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Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

W-2 Implementations and Waiver and AFDC Phaseout Transition Timeline

September 1997

Wisconsin’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, called Wisconsin Works (W-2), is the result of ten years of experimentation in welfare reform. The W-2 program incorporates the lessons learned from other successful Wisconsin welfare reform initiatives such as Pay for Performance, Work Not Welfare, Parental and Family Responsibility, AFDC Benefit Cap, AFDC Two-Tier project, etc.

Both TANF and W-2 required tremendous changes in the philosophy and the benefit delivery of cash payments to poor families. In addition, aligning W-2 following TANF requirements also created a significant challenge. In order to implement the W-2 program, Wisconsin developed a detailed timeline in order to plan the most expeditious and orderly transition possible from the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program to W-2.

Although W-2 officially began on September 1, 1997 for new applicants statewide, many of the major components of W-2 were introduced gradually beginning in late 1996 following the certification of Wisconsin’s TANF plan. This process was meant to ease the transition associated with a major public policy change and assist recipients, workers, and the community in making the change to a TANF-based system. Wisconsin will continue to transition current AFDC cases to W-2 over the next several months, with all of the current AFDC cases that are eligible for W-2 being transitioned to W-2 on or before March 31, 1998.

The transition to W-2 was structured around the following principles and goals:

• All changes should move participants closer to the W-2 program philosophy and goals.
• Program components should only be phased in as allowed by legislation/administrative rule.
• Former demonstration projects should be phased out by replacing them with comparable W-2 policies where possible.
• The impact of each component to be phased in should be considered to minimize the disruption to local agencies and program participants.

Following is a timeline of the transition from the AFDC program to the W-2/TANF program:

August 1996

Submittal of TANF State Plan. Wisconsin submitted its Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) State Plan concurrent with enactment of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA). Submitted with the TANF Plan were the AFDC, JOBS, and JOBS Supportive Services State Plans, current approved welfare reform waivers, pertinent state law, and the Wisconsin Works (W-2) program narrative.

Process to select W-2 administrative agencies begins. County and tribal human/social services agencies were required to meet specific caseload reduction goals to ensure they would be selected as the operator of the county’s W-2 agency. In August 1996, a Request for Proposals (RFP) was issued for competitive selection of a W-2 program operator in counties that did not meet the caseload reduction goals or declined to run the W-2 program. Both public and private organizations were permitted to submit proposals. The competitive selection process was conducted according to state procurement process and included a Proposal to Administer W-2, submitted by each competing organization.

September 1996

Qualifying as a TANF eligible state. Wisconsin was notified by the Administration for Children and Families, federal Department of Health and Human Services, that effective September 30, 1996, the state’s TANF plan was found to contain the necessary elements to qualify as an "eligible state" for purposes of receiving block grant funding under the TANF program.

Establishment of W-2/PRWORA Management Team. The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) established a management structure to supervise all aspects of the W-2 implementation. The W2/PRWORA Management Team included representation from the Office of the Secretary as well as from multiple Divisions within DWD. The management team addressed issues of policy development, automation, training, public communications, agency contracting, capacity building for employment and child care, outcomes measurement and program evaluation.

A W-2 business flow document was created. The business flow provided an operational model of W-2 as it would be carried out by local agencies. The roles and responsibilities of various W-2 job functions, such as Financial and Employment Planner (FEP), Resource Specialist (RS) and Supportive Services Planner (SSP) were delineated. The business flow analysis outlined the future development of the W-2 policy document and the identification of automation changes for the Client Assistance for Re-employment and Economic Support (CARES) system.

Appointment of Child Care Workgroup. Governor Thompson appointed a work group of child care providers, experts, and legislators to develop a new child care co-payment schedule and develop a plan to expand child care capacity and maintain the quality of child care under W-2.

