Program Description

Program/Practice Description: In Texas, sanctions for noncompliance with work requirements are imposed swiftly and frequently. As of October 2003, the penalty for failure to participate in the Choices program is full-family sanction. Full-family sanctions include the loss of all TANF cash assistance and the adult's Medicaid benefits. To reinstate benefits, participants must show 30 days of compliance. Two consecutive months of noncompliance results in the denial of the TANF case and the recipient must reapply for benefits. Recipients are referred to participate in the Women's Center REAP following 1 month of noncompliance. REAP is a 1-month program designed to assist the recipient in demonstrating 30 days of compliance and avoiding the loss of TANF benefits.

Background/Program History: REAP evolved from an Innovative Initiatives RFP issued by TCWDB. The Women's Center has a long history of working with welfare mothers (though this program serves both women and men).

Innovations and Results: REAP was designed to avoid 2 consecutive months of noncompliance with work participation rates that would result in the loss of TANF benefits. REAP is located at all Texas Workforce Commission One-Stop centers in Tarrant County. A key innovation of this program is the open entry and exit format. Each day of the 30-day program is designed as an individual lesson, allowing noncompliant recipients to enter the program immediately. Immediate program entry enables a TANF recipient to demonstrate 30 days of compliance and prevent the loss of their TANF benefits. TANF recipients that cycle back through the program receive intensive case management.

Operations: The REAP class is operated 4 hours a day, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The REAP curriculum covers non-core work activities and job search to achieve 30 hours per week compliance in month 2. The curriculum covers job readiness, business culture training (e.g., appropriate workplace actions, customs, and clothing), interview skills, resume assistance, conflict resolution skills, and budgeting modules. The Women's Center runs REAP as a community-based organization contractor to TCWDB. As a community-based organization, the Women's Center implements TCWDB policies and reports program results to the TCWDB program liaison.