A representative from the New York Human Resources Administration would like to know if anyone recommends an assessment tool to measure the employment-related motivation level of cash assistance for clients? New York is looking for a tool that will allow them to compare motivational levels among different groups of clients to determine whether a particular intervention is successful in increasing clients motivation to find and maintain employment.

A representative from the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare would like to learn about a verification process for when a client does a job search activity? Do States accept client statements for the number of hours of independent job search (such as out and about putting in applications and online applications which could be submitted from home)? Pennsylvania wants to see if there is precedent in other plans that the Feds have approved. Thanks from PA!

A representative from the Peer TA Network would like to know what job development strategies and specific curricula TANF programs have used to result in successful job placement and retention for TANF participants? This could include employer outreach, labor market research, subsidized employment and transitional jobs, strategies for special populations, using workforce intermediaries, and training for frontline workers.

A representative from the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services would like to know which of the 50 states have moved their TANF programs to the Department of Workforce/Employment Security Divisions from Department of Human Services? How are the programs working there? Did the caseloads drop and were States able to get more participants into employment since the move?

A representative from the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families would like to know how other States fund TANF case management and job development contracts? This representative is working on a MPA Capstone project focused on alternative funding allocation methodologies for Wisconsin's TANF Program, Wisconsin Works (W-2). Wisconsin contracts with a variety of local providers to provide W-2 services - counties, private for-profit and not-for-profit vendors, multi-county consortia, etc. This representative is interested in examples of pay-for-performance contracting. Policy papers, contract language, Requests for Proposals, etc. would be appreciated, as would general discussion on this issue.

A representative from Turtle Mountain Employment & Training would like to know if anyone knows of funding opportunities available now or in the near future that would service TANF clients in relation to employment and training opportunities?

A representative from the Summit County Department of Job and Family Services would like to know if any State uses the Vocational Habilitation disability model to meet TANF work participation and to move generational TANF customers into employment? These are services designed to teach and reinforce concepts related to work, including responsibility, attendance, task completion, problem solving, social interaction, motor skill development and safety. Is it possible to use the approach that Goodwill and other agencies use that work with people with developmental disabilities?

A representative from the Arizona Department of Economic Security/Employment Administration would like to know if States are aware of comparative studies examining performance results based on differing service delivery models? For example, work participation rate results based on face-to-face case management models vs. self-directed job search or performance through data matching?

A representative from Service Alternatives, Inc. would like to know if anyone knows of curriculum that helps to teach soft skills?

A representative from the Education Commission of the States would like to learn more about examples of cooperative efforts between schools/business/industry to assist youth in becoming job ready? Examples may be job shadowing, mentor programs, internships, summer employment, etc.