Jobs and Opportunity Act: Reforming Family Support Programs
This Act significantly reforms family support programs, focusing on workforce activation and beneficiary accountability. It aims to facilitate entry into the labor market, increase transparency in spending, and better align aid with actual needs, while eliminating obsolete provisions.
Key points
Family assistance programs, such as TANF, will be renamed to the "Jobs and Opportunity with Benefits and Services Program" (JOBS), reflecting a new focus.
Individual opportunity plans will be introduced for work-eligible individuals, outlining employment goals and participation requirements in supportive activities.
Increased funding will be allocated for child care to support parents entering the workforce, and healthy marriage promotion and responsible fatherhood grants will be extended.
New performance metrics will be established, focusing on employment outcomes like the percentage of individuals finding jobs and their earnings.
The use of funds for families with monthly incomes exceeding twice the poverty line will be prohibited, directing aid to the most vulnerable.
A prohibition on direct spending of grant funds for child care services or early childhood education programs will be introduced.
States will be required to reserve at least 25% of JOBS grants for core activities such as assistance, case management, work supports, and short-term benefits.
Program integrity will be strengthened by applying improper payments laws to states, ensuring fair and efficient use of funds.
A non-supplantation requirement will be introduced, prohibiting states from using federal funds to replace state general revenue spending.
The program's purpose will be expanded to include child poverty reduction through increased parental employment.
A prohibition on using funds for establishments selling marijuana will be implemented, ensuring funds are directed towards essential needs.
State plans will require approval from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), enhancing accountability and program coordination.
Expired
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