A representative from the Pennsylvania Department of Welfare/Bureau of Employment and Training Programs would like to know what level of participation is expected of a TANF recipient who claims to be unable to get a job or participate in other core-work activities due to lack of transportation (e.g., no drivers license, no access to public transportation, no car, etc.). Please address:

• Do States allot time for the individual to make transportation arrangements, or do they provide supports for transportation assistance?
• What is maximum time allowed to make transportation arrangements?
• What do States do when transportation solutions are not found during that timeframe (e.g., sanction, case closure, etc.)?
• What type of transportation subsidies (e.g., upfront mileage, car purchase, cab fare, gas cards, etc.) are offered?
• What are the maximum benefits provided to the client?
• For how are long transportation subsidies provided?

A representative from the Pennsylvania Department of Welfare/Bureau of Employment and Training Programs would like to discuss approaches used by States that take immediate action (and forego written notice) to terminate or sanction TANF benefits based on noncompliance with work requirements. Currently, after a TANF recipient has demonstrated non-compliance with work requirements, Pennsylvania conducts a compliance review to determine whether the non-compliance was willful and within the individual's control. If it was willful, a written notice is sent to terminate benefits, which could include sanction. The notice offers appeal rights and benefits are not closed until a 10 day 'appeal window' has passed.

The Peer TA Network would like to know what strategies States are using to improve low literacy levels among TANF participants in a short amount of time? How are programs structured and what curriculum is being used for participants with or without a high school diploma or G.E.D., but still test at a low literacy level?

The Peer TA Network would like to know how other States are handling drug testing and criminal background check fees for recipients in the Community Work Experience Program (CWEP)?

A representative from Boulder County Community Services would like to know if any local governments have experience with targeting entry-level public sector jobs for low-income workers outside of a subsidized wage or On the Job Training (OJT) program? Boulder County Community Services and another county government is also interested in exploring policies, practices or other strategies to remove barriers to entry-level jobs at municipal and county governments.