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Home My WebLink About20030894.tiff RESOLUTION RE: APPROVE 2003 COLORADO WORKS PROGRAM PLAN WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado, pursuant to Colorado statute and the Weld County Home Rule Charter, is vested with the authority of administering the affairs of Weld County, Colorado, and WHEREAS, the Board has been presented with the 2003 Colorado Works Program Plan from the County of Weld, State of Colorado, by and through the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, on behalf of the Department of Social Services, to the Colorado Department of Human Services, with terms and conditions being as stated in said plan, and WHEREAS, after review, the Board deems it advisable to approve said plan, a copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County,Colorado,ex-officio Board of Social Services,that the 2003 Colorado Works Program Plan from the County of Weld, State of Colorado, by and through the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, on behalf of the Department of Social Services, to the Colorado Department of Human Services be, and hereby is, approved. The above and foregoing Resolution was, on motion duly made and seconded, adopted by the following vote on the 7th day of April, A.D., 2003. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WEV COUNTY, COLOR DO ATTEST: gel/ � ((�+h i/ , avid E. Long, Chair Weld County Clerk to the ` f '� '_-.. 1) a ` 17 �p V1/4-9' `4 Robert D. sden, Pro=Tem BY: -e- /za Co'- •-......_i . Deputy Clerk to the Boar M. J. eil APPR AST EXCUSED Willia H. Jerke AttordY Glenn Vaad Date of signature: `46 2003-0894 SS0030 ng; sS Colorado Works Program Plan, 2003 WELD County 7.2603 David E. Long, Chair Date Board of County Commissione , Weld County Attachment: Weld County Depailiuent of Social Services Operations Manual, Section 6.000, Colorado Works in Weld County and Child Care Policies and Procedures 7oo3-o79V d Eligibility Criteria and Benefit Limits For each type of benefit or service that applies to your county(except for basic cash assistance), please list the maximum income levels for eligibility; the maximum payment amounts for each type of benefit or service; and any other criteria that apply for the receipt of each type of benefit or service. Please be as detailed as possible and attach additional pages as necessary. Type of Benefit or Maximum Maximum Service, if Income Level Payment Applicable For Eligibility Amount Other Eligibility Criteria Other Assistance See Colorado Works in Weld County Plan Section 6.027. "County Optional other Assistance" State Diversion Must be See Colorado Works in Weld County eligible for Plan Section 6.007. basic cash "Weld County Grant Diversion assistance. Program" County Diversion 185% of See Colorado Works in Weld County poverty Plan 6.008 and 6.009. Description of Benefits Provided For each category of benefit or service that applies to your county (including basic cash assistance), please describe in as much detail as possible the benefits or services to be provided. Please provide examples as appropriate and attach additional pages as necessary. Also, please consider the following in your answers: • For basic cash assistance, whether or not you close cases for demonstrable evidence for failure to follow the terms of the Individual Responsibility Contract (IRC). If yes, what is your procedure? • For State Diversion, if you provide services in lieu of cash, describe the services provided and the circumstances under which you provide them. • For each type of benefit or service, include in your description whether or not you provide optional payment methods such as vendor payments, voucher payments and/or lump-sum payments, and under what conditions these optional payment methods will be used. Include in your description the process used to determine eligibility and benefits for applicants and participants who are employees of your county department of social /human services. Type of Benefit or Service, if applicable Description of Benefit or Service Basic Cash Assistance See Section 6.002—Colorado Works in Weld County Other Assistance See Section 6.027—"County Optional other Assistance State Diversion See Section 6.007—"Weld County Grant Diversion Program County Diversion See Section 6.008 and 6.009 Per 26-2-716 (2.5) C.R.S., please attach all county policies related to basic cash, other assistance, state diversion and county diversion. Please use additional pages as necessary. TANF PAYMENTS TO EMPLOYEES The Weld County Department of Social Services will follow the below listed guidelines when granting TANF benefits or services to Department employees. 1. All Weld County Department of Social Service employees are required by rule (Weld County Department of Social Services Policy and Procedural Manual Section 7.005.1) to refer any potential conflict of interest situation to their Division Head through their immediate supervisor. 