N.J. Admin. Code § 10:90-5.16

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 19, October 7, 2024

Section 10:90-5.16 - TANF Initiative for Parents (TIP) Program

(a) The TIP Program is a performance-based child abuse and neglect prevention initiative that offers comprehensive parenting, nutritional and support services utilizing in-home visitation parenting models of service delivery, one of which includes the Healthy Families America (HFA) model, for families at risk of abuse or neglect. TIP Program services are made available initially based on the in-home visitation service provider's assessed needs of the family. TIP Program participants shall be re-evaluated for continued program services, by the service provider, at three-month intervals.

(b) The purposes of the TIP Program are to:

1. Promote the safety, permanency and well-being of infants and their siblings while:

i. Encouraging healthy parent-child interactions; and

ii.Reducing the number of referrals to the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (CP&P);

2. Increase healthy child development, rates of immunizations, early identification of development delays, and good nutrition;

3. Link families to community based medical, social, nutritional and employment services; and

4. Provide TANF parents an opportunity to acquire parenting skills that will assist the recipient in the pursuit or maintenance of employment while balancing a healthy family environment.

(c) Participation in TIP Program services, including the in-home visitation, is not mandatory. The TIP program preferred approach is in-home visitation. However, participants are given a choice of participating in the program services voluntarily, as follows:

1. In their own home;

2. Outside of their own home; or

3. In their own home and outside of their own home.

(d) The TIP Program services are available to certain individuals in their last trimester of pregnancy and new parents with infants from birth through 12 months of age, even if the individual has older children in the family in addition to the new infant, as follows:

1. Individuals in their third trimester of pregnancy:

i. WFNJ TANF/GA individuals; and

ii. Non-Public Assistance (NPA) New Jersey Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (NJ SNAP) individuals; and

2. Individuals who are new parents:

i. WFNJ TANF recipients, including new TANF parents, needy parent persons, parents in child-only cases, sanctioned recipients and recipients with a capped child;

ii. SSI recipients in child-only cases; and

iii. NPA NJ SNAP recipients.

(e) TIP Program participants who are deferred from the WFNJ work requirements in accordance with 10:90-4.10 may voluntarily take part in parenting skills services.

1. WFNJ recipients who are deferred may want to consider participating in the TIP Program as a transitional activity that will help prepare them for employment readiness and assist the recipient with balancing work activity and raising a family.

(f) For TIP Program participants who are required to participate in a work activity in accordance with N.J.A.C. 10:90-4, hours spent participating in the TIP Program shall count towards the required hours of a work activity. A TIP participant may need to participate in another work activity in addition to TIP in order to fulfill his or her required number of hours. No adverse action or sanction shall be imposed on a TIP participant for non-compliance with the TIP Program. If the participant does not comply with the TIP program requirements, that individual shall be removed from TIP and placed in a different work activity. However, a sanction may result from the recipient's failure to comply with a non-TIP work activity in accordance with 10:90-4.13.

1. Participation in TIP Program services shall count towards a WFNJ recipients work activity only through the child's 12th month of age.

i. TIP services provided to the participant shall not extend beyond the child's 12th month of age, except in certain situations when the in-home service provider determines, on a case-by-case basis, that continued periodic in-home or in-community visitation is necessary.

2. In order for TIP Program participation to count towards the required hours of a work activity, the participant must attend the identified parenting skills program(s) that is determined to be necessary, based on the assessed needs of the family.

(g) The in-home visitation service provider shall administer a comprehensive assessment to each individual referred to the TIP Program to determine eligibility for participation.

1. The parenting skills assessment shall evaluate the individual's abilities, skills, and knowledge about healthy parenting. The assessment includes, but is not limited to, the following:

i. A universal health screening;

ii. A family stress checklist; and

iii. A child welfare checklist.

2. Upon completion of the assessment, the individual and the in-home visitation service provider shall identify the services appropriate for that family. A menu of parenting services and other services that promote transition into the workplace shall be offered. For WFNJ recipients, such services shall be recorded on the IRP and may include, but are not limited to, the following:

i. Assessment, nutrition and parent education programs;

ii. Fatherhood services/workshops;

iii. Interactive parent-child sessions;

iv. Counseling and employment coaching sessions;

v. Links to social, medical and employment services; and

vi. Coordinated case planning among the CWA, OSCC, CP&P (when appropriate) and the in-home visitation service provider.

N.J. Admin. Code § 10:90-5.16

Administrative change, 46 N.J.R. 855(b).