Client responses are then used to drive the formation of the Individual Responsibility Plan and scheduling of appropriate work activities. Existing client cases in receipt of TANF for 34 months or more undergo the Comprehensive Social Assessment over a period of 120 days to determine appropriate activities. These modules all have extensive statewide and uniform assessment protocols. Due to the large geographic, ethnic, and cultural diversity, the state believes that local offices best know the aspects of their residents and communities and can better serve their citizens on an individual basis. The TANF program and assessments are overseen by the Department of Human Services which established goals and guidelines for the Choices Program.
Local offices are at the county level and utilize both in-house and contracted service providers.
Overall, emphasis is placed on employment and having the client locate a suitable work activities. Assessment is used to gain insight into the client preferences for work, as well as what services are needed to assist the client in obtaining employment. Assessment is not a singular type of session but is broken into an initial screening period and everyday contact with workers. A worker will spend approximately four hours with a client and this period includes individual assessments. Clients participate in a week of job readiness preparatory workshops and complete a TABE Assessment.