I am looking for details on the TANF Work participation waivers for the states of Ohio, Indiana and Massachusetts that they had for Federal FY 2002 or any current year. I would also like to find out what types of activities these states count towards their participation rates.

Colorado is requesting assistance in researching what legal issues have come up across the country regarding religious beliefs and TANF work requirements. The state has a new applicant family (two parent family) for Colorado Works that is Sunni Muslim. Their belief is that the woman should not work outside the home and her responsibility is to care for the children and home. Colorado would like to know if other states have had issues in this area (without regard to a particular religion), but with any religious beliefs and what the result has been, including how states have handled such cases. Have there been lawsuits and if so, what is the decision of the court?

A Region IX state is seeking examples of States that have provided or referred recipients exiting cash assistance with/to enhanced Child Support Enforcement services. These cases may be those leaving assistance due to earned income or time-expiration. Please provide a name and contact number, and additional details would be greatly appreciated.

Are there any States that have eliminated or modified the welfare ban on drug-related felonies that can find and share any previous fact sheets or testimony they used to successfully "opt out" or amend the ban to be more lenient?

Do any states currently require participants to complete monthly reports for their TANF work program? If yes, what information is requested? Also, what issues, if any, have been identified pertaining to monthly reporting? Arizona is considering mailing a monthly report to TANF work participants for reporting monthly activities instead of requiring case managers to contact participants on a weekly basis. For more information or to continue this discussion, please contact Mrs. Pat McBrayer at pmcbrayer@azdes.gov.