October 1996

Five-year time limits imposed. Wisconsin implemented the TANF/W-2 five-year (60-month) time limit for the receipt of cash assistance under an emergency administrative rule order. The time limits were imposed for active work program participants including teen parents who were participating in the Parental and Family Responsibility waiver demonstration project. Eighteen and nineteen-year-old participants in the Learnfare waiver demonstration project did not have time limits imposed because Learnfare requires full-time participation in a secondary education program.

The W-2 Management and Evaluation Project (MEP) was established. The MEP is responsible for overseeing the comprehensive W-2 evaluation plan. The project is managed by a steering committee made up of Department management and evaluation staff and two nationally-recognized experts in program management and evaluation.

Continuation of $50 Child Support Disregard. With the enactment of PRWORA, the repeal of the federal law requiring a disregard or pass-through of the first $50 of child support payments each month to a family receiving cash assistance, and the elimination of the federal financial participation in the pass-through effective October 1, 1996, Wisconsin elected to continue to pay the full cost of the disregard with state funds.

December 1996

W-2 Notice Published. A notice was published in the December 15, 1996, Wisconsin Administrative Register stating that W-2 would be implemented statewide in September 1997, as required by state statutes. Additionally, the notice stated that W-2 components would be phased in from December 1996 through September 1997.

Public hearing held. The Wisconsin Joint Committee on Finance held a public hearing to consider the Department’s request for approval of TANF block grant expenditures for public assistance and child care programs in 1996-1997. Legislative approval was received for the expenditure of federal TANF and child care funds in accordance with Wisconsin’s TANF plan. The Department’s request also included notification to the Legislature of several proposed changes to the AFDC program intended to facilitate the transition to the W-2 program.

January 1997

Financial and Employment Planner (FEP) transition began. Local agencies were encouraged to begin implementing the FEP concept. This process involved integrating case management by consolidating economic support specialist and JOBS program functions into one position. Integrating the two separate functions eases communication, training, and participant relations and ensures a central access point for each W-2 participant to comprehensive coordinated services.

Pay for Performance (PFP) Demonstration evaluation ends. While PFP remained in effect as the bridge to the W-2 program, the evaluation ended. The control group retained its status to provide a transition to the W-2 evaluation. Although the control group was not subject to PFP, it was subject to the changes introduced between January 1, 1997, and the implementation of W-2. PFP policy remains in effect for all AFDC recipients until AFDC ends on March 31, 1998.

AFDC Benefit Cap (ABC) Demonstration Project implemented statewide. Under the ABC policy, AFDC grants do not increase when a child is born 10 or more months after a parent begins receiving AFDC. The demonstration included an experimental and non-experimental group of AFDC cases that were subject to the ABC policy and a control group of cases who were not subject to the ABC policy. As a means of transitioning from ABC to the W-2 policy of flat grants, the ABC policy was extended to the control group of AFDC cases beginning January 1, 1997. AFDC applicants were not assigned to the non-experimental group demonstration and the demonstration evaluation ended. All AFDC cases are now subject to the policy until they begin participation in W-2.

Pre-hearing Examination Process began. The new process involves use of a pre-hearing examiner with the goal of resolving disputes prior to fair hearings. Under this process, agency staff conduct a pre-hearing examination of the participant’s complaint and review the situation with the participant within 15 days of the request for hearing or pre-hearing. On January 1, 1997, Milwaukee County began using a pre-hearing examiner and other local agencies were encouraged to also implement the pre-hearing examination process.

Kinship Care began. Kinship Care is a child-only program under TANF which replaces the AFDC program for children cared for by non-legally responsible relatives (NLRR). Local agencies began the transition process for both current cases and new applicants on January 1 on a voluntary basis; however,  all agencies were required to have the process in place by April 1. Wisconsin’s Department of Health and Family Services oversees the administration of this program.

Minor parent exemptions ended. Beginning January 1, 1997, minor parents were no longer eligible for AFDC unless they were living in an adult supervised setting. All current cases with approved living arrangements were grandfathered until the phaseout of AFDC is completed in March 1998.