2. All requests by employees to either apply or receive TANF assistance shall follow the above stated guidelines. These requests shall include TANF Basic Cash Assistance or any State or County Diversion Payment. 3. All requests for TANF assistance shall be thoroughly reviewed by the immediate supervisor. The TANF Program Manager/Supervisor shall make recommendations concerning payment type and amounts based on appropriateness of and the eligibility for any payments to employees under the TANF Program. 4. All TANF payments made to employees will be approved by the Director of the Department of their designee prior to any payment being made. Sanctions What is the minimum number of months for each sanction level? Sanction Level Minimum Number of Months First (1) 2 3 Second (1) 2 3 Third (3) 4 5 6 Please list the good cause reasons for which you do not impose sanctions, and describe your process for determining when to impose sanctions. See Section 6.005—Colorado Works in Weld County. Temporary Good Cause Exemptions from Work Participation. Per 26-2-716 (2.5) C.R.S., please attach all county policies related to sanctions against basic cash assistance and other assistance. Please use additional pages as necessary. See Section 6.011—Participant Sanctions and Appeals—Colorado Works in Weld County Job Readiness and Work Activities Please describe your county definition ofjob-ready. See Colorado Works in Weld County Plan-6.006.12 If your county automatically exempts participants from work activities based on the age of their youngest child, what is the maximum age of the child(in months) that will result in the exemption. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 The following 12 work activities may be used to meet work participation rates as established by the federal government, as well as satisfy the 24 month requirement. Please indicate which ones your county uses. X Unsubsidized employment X Subsidized private sector employment X Subsidized public sector employment X Work experience X On-the Job Training X Job Search/Job Readiness Community Service Programs Vocational Educational Training Provision of Child Care for a Participant in a Community Service Program X Job Skills Training Directly Related to Employment X Education Directly Related to Employment X Satisfactory Attendance at Secondary School or GED If Community Service Programs is indicated above,please define the activities which will be included in your county's community service programs in addition to those listed in Volume III at 3.626,2 (G). In addition to those activities listed above,please describe what other work activities your county uses in order for individuals to meet the 24 month requirement. Per 26-2-716(Z5)C.R.S.,please attach all official written county policies related to work activities in your county. Please use additional pages as necessary. See Section 6.002—Work Activities - Colorado Works in Weld County Child Care Availability Appropriate and affordable formal child care arrangements are defined as unavailable when the following conditions exist: See Section 6.005.1.A.1 —Colorado Works in Weld County Informal child care by a relative or under other arrangements are defined as unavailable or unsuitable when the following conditions exist: See Section 6.005.1.A.2 —Colorado Works in Weld County What is the definition of a reasonable distance from an individual's home or work site for which appropriate child care would be considered unavailable? See Section 6.005.1.A.3 —Colorado Works in Weld County Per 26-2-716(2.5)C.R.S.,please attach all official written county policies related to child care availability in your county. Please use additional pages as necessary. Section 6 - Domestic Violence and the Family Violence Option Please answer the following questions about the Domestic Violence and the Family Violence Option. Please use additional pages as necessary. How will your county create an environment that ensures that victims of domestic violence are able to voluntarily disclose abuse in a confidential manner? Each TANF applicant is provided the notification of Domestic Violence form and explained the Domestic Violence Waiver option. Staff work areas are private. Domestic Violence literature is available throughout the Department that includes where and how professional staff can be contacted. How will your county assure that appropriate domestic violence services are available to participants of the Colorado Works Program? Domestic violence counselors are on site certain days of the week and on call 24 hours per day. Domestic violence literature is available throughout the agency. How will your county assure that appropriate referrals are made to appropriate domestic violence services for Colorado Works participants? Staff are trained to recognize signs of domestic violence. The Department has developed a close working relationship with local agencies dealing with domestic violence. Staff from these agencies are involved in planning, training, and advising the