Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 607 - ASPIRE-TANF PROGRAM RULES › Section 144-607-11 - WORK ACTIVITY SERVICES

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
Summary:
This Section describes ASPIRE-TANF work
				  activities which include Maine Serve and Transitional Employment for Maine
				  Parents (TEMP) and Providing Child Care services to an ASPIRE participant in a
				  Community Service Program.
I.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
A. The purpose
				of MaineServe, TEMP, and Providing Child Care Services is to enhance job
				skills, meet federal TANF work requirements and provide recent employment
				references.
B. Placement in
				permanent full-time employment will have priority over participation in
				MaineServe or TEMP or Providing Child Care Services.
C. MaineServe and TEMP positions will be in
				public or private non-profit organizations.
D. MaineServe positions shall be limited to
				projects which serve or support a useful public purpose such as education,
				urban and rural development, health, and social services.
E. Neither MaineServe or TEMP placements will
				be provided to an agency where an organized union strike or walkout is
				occurring or other labor dispute is in progress.
F. No organization, or agency in violation of
				local, State or Federal laws will be eligible for MaineServe or TEMP
				placements.
G. The EEO and ADA
				policies of the prospective MaineServe or TEMP sites should be assessed to
				determine if the prospective site is in compliance with EEO and ADA
				regulations.
H. The MaineServe or
				TEMP site agrees to maintain the confidentiality of any information regarding
				ASPIRE-TANF participants or their immediate families which may be obtained
				through interviews, tests, reports from public agencies or counselors, or any
				other source. Without the permission of the participant, such information shall
				be divulged only as necessary for purposes related to the performance or
				evaluation of the Work Site Agreement and to persons having responsibilities
				under the Agreement.
I. The monthly
				maximum number of hours that can be required of a participant assigned to
				either MaineServe or TEMP is obtained by dividing the total of the TANF and
				Food Supplement (SNAP) benefit amounts by the current Maine minimum wage;
				fractional hours will be dropped. The monthly number of hours is then divided
				by 4.3 to arrive at a weekly figure and this number is written in the Family
				Contract Amendment as the maximum number of hours per week that will be
				required for participation in MaineServe or TEMP. If the total is less than the
				minimum number of hours required by Federal and/or State law, then the
				difference will be made up by involving the participant in non-work activities,
				such as skills training or remedial education. The maximum number of hours of
				participation in MaineServe or TEMP is subject to review and change as the TANF
				and Food Supplement (SNAP) benefit amounts change, and should be addressed
				whenever new Family Contract Amendments are written.
J. After six (6) months, TEMP positions will
				be reassessed to determine whether the placement continues to be viable for the
				participant. If it is determined to be appropriate, the TEMP position may be
				renewed.
K. At the end of nine (9)
				months, the MaineServe volunteer and the ASPIRE-TANF case manager shall
				evaluate the MaineServe placement. If it is determined to be appropriate, the
				MaineServe placement may be renewed.
L. ASPIRE-TANF will not provide funds to a
				MaineServe or TEMP placement site for a MaineServe or TEMP placement.
M. Any mandatory ASPIRE-TANF participant who
				has completed training and job search but has not obtained a permanent job must
				participate in either TEMP or MaineServe.
N. Any voluntary ASPIRE-TANF participant may
				choose to participate in MaineServe or TEMP.
O. ASPIRE-TANF will provide the necessary
				support services in accordance with Section
				15 in order for the participant to
				complete the MaineServe or TEMP placement.
P. A Family Contract Amendment will be
				developed that will reflect the MaineServe or TEMP activity, the participant's
				requirements and will include the services needed by the participant to succeed
				in the placement.