Secs. 17b-680 to 17b-688a. (Formerly Secs. 17-483 to 17-488, 17-490, 17-492a,
17-492b and 17-492d). Definitions. Information on available programs. Assessment; employability plan; referral; monitoring; penalties. Department of Social
Services; administration of JOBS program; duties; report. Demonstration work
preparation and supportive work employment program. JOBS opportunities coordinator; advisory committee. Job training program for certain recipients of AFDC.
Supportive work and grant diversion programs in selected sites. Funds; training
for placement in supported work and skilled technical programs. Supported work
program; public awareness campaign. Sections 17b-680 to 17b-688a, inclusive, are
repealed, effective July 1, 1997.
(P.A. 84-444, S. 1, 3; 84-473, S. 1-4; P.A. 85-458; P.A. 86-291, S. 1-6; P.A. 87-1, S. 6, 7; 87-411, S. 1-3, 5, 7-9, P.A.
89-260, S. 36, 41; 89-280, S. 2-6, 9; P.A. 91-90; P.A. 92-126, S. 29, 40, 48; 92-211, S. 2; P.A. 93-221, S. 5; 93-262, S. 1,
41-43, 87; 93-418, S. 15, 41; P.A. 96-180, S. 48-50; 96-262, S. 9, 11; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 164, 165.)
Sec. 17b-688b. Interagency information and case management system established. The Labor Commissioner shall establish a computerized interagency information and case management system within the Labor Department for the purpose of administering contracts for employment services for recipients of temporary family
assistance. Such information shall include, but not be limited to, all statistical and relevant data for the administration of such contracts. The Labor Department and the Department of Social Services shall continually revise and update said system with data concerning such recipients for the purpose of (1) assisting in the implementation and
operation of the temporary family assistance program and (2) meeting federal work
participation requirements of the temporary assistance for needy families program.
(June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 119, 165.)
History: June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2 effective July 1, 1997.
Sec. 17b-688c. Employment services program for recipients of TANF established. Regulations. (a) The Department of Social Services shall administer, in accordance with sections 17b-688h and 17b-688i, an employment services program for the
purpose of providing employment services to recipients of benefits under the temporary
assistance for needy families program pursuant to Title IV-A of the Social Security
Act. Said program shall include the provision of employment services to recipients of
temporary family assistance that will enable them to become employed and independent
of cash assistance within twenty-one months of receipt of temporary family assistance.
(b) In no event shall temporary family assistance be granted to an applicant for such
assistance, who is not exempt from participation in the employment services program,
prior to the applicant's attendance at an initial scheduled employment services assessment interview and participation in the development of an employment services plan.
The Department of Social Services shall not delay temporary family assistance to an
applicant in cases where the department schedules the initial employment services assessment interview more than ten business days after the date on which application
for assistance is made, or in cases where the Labor Department does not complete an
employment services plan for the benefit of the applicant within ten business days of
the date on which the applicant attends an employment services assessment interview.
The Commissioner of Social Services shall refer any applicant denied temporary family
assistance, who may be in need of emergency benefits, to other services offered by the
Department of Social Services or community services that may be available to such
applicant. The Department of Social Services shall reduce the benefits awarded to a
family under the temporary family assistance program when a member of the family who
is required to participate in employment services fails to comply with an employment
services requirement without good cause. The first instance of noncompliance with an
employment services requirement shall result in a twenty-five per cent reduction of such
benefits for three consecutive months. The second instance of noncompliance with such
requirement shall result in a thirty-five per cent reduction of such benefits for three
consecutive months. A third or subsequent instance of noncompliance with such requirement shall result in the termination of such benefits for three consecutive months. If
only one member of a family is eligible for temporary family assistance and such member
fails to comply with an employment services requirement, the department shall terminate
all benefits of such family for three consecutive months. Notwithstanding the provisions
of this subsection, the department shall terminate the benefits awarded to a family under
the temporary family assistance program if a member of the family who is not exempt
from the twenty-one-month time limit specified in subsection (a) of section 17b-112
fails, without good cause, to: (1) Attend any scheduled assessment appointment or interview relating to the establishment of an employment services plan, except that such
individual's benefits shall be reinstated if the individual attends a subsequently scheduled appointment or interview within thirty days of the date on which the department
has issued notification to the individual that benefits have been terminated, or (2) comply
with an employment services requirement during a six-month extension of benefits.
Any individual who fails to comply with the provisions of subdivision (1) of this subsection may submit a new application for such benefits at any time after termination of
benefits.
(c) The Department of Social Services shall not enter into or renew any contractual
obligations for the employment services program that extend beyond June 30, 1998.
Within fifteen days after execution of such contractual obligations, the Department of
Social Services shall send to the Labor Department a copy of such contracts for the
information of the Labor Department.
