§ 1002 - Purpose - Vermont Statutes

§ 1002. Purpose

(a) The purpose of the Reach First program is:

(1) To stabilize families in crisis, assess the family's strengths and needs, and orient families to the programs, services, assistance, and participant responsibilities available to improve self-sufficiency, attain economic independence, and ensure the well-being of children.

(2) To refer families without recent work histories, recognizing individual and unique characteristics, to an appropriate program available to assist the family in obtaining the opportunities and skills necessary for self-sufficiency and economic independence.

(3) To assist families with recent work histories by providing short-term financial support and support services to stabilize the family while the family transitions back to employment.

(4) To support parental responsibility and positive parental role models, both custodial and noncustodial.

(5) To improve the well-being of children by providing short-term supports to their families and referrals to appropriate programs and services.

(6) To conserve state public financial resources by operating the system of human services in a manner that is efficient and avoids federal fiscal sanctions.

(7) To conform to the federal TANF law.

(b) The critical elements of developing a short-term stabilization, assessment, and orientation program that assists families to maintain or attain self-sufficiency are:

(1) cooperative and realistic goal-setting, coupled with individualized case management that addresses each individual's situation and barriers to self-sufficiency;

(2) a short-term monetary payment and support services of a limited duration to provide for immediate, short-term needs of the family until the family attains employment quickly, or transitions to an appropriate program to assist the family in order to ensure the family's well-being and success to reaching self-sufficiency; and

(3) clear and comprehensive information on available options and appropriate services communicated to families in a simple fashion and easy transition to programs, such as Reach Ahead, Reach Up, the postsecondary education program, and any other solely state-funded or separate state-funded programs. (Added 2007, No. 30, § 1, eff. May 17, 2007.)