reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 506 - RULES FOR IMPLEMENTING THE 1985 AMENDMENTS TO THE MAINE MEDICAL COMPACT ACT (DENTAL CARE) › Section 144-506-2 - Procedure

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
No later than June 1st Commissioner of Human Services shall
				  designate underserved dental care of each year, beginning in 1986, the areas.
				  Such areas shall be those Dental Care Analysis Areas which meet the criteria
				  for underservice defined in Section
				  3 below. The designations for
				  underservice shall be in effect for one year from the date of
				  designation.
The Commissioner of Human Services, in making such
				  designations, shall utilize the Department's Cooperative Health Manpower
				  Resource Inventories, the Dental Care Analysis Areas as adopted by the Maize
				  State Health Coordinating Council and published in the most recent State Health
				  Plan for Maine, the most current population estimates prepared by the State
				  Planning Office, or the Bureau of Medical Services, Office of Health Planning
				  and Development, and such other information as may be available and
				  appropriate.
Before designating DCAAs as underserved, the Commissioner of
				  Human Services will provide an opportunity for the Advisory Committee on
				  Medical Education to review and comment on the list of areas proposed for
				  designation.
A dental care practitioner may earn forgiveness of his/her
				  debt to the Compact Program by practicing in a designated underserved area.
				  Forgiveness will continue to be earned at such a practice site, even if the
				  designated area in which the dental practice was established ceases to meet the
				  criteria for designation as an underserved area.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 506 - RULES FOR IMPLEMENTING THE 1985 AMENDMENTS TO THE MAINE MEDICAL COMPACT ACT (DENTAL CARE) › Section 144-506-3 - Criteria

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A. The Commissioner of Human Services will
				designate a Dental Care Analysis Area (DCAA) as underserved if it meets the
				following criteria:
1. The DCAA has a
				population to dentist ratio of 4000:1 or greater; and,
2. The contiguous area dental care resources
				are overutilized or excessively distant from the population of the DCAA that is
				being considered for underserved designation.
a Contiguous area dental care resources will
				be considered overutilized if the population to dentist ratio of the contiguous
				area is 2500:1 or greater.
b
				Contiguous area dental care resources will be considered excessively distant if
				those dental care providers are located more than 20 miles by secondary roads,
				25 miles by primary roads or 30 miles by interstate/turnpike highways from the
				center of the DCAA being considered for designation as a dental care
				underserved area.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 508 - RULES FOR IMPLEMENTING THE STATE LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM (SLRP). A FEDERAL/STATE HEALTH EDUCATIONAL LOAN REPAYMENT GRANT › Section 144-508-2 - Procedures

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
The staff of the State Loan Repayment Program will survey the
				  federally designated HMSAs in November of the grant fiscal year to determine
				  the sites with physician/physician extender vacancies. Those sites with
				  vacancies will be prioritized in rank from greatest need to least need
				  utilizing the criteria set forth in Section
				  3 of this rule. Each site with an
				  anticipated vacancy, which has been formally documented in a written statement
				  by the outgoing physician/physician extender. will be considered to have a
				  vacancy.
The Health Manpower Planning Committee (HMPC) and Program
				  staff will. recommend to the Commissioner of Human Services those sites
				  eligible for the SLRP based on the following criteria. The number of sites
				  recommended will not necessarily be limited to the number available for SLRP
				  funding. The Commissioner of Human Services. utilizing the following criteria,
				  will designate the sites eligible for the SLRP grant prior to April 1st of the
				  year the SLRP grants will be awarded.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 509 - RULES FOR DESIGNATING AREAS, POPULATIONS OR HOSPITALS AS UNDERSERVED BY SPECIALTY PHYSICIANS › Section 144-509-I - INTRODUCTION

