Wyoming State Plan Document
                              
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Amendments of
                            1996


The State of Wyoming wishes to begin accessing funds provided under Title I of
the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA)
of 1996.  Certification signed by the Governor for the Temporary Assistance
for Needy Families Block Grant (TANF), and containing the following information,
is being submitted. The current Aid to Families with Dependent Children,
Job Opportunities and Basic Skills and Emergency Assistance programs will
continue until the TANF plan is implemented.


I.   The Name of the Lead Agency Responsible for
     Administering TANF

     State of Wyoming, Department of Family Services,
     Programs and Policy Division (See Attachments A-1 and A-
     2)


II.  The Employer Identification Number (EIN) and
     Appropriate Suffix of the Lead Agency Named  Above

     83-02086674A   Department of Family Services


III. The Name, Address, Telephone Number and FAX Number of a
     Contact Person Within the Lead Agency

     Ken Kaz, Welfare Reform Program Manager
     Department of Family Services
     Hathaway Building
     Capitol Avenue
     Cheyenne, WY  82002-0490

     (307)  777-5841
     (307)  777-3693  FAX

     kkaz@missc.state.wy.us

IV.  This Program Will be Known as Personal Opportunities
     With Employment Responsibilities (POWER)


V.   Assurances (Section 402)

     The State assures the Department of Family Services
     (DFS) will have in effect and operation:

     A.   A family assistance program which is designed to:

          1.   Serve all political subdivisions in the State fairly
               and equitably.  All work activities may not be available in
               areas with limited populations and community resources.

          2.   Provide assistance to needy families with children.

          3.   Provide parents with job preparation, work and support
               services to enable them to leave the program and become self-
               sufficient.

          4.   Require a parent or caretaker receiving assistance
               under the program to engage in work activities, as defined
               by the State, in accordance with Section 407 of the Act.

          5.   Restrict the use and disclosure of information about
               individuals and families receiving assistance under the
               program attributable to funds provided by the Federal
               government.

          6.   Section 402(a)1. A (v) Establish goals and take action
               to prevent and reduce the incidences of out-of-wedlock
               pregnancies with special emphasis on teenage pregnancies.
               Establish numerical goals for reducing the illegitimacy
               ratio for the State for calendar years 1996 through 2005.
          
          7.   Reach state and local law enforcement officials, the
               education system, and relevant counseling services to
               provide education and training on the problem of statutory
               rape so teenage pregnancy prevention programs may be
               expanded in scope to include men.

          8.   Provide opportunities for recipients who have been
               adversely affected and for regular employees claiming
               displacement due to a work activity to be heard in the
               existing State administrative appeal process.

          9.   Establish and enforce standards and procedures to
               ensure against program fraud and abuse, including standards
               and procedures concerning nepotism, conflicts of interest
               among individuals responsible for administration and
               supervision of the State Program, kickbacks and the use of
               political patronage.

          10.  Provide that this interim plan will be put out for
               public comment within 5 days of the Governor's signature on
               the plan. After the 45 day comment period, the comments will
               be reviewed and any changes to this plan will be submitted
               to the Secretary.

     B.   A child support enforcement program approved under Part
          D of the Federal Act.

     C.   A foster care and adoption assistance program approved
          under Part E and ensure children receiving assistance under
          such part are eligible for medical assistance under the
          State plan under Title XIX.

     D.   A program which provides Native Americans with
          equitable access to assistance.


VI.  Program Goals (Section 402)

     Wyoming has the opportunity to implement programs which
     will meet the unique needs of the citizens, satisfy
     state and federal requirements and provide fair and
     equitable treatment of all clients.  Following are the
     program goals:

     A.   To simplify the intake and delivery process for Program
          and Policy Division programs by streamlining policies and
          procedures through compatible and correlated policies.

     B.   To promote and support individual and family
          responsibility through the belief that parents, not
          government, should be responsible for themselves and their
          children.
        
     C.   To have 100% of program participants working on a plan
          to achieve self-sufficiency and self-responsibility.  This
          can be accomplished  through a combination of employment,
          child support and other appropriate resources.

     D.   To keep in mind the impact of these changes not only on
          the agency's programs and support services, but also on
          other programs, staff, clients and communities and to
          maintain a broad-based perspective.

     E.   To implement policies and procedures which discourage
          out-of-wedlock pregnancies and reinforce stable, self-
          responsible families.

     F.   To assure parental responsibility through the
          establishment of paternity and the maximization of child
          support.

     G.   To seek information and assistance from other entities
          with expertise in law enforcement, immigration, long-term
          disability and health issues.
     
     H.   To emphasize and acknowledge education as a basic
          element in permanent self-sufficiency through higher paid
          employment.


VII. Program Operations (Section 402, 404 and 407)

     A.   Anyone can apply for assistance at any DFS office in
          the State of Wyoming.  The family applying for and receiving
          TANF:

          1.   Will be related to a minor, dependent child residing in
               the home.  Pregnant women with no other minor children will
               not be eligible for benefits.

          2.   Will be needy and within the specified income and
               resource limitations, and

          3.   If eligible, will receive payment through a state
               warrant.

     B.   Each person applying for TANF, where applicable will:

          1.   Read and sign an Individual Responsibility Certificate
               of Understanding.  This certificate will clearly delineate
               the performance standards required of applicants and
               recipients.

          2.   Cooperate with the child support requirements.

          3.   Register for work with the local Employment Resources
               Division and be assigned to applicant job search through the
               Individual Responsibility Plan unless exempted from
               individual responsibility or claiming a teen parent student
               exclusion.