Department on domestic violence issues. Domestic Violence Counselors are located on site at the Department of Social Services certain days per week in order to make services and referrals readily and easily available. What procedures are in place to provide State approved domestic violence training to county staff and to any entity with which the county has a contract for service? How often is the training provided? How will your county verify that contractors receive domestic violence training? What qualifications and/or credentials are required for the individual(s)providing domestic violence training for your county? All Social Services staff have and are required to attended the State prescribed family violence training. All staff will receive refresher training as offered by the State Department of Human Services. State domestic violence training is provided annually. Qualifications of Counselors providing the State prescribed domestic violence training are reviewed by the State Department of Human Services to assure of appropriate qualifications. How will your county assure domestic violence training is provided to county staff and contractors? (check one) X State provided training State approved training provided by our county Contract for training Will your county be implementing the Family Violence Option? Yes No Earned Income Tax Credit Per Section 26-2-709(2)(b) C.R.S.,please describe how you help participants apply for and receive the federal earned income tax credit. Please use additional pages as necessary. Earned Income Tax Credit information will be distributed to public assistance recipients and available throughout the department. Staff are aware of the Tax Credit and will be addressing and distributing information on how and when to apply. Individual Development Accounts Per Section 26-2-716 (2) (g) C.R.S., please describe how you make available opportunities for Individual Development Accounts (LDAs). Please use additional pages as necessary. Not Applicable Statutory Rape Prevention The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) requires each state to "conduct a program designed to reach State and local law enforcement officials, the education system, and relevant counseling services, that provides education and training on the problem of statutory rape so that teenage pregnancy prevention programs may be expanded in • scope to include men." While not required by state statute, please provide us any information you have about any programs in your county designed to implement this federal requirement. Please use additional pages as necessary. Not Applicable Out-of-Wedlock Birth Prevention The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act(PRWORA) requires each state to "establish goals and take action to prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of- wedlock pregnancies, with special emphasis on teenage pregnancies, and establish numerical goals for reducing the illegitimacy ratio of the State (as defined in section 403(a)(2)@B)) for calendar years 1996 through 2005." While not required by state statute, please provide us any information you have about any programs in your county designed to reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock births, and particularly those programs that emphasize reducing the incidence of teen-age out-of-wedlock births. Please use additional pages as necessary. See Section 6.022.2 Weld County's Abstinence Program under the Weld County Department of Public Health& Environment Section 11 - Grandparent Guardianship Per C.R.S. 26-2-709(1)(a.5), which of the following need standards do you use to determine eligibility for an assistance unit containing a grandchild who was in foster care and who exited foster care into the legal custody or legal guardianship of a grandparent? The need standard available for counties to determine eligibility under the X Colorado Works program for all applicants and participants The need standard equal to the average foster care home maintenance payment Section 12 - 60 Month Hardship Extensions Per C.R.S. 26-2-716(5)(a), please describe any additional county-defined hardship criteria that you accept as basis to provide hardship extensions to pay cash assistance to assistance units that have received 60 months of federal TANF assistance. 6.045 Colorado Works in Weld County Time Limits Added 9/1/02 6.045.1 Extension Added 9/1/02 The Department will follow the general eligibility guidelines for extensions of the sixty (60)or more cumulative months for Federal TANF Assistance as established under Colorado State Rules, Section 3.619.1, A through F, Volume III, Income Maintenance Programs. 