A representative from Workforce Solutions Alamo would like to know about States’ promising practices to engage the exempt TANF population in employment programs.

A representative from the Virgin Islands Division of Family Assistance would like to know of any procedures that States use in setting up Individual Training Accounts (ITA). What is the maximum allotment for each participant, and has the ITA process been effective?

A representative from El Paso County's Department of Housing Services would like to know if organizations ever hold TANF interviews over the phone? If so, do these organizations find that they are able to engage clients for work-focused activity, and what are some best practices?

A representative from the Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services would like to know if other States have a matrix, table, or other method to calculate countable hours for online job search activities?

A representative from the Michigan Department of Human Services is interested in others States' experience using online tools with TANF populations. What are States using, and how is it working?

A representative from the Pennsylvania Department of Welfare/Bureau of Employment and Training Programs would like to discuss approaches used by States that take immediate action (and forego written notice) to terminate or sanction TANF benefits based on noncompliance with work requirements. Currently, after a TANF recipient has demonstrated non-compliance with work requirements, Pennsylvania conducts a compliance review to determine whether the non-compliance was willful and within the individual's control. If it was willful, a written notice is sent to terminate benefits, which could include sanction. The notice offers appeal rights and benefits are not closed until a 10 day 'appeal window' has passed.

A representative from Boulder County Community Services would like to know if any local governments have experience with targeting entry-level public sector jobs for low-income workers outside of a subsidized wage or On the Job Training (OJT) program? Boulder County Community Services and another county government is also interested in exploring policies, practices or other strategies to remove barriers to entry-level jobs at municipal and county governments.

A representative from the New York Human Resources Administration would like to know if anyone recommends an assessment tool to measure the employment-related motivation level of cash assistance for clients? New York is looking for a tool that will allow them to compare motivational levels among different groups of clients to determine whether a particular intervention is successful in increasing clients motivation to find and maintain employment.

A representative from the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare would like to learn about a verification process for when a client does a job search activity? Do States accept client statements for the number of hours of independent job search (such as out and about putting in applications and online applications which could be submitted from home)? Pennsylvania wants to see if there is precedent in other plans that the Feds have approved. Thanks from PA!

A representative from the Peer TA Network would like to know what job development strategies and specific curricula TANF programs have used to result in successful job placement and retention for TANF participants? This could include employer outreach, labor market research, subsidized employment and transitional jobs, strategies for special populations, using workforce intermediaries, and training for frontline workers.