§ 56-230.62. Contracts for literacy remediation, work activities, training and other services.

The Department of Human Services shall, as appropriate, provide literacy remediation, English as a second language, work activities, training, and other services to recipients pursuant to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program through contracts.  In contracting for English as a second language, work activities, training, or other services, the following terms and conditions shall apply:

1.  A contract shall be performance based.  Whenever possible, payment shall be based on performance outcomes that include, but are not limited to, such factors as job entry, job entry at a target wage, and job retention.  Payment shall not be based on completion of training, education, or any other phase of the program participation process;

2.  A contract may include performance-based incentive payments that may vary according to the extent to which a recipient is more difficult to place.  Contract payments may be weighted proportionally to reflect the extent to which a recipient has limitations associated with the long-term receipt of welfare and difficulty in maintaining employment.  The factors may include the extent of a recipient's prior receipt of welfare, lack of employment experience, poor literacy skills, lack of education, lack of job skills, and any other factors determined appropriate by the Department; and

3.  The Department is hereby authorized to contract with commercial, charitable, religious or faith-based organizations to provide the necessary services pursuant to the TANF program as provided in this section.

Added by Laws 1997, c. 414, § 13, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.  Amended by Laws 2002, c. 123, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2002.