(d) The Commissioner of Social Services shall implement policies and procedures
necessary to carry out the purposes of this section while in the process of adopting
such policies and procedures in regulation form, provided notice is published in the
Connecticut Law Journal within twenty days of implementation of such policies and
procedures. Policies and procedures implemented pursuant to this section shall be valid
until the time final regulations are effective.
(June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 120, 165; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-2, S. 14; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-9, S. 129, 131; P.A.
04-258, S. 13; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 04-2, S. 35.)
History: June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2 effective July 1, 1997; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-2 designated existing provisions re
employment services program administration and inclusion as Subsec. (a), adding references to Secs. 17b-688h and 17b-688i therein, added Subsec. (b) re reduction and termination of benefits, designated existing provisions re contractual
obligations as Subsec. (c), and designated provisions re policies and procedures as Subsec. (d), making a technical change
therein; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-9 revised effective date of June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-2 but without affecting this section; P.A.
04-258 amended Subsec. (b) to require that a temporary family assistance applicant, not exempt from participation in the
employment services program, must attend an initial scheduled employment services assessment interview and participate
in the development of an employment services plan prior to such applicant being granted assistance, to provide that
assistance is not to be denied in cases where Department of Social Services schedules the initial employment services
assessment more than ten business days after the date of application or in cases where the Labor Department does not
complete an employment services plan for the benefit of the applicant within ten business days of the date on which the
applicant attends an employment services assessment interview, and to provide that Department of Social Services shall
refer applicants denied temporary family assistance, who may be in need of emergency benefits, to other services offered
by department or community services that may be available, effective July 1, 2004; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 04-2 amended
Subsec. (b) to substitute that Department of Social Services shall not "delay" temporary family assistance in place of
"deny" such assistance in cases where employment services program requirements are not scheduled or completed within
specified time periods, effective July 1, 2004.
See Sec. 17b-112 re temporary family assistance program.
Secs. 17b-688d to 17b-688f. Transferred to Secs. 17b-688h to 17b-688j, inclusive.
Sec. 17b-688g. Minor parent ineligible for temporary family assistance, when.
A minor parent who is without a high school diploma or its equivalent, is not married
and has a child who is at least twelve weeks of age, who is in such parent's care, shall
be ineligible for temporary family assistance unless such parent is participating in educational activities directed toward the attainment of a high school diploma or its equivalent.
(June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-2, S. 13, 69; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-9, S. 124, 129, 131.)
History: June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-2 effective July 1, 2001; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-9 added reference to high school diploma
equivalent and changed effective date of June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-2 from July 1, 2001 to October 1, 2001, effective July 1, 2001.
Sec. 17b-688h. (Formerly Sec. 17b-688d). Memorandum of understanding re
employment services for TANF recipients. Pilot program. (a) The Labor Department
and the Department of Social Services shall enter into a memorandum of understanding,
to be effective not later than September 1, 1997, for the purpose of enhancing the effectiveness of the delivery of employment services to recipients of temporary assistance
for needy families. The memorandum of understanding shall include, but not be limited
to, providing for (1) the identification and reduction of duplicative services; (2) the
coordination of contracts for employment services; (3) the maximization of federal funds
through the JOB Training Partnership Act which may include seeking any necessary
federal waiver; and (4) studying the feasibility of integrating services to provide a one-stop process for recipients seeking services.
(b) Effective July 1, 1998, the Labor Department shall be responsible for the negotiation, establishment, modification, extension, suspension or termination of contracts for
employment services. The Labor Department may provide administration and services
directly or through the Connecticut Employment and Training Commission or regional
workforce development boards.
(c) The Labor Department and the Department of Social Services shall establish a
pilot program in each of two regions commencing July 1, 1997, for the purpose of
providing employment retention services.
(d) Effective July 1, 1997, the Labor Department shall transfer to the Department
of Social Services the sum of nine million dollars. Effective December 1, 1997, the
Labor Department shall transfer to the Department of Social Services the sum of eight
million five hundred thousand dollars. The five million dollars remaining in the budget
of the Labor Department designated for employment services for recipients of temporary
family assistance shall be used for the computerized interagency information management system to be developed pursuant to section 17b-688c, and for the pilot programs
to be established pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, and for administrative costs
associated with such computerized system and such pilot programs.
(June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 121, 165; P.A. 03-268, S. 11.)
History: June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2 effective July 1, 1997; Sec. 17b-688d transferred to Sec. 17b-688h in 2003; P.A. 03-268 deleted former Subsec. (d) re report required on or before February 15, 1998, from Labor Department and Department of
Social Services on implementation of employment services to recipients of temporary assistance for needy families, and
redesignated existing Subsec. (e) as Subsec. (d).
