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Letter Submitting Wisconsin's TANF Plan to ACF
August 22, 1996
The Honorable Mary Jo Bane
Assistant Secretary
Administration for Children and Families
370 L’Enfant Promenade S. W., Suite 600
Washington, D. C. 20447
Dear Ms. Bane:
Attached is my recent letter to President Clinton requesting immediate approval of the W-2 waivers as submitted. I request these be immediately acted upon so as not to delay Wisconsin proceeding to then come under the new block grant upon enactment. In addition, Wisconsin wants to confirm that currently approved demonstration grants for use of already earned waiver savings continue to be accessible to Wisconsin for already approved periods as awarded from the current IV-A appropriation which is available to until October 1, 1999. At this time, Wisconsin is also submitting the state plan for Temporary Assistance for Need Families (TANF) block grant.
Pursuant to the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, I hereby certify that the State of Wisconsin will assume full responsibility for the implementation of the Title I, TANF block grant for Federal Fiscal Year 1996. I am designating the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development as the state administering agency for the purpose of carrying out the policies and programs of the block grant. I delegate authority to Richard Wegner, Acting Secretary, to make the assurances required by law. At his direction Robin Gates, Acting Deputy Secretary, may also sign any documents.
Wisconsin is fortunate to have an Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) replacement plan already in place. The Wisconsin Works (W-2) program will serve as our TANF block grant model. W-2 implementation has been thoroughly planned over the past 18 months. We have begun the transition into the program by instituting numerous welfare reform initiatives under Section 1115 waiver authority which are also consistent with the TANF legislation. In addition, through the W-2 planning, development and legislative processes, the State has already provided for extensive public input, therefore fulfilling the 45-day requirement for comments.
Our plan is to collectively use the following documents as Wisconsin’s policy for continued phase-in of the TANF block grant: 1) TANF block grant plan which includes the appropriate assurances for compliance with federal law and agreements to follow appropriate statutory regulations; 2) state law, Chapter 49; 3) current approved waivers; 4) Job Opportunities and Basic Skills (JOBS) state plan; 5) JOBS supportive services plan; 6) AFDC state plan; and 7) W-2 program narrative. These documents are attached. Modifications and changes to the documents listed above will be forwarded to you as necessary.
All award notices should be sent directly to: Richard Wegner, Acting Secretary, Department of Workforce Development, GEF 1, 201 E. Washington Ave., P. O. Box 7946, Madison, WI, 53707-7946.
Should there be any need for your staff to communicate with us or conduct briefings or other meetings, please contact J. Jean Rogers, Administrator, Division of Economic Support, Department of Workforce Development, 1 W. Wilson St., P. O. Box 7935, Madison, WI, 53707-7935, (608) 266-3035.
I look forward to your prompt approval.
Sincerely,
Tommy G. Thompson
Governor