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.

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)?

A representative from the Missouri Family Support Division is seeking information regarding Temporary Assistance diversion payments:

• What is the diversion payment amount (or how many months TA benefit does it equal)?
• What has been the annual cost of the diversion program to the state?
• How many/what percentage of TANF applicants opt for the diversion payment? What restrictions are imposed when an applicant opts for the diversion payment?
• Has the implementation of the diversion program had a positive impact on the TANF Work Participation Rate? If so, what was the overall impact?
• What has been the annual cost of the diversion program to the state?
• How many/what percentage of TANF applicants opt for the diversion payment?
• What restrictions are imposed when an applicant opts for the diversion payment?
• Has the implementation of the diversion program had a positive impact on the TANF Work Participation Rate? If so, what was the overall impact?

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 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 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.

A representative from the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare would like to know what states do to manage employable TANF clients by allocating TANF payments (after-the-fact) based on participation?

The Peer TA Network is interested in potential topics that users are interested in for future Webinars.

A representative from the Iowa Department of Human Services would like to know how other States consider self-employment income for purposes of determining eligibility and benefit amount for TANF cash assistance. They would like to know whether other states use actual business expenses as a deduction and/or a flat percentage as a deduction. Do States allow a client to choose actual business expenses instead of the percent and/or a flat dollar amount as a deduction? If yes, what dollar amount, and do States allows a client to choose actual business expenses instead of the flat amount?