Program Implementation

Tips to Implementation: Diversion candidates are identified as a priority and are to have their case processed within established time frames that allow the TANF participant to quickly move from ongoing BCA to a lump sum payment that affords them the flexibility to meet their immediate needs and not have to remain on long-term assistance. Flexibility in the diversion program has been critical. TANF regulations allow counties in Colorado to tailor the program to the community’s needs. Therefore, communities should determine what they are trying to accomplish with diversion and develop the program accordingly. In this case, State diversion was used to stabilize the immediate needs of individuals before they have to enter into long-term cash assistance.

Keys to Success: The key to a successful diversion program with low recidivism rates is targeting the appropriate individuals—those who are job ready and in need of short-term assistance to meet their immediate needs. By providing these individuals with the assistance they need, more intensive case management services and workforce activities can focus on helping individuals who are not job ready become so.

Challenges:

• One of the biggest challenges has been targeting the appropriate candidates for diversion. As a result, the program has spent a lot of time and effort analyzing and revising the Customer Job Readiness questionnaire and Work Readiness Profiler assessment to ensure appropriate candidates are reached.