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
1. This rule establishes definitions,
				procedures, and criteria necessary for the implementation of amendments to
A. Define criteria for designating
				underserved areas and populations related to specialty physician services;
				excluding primary care specialty.
B. Provide criteria for designating a
				hospital as underserved by a specialty physician.
C. Provide criteria for designating
				eligibility of specialty physicians to practice in underserved areas.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 509 - RULES FOR DESIGNATING AREAS, POPULATIONS OR HOSPITALS AS UNDERSERVED BY SPECIALTY PHYSICIANS › Section 144-509-II - DEFINITIONS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
1. "Underserved Geographic Area" is a primary
				care analysis area (PCAA) or other established service area which has an
				inadequate number of specialty physicians to meet the needs of the population,
				as determined by application of criteria in Section IV.
2. "Underserved Population" is the specific
				population which meets the criteria in Section IV.
3. "Underserved Hospital Service Area" is the
				geographic area served by a hospital in Maine, as defined by the Department of
				Human Services in the current State Health Plan, with input from the hospital
				that relates to the area served by the specific specialty.
4. "Specialist Physician" is a doctor of
				medicine (M.D.) or a doctor of osteopathy (D.O.) who:
A. Is certified by the established
				professional body in the specialty designated in medicine or osteopathy, or is
				eligible for such certification (i.e. has successfully completed an accredited
				program of graduate medical or osteopathic education in the specialty
				area);
B. Practices in the
				specialty area, and is licensed to do so.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 509 - RULES FOR DESIGNATING AREAS, POPULATIONS OR HOSPITALS AS UNDERSERVED BY SPECIALTY PHYSICIANS › Section 144-509-III - PROCEDURES

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
1. The Commissioner of Human Services shall
				designate a specific area, population, or practice as underserved for a
				specialty physician when the criteria in Section IV for such designation are
				met.
2. The source of specialty
				physician to population or other criteria used in the determination shall be
				noted in the analysis.
3. The
				Commissioner of Human Services will provide an opportunity for the Advisory
				Committee on Medical Education for review and comment on the proposed
				designations before such designation is finalized.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 509 - RULES FOR DESIGNATING AREAS, POPULATIONS OR HOSPITALS AS UNDERSERVED BY SPECIALTY PHYSICIANS › Section 144-509-IV - CRITERIA FOR UNDERSERVED SPECIALTY PRACTICE DETERMINATION

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
1. The Commissioner of Human Services will
				designate a PCAA as underserved for a specific specialty physician if it meets
				the following criteria:
A. Contiguous area
				specialty physician resources are considered overutilized if the contiguous
				area resources there are not sufficient to meet the need of the area being
				considered for designation as underserved. The contiguous area must have at
				least the excess capacity as required to serve the area under review.
B. Contiguous area specialty physician
				resources are considered excessively distant if the specialist physician is
				located more than 30 miles by secondary roads, 35 miles by primary roads, or 40
				miles by interstate/turnpike highways from the center of the service area being
				considered for designation.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 510 - REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE RURAL MEDICAL ACCESS PROGRAM › Section 144-510-I - INTRODUCTION

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A. Intent
It is the intent of the Maine Department of Human Services to
				  promote the availability of physicians to deliver babies in underserved areas
				  of the State. The Department chooses to accomplish this through the following
				  method of disbursement of financial incentives to physicians who provide
				  services in these underserved areas.
B. Summary
The Rural Medical Access Program (RMAP) was authorized in
				  April of 1990 with the passage of Section 5 of L.D. 2513. 24-A M.R.S.A. Ch. 75,
				  effective on 7-14-90. This legislation provides for a program to promote the
				  availability of physicians who deliver babies and provide prenatal care
				  services in underserved areas. The Department will accomplish this through the
				  development of a process for the disbursement of financial incentives to
				  physicians who practice at least 50% of their time in underserved areas of the
				  State. The purposes of these rules are to: (1) establish a process by which the
				  Commissioner of Human Services determines those physicians who are eligible to
				  receive professional liability premium assistance, and, (2) set forth the
				  method used by the Commissioner of Human Services to identify "underserved
				  areas" and to determine the order of priority for receipt of premium assistance
				  for their physicians.
C.
				Staffing
These rules will be administered by the Office of Planning,
				  Research and Development of the Department of Human Services.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 510 - REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE RURAL MEDICAL ACCESS PROGRAM › Section 144-510-II - DEFINITIONS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
1. "Department" refers to the Maine
				Department of Human Services.
2.
				"Family Practitioner" means a duly licensed physician who manages the personal,
				long term, comprehensive medical care, health maintenance and illnesses
				prevention of family members of all ages.
3. Obstetrics means the management of
				pregnancy, labor and child birth by obstetricians or family or general
				practitioners.
4.
				"Obstetrics/Gynecology" refers to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of
				the female reproductive system and to the care of women during pregnancy,
				childbirth and the period immediately following childbirth.
5. "Obstetrician" means a duly licensed
				physician who practices Obstetrics.
6. "Obstetrician/Gynecologist" refers to a
				duly licensed physician who is certified by the American Board of Obstetrics
				and Gynecology or the American College of Osteopathic Obstetrics and
				Gynecology.
7. "Prenatal/Post
				Partum Care" means care given to the mother with reference to the fetus/infant.
				before and after birth. by an obstetrician or family or general
				practitioner.
8. "Referral
				agreement" refers to a written agreement between a physician who provides care
				in an underserved area without a facility for delivery and a licensed physician
				who performs the delivery outside that area.
9. "Health Manpower Shortage Area
				(HMSA)/populations" means an area or population that meets the current federal
				criteria for designation as such which are found at 42 C.F.R. § Part
				5.
10. "Health Professional
				Shortage Area (HPSA)" means a Health Manpower Shortage Area (HMSA) and is used
				in place of HMSA for consistency with federal regulations set forth at 42
				C.F.R. Part 5.10.11.
11. "Medically
				Underserved Area (MUA)/populations" refer to an area or population that meet
				the current federal criteria for designation as such which are found at 42
				C.F.R. § Part 4.
12. "Primary
				Care Analysis Areas (PCAAs)" refer to the established set of 62 primary health
				care service areas utilized in Maine for the purpose of primary care services
				planning.
13. Physician practice
				area refers to an individual physician practice site.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 510 - REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE RURAL MEDICAL ACCESS PROGRAM › Section 144-510-III - IDENTIFYING UNDERSERVED AREAS FOR OBSTETRICAL AND PRENATAL CARE

