Finding No. 2022 016: Reporting (Material Weakness) Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services AL Number and Title: 93.558 and COVID 19 ? 93.558 ? Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Award Number and Award Year: 1601HITAN3, 2001HITANF, 2101HITANF, 2201HITANF, 2021G990228 Condition The Department achieved a two-parent work participation rate of 12.4%, which is below the federally mandated rate of 15.7%, calculated by subtracting the caseload reduction credit of 74.3% from the base 90.0%. Views of Responding Officials: The Department agrees with the finding and will implement corrective action; however, notes the following: Pursuant to 45 CFR 262.5, the Department submitted a letter to the Administration for Children and Families (?ACF?), dated November 21, 2022, to request consideration for reasonable cause for not meeting the fiscal year 2021 Two-Parent Work Participation Rate. The ACF confirmed receipt of the Department?s request on November 28, 2022. Determination and decision from ACF are currently pending. Corrective Action Taken or Planned: The work participation requirement under the Upfront Universal Engagement (UFUE), described in sections 17-656.1-8.4 and 17-794.1-36, Hawaii Administrative Rules, were reinstated effective June 2022. Applicants are required to fulfill the work participation requirements described in the rules, as a condition of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) eligibility. The upfront work participation provides applicants with job readiness training, new or updated resume, and job search assistance. The upfront participation requirement has shown success in preparing parents/relative caregivers with work program engagement prior to June 2022 and the upfront participation requirements were waived because there was an increased need for financial assistance during the pandemic. In 2022, the TANF program office established quarterly collaborative meetings with the work program unit supervisors statewide. The meetings are structured with specific components: 1. Share information and resources from community-based organizations that service families with dependent children, 2. Provide program updates such as policy changes and projects, 3. Activities that involve collaboration amongst attendees (e.g., discussions on topics relating to TANF recipient families, staff who work directly with families, and program implementation); and 4. Summary of the collaborative activity and next steps. The quarterly meetings provide an avenue for the program office and unit supervisors to discuss challenges that work program staff encounter working with participants; to develop strategies on engaging new participants and re-engaging those who have been in the work program, particularly during this period of transition following the pandemic; and identify any needs that families may have that the work program is unable to provide. The quarterly collaborative meetings will continue in 2023 and will be conducted on an on-going basis. Expected Completion Date: On-going Responding Official: Catherine Scardino, Benefit, Employment, and Support Services Division Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program Administrator