New child care co-pay system implemented and child care funding increased; AFDC child care disregard began to be phased out. A new co-pay system was implemented for child care recipients. The new schedule established a weekly co-pay amount, based on family size and gross family income. At the same time, the AFDC child care disregard began to be phased out. Under the voucher payment system that replaced the child care disregard, the voucher payments are paid directly to the child care provider.

$25 million available for child care. Based upon the recommendations from the Child Care Workgroup appointed by the Governor, $25 million in TANF funds was made available to build child care capacity and end waiting lists for non-AFDC low-income child care recipients. Of this amount, $5 million was allocated for child care capacity and quality improvement. The remaining $20 million was allocated to eliminate waiting lists.

$2,500 W-2 Asset Limit began and Special Resource Account (SRA) and Vehicle Asset Limit (VAL) Demonstration Project ended. The W-2 asset limit of $2,500 which replaced the AFDC asset limit of $1,000, was implemented statewide for all AFDC applicants and recipients. Cases with special resource accounts began to be phased out, but were allowed to maintain their accounts up to the demonstration limits, until their case closed for more than 30 days or W-2 is implemented, whichever occurred first. Persons in VAL were not negatively impacted since the new resource limit covered the higher valued vehicles from the demonstration. The evaluation for both projects ended.

Children First statewide expansion began. The Children First program encourages and enables non-custodial parents to meet their child support obligations by providing work experience, other job training services, and case management to ensure that non-custodial parents attend job training, pay child support, or face jail sentences. Funding was made available to expand the program to every local agency interested in participating. Children First is currently operating in 33 counties and has dramatically increased child support collections through employment and training activities and other non-custodial parent services.

Universal referral for work program participation began. The purpose of universal referral was to continue the transition to W-2 by ensuring that all AFDC recipients were participating in work activities to the extent of their ability. Individuals who had been exempt from work program participation were referred and carefully assessed by the JOBS agencies to determine their employment potential.

Beginning in January 1997, all parents caring for children over 12 weeks were referred to JOBS and were required to participate in parenting and/or work preparation activities. This change aligned JOBS requirements with W-2 policy which exempts participation in work activity until the child is 12 weeks old. Individuals who were recipients of AFDC in January were required to begin participation in job search and other work activities when the youngest child turned one year old. Individuals applying for AFDC beginning in January were required to participate in job search in addition to parenting and work preparation activities when the youngest child turned nine months old. In June 1997, the remainder of the JOBS exemptions were eliminated.

February 1997

Series of comprehensive training programs initiated for local agency staff. In accordance with Wisconsin state statutes, Financial and Employment Planners (FEPs) and other W-2 agency staff must meet certification and training requirements established by departmental rule to ensure an appropriate level of training. The following requirements are based upon proposed Administrative Rule DWD 17, that will replace Administrative Rule HSS 217:

• New Worker Training Class: All workers employed by either a county or W-2 agency, hired after March 15, 1997, must complete a New Worker class. Required modules for this training include core courses needed to assist workers in successfully administering W-2, food stamps, and Medical Assistance (MA).
• Training for Workers Transitioning to W-2: This interim training process is designed to help transition workers from their current economic support and work program functions to W-2.
• Professional Development Requirements: Twelve hours of professional development will be an annual requirement of all workers involved in any of the assistance programs including W-2, food stamps, and MA. The W-2 agencies will select the appropriate professional development training for each of their workers and maintain records to document that this requirement has been met.
• New Policy: As new policy is developed and implemented for W-2, MA, food stamps, Food Stamp Employment and Training (FSET), and child care, the affected workers are required to attend the appropriate training sessions.

A three-day session called "Fundamentals of Case Management" was offered in February 1997. Extensive training is continuing to be provided to each region through December 1997 to provide an interpersonal and professional foundation for successful case management.