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
The following list includes those areas which will be
				  considered underserved areas with respect to obstetrical and prenatal
				  care:
A. Federally designated
				medically underserved areas (MUAs)/populations;
B. Federally designated health professional
				shortage area (HPSAs)/populations; and,
C. Physician practice areas as designated by
				the Commissioner of the Department of Human Services. Such an area will be
				considered for designation if the applying physician verifies in writing that
				he/she sees a combined practice of patients from a HPSA/MUA and/or from
				Medicaid that equals at least 50% of his or her practice. Any physician
				practice area which is located in a PCAA with a total of population of 20.000
				or more is ineligible to be considered for this designation.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 510 - REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE RURAL MEDICAL ACCESS PROGRAM › Section 144-510-IV - RANKING "UNDERSERVED AREAS" FOR OBSTETRICAL AND PRENATAL CARE

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
Those areas which have been designated as underserved areas
				  for obstetrical and prenatal care will be ranked by the following methodology
				  for the purpose of establishing the relative priority of each area's physicians
				  receiving premium assistance.
A. First
				priority will be given to those physicians who practice at least 50% of their
				time in a designated HPSA or MUA. Those designated areas will be ranked in
				priority according to their Medicaid eligible population percentages and the
				premiums for the physicians from the areas with the highest percentages will be
				reimbursed as the availability of funds allows
An area with a greater Medicaid eligible population
				  percentage will be ranked in priority above an area with a lesser Medicaid
				  eligible population percentage. The most current available data from the
				  Medicaid recipient files will be used. These data will be updated by the
				  Department annually, every March 31st. For any area that loses its HPSA status,
				  its physician's premium assistance will be continued until the next federal
				  publication of HPSAs in Maine.
B. Funds not utilized for the designated
				HPSA/MUA area physicians will be utilized for the physicians in the
				Commissioner-designated physician practice sites. Priority of premium
				assistance distribution in the Commissionerdesignated physician practice sites
				will be based on the prior year's statistics of that physician's number of
				Medicaid patients served. Data from the Maims Division of the Department will
				be utilized to determine numbers of patients served by the
				physicians.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 510 - REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE RURAL MEDICAL ACCESS PROGRAM › Section 144-510-V - PHYSICIAN QUALIFICATIONS FOR PREMIUM ASSISTANCE

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A qualified physician may be found eligible to receive
				  professional liability premium assistance only if he or she:
A. Is licensed to practice medicine in the
				State of Maine and subscribes to appropriate obstetrical malpractice insurance
				coverage.
B. Files an application
				for premium assistance with the Department's Office of Planning. Research and
				Development. Separate applications will be made available for each of the two
				eligibility classes, i.e., the automatic eligibility areas (MUAs and HPSAs) and
				the Commissioner designated eligibility areas.
C. Provides in the written application the
				total number of prenatal care patients and deliveries as well as the total
				number of prenatal care patients and deliveries that are covered through
				Medicaid. Physician eligibility will be determined as follows:
1. For the physician to qualify for HPSA/MUA
				area eligibility, the physician's Medicaid eligible patients must represent at
				least 10% of the physician's total prenatal/obstetrical care practice during
				the preceding 6 months. In those situations where a physician does not limit or
				refuse treatment to Medicaid recipients but the percentage of Medicaid patients
				is still below 10% of his/her total prenatal/obstetrical care caseload. a
				waiver of this stipulation may be granted by the Department.
2. For the physician to qualify for the
				Commissioner designated physician practice area eligibility a combination of
				the number of Medicaid patients and patients who reside in the adjacent
				underserved areas. must equal 50% of the physician's total practice.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 512 - COMMUNITY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM RULES › Section 144-512-I - INTRODUCTION

