§3782-A. ASPIRE-TANF program
1.
Case management services.
The department shall provide case management services to individuals participating in the ASPIRE-TANF program, referred to in this section as the "program." The department shall adopt rules in accordance with the Maine Administrative Procedure Act defining or describing those services.
[PL 1997, c. 530, Pt. A, §19 (AMD).]
2.
Purchase of services.
The department may contract with public and private agencies and individuals to deliver employment, training and other services for program participants consistent with the purposes of the program.
Program funds may not be used to purchase services from an agency under this subsection that are available on a nonreimbursable basis, if those nonreimbursable services meet the needs of a program participant.
[PL 1993, c. 385, §17 (RPR).]
3.
Monitoring of contract agencies.
If the department contracts for the provision of program services under this section, it shall monitor each contract agency at least annually to ensure compliance with sections 3786 and 3788 to ensure compliance with the contracts entered into by the parties and to ensure that quality services are provided for program participants. The department shall adopt rules in accordance with the Maine Administrative Procedure Act by which satisfactory performance is measured. The rules must identify the circumstances under which sanctions, including contract suspension, reduction or termination, are applied.
[PL 1993, c. 385, §17 (RPR).]
4.
Rural access.
The department shall adopt rules in accordance with the Maine Administrative Procedure Act to provide access to Additional Support for People in Retraining and Employment - Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program services for recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families living in rural areas. Services must be provided on an equitable basis throughout the State. Access to these services may be reasonably limited by the department due to factors such as availability of staff and funding. The rules adopted by the department must include, in addition to other methods necessary to achieve this goal, adequate provisions for itinerant service stationing.
[PL 1997, c. 530, Pt. A, §19 (AMD).]
5.
Child care during participation in employment, education and training.
The department shall provide child care in accordance with federal law and this Title when the child care is necessary to permit a TANF-eligible family member to participate in the ASPIRE-TANF program.
A.
The department shall establish payment rates for child care services that are up to the 75th percentile of local market rates for the various categories of child care services. The payment rates for child care services for children with special needs may be higher than the 75th percentile of local market rates.
[PL 2017, c. 412, §4 (NEW).]
B.
The department shall provide an ASPIRE-TANF program participant's actual cost for child care up to the maximum rate authorized by federal law. In determining the maximum rate, the State shall use a method that results in an amount that equals, or most closely approaches, the actual market rate in different regions of the State for various types of child care services received by families in the State participating in the ASPIRE-TANF program.
[PL 2017, c. 412, §4 (NEW).]
[PL 2017, c. 412, §4 (RPR).]
6.
Rulemaking.
The department shall adopt rules to implement this section. Except as specifically provided, rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A.
[PL 2017, c. 475, Pt. A, §38 (AMD).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1991, c. 9, §M7 (NEW). PL 1993, c. 385, §17 (RPR). PL 1995, c. 418, §A26 (AMD). PL 1997, c. 530, §A19 (AMD). PL 2017, c. 412, §4 (AMD). PL 2017, c. 475, Pt. A, §38 (AMD).