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 Ohio Department of Job and Family Services would like to hear from States that are utilizing, "Providing Child Care for An Individual Who Is Participating in Community Service" as an actual work activity. Do any States have materials on this activity that they are willing to share?

A representative from the New Hampshire Department Health and Human Services would like to know how other States are managing the required income/resource verifications when a client receives their benefit or pay via the bank card. Both public agencies (such as SSA) and private employers (such as Wal-Mart) are increasing their use of rechargeable bank cards to transfer their monthly benefit/payment to clients. These clients are applying for TANF, but ifmay not have access to a computer and cannot produce verification of the benefit in the month received (since it is income in the month received, resource the following month).

A representative from Cuyahoga County Employment & Family Services would like to know what models are being used by Human Service agencies to verify TANF client participation/attendance at Post-Secondary Education facilities? How are you verifying attendance for those taking online classes?

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 know what other States expect of TANF recipients who claim to have a medical exemption that prevents them from participation in work activities. For example, what forms do States use for medical assessment? Can the clients family doctor complete the form, or is the form completed by an independent exam? What activities and hourly requirements are expected?

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 Pennsylvania Department of Welfare/Bureau of Employment and Training Programs would like to know what level of participation is expected of a TANF recipient who claims to be unable to get a job or participate in other core-work activities due to lack of transportation (e.g., no drivers license, no access to public transportation, no car, etc.). Please address:

• Do States allot time for the individual to make transportation arrangements, or do they provide supports for transportation assistance?
• What is maximum time allowed to make transportation arrangements?
• What do States do when transportation solutions are not found during that timeframe (e.g., sanction, case closure, etc.)?
• What type of transportation subsidies (e.g., upfront mileage, car purchase, cab fare, gas cards, etc.) are offered?
• What are the maximum benefits provided to the client?
• For how are long transportation subsidies provided?

The Peer TA Network would like to know what strategies States are using to improve low literacy levels among TANF participants in a short amount of time? How are programs structured and what curriculum is being used for participants with or without a high school diploma or G.E.D., but still test at a low literacy level?

The Peer TA Network would like to know how other States are handling drug testing and criminal background check fees for recipients in the Community Work Experience Program (CWEP)?