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A. Intent
The Department of Human Services' Community Scholarship
				  Program is designed to increase availability of primary health care
				  practitioners in designated health professional shortage areas (HPSA) through
				  cooperative community, state, and federal funding under
				  PL
				  101-527.
B. Summary
1. The Community Scholarship Program is
				instituted to make federal and state funding available, when matched by
				community funding, for practitioners who come from and return to rural areas to
				practice.
2. The rules delineate
				the conditions under which a community and an individual recipient are eligible
				for state and federal matching scholarship assistance.
3. The primary health care provider education
				programs which are included in the Maine Community Scholarship Program, when
				that state match is available, include programs for Nurse Practitioners,
				Physician Assistants, Physicians, and Certified Nurse Midwives.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 512 - COMMUNITY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM RULES › Section 144-512-II - DEFINITIONS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A. "Department" means Maine Department of
				Human Services.
B. "Secretary"
				means the Secretary of US Department of Health and Human Services.
C. The "Act" means the Disadvantaged Minority
				Health Improvement Act of 1990 (
				PL
				101-527 ), Title HI of the Public Health Service
				Act, Part D, Subpart III, Section 338L.
D. "Recipient" means the individual who
				receives the scholarship assistance.
E. "Lead community organization" means the
				organization which is responsible for negotiating with the recipient regarding
				conditions of the scholarship program applicable to the community, and is the
				single collection agency for the community funds. The Community agency is
				defined as a public or nonprofit private entity and can include, but is not
				limited to, local governments, foundations, civic groups, public and private
				nonprofit hospitals, community health centers, tribes, or a consortium of such
				organizations.
F. "Health
				Professional Shortage Area (HPSA)" means an area or population that meets the
				current federal criteria for designation as such, and which are found in
				federal regulation at
				42
				C.F.R.§
										5.2.
G. "Community scholarship" is non-federal,
				non-state funds available at the community level, as collected by the lead
				community organization, which constitutes 45% of the total scholarship
				available to a recipient.
H. "State
				scholarship" is the funding available from nonfederal and non-community funds,
				which constitutes 15% of the total scholarship available to the
				recipient.
I. "Federal award" is
				the funding from the US Public Health Service which is available when the state
				and community funds are assured, and which constitutes 40% of the total
				scholarship funds.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 512 - COMMUNITY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM RULES › Section 144-512-III - PRIORITIZING THE HEALTH PROFESSIONAL SHORTAGE AREAS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A. Students from communities which are in a
				federally designated Health Professional Shortage Area may apply.
B. Criteria to be used to determine the
				priority for selection of areas when applications exceed the funding available,
				from highest points to lesser points, are:
1.
				Population/primary care provider ratio--a point for each 100 people above the
				1000:1 ratio based on current data.
2. Socio-economic status--percent of the
				population whose income is below 200 poverty by the latest figures available,
				with a point per every percentage point over 35%.
3. Percentage of elderly-a point for every
				percentage point over 10%.
4.
				Percentage of Medicaid eligible population-Ranked from the highest to lowest
				percentage. Data will be taken from the latest figures available from the
				Bureau of Medical Services, or data available as of March 31 each
				year.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 512 - COMMUNITY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM RULES › Section 144-512-IV - WRITTEN ASSURANCES REQUIRED

