§ 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.)