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Letter Submitting Wisconsin's Amendments to the TANF Plan to ACF

 

September 29, 1997

 

Ms. Linda Carson
Regional HUB Director
Administration for Children and Families (ACF)
105 West Adams Street, 20th floor
Chicago, IL 60603

 

Dear Ms. Carson:

On August 22, 1996, Wisconsin submitted its state plan for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant. That plan was certified as complete and Wisconsin qualified as an "eligible State" for purposes of receiving TANF block grant funding as of September 30, 1996.

Over the past year, Wisconsin has moved forward to implement the Wisconsin Works (W-2) program, the major program under our TANF block grant. Wisconsin has continued to administer the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program as modified by the AFDC Pay for Performance demonstration project, which was implemented in March 1996. In addition, Wisconsin began the transition to W-2 through the gradual phase-in of major policy components beginning in January 1997. Effective September 1, 1997, W-2 was implemented in full statewide for all new applicants. The Department will convert the remaining AFDC cases to W-2 over the next few months, with all cases converted on or before March 31, 1998.

This brings us to a logical point at which to submit amendments to our TANF State Plan and other documents to update you on our progress in transitioning to W-2. The following documents constitute Wisconsin’s policy for continued phase-in of the TANF block grant:

  • TANF block grant plan as amended. A revised Section 1 General Provision Assurances is being submitted to reflect implementation progress;
  • Addendum to the TANF State Plan. This is a description of programs funded with TANF dollars that are not described, or are only generally described, in Chapter 49, state statutes, and W-2 administrative rules;
  • State statutes, Chapter 49, and implementing W-2 administrative rules;
  • Wisconsin Works (W-2) Implementation and Waiver and AFDC Phaseout Transition Timeline;
  • Job Opportunities and Basic Skills (JOBS) State Plan;
  • JOBS supportive services plan; and
  • AFDC State Plan.

Because W-2 is being phased in over a six-month timeframe, we continue to operate under the JOBS State Plan, the JOBS supportive services plan, and the AFDC State Plan for those cases still receiving AFDC, through March 31, 1998.

With the exception of the W-2 Program Narrative, the documents currently on file with your agency which were submitted as part of Wisconsin’s TANF plan in August of 1996 are still current. The following documents are being submitted with this amendment: TANF plan amendments and addendum, state statute Ch. 49 and W-2 administrative rules, the W-2 implementation and waiver and AFDC phaseout transition outline, and a description of the separate state programs.

We are also submitting an attachment [Wisconsin’s TANF programs (chart)] outlining expenditure categories Wisconsin proposes to use to meet the maintenance of effort (MOE) requirements under 42 USC 609(a)(7). We would appreciate feedback in writing regarding whether our MOE plan outlined in the attachment meets the statutory requirements at 42 USC 609(7)(a). Unless we hear otherwise from you within 60 days from the date of this letter, we will assume that you have approved our determination that we have met the 42 USC 609(a)(7) requirements.

A summary of the TANF Plan is available at http://www.dwd.state.wi.us on the Department’s internet site.

We understand that following your review, you will notify the Department to indicate that you have received the TANF Plan amendments and that this has been incorporated into Wisconsin’s complete TANF State Plan.

The Department of Workforce Development is the state administering agency for the block grant, and as Secretary of the Department, I am authorized to make the assurances required by law. At my direction, Bruce Hagen, Deputy Secretary, may also sign any documents. Correspondence regarding these amendments should be sent directly to my office. Please contact J. Jean Rogers, Administrator, Division of Economic Support, Department of Workforce Development, 1 West Wilson Street, P.O. Box 7935, Madison, WI 53707-7935, (608) 266-3035 with any questions relating to this submittal.

We look forward to your early response.

Sincerely,

 

 

Linda Stewart
Secretary

 

Attachments (6):

1) TANF Plan Amendments

2) Addendum I to TANF State Plan

3) W-2 Implementation and Waiver and AFDC Phaseout Transition Outline

4) State Statute Ch. 49 and W-2 Administrative Rules

5) Separate State Programs

6) Wisconsin’s TANF Programs (chart)