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A. Is enrolled
				or has been accepted for enrollment in a fulltime study program for Nurse
				Practitioners, Physician Assistants, Physicians, or Certified Nurse Midwives in
				programs approved by the Secretary.
B. Has obtained written guarantee of
				community scholarship funds to match the state and federal funds.
C. Agrees, while enrolled in a health
				professions school, to maintain an acceptable level of academic standing (as
				determined by the school) in accordance with regulations issues by the
				Secretary pursuant to Section 338 A(f)(1)(B)(iii) of the PHS Act.
D. Agrees to meet the educational and
				licensure requirements necessary to become a certified primary care Nurse
				Practitioner, Physician Assistant, Physician, or Certified Nurse
				Midwife.
E. Upon completion of the
				educational program, agrees to practice in the HPSA in which the lead community
				organization is located and in which he/she resides.
1. Begins practice within 2 months of
				completion of the educational program, unless a specific alternative commitment
				has been made with the community.
2. Continues practice for the number of years
				equal to the number of years for which the scholarships are provided, or for a
				period of 2 years, whichever is longer.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 512 - COMMUNITY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM RULES › Section 144-512-V - DEPARTMENTAL FUNDING AWARDS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A. Funding for the
				state match will come from non-federal funds which are not used to match other
				federal funding.
B. The State may
				make awards to the lead community organization when the applicant meets the
				criteria in Section III, as verified in a contract with a lead community
				organization.
C. The State will
				sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the designated lead community
				organization in the HPSA in which the student resides, to define the role of
				the lead community organization to include:
1. The assurances listed in Section IV, as
				verified in a written agreement between the recipient and the lead community
				organization.
2. An agreement to
				notify the State one month prior to the placement of health professionals to
				begin service obligation.
3. A
				commitment to provide the matching share of 45% of the total scholarship
				amount, for a designated amount.
4.
				An agreement to accept responsibility for any expenditures over the approved
				amount.
5. Acknowledgment of its
				responsibility for resolving any breach of contract between the scholarship
				recipient and the community.
6. A
				plan for retention and making available all records under this agreement,
				including provision of copies for state files.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 512 - COMMUNITY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM RULES › Section 144-512-VI - COMPLIANCE AND RECOUPMENT

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
A. In the event
				that the recipient fails to complete the course of study or to enter and
				complete the period of obligated service upon completion of study,
1. The recipient will repay the amount of the
				federal/state share in accordance with federal law, and the amount required may
				be more than the original scholarship amount.
2. 40% repayment will be due within 60 days
				of the default.
3. The remaining
				60% will be repaid within 6 months of the default.
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 144-607-2 - AUTHORIZATION, PHILOSOPHY, GOALS AND OBJECTIVES, ADMINISTRATION

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
Summary
: This Section cites authorizing
				  statutes; presents the philosophy, goals and objectives; and describes the
				  roles and responsibilities of administrative units of the ASPIRE-TANF
				  Program.
I.
AUTHORIZATION
The Department is authorized to operate the ASPIRE-TANF
				  Program by the Federal Social Security Act, Titles IV-A and IV-F, as amended by
				  the
Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of
				  1996
(PRWORA) and the
Deficit Reduction Act of 2005
(DRA); and by Maine Law (
				  22 M.R.S.
				  §3782-A
et
				  seq
.).
II.
PHILOSOPHY
A. Employment to
				reduce welfare dependency is the central theme around which the Program
				operates, according to the Social Security Act as amended by the
Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation
				Act
and the
Deficit Reduction Act
. ASPIRE-TANF
				coordinates a delivery structure which maximizes resources of the Department of
				Health and Human Services and other community resources. Consistent with the
				concept of reducing welfare dependency, the ASPIRE-TANF program recognizes the
				following principles as its operating philosophy:
1. TANF is a temporary income program to
				provide support while the individual moves towards employment.
2. ASPIRE-TANF is an employment and training
				program, the services of which are intended to help participants reduce or
				avoid welfare dependency.
3.
				ASPIRE-TANF assumes that all participants seek economic self-support;
				accordingly, the program will provide employment and training and related
				services to help participants move toward this goal.
4. Expenditures made on behalf of
				participants represent society's investment in their human potential and
				accordingly, ASPIRE-TANF seeks to reduce welfare dependency, as a benefit to
				both participants and society.
5.
				As a program concerned with the development of individual participants,
				ASPIRE-TANF recognizes the differing vocational needs, interests, and abilities
				of its participants. ASPIRE-TANF will plan with each participant to best meet
				those needs and to overcome barriers to employment.
6. ASPIRE-TANF will provide training,
				education and support services to its participants with the expectation that
				those participants will be placed in employment which will not result in a net
				loss of cash income, and with the greater expectation that most participants
				will obtain employment which will lead to benefits, wages and career ladders
				that will enable them to support their families.
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 144-607-3 - PARTICIPATION, PARTICIPANT PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS, PARTICIPANT SATISFACTORY PROGRESS, PROGRAM PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS, SCHEDULING APPOINTMENTS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
Summary.
This Section contains the federal and
				  state requirements for participation in ASPIRE-TANF, and satisfactory progress
				  determinants. This Section includes appointment scheduling procedures.
I.
PARTICIPATION
A. The ASPIRE-TANF Program is a program for
				TANF recipients designed to provide participants with the necessary educational
				skills and training leading to employment. Title IV, Part A of the Social
				Security Act, as amended in 1996 by the
Personal Responsibility Work
				Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA)
and in 2005 by
The
				Deficit Reduction Act (DRA)
requires, where resources permit that TANF
				recipients, who are determined to be Work Eligible Individuals participate in
				an education, training or employment program. Work Eligible Individual means an
				adult, or a minor child who is a head of household, receiving assistance under
				TANF or a separate State program, who is not otherwise exempted from
				participation requirements. Recipients may be exempted from participation when
				permitted under State law in accordance with the Maine Public Assistance
				Payments Manual by the Office for Family Independence.
B. The OFI Eligibility Unit is responsible
				for determining whether a TANF recipient is exempt from participation. TANF
				recipients who are otherwise exempt may volunteer to participate in the
				ASPIRE-TANF Program. The OFI Eligibility Unit is, therefore, responsible for
				assuring that both mandatory and volunteer participants are appropriately
				referred to the ASPIRE-TANF Unit.
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 144-607-6 - CASE MANAGEMENT

