Section 144-607-7 - FAMILY CONTRACT AMENDMENT (FCA)Summary. This Section describes the Family Contract Amendment, which is a short term, contractual plan indicating specific steps to be taken by both ASPIRE-TANF and the participant to reach an interim goal, leading to the goal of employment.
I.GENERAL PROVISIONSA. The initial Family Contract Amendment, and any subsequent FCA, is time-limited, and can be written for a maximum of six (6) months. The Family Contract Amendment lists interim goals necessary to reach the long-term goal of employment. The Family Contract Amendment lists services in detail as well as estimated costs, and lists specific actions to be taken by both ASPIRE-TANF and the participant. The Family Contract Amendment is a contract between ASPIRE-TANF and the participant, requiring both parties to complete their obligations. The Family Contract Amendment and the services authorized will be binding on ASPIRE-TANF as long as the participant is meeting obligations, there is sufficient funding to continue the Family Contract Amendment, and the contents of the Family Contract Amendment are in agreement with ASPIRE-TANF rules, policies and procedures in effect at the time the contract is written. If the participant is meeting obligations and all parties agree, the Family Contract Amendment can be revised. B. If the TANF or PaS benefit closes while a valid Family Contract Amendment is in effect, transitional services may take priority over the authorized ASPIRE child care and transportation support services, and the Family Contract Amendment will end on the last day of the month the final TANF or PaS benefit is received.C. Any documented, substantiated evidence of misuse of funds, purchased goods and/or services on the part of the participant will be grounds for termination of the most current Family Contract Amendment. Repayment or other suitable recovery procedures will be instituted to recover misspent funds (see Section 4 (VIII)).D. The Family Contract Amendment will reflect the participant's preferences and abilities to the extent that they conform to the goal of the ASPIRE-TANF program to help participants gain employment, and to the extent that those preferences conform to any other applicable ASPIRE-TANF rules. Every effort will be made to reach agreement with the participant on the content of the Family Contract Amendment. When such agreement cannot be reached, ASPIRE-TANF staff will determine the final content of the Family Contract Amendment. Participants who disagree with the content of the Family Contract will have the right to a fair hearing.
II.PROCEDURESThe initial Family Contract is completed at the time application for TANF or Parents as Scholars benefits is made.
A. A Family Contract Amendment will be written and signed by the participant and ASPIRE-TANF staff following Assessment. The employment goal, in as much detail as possible, will be listed on the first Family Contract Amendment.B. The Family Contract Amendment will be completed subsequent to the orientation meeting. It will list an employment goal, an interim goal (e.g. job search, high school completion, skills training, etc.) and specific activities of both ASPIRE-TANF and the participant necessary to reach this goal. The Family Contract Amendment will be specific and detailed and will list all support services required during the length of the contract and the estimated costs of those services.C. The Family Contract Amendment will be signed by the ASPIRE-TANF staff and the participant. The participant will receive a copy of each Family Contract Amendment. ASPIRE-TANF staff will provide each participant the opportunity to disagree with the content of the Family Contract Amendment. A participant disagreeing with the content of the Family Contract Amendment, may so indicate on the Family Contract Amendment, and may request a fair hearing. Even if the participant disagrees with the content, the participant must sign the Family Contract Amendment or be subject to sanctions. The Family Contract Amendment will be limited to the time period necessary to reach the interim goal, not to exceed six months. A new Family Contract Amendment may be written if changes are necessary. D. The Family Contract Amendment may take into account certain needs of the participant's immediate family including referral for counseling and other activities which involve no direct cost to ASPIRE-TANF.E. ASPIRE-TANF will provide assistance as needed to the participant to help understand the purpose and content of the Family Contract Amendment.10-144 C.M.R. ch. 607, § 7