(1) Aid pursuant to the temporary assistance for needy families program shall be granted under this section to any dependent child who is living in a home meeting the standards of care and health fixed by the rules of the Department of Human Services and who is a resident of the State of Oregon, if a parent or caretaker relative with whom the child is living is a resident of the State of Oregon.
(2) Except as provided in subsections (7) and (8) of this section, a needy caretaker relative may be required to participate in the job opportunity and basic skills program that is described in subsections (3) to (6) of this section.
(3) The department shall use a basic assessment tool to determine if a needy caretaker relative applying for or receiving aid under this section has or may have a barrier to employment or to family stability. If the basic assessment tool indicates that there is or may be a barrier, the needy caretaker relative shall be referred for an in-depth assessment by a person with relevant expertise or specialized training.
(4) Based upon the assessment described in subsection (3) of this section, the department, in cooperation with appropriate partner agencies or professionals, shall work with the participant to create an effective individualized case plan that establishes goals and identifies suitable activities that promote family stability and financial independence.
(5) Suitable activities may include:
(a) Job readiness activities or employment;
(b) Vocational rehabilitation or training;
(c) Remedial, secondary or post-secondary education;
(d) Community service; or
(e) Other activities that reduce or eliminate barriers to full participation in the program or to employment.
(6) For individuals with disabilities, the goal of the individualized case plan must be to promote greater independence and may include physical or mental health evaluation or treatment.
(7) A needy caretaker relative receiving aid under ORS 412.001 to 412.069 and 418.647 may volunteer for but may not be required to participate in the job opportunity and basic skills program:
(a) More than 10 hours per week during the first two months of the third trimester of the parent’s pregnancy;
(b) During the last month of the parent’s pregnancy;
(c) If the needy caretaker relative is experiencing medical complications due to pregnancy that prohibit participation in activities in the program;
(d) For one parent per family, during the first six months after the birth of a child, up to a total of 12 months per family except that:
(A) The department may require a parent to participate in suitable activities, with a preference for educational activities, 16 weeks after the birth of a child if the parent is under 20 years of age; and
(B) The department may require a parent of a child under 12 months of age to participate in evidence-based parenting classes or family stability activities; or
(e) If participation is likely to cause undue hardship or is contrary to the best interests of the child or needy caretaker relative.
(8) The department shall adopt rules to carry out the provisions of this section. [Formerly 418.040]
Section: Previous 412.001 412.005 412.006 412.009 412.010 412.014 412.015 412.016 412.017 412.020 412.024 412.025 412.026 412.028 412.029 NextLast modified: August 7, 2008