Sec. 17b-688i. (Formerly Sec. 17b-688e). Administration of employment services program for TANF recipients. (a) In accordance with section 17b-688c, the
Department of Social Services shall administer the employment services program for
the purpose of providing services to recipients of benefits under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program pursuant to Title IV-A of the Social Security Act.
(b) To the extent permitted under section 17b-688c, the Labor Department shall be
responsible for the administration of employment services to recipients of temporary
family assistance under the employment services program administered by the Department of Social Services pursuant to section 17-688c. The employment services provided
by the Labor Department shall include appropriate basic education and occupational
skills training combined with subsidized or unsubsidized work experience and employment, as deemed appropriate by the Labor Department, and any other programs or services deemed appropriate by the Labor Department, to the extent permitted under state
and federal law, including, but not limited to, the following: (1) Employment; (2) work-study, internship or apprenticeship opportunities; (3) adult skills training, including
literacy, mathematics and language proficiency with curriculum related to job opportunities and job search skills; (4) occupational skills training; (5) case management and
counseling in successful work skills; and (6) access to state-subsidized child care and
transportation, where needed. Services may be provided by existing service providers,
including, but not limited to, local or regional boards of education or regional educational
service centers that offer adult education programs, community-technical colleges and
vocational-technical schools.
(c) Not later than January 1, 1999, and annually thereafter, the Labor Department
shall submit a report to the Governor, the joint standing committees of the General
Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to appropriations, human services and
labor and public employees and the Connecticut Employment and Training Commission. Each report shall contain an evaluation of the operation of the employment services
administered by the Labor Department pursuant to this section, including the number
of persons who receive employment services, their gender and outcomes. Each such
report shall also provide specific information regarding the cost-effectiveness of the
employment services.
(P.A. 98-169, S. 2, 8; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 98-1, S. 96, 121.)
History: P.A. 98-169 effective July 1, 1998; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 98-1 made a technical change in subsection (c) to
correct the reference to the Connecticut Employment and Training Commission; Sec. 17b-688e transferred to Sec. 17b-688i in 2003.
Sec. 17b-688j. (Formerly Sec. 17b-688f). Reliable transportation pilot program. Within available appropriations, the Department of Social Services, in conjunction with the Labor Department and Department of Transportation, shall establish a
two-year pilot program designed to assist Connecticut workers and job seekers who lack
reliable transportation in securing reliable transportation to employment, educational
programs, job training and child care.
(P.A. 98-169, S. 5, 8.)
History: P.A. 98-169 effective July 1, 1998; Sec. 17b-688f transferred to Sec. 17b-688j in 2003.
Sec. 17b-689. Transferred to Chapter 319t, Sec. 17b-194.
Sec. 17b-689a. Labor Department grant program. Section 17b-689a is repealed, effective July 1, 1997.
(P.A. 96-268, S. 27, 34; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 164, 165.)
Sec. 17b-689b. Regulations. The Commissioner of Social Services may implement the provisions of sections 17b-192, 17b-194 and 17b-195, subsection (a) of section
17b-198 and section 25 of public act 96-268* while in the process of adopting policy
and procedures in regulation form, provided notice of intention to adopt the regulations
is published in the Connecticut Law Journal within twenty days of implementation.
(P.A. 96-268, S. 26, 34.)
*Note: Section 25 of public act 96-268 is special in nature and therefore has not been codified but remains in full force
and effect according to its terms.
History: P.A. 96-268 effective July 1, 1996.
Sec. 17b-689c. Employability plans for TFA recipients. (a) Each person found
eligible for time-limited assistance under the temporary family assistance program after
July 1, 1998, shall be assessed for the purpose of developing an employability plan, as
follows:
(1) The Department of Social Services shall perform an initial assessment in the
following areas: Education, employment and training history, basic educational needs
and other social service needs, including transportation, child care, child support, domestic violence, substance abuse and mental health.
(2) Following completion of the initial assessment conducted pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection, the Department of Social Services shall refer each such
person to the Labor Department which shall, in conjunction with the regional workforce
development boards, (A) conduct any further assessment of such person, as deemed
necessary by the Labor Department to complete such person's employability plan, not
later than six months after the initial assessment, (B) finalize the employability plan,
(C) identify the services such person requires to fulfill his employability plan, and (D)
refer such person for appropriate employment services, including the services identified
in subsection (b) of section 17b-688i.
(b) The Department of Social Services shall assess each person found eligible for
time-limited assistance under the temporary family assistance program on or before July
1, 1998, who is not currently reporting earnings to the Department of Social Services,
at the time of redetermination. The Department of Social Services shall conduct such
assessment in accordance with subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this section, unless
substantially similar assessment has already been completed for such person. Following
the completion of such assessment by the Department of Social Services, the Department
of Social Services shall refer such person to the Labor Department for further assessment
in accordance with subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of this section.
