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 Colorado Department of Human Services is interested in better understanding what an optimal caseload size and composition for TANF programming may be for other counties and States. For example, what is the average caseload size for your TANF eligibility workers versus case managers? Do your eligibility TANF workers also manage SNAP, Medicaid, and other services for their offices? What proportion of your TANF workers time is strictly devoted to TANF participants? On average, what proportion of each workers job is strictly devoted to TANF case management activities (e.g., client assessment, barrier reduction planning, service coordination, client monitoring, and outcome evaluation)?

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 the Oregon Department of Human Services is interested in learning about innovative strategies/best practices for intensive, short interval case management of TANF clients.

A representative from the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families would like to know how other States fund TANF case management and job development contracts? This representative is working on a MPA Capstone project focused on alternative funding allocation methodologies for Wisconsin's TANF Program, Wisconsin Works (W-2). Wisconsin contracts with a variety of local providers to provide W-2 services - counties, private for-profit and not-for-profit vendors, multi-county consortia, etc. This representative is interested in examples of pay-for-performance contracting. Policy papers, contract language, Requests for Proposals, etc. would be appreciated, as would general discussion on this issue.

A representative from Service Alternatives, Inc. would like to know if anyone knows of curriculum that helps to teach soft skills?

A representative from the Delaware Division of Social Services would like to know what assessment tool States use to determine if a client has challenges with substance abuse, mental health and/or domestic violence?

A representative from the Cook Inlet Tribal Council would like to know if other States, counties, and Tribes have implemented policies and strategies to reduce the wait time between when a family applies and is determined eligible for TANF?

The Peer TA Network would like to know if States triage participants to determine which assessments are needed for an individual that walks in the door?

A representative from the Oregon Department of Human Services would like to know if States use client swipe card systems to track and record attending for TANF clients participating in employment, training, and other self-sufficiency activities? If no, why not? If yes:

• How does the system and process works?
• For what other purposes is the card being used (electronic benefit transfer for program benefits)?
• How long has the system has been in place?
• Was it developed in-house or by a vendor?
• How was the system developed, implemented, and what was the timeline?
• What are the benefits of the system (cost savings, reduced errors, workload impact, client and partner convenience)?
• Were there implementation challenges and/or lessons learned?
• Have there been any changes made since implementation
• Are there any quality control procedures to check data?