Vermont § 1002 - Purpose

§ 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; and (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.)