"W-2 Transition Forums" began. Six workshops providing W-2 agencies with the opportunity to share information and assist them in the transition to W-2 were held in February, March and April 1997.

March 1997

W-2 Emergency Administrative Rule promulgated. The W-2 policies were put into place through an emergency rule allowing Pierce and Fond du Lac Counties to pilot the W-2 program.

W-2 Pilot Projects began in Pierce and Fond du Lac Counties and Work Not Welfare was phased out. The pilots provide an excellent testing ground for finalizing W-2 policies and procedures and creating a smooth transition from AFDC to W-2 statewide.

Unlinking AFDC and MA. Federal welfare reform eliminated the categorical eligibility link between AFDC/TANF and MA. This change was implemented in the automated eligibility system starting March 1, 1997. All AFDC and W-2 groups will be tested for MA eligibility. Under the MA state plan effective in the first quarter of 1997, the W-2 employment position (trial job, community service job, and W-2 transitional placement) benefits are disregarded when determining MA eligibility.

W-2 agency contracts began. Each W-2 agency’s contract was divided into two contracts (two phases). These included the W-2 Start-up Contract for transition activities starting March 1, 1997, and the W-2 Implementation Contract for implementation of W-2 from September 1, 1997 through December 31, 1999.

The W-2 60-day residency requirement began and Two-Tier Demonstration Project ended. The W-2 program includes a 60-day residency requirement. This W-2 policy began in the Two-Tier demonstration counties (Milwaukee, Rock, Kenosha, and Racine Counties) and W-2 pilot counties (Pierce and Fond du Lac Counties). The Two-Tier Demonstration Project and provisions ended.

The automated centralized child care payment system was piloted. The system, a sub-system of CARES (the automated eligibility determination system), was piloted in Rock County beginning March 10, 1997, and will be phased in for groups of agencies through the spring and summer of 1997. The system is designed to standardize procedures and timelines, increase efficiency, and decrease local agency workloads.

"W-2 New Worker" training sessions began. These sessions provided new workers with training on how to perform the Financial and Employment Planner (FEP) functions. Sessions began in March 1997 and continue throughout the year and into 1998. "Non-W-2 New Worker" training will continue on an ongoing basis.

The W-2 Policy Document was completed and distributed for statewide review. The review and comment period took place from March 1, 1997, through April 4, 1997. Once comments and suggestions were incorporated, the document was submitted to the W2/PRWORA Management Team and the Office of the Secretary for final review. The final version of the W-2 policy document was distributed statewide in June 1997.

Development of CARES automation for W-2 began. After the completion of the W-2 policy document in March 1997, the major automation initiative for the September implementation was begun. State and local agency staff together with staff from the CARES system vendor organized into seven project teams to create detailed business and design requirements for W-2 automation, including the determination of eligibility for W-2 child care and the linking of that functionality to the CARES child care payment system.

April 1997

Child Support Pass-Through Waiver approved. The Federal Terms and Conditions, under which current child support payments will be passed through to W-2 participants, were accepted by the Department. Whether a participant has all of the child support or a portion of it passed through to him/her will depend on the random assignment given that participant. The waiver will become effective in October 1997. The directly received child support will not be used in determining W-2 benefit levels. The Child Support Pass-Through Waiver authorizes use of waiver savings generated from other waiver demonstration projects for the payment of the federal share of child support to the custodial parent.

In addition, the waiver directs the Department to contract with the New Hope Project, piloted in Milwaukee County, for a total of $2.9 million; TANF funds are being used for this purpose. This project offers participants assistance in finding a job, and where necessary, provides wage supplements to boost earnings above the poverty standard. For participants who cannot find work after eight weeks of job search, the project offers a temporary community service job.