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
Summary
: This Section describes case management
				  which is an on-going interactive process, between the participant and
				  ASPIRE-TANF, of identifying the needs of the participant and the family, and
				  the services appropriate to meet those needs; and providing the assistance,
				  coordination and advocacy necessary to ensure access to those services, in
				  order that the participant may obtain the skills and support necessary to
				  become employed. Case management includes counseling the participant regarding
				  employability, brokering of support services, advocating for the participant
				  and monitoring, evaluating and documenting the participant's progress in order
				  to assist the participant to meet his or her mandated work requirement and to
				  obtain the skills and support needed to maintain and retain employment.
I.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
A. Each ASPIRE-TANF participant will be
				provided a case manager.
B. The
				case manager and participant relationship within ASPIRE-TANF is primary and
				essential.
C. The extent of the
				case manager's involvement is dependent on the participant's needs.
D. The case manager monitors each ASPIRE-TANF
				participant's compliance with work requirements.
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 144-607-7 - FAMILY CONTRACT AMENDMENT (FCA)

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
Summary.
This Section describes the Family
				  Contract Amendment, which is a short term, contractual plan indicating specific
				  steps to be taken by both ASPIRE-TANF and the participant to reach an interim
				  goal, leading to the goal of employment.
I.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
A. The initial Family Contract Amendment, and
				any subsequent FCA, is time-limited, and can be written for a maximum of six
				(6) months. The Family Contract Amendment lists interim goals necessary to
				reach the long-term goal of employment. The Family Contract Amendment lists
				services in detail as well as estimated costs, and lists specific actions to be
				taken by both ASPIRE-TANF and the participant. The Family Contract Amendment is
				a contract between ASPIRE-TANF and the participant, requiring both parties to
				complete their obligations. The Family Contract Amendment and the services
				authorized will be binding on ASPIRE-TANF as long as the participant is meeting
				obligations, there is sufficient funding to continue the Family Contract
				Amendment, and the contents of the Family Contract Amendment are in agreement
				with ASPIRE-TANF rules, policies and procedures in effect at the time the
				contract is written. If the participant is meeting obligations and all parties
				agree, the Family Contract Amendment can be revised.
B. If the TANF or PaS benefit closes while a
				valid Family Contract Amendment is in effect, transitional services may take
				priority over the authorized ASPIRE child care and transportation support
				services, and the Family Contract Amendment will end on the last day of the
				month the final TANF or PaS benefit is received.
C. Any documented, substantiated evidence of
				misuse of funds, purchased goods and/or services on the part of the participant
				will be grounds for termination of the most current Family Contract Amendment.
				Repayment or other suitable recovery procedures will be instituted to recover
				misspent funds (see Section
				4 (VIII)).
D. The Family Contract Amendment will reflect
				the participant's preferences and abilities to the extent that they conform to
				the goal of the ASPIRE-TANF program to help participants gain employment, and
				to the extent that those preferences conform to any other applicable
				ASPIRE-TANF rules. Every effort will be made to reach agreement with the
				participant on the content of the Family Contract Amendment.
When such agreement cannot be reached, ASPIRE-TANF staff
				  will determine the final content of the Family Contract Amendment. Participants
				  who disagree with the content of the Family Contract will have the right to a
				  fair hearing.
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 144-607-8 - PRE-TRAINING