(P.A. 98-169, S. 3, 8.)
History: P.A. 98-169 effective July 1, 1998.
Secs. 17b-690 to 17b-693. (Formerly Secs. 17-281c, 17-281d, 17-281g, 17-281h). Work program plan; regulations. Private employers' work training programs for employable recipients. Town plans for delivery of employment and employability services to general assistance recipients; funding. Interagency council
for coordinated employability and employment services for general assistance recipients. Sections 17b-690 to 17b-693, inclusive, are repealed, effective July 1, 1997.
(P.A. 80-395, S. 4, 7; P.A. 82-147, S. 1, 4; P.A. 83-83; P.A. 85-564, S. 5, 12; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-16, S. 17, 19, 89;
P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87; P.A. 95-265, S. 5, 7; P.A. 96-180, S. 51, 166; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 164, 165.)
Sec. 17b-694. Community Employment Incentive Program. Employment
placement projects. (a) The Labor Commissioner, in consultation with the Commissioners of Social Services and Mental Health, shall administer a grant program, within
available appropriations, to fund employment placement projects for recipients of state-administered general assistance, cash assistance or medical assistance or recipients of
Medicaid who are eighteen to twenty years of age. A grant may be awarded to (1) a
municipality or group of towns which form a region based on a project plan providing
education, training or other assistance in securing employment, (2) a private substance
abuse or mental health services provider based on a project plan incorporating job placement in the treatment process, or (3) a nonprofit organization providing employment
services when no municipality or group of towns elect to apply for such a grant for a
given geographic area. A plan may include cash incentives as a supplement to wages
for recipients who work.
(b) In order to receive funding, a project plan shall be submitted to the commissioner
no later than August first, annually. Funds shall be disbursed by the commissioner no
later than September first, annually. Projects shall be funded based on the number of
recipients to be served and the level of services to be provided.
(P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87; 93-418, S. 19, 41; 93-435, S. 59, 95; P.A. 96-268, S. 28, 34; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 79,
165; P.A. 99-279, S. 25, 45; P.A. 04-76, S. 23.)
History: P.A. 93-418 effective July 1, 1993 (Revisor's note: P.A. 93-262 and 93-435 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and department of income maintenance, effective July 1, 1993);
P.A. 96-268 amended Subsec. (a) to include recipients of stipends issued pursuant to the grant program established in Sec.
17b-689a, effective July 1, 1996; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2 amended Subsec. (a) by replacing reference to the repealed
grant program in Sec. 17b-689a with state-administered general assistance, cash assistance or medical assistance, and by
allowing grants to be awarded to certain nonprofit organizations providing employment services, effective July 1, 1997;
P.A. 99-279 amended Subsec. (a) to expand eligibility for the grant program to Medicaid recipients who are eighteen to
twenty years of age and made technical changes, effective July 1, 1999 (Revisor's note: In codifying this section the
Revisor's editorially reinstated a deleted comma after the word "assistance" in the phrase "... or state-administered general
assistance, cash assistance or ..."); P.A. 04-76 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting reference to "general assistance".
Secs. 17b-695 to 17b-697. (Formerly Secs. 17-655 to 17-657). Definitions.
Grants for centers; "comprehensive job training and related services" defined.
Criteria for distribution of funds. Sections 17b-695 to 17b-697, inclusive, are repealed, effective July 1, 2001.
(June Sp. Sess. P.A. 83-13, S. 1-3, 7; P.A. 84-363, S. 1; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 49, 50, 87; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-2, S. 68,
69; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-9, S. 129, 131.)
Secs. 17b-698. Collection of data from job training and placement services.
The Commissioner of Social Services shall collect data from each job training and
placement service funded by the Department of Social Services and serving recipients
of the temporary family assistance program for the purpose of assessing the success of
job placement services in assisting a recipient of either such program to attain self-sufficiency. Data collected shall include, but not be limited to: (1) The number of clients
served; (2) the number of clients placed in jobs; (3) types of job training received by
recipients and if such training led to employment; (4) cost-effectiveness of job training;
(5) types of jobs obtained by recipients; (6) salary and benefits of those jobs obtained;
and (7) length of those jobs obtained.
(P.A. 95-194, S. 26, 33; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2, S. 80, 165.)
History: P.A. 95-194, S. 26 effective July 1, 1995; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-2 replaced a reference to aid to families
with dependent children with temporary family assistance, effective July 1, 1997.
Sec. 17b-698a. Evaluation of job training programs. Section 17b-698a is repealed, effective July 1, 2001.
(P.A. 95-194, S. 27, 33; 95-351, S. 21, 30; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-2, S. 68, 69; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-9, S. 129, 131.)