ASPIRE Program and Parents as Scholars Program

1.__Program established.__The department shall establish and maintain an ombudsman program for participants in the TANF program, ASPIRE Program and Parents as Scholars Program by contract with such nonprofit organizations that the department finds best able to provide the services.__The purpose of the ombudsman program is to represent the best interests of individuals involved in the State's TANF program, ASPIRE Program or Parents as Scholars Program as a class and to investigate and resolve complaints against state agencies that may be infringing on the rights of individuals involved in these programs.

2.__Powers and duties.__The ombudsman program may:

A.__Provide advocacy services to individual citizens in matters relating to those TANF program, ASPIRE Program and Parents as Scholars Program services provided by and under the jurisdiction of the State;

B.__Review and evaluate, on a continuing basis, state and federal policies and programs relating to the provision of TANF program, ASPIRE Program and Parents as Scholars Program services conducted or assisted by any state departments or agencies for the purpose of identifying and addressing patterns or recurrent problems with these programs;

C.__Receive, investigate and resolve inquiries, complaints, problems or requests for information and assistance regarding the State's TANF program, ASPIRE Program and Parents as Scholars Program;

D.__Serve as a liaison for communication between individuals;

E.__Coordinate information and make referrals for services to relevant state agencies or other organizations when appropriate;

F.__Market and operate a toll-free telephone number for individuals involved in the State's TANF program, ASPIRE Program and Parents as Scholars Program;

G.__Provide a range of alternative dispute resolution methods to individuals, including the pursuit of legal remedies when appropriate;

H.__Advise, consult and assist the executive and legislative branches on activities of State Government relating to the