
In August, the Department received a letter from the Administration of Children and Families (ACF) informing the state that it would need to pay the first penalty of the $29 million currently assessed. The amount totaled $1.16 million and will need to be paid with state funds. The letter is the first of its kind sent to Maine and demonstrates the real financial liability associated with continued failure to meet the federal work requirements.
"Despite repeated failures by the legislature to address this problem with law changes, we are moving forward with this reform. The $29 million in looming federal penalties can no longer be ignored, and our clients must be provided with the best service available to help them get back to work. The Department looks forward to the positive changes coming to the program and what it means for TANF/ASPIRE families working toward a life of independence," explained DHHS Commissioner Mary Mayhew.
The Department has operated the program with diligence within the current rule structure and system to address performance in this program. The Department has determined the necessary step is to add significant resources to engage clients one-on-one with education, skill-building and work readiness activities.