Began alignment with W-2 Trial Jobs by modifying subsidized work. As of April 1, 1997, JOBS work supplementation (WS) and JOBS On-the-Job-Training (OJT) contracts began to be written with policy modifications to align WS and OJT more closely with the W-2 Trial Job program in order to provide a seamless transition to Trial Jobs. Policy modifications included: 1) lowering the maximum employer subsidy to $300; 2) ensuring enough income to the participant to eliminate the residual/partial AFDC grant; and 3) writing contracts for a maximum of three months. Participants currently in WS and OJT contracts will remain under their contract. JOBS agencies were directed not to write new contracts with end dates beyond August 31, 1997.

Community Steering Committees and Children’s Services Networks became operational in some counties. Community Steering Committees are public/private partnerships established by each W-2 agency to provide ties to the local communities and develop employment strategies for W-2 participants. A Community Steering Committee development guide was distributed for use by W-2 agencies to assist with the establishment of the committees. Children’s Services Networks were developed through the W-2 agencies to provide children and families with a link to community resources. Both the Community Steering Committee and the Children’s Services Network models were piloted in Fond du Lac and Pierce Counties under the Work Not Welfare Waiver Demonstration Project.

Kinship Care mandatory implementation began. All local agencies were required to begin implementation of Kinship Care for new AFDC/NLRR applicants and transition current AFDC/NLRR recipients. AFDC/NLRR benefits must not extend beyond December 31, 1997.

Parental and Family Responsibility (PFR) Demonstration Project assignment ended. No new cases were assigned to PFR starting April 1, 1997. Participants assigned to PFR prior to April 1 will be gradually converted and phased out. PFR participants will either receive JOBS or Learnfare case management.

"Transitioning to W-2" training session began. This two-day session covered both W-2 policies that have been phased in already and full participation issues. It continued into June 1997. This training was sponsored several times in each region.

W-2 Agencies finalized plans. The W-2 agencies’ transition plans, information technology plans, and W-2 plan/proposal modifications were received.

On-Site Support training began. The on-site support W-2 training, which included the W-2 designated agency trainer, began.

May 1997

Approval of W-2 expenditures. The Legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance approved the Department’s request for changes to the TANF plan due to receipt of federal approval of the state’s Child Support Pass-Through waiver and a re-estimate of expenditures in the TANF and Child Care block grants.

AFDC cases were assigned to Pre-W-2 tracks and activities. Beginning in March, local agencies began assessing AFDC cases to determine where participants would be placed under W-2. These assessments organized the statewide caseload into several Pre-W-2 tracks that state and local agencies used to provide specific interventions, such as intensive child support enforcement, to ease their transition to W-2. AFDC participants who were determined appropriate for a placement under W-2 Transition or Community Service Jobs (CSJ) were assigned Pay For Performance activities that emulate W-2 Transition and CSJ positions (i.e., activities that could become their initial W-2 Transition or CSJ employability plan upon conversion in September 1997).

W-2 Administrative Rule hearings held. Public hearings were held in Eau Claire and Milwaukee on May 26 and 28 to solicit public input on the proposed permanent W-2 administrative rule.

Public hearings held for child care. Public hearings for the Child Care Development Block Grant state plan were held in Milwaukee, Madison, and Green Bay on May 27 and 28.

"W-2 Policy and Procedures" training sessions began. Two-day sessions were offered for local supervisors in May 1997. The sessions concentrated on providing upfront knowledge of W-2 policy, procedures and CARES/KIDS revisions.

KIDS Redesign. The redesign of KIDS, the automated system for child support, began for September implementation. The purpose of the redesign is to accommodate child support referrals for W-2 cases, exchange of fiscal information between KIDS and CARES, and direct payment of child support to W-2 recipients under the Child Support Pass-Through Waiver.

June 1997

"Advanced Case Management" training sessions began. These one and two-day sessions started in June 1997 and are being offered on an ongoing basis. These sessions are divided into three topic areas including programmatic, special needs, and interpersonal skills. W-2 agency staff are required to participate in a minimum of three different advanced case management sessions.