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
Summary
: This Section describes the pre-training
				  component which consists of activities designed to prepare participants for job
				  skills training, post-secondary education, job search services, employment
				  services, subsidized or unsubsidized employment, or self-employment.
I.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
A. Pre-training activities may include, but
				are not limited to, remedial and secondary education programs, job readiness
				training, employment and self-employment counseling, field training, and
				referral to services to improve life management skills, encourage personal
				responsibility and provide the needed foundation to engage in activities aimed
				at securing and maintaining employment.
B. Based on Assessment, a Family Contract
				Amendment will be developed which will reflect the participant's pre-training
				needs and will include necessary and available support services.
C. ASPIRE-TANF will pay for services
				necessary to complete the Family Contract Amendment only when those services
				cannot be funded from other sources and only as long as funding is available
				for those services. ASPIRE-TANF will purchase the least expensive quality
				service necessary to meet the participant's needs.
D. When approved pre-training programs are
				available at comparable quality and cost, including the cost of support
				services, and the implementation of the Family Contract Amendment would not be
				unreasonably delayed, the participant may choose to enroll in the program with
				the provider of the participant's choice. If the ASPIRE-TANF case manager and
				the participant cannot mutually agree on the choice, then the decision will be
				made by the ASPIRE-TANF unit supervisor and is subject to a fair
				hearing.
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 144-607-9 - FIELD TRAINING

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
Summary
: This Section pertains to ASPIRE-TANF
				  Field Training in both public and private training sites.
I.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
A. Field Training is a training opportunity
				in either the public or private sector for a maximum of thirty (30) hours per
				week, not to exceed twenty-six (26) weeks per placement. The participant is
				provided $2.00 per hour for training-related expenses in addition to the
				support services needed to complete the training (see Section
				14 for further information about
				support services).
B. The purpose
				of Field Training is to provide the participant on-site career exploration and
				experience, occupational skills, socialization to work, work maturity skills
				and family and work management skills.
C. Field Training is a component for
				participants who:
1. Have little or no
				experience in a work place; or 2. Have a career goal in which they have limited
				or no experience.
D.
				Field Training sites receive no funds from the ASPIRE-TANF program for the
				Field Training placement.
E. All
				ASPIRE-TANF Field Training positions will comply with the following U.S.
				Department of Labor regulations:
1. The
				training, even though it includes the actual operation of the facilities of the
				employer, is similar to that which would be given in a vocational
				school;
2. The training is for the
				benefit of the participant;
3. The
				participant does not displace regular employees, but trains under close
				observation;
4. The employer that
				provides the training derives no immediate advantage from the activities of the
				participant. On occasion operations may actually be impeded;
5. The participant is not entitled to a job
				at the conclusion of the training period; however, if the training site does
				have job openings, the participant will be interviewed and considered for
				hire.
6. The employer and the
				participant understand that the participant is not entitled to wages or
				benefits such as Worker's Compensation, medical coverage, vacation or sick
				leave, etc. for the time spent in training.
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 144-607-10 - EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
Summary
: This Section pertains to ASPIRE-TANF
				  education and training including customized occupation classroom training,
				  general skills training, and post-secondary education with the exception of 2
				  and 4 year degree programs. Two and four year degree programs are part of the
				  Parents as Scholars program. This program is discussed in Section
				  16 of the ASPIRE-TANF Program
				  Rules.
I.
GENERAL
				PROVISIONS
A. Based on Assessment, the
				Family Contract Amendment will reflect the participant's education and training
				needs, will include all necessary and available support services and will lead
				to sustainable employment.
B.
				ASPIRE-TANF will pay for services necessary to complete the Family Contract
				Amendment only when those services cannot be funded from other sources and only
				as long as funding is available for those services. ASPIRE-TANF will purchase
				the least expensive quality service necessary to meet the participant's
				needs.
C. When approved education
				and training programs are available at comparable quality and cost, including
				the cost of support services, and the implementation of the Family Contract
				Amendment would not be unreasonably delayed, the participant may choose to
				enroll in the program with the provider of the participant's choice. If the
				case manager and the participant cannot agree on that choice, then the decision
				will be made by the ASPIRE-TANF case manager, subject to fair
				hearing.
D. The participant must
				have completed an ASPIRE-TANF Assessment, and a Family Contract Amendment prior
				to entering education and training.
E. The participant must meet performance
				requirements as set forward in Section
				3 (IV).
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 144-607-12 - JOB SEARCH ACTIVITIES