6.045.2 Hardship Added 9/1/02 A. The Department will follow the general hardship definitions for extensions of the sixty(60) or more cumulative months for Federal TANF Assistance as established under Colorado State Rules, Section 3.619.2, A through D, Volume III, Income Maintenance Programs. B. The Department will allow temporary extensions for individuals who meet the good cause criteria as outlined in Section 6.005.1 of the Department's Operations Manual, and are not able to obtain or maintain employment and meet the extension eligibility according to the provisions of Section 3.619.1, A through E, Volume III, Income Maintenance Programs. C. The Department will allow temporary extensions for individuals who are former participants after the lapse of the 60-month lifetime limit, who meet the good cause criteria as outlined in Section 6.005.1 of the Department's Operations Manual, and are not able to obtain or maintain employment and meet the extension eligibility according to the provisions of Section 3.619.1, F, Volume III, Income Maintenance Programs. D. Redeterminations of eligibility for extensions will follow the criteria as outlined in Section 6.005.2 of the Department's Operations Manual. 6.045.3 Order of Selection Upon Meeting the 20% Allocation of Extensions Added 9/1/02 A. The Department will use an order of selection process when: 1. The number of Colorado Works recipients who have been granted extensions exceed the percentage of Weld County' cases used to establish the 20%maximum statewide caseload pursuant to Federal Law and Colorado State Rules, Section 3.619.7, Volume III, Income Maintenance Programs; and 2. The Department is unable to serve all eligible Colorado Works recipients from Weld County who have requested an extension due to hardship. B. The order of selection will be based on criteria and definitions similar to that used by the Colorado Depai Indent of Vocational Rehabilitation and will be implemented in order to assure compliance with 20%maximum caseload rule as follows: 1. First Priority—Most Significant Disability. An individual who has a severe physical or mental impairment, which seriously limits three or more functional capacities (mobility, communication, self-care, self- direction, interpersonal skills, work tolerance, or work skills) in terms of employment outcome. 2. Second Priority—Significant Disability. An individual who has a severe physical or mental impairment,which seriously limits one or two functional capacities (mobility, communication, self-care, self-direction, interpersonal skills, work tolerance, or work skills) in terms of employment outcome. 3. Third Priority—Least Significant Disability. An individual who does not meet the criteria for"most significant disability" or"significant disability" is considered to have the least significant disability. Other Program Descriptions If not already addressed previously, for each of the categories listed below, please describe in as much detail as you would like, the benefits or services provided. Details to consider in your description(s) could include the purpose(s) of the program; amounts, frequency and duration of any subsidies; eligibility criteria for receipt of benefits or services; the types of expenditures covered with TANF funds; additional funding source(s) used, e.g. WtW, WIA, etc. Attach any program descriptions or other information as appropriate, and any related county policies. Please use additional pages as necessary. Subsidized Employment—On the Job Training, Work Supplementation Work Incentives—Job Retention Package - $105.00 for hair care, food, clothing, gasoline Education Incentives—No cash incentives, however. will pay costs of remedial activities and GED Housing—Rental assistance and deposits through TANF and Welfare to Work (WTC as long as available) Transportation—Bus passes, gasoline, auto repair Postsecondary Education—TANF and Welfare to Work(WTW— as long as available) support education through the provision of tuition assistance, books, fees, etc. Consideration must be given to whether the educational program will lead to employment. Labor market information is reviewed. Non-custodial Parents—The Welfare to Work Program (as long as available) provides support for non-custodial parents to acquire the education and skills necessary to obtain and maintain a job and improve marketable skills. Supportive services such as gas vouchers, tuition assistance, housing assistance, etc., may be available. Controlled Substance Abuse Policy Other—All clients are evaluated for enrollment/co-enrollment into WIA and Welfare to Work Programs (WTW as long as available) to compliment TANF services in order to obtain and maintain employment. Section 13 - Mental Health/Substance Abuse Per C.R.S. 26-2-724, please describe the method you use to screen applicants for mental health and substance abuse issues. 