The Parental and Family Responsibility (PFR) Demonstration Project ended. PFR services, such as PFR case management and education, employment and training ended June 30, 1997. PFR policies, such as $200 1/2 earned income disregards, AFDC-Unemployed Parent waiver, essential person waiver, and PFR benefit cap also ended.

The remaining work program exemption reasons were eliminated. The remaining exempt AFDC participants were referred for participation in the work program. The following exemption reasons were eliminated: Age 60 or older; Employed full-time; Essential person; Incapacitated; Licensed foster parent; Living too remote; Needed in the home to care for an ill or incapacitated family member; Pregnant; and VISTA volunteer.

W-2 Client Education Plan was implemented. A critical pre-implementation step was the provision of information about W-2 to Wisconsin’s low-income families. Educating families about W-2 in advance of statewide implementation allowed them to initiate changes on their own behalf to prepare for self-sufficiency. A study called Project Get Started, conducted by Milwaukee Area Technical College, found that 79.4 percent of welfare families surveyed showed a realistic understanding of W-2. Wisconsin implemented a client information plan to ensure that information about W-2 and other related supportive services was available and understandable to low-income families seeking employment-related services.

The plan included: issuing a series of mailings with AFDC checks to inform recipients about different aspects of the W-2 program and other employment and supportive services available to low-income families; developing W-2 informational brochures for distribution at public agencies that serve low-income families; and a review panel of current and past AFDC recipients to ensure that information was understandable and applicable to the needs of Wisconsin’s low-income families.

On-Site Support to W-2 Agencies began. The purpose of on-site support is to provide timely, effective and consistent training and communication to W-2 agencies. Approximately 75 state staff are providing support to W-2 agencies in the areas of W-2 start-up for new agencies, transfer of AFDC, JOBS, and Food Stamp Employment and Training (FSET) cases to the W-2 program, on-going policy and CARES technical support, and personal computer technology.

July 1997

Child Support Training sessions began. PRWORA/W-2 Overview training for child support agencies and clerks of courts began.

W-2 Policy & Procedures Training began. These three-day sessions were offered to local agency staff. The sessions concentrated on providing up-front knowledge of W-2 policy, procedures and CARES/KIDS screens. Sessions continued through early September.

Funding for W-2 evaluation application. Wisconsin submitted an application for federal funding for the W-2 evaluation.

August 1997

Public hearings held. The Joint Committee on Finance held a hearing to consider the Department’s request to release funds for continuing implementation of W-2 until the state budget is passed. The request was approved to allow for the continued expenditure of TANF and child care funds in the absence of state budget approval.

Public Hearing on W-2 Rules. The Senate Labor, Transportation and Financial Institutions Committee held a public hearing to solicit comment on the proposed W-2 permanent administrative rules.

Testing began for CARES Automation of W-2 and child care. CARES testing was a major effort in August with more than 60 state and local staff involved in testing hundreds of scenarios.

September 1997

Biennial Budget changes pending. The Governor’s Biennial Budget, which includes provisions to complete the alignment of W-2 with TANF legislation, is pending legislative action.

W-2 was implemented statewide. Individuals who request assistance beginning September 1, 1997, must apply for W-2 services and if eligible, are placed in W-2 employment activities. The following W-2 policies were implemented: W-2 income tests and flat grants, direct pay of child support, prospective budgeting, time limits for W-2 employment positions, issuance of job access loans, and the end of monthly reporting and retrospective budgeting.

The following specific changes were put into effect:

• As of 9/1/97, no new AFDC applications were taken except for applications made by SSI parents.
• W-2 income limits went into effect on 9/1/97. Income of new applicants must not exceed 115 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
• Effective 10/1/97, W-2 participants receive W-2 flat grants for participation in a W-2T or CSJ. Participants are paid monthly for activities completed in the previous activity period.
• Direct payment of child support to the W-2 families will begin effective 10/1/97.
• The W-2 Fact Finding Process replaces the Fair Hearing process for W-2 applicants and participants.
• New and continuing child care eligibility requirements were implemented in CARES on a statewide basis. New requirements included an asset test and mandatory cooperation with the child support enforcement program.