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
Summary
: This Section describes ASPIRE-TANF job
				  search services which include self-directed, individual and group job search,
				  and job development and placement.
I.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
A. TANF
				recipients who are able to work any number of hours, must participate in
				individual or group job search activities (depending on the needs and resources
				of ASPIRE-TANF ) during the work evaluation phase of involvement with
				ASPIRE-TANF. This "up-front" job search is limited to a maximum of six (6)
				weeks.
B. ASPIRE-TANF participants
				who have completed the agreed-upon training necessary for his or her employment
				goals, will also be required to participate in a job search activity as a
				primary activity for a maximum of six (6) weeks. If, after six (6) weeks of a
				job search, employment is not achieved ASPIRE-TANF participants are expected to
				continuously job search as a subsequent activity as agreed upon in their Family
				Contract Amendment.
C. A Family
				Contract Amendment must include the participant's job search activity and the
				necessary support services in accordance with Section
				14 in order for the participant to
				complete the job search activity.
D. When approved job search services are
				available at comparable quality and cost, including the cost of support
				services, and the implementation of the Family Contract Amendment would not be
				unreasonably delayed, the participant may choose to receive services from the
				provider of the participant's choice. If the ASPIRE-TANF case manager and the
				participant cannot mutually agree on that choice, then the decision will be
				made by the ASPIRE-TANF case manager, subject to fair hearing.
F. A Job Contact Log will be required by all
				participants in a job search activity (including self-directed). A reasonable
				number of employer contacts per week, given the local labor market conditions,
				will be established prior to the beginning of Job Search. The number of
				expected weekly contacts will be included in the participant's Family Contract
				Amendment. The ability to amend this contact log when necessary is subject to
				approval by ASPIRE-TANF staff. The ASPIRE-TANF unit will monitor employer
				contacts reported by participants.
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 144-607-13 - EMPLOYMENT

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
Summary
: This Section describes ASPIRE-TANF
				  types of employment which include ASPIRE-PLUS (also known as On-The-Job
				  Training) Self-Employment, Apprenticeship, Non-traditional Employment, full and
				  part-time employment and Dislocated Employee Grievance Procedures.
I.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
A. Based on the work evaluation, a Family
				Contract Amendment will be developed which will reflect the participant's
				employment service needs and will include necessary and available support
				services.
B. ASPIRE-TANF will pay
				for services necessary to complete the Family Contract Amendment only when
				those services cannot be funded from other sources and only as long as funding
				is available for those services. ASPIRE-TANF will purchase the least expensive
				quality service necessary to meet the participant's needs.
C. ASPIRE-TANF will provide participants with
				information on post-employment services provided by the Department of Health
				and Human Services.
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 144-607-14 - SUPPORT SERVICE BENEFITS AND PAYMENT PROVISIONS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
Summary:
This section describes support service
				  benefits provided to enable participants to complete the Family Contract
				  Amendment and provisions for payment by ASPIRE-TANF.
I.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
A. Support service benefits such as child
				care, transportation and other services directly related to education,
				training, job search, work component activities and employment services are
				necessary for participants to complete the Family Contract Amendment and obtain
				employment.
B. ASPIRE-TANF will
				provide funding for support services which are necessary to complete the Family
				Contract Amendment, including any assessments, only when funding for such
				services is not available from other sources, and only as long as ASPIRE-TANF
				funding is available for needed services.
C. ASPIRE-TANF will provide support service
				benefits for the least expensive service providing that service is of
				acceptable quality as determined by ASPIRE-TANF.
D. The participant will be responsible and
				accountable for the appropriate use of service benefits as outlined in the
				Family Contract Amendment. Any documented and substantiated misuse of service
				benefits, purchased goods and/or services by a participant will be grounds for
				the termination of a current Family Contract Amendment, and repayment or other
				suitable recovery procedure will be instituted unless there is Good Cause.
				(Refer to Section
				4, VII. for Overpayment
				Procedures).
E. The amount for
				support service benefits will be limited. Specific caps on support services are
				included in their descriptions in Section 14. II.
F. The term "period of enrollment" used in
				this chapter is defined as that period beginning with the opening of activity
				with the ASPIRE-TANF program, until participation with ASPIRE-TANF is ended
				(unless closure is due to a sanction).
G. When payment is made directly to a
				participant for a support service, a paid receipt must be provided to ASPIRE
				within two calendar weeks of the receipt of the benefit. If no receipt is
				provided or the amount on the receipt is less than the support service benefit,
				an overpayment will be established (Refer to Section
				4, VII. for Overpayment Procedures.).
				Mileage reimbursement is excluded from this requirement.