6.002.21 Substance Abuse Screening Added 4/00 In accordance with State Department of Human Service regulations, Volume III, Section 3.620.4, all TANF applicants/recipients participating in the Colorado Works in Weld County Program will be required to complete a substance abuse screening form to assist them and the Department of Social Services in identifying problems or potential problems of alcohol and drug abuse. The alcohol and drug screening form will be completed at the time of initial application and at each redetermination of eligibility. The screening form will be reviewed and evaluated by a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor. If the screening form indicates a problem or potential problem with alcohol or drugs,the counselor may require a more thorough assessment of alcohol and/or drug abuse. The counselor, after review of the assessment,may suggest an alcohol and/or drug treatment plan. The Department may require the applicant/recipient to participate in an alcohol or drug abuse treatment program as specified in Section 6.004 and Section 6.011 of the Colorado Works in Weld County Policies and Procedures Manual as part of the applicant's/recipient's Individual Responsibility Contract. The screening form is included as Exhibit K. Department staff may also make a direct referral to the Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor for an assessment at any time and as outlined in Section 6.004 of the Colorado Works in Weld County Policies and Procedures Manual. • Section 14 - Community Resource Investment Assistance Per C.R.S. 26-2-707.5(2), please submit policies regarding: 1. the types of community resources in which you invest 2. the purpose of such community resource investment 3. the income eligibility standards 4. the process used to determine eligibility 5. the county's dispute resolution processes SEE SECTION 6.030-COLORADO WORKS IN WELD COUNTY Community Resources Investment Assistance 6.031 Definition and Legal Basis Under Section 26-2-707.5, Community Resources Investment Assistance, Colorado State Statutes,the Department may use Colorado Works funds to invest in the development of community resources that support the purposes of the federal "Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act", Public Law 104-193, and that are designed to assist eligible applicants or participants under Sections 26-2-706 or 26-2- 707. An eligible applicant or participant may receive benefits or services from such community resource without completing a Colorado Work application pursuant to Section 26-2-106, or a written agreement pursuant to Section 26-2-707 (1)(d), or an individual responsibility contact pursuant to Section 26-2-708(2). However, the Department may require such applications, written agreements, and individual responsibility contracts in its contracting procedures. 6.031.1 County's Dispute Resolution Process The Department will provide, as appropriate, information to participants regarding rights to fair hearings as required under Section 3.840 of the Colorado Department of Human Services Staff Manual Volume 3, Income Maintenance, and 6.011.12,B, and Exhibit I. See Section 6.032 Direct Care Provider Career Path Program with Aims Community College See Section 6.033 Information and Referral Program with United Way of Weld County See Section 6.034 Transportation Assistance for Working Migrant Head Start and Head Start Families and Other Colorado Works Families See Section 6.035 Multidisciplinary youth Assessment Team and Program • See Section 6.036 Technology and Alcohol and Drug Services Program with Island Grove Regional Treatment Center See Section 6.037 Computerized Educational Laboratory Program with AIMS Community College South Campus Section 15 - Segregated Funding Per C.R.S. 26-2-714(5.5)(b)(II), please describe your policies in each of the following areas in which you use segregated funding: Capital Construction Cash assistance without counting towards the 60-month limit for federal TANF assistance Non-citizens Medical services Purposes 3 (reducing the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies) and 4 (encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families) of TANF to people who would not otherwise meet TANF eligibility criteria SEE SECTION 6.022.2 Weld County's Abstinence Program under the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment,which is expected to end June 30, 2003. 6 _ 1 _ - , -„ `^' DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES rP.O.BOXA T GREELEY, CO. 80632 Website:yeww.ca.weld.co.us Administration and Public Assistance(970)352-1551 Child Support(970)352-6933 11 I III li O • COLORADO MEMORANDUM TO: David E. Long, Chair Date: March 31, 2003 Board of County Commissioners FR: Judy A. Griego, Director, Social Services .'i.tti�J 11 ug RE: SFY03-04 Colorado Works Plan Enclosed for Board approval is the SFY03-04 Colorado Works Plan, as required by the Colorado Department of Human Services. The Plan was discussed and reviewed at the Board's Work Session of March 31, 2003. The Colorado Works Plan provides for Weld County's operational policies and procedures for Colorado Works or TANF eligibility, benefits, and resources. The Colorado Works Plan will incorporate Section 6.000, Colorado Works in Weld County and Child Care Policies and Procedures, which is the Department's Operations Manual. If you have any questions, please telephone me at extension 6510. 2003-0894 Hello