The unified Call Center began. The former JOBS and Economic Support help desks which provided programmatic support to local agencies, were merged into a unified Call Center with staff who provide both policy support and CARES technical assistance. The Call Center provides support for W-2, food stamps, Medicaid, child care, and system security to local agencies and organizations.

CARES automation of W-2 was successfully implemented. More than 500 new or modified computer programs to support the processing of W-2 and child care applications and benefits were moved into production in CARES between August 29 and September 1, 1997. Though some areas are still being tested, the overall implementation of W-2 automation has gone well.

W-2 Implementation Contracts began. The contractors include a combination of public and private agencies. The following selected agencies are operating a W-2 program:

• Forest County - Forward Service Corporation
• Juneau County - Western Wisconsin Private Industry Council, Inc.
• Kewaunee County - Forward Service Corporation
• Milwaukee County

• Region I - YW-Works
• Region II - United Migrant Opportunity Services, Inc.
• Region III - Opportunities Industrialization Center of Greater Milwaukee, Inc.
• Region IV - Employment Solutions, Inc.
• Region V - Employment Solutions, Inc.
• Region VI - MAXIMUS, Inc.

• Oneida County - Forward Service Corporation
• Shawano County - Shawano County Job Center Incorporated
• Vilas County - Forward Service Corporation
• Walworth County - Kaiser Group, Inc.
• Waukesha County - Curtis & Associates

In 63 counties and three tribes, the county or tribal social/human services department is administering W-2.

Four tribal agencies are operating directly under the federal TANF program and at this time, four tribes are not administering welfare programs and are included in county welfare programs.

October 1997

Child Support Pass-Through Waiver will begin. Individuals participating in a W-2 paid employment position and AFDC cases not yet transitioned to W-2 will receive all or a portion of the child support money collected each month, depending on their random group assignment. Participants assigned to the experimental and non-experimental groups will directly receive all child support collected on their behalf (full pass-through). Participants in the control group will receive a partial pass-through of $50 or the state share of 41% of the child support collected, whichever is greater, while they are in AFDC or receiving W-2 payments in a Community Service Job, a W-2 Transitions placement, or as a Caretaker of a Newborn. Control group participants who are in a Trial Job, receiving only W-2 case management services or child care, will receive the full pass-through of their child support.

October 1997 - March 1998

Existing AFDC cases are being converted to W-2 over the period September 1, 1997, through March 31, 1998. This process ensures that local agencies have the opportunity to meet with each participant, explain the program changes, and determine the employment activities the individual will be participating in, before converting the case to W-2.

Caseload Transfer. Interim W-2 agencies that are not permanent will have a six-month period to transfer their cases to the new W-2 agencies. Interim and new agencies will work together to monitor progress of W-2 T, CSJ and Trial Job cases and make adjustments to employability plans and assigned activities to ensure that the participant is fully engaged. It is anticipated that many agencies will be able to manage the transfer within a much shorter time frame than six months. AFDC will end statewide on March 31, 1998.

Various training sessions will be offered on an ongoing basis. CARES training and "Policy Refresher" training will continue through June 1998.

Transfer of NLRR cases to Kinship Care completed by December 31, 1997. Local agencies were instructed that all AFDC/NLRR payments must end no later than December 31, 1997. Children living with a caretaker relative who are in need of and eligible for payment must have benefits paid under the Kinship Care program beginning no later than January 1, 1998.

Federal reporting begins. The first federal TANF report will be submitted on November 15, 1997, and quarterly thereafter.

Expansion of child care automation begins. The expansion of child care automation in CARES to include provider rates, co-payment determination, and authorization functionality will begin in October 1997, with joint state/county design sessions. A special effort to transfer Milwaukee County’s child care payments from their county system to CARES will occur during the same time frame.

 

Updated March 04, 2009