          4.   Furnish verification of the exemption criteria within
               the 30 day application processing period or participate in
               applicant job search.

          5.   Furnish verification of teen parent student exclusion
               criteria within the 30 day application processing period or
               participate in applicant job search.

          6.   To establish exempt criteria for work activities,
               furnish verification of continued school enrollment and
               attendance for dependent child(ren) who voluntarily attend
               school beyond the State mandatory attendance law.  If
               verification is not received, consider the dependent child
               to be mandatory for work activities purposes.

     C.   Ongoing Performance Requirements

          1.   All nonexempt family members must have a signed
               Individual Responsibility Plan.  Any noncompliance with the
               plan is to be immediately reported.

          2.   The case manager will complete an employability
               assessment after the initial 3 weeks of unsuccessful job
               search to determine if job search should continue or
               placement in another work activity, or combined with another
               work activity, would be more appropriate.  The determination
               for readiness to engage in work shall include an evaluation
               of the clients work history, employability and
               transferability of skills.

               a)   The State chooses to opt out of the community service
                    work requirements.  Wyoming will retain the option to use
                    community service work, anytime, as necessary and
                    appropriate for clients unable to find other employment.

               b)   Basic educational and vocational training activities
                    will be available when the participant has demonstrated an
                    inability to become employed or to upgrade employment and is
                    enrolled in an approved educational component.

               c)   Forty hours of participation in work activities is
                    required.  Less than 40 hours per week of participation can
                    be approved by the case manager, after an assessment, when
                    the participant is claiming a temporary incapacity or has
                    another good cause reason.

          3.   Cooperation with assignment, establishment of
               paternity, and pursuit of child support must continue during
               the performance period.  The child support unit must
               immediately report any lack of maintenance of the standard.

          4.   Teen parent student exclusion performance standards
               must be maintained during the performance period.  At a
               minimum, the case manager will verify the performance at the
               beginning and end of each school or training period and at
               midterm.  Student exclusions will be allowed for the teen
               parent who does not have a high school diploma or GED and
               who has been approved for pursuing the diploma or equivalent
               full-time.

          5.   The parent must insure a minor child attend school as
               the state law requires.

          6.   The exemption status must be reviewed and maintained
               each performance period.  A recipient who moves from exempt
               to mandatory status must immediately begin to meet the
               performance standards.  Performance must occur from the date
               the status changes to the end of the performance period for
               payment to be authorized for the following month.
          
     D.   Exemptions From Work Requirements

          An applicant for or recipient of TANF may be exempted
          from the work requirements if the applicant or
          recipient:

          1.   Is the primary caretaker of a child under the age of 1
               year, unless the caretaker is a minor parent without a high
               school diploma or GED who will have no exemption.  The
               option to change the 1 year to 3 months will be considered
               by the legislature and any changes will be submitted in an
               amendment to the plan;

          2.   Is over the age of 65;

          3.   Is a dependent child who is under age 16 or has not yet
               completed the 8th grade and is enrolled in and attending
               school full-time.

     E.   Penalties for Noncompliance with Pay after Performance

          If a family member does not comply with the work or
          child support requirements and the Individual
          Responsibility Plan under Pay after Performance, the
          State will not authorize the performance payment for
          the performance month and will terminate Medicaid and
          Food Stamps for the individual in the following month.
          Any otherwise eligible child will continue to receive
          Food Stamps and Medicaid benefits.  If there is good
          reason to believe the family situation has changed and
          there has been no contact with the family during any
          month, the cash assistance, Food Stamps and Medicaid
          benefits will terminate because of the loss of contact.

     F.   Wyoming does not opt to include Tribal members who are
          receiving assistance under a Tribal TANF program in the
          participation rate calculation.

     G.   Wyoming will comply with the initial assessment
          requirement within 180 days of implementation for current
          recipients.


VIII.     5 Year Lifetime Limit on Benefits (Section 408)

     It will be determined whether each applicant or
     recipient is eligible for assistance based on the time
     limit provisions.

     A.   Per W. S. 42-2-103, the State will deny/terminate any
          assistance unit, in accordance with state statute, when that
          family unit has received 5 years of assistance, regardless
          of location.  Hardship provisions will be assessed and
          determined at the end of the individual's 5 year limit when:

          1.   The individual reapplies for benefits upon verification
               of abandonment by the head of household.  The hardship
               exemption shall not exceed one (1) year.

          2.   The individual reapplies for benefits upon verification
               the individual is fleeing for personal safety or for the
               safety of the child(ren).  The hardship exemption shall not
               exceed one (1) year.

          3.   The individual, when verification has been provided to
               substantiate permanent (rather than temporary)
               physical/mental disability/incapacity and the inability to
               obtain/retain employment and/or maintain independence in the
               community as it is beyond the individual's capability.

          4.   The individual, when verification has been provided to
               substantiate the individual is needed in the home 100% of
               the time to care for a permanently (rather than temporary)
               physically/mentally disabled/incapacitated individual.

     B.   The following count toward the five year time limit:

          1.   All months assistance has been received;

          2.   A prorated month will count as a full month;

          3.   A month with non-payment due to noncompliance with Pay
               after Performance;

          4.   A month in which an assistance unit member is
               disqualified/sanctioned for any reason;

          5.   One year when a minor parent receives assistance prior
               to reaching the age of majority (18);


IX.  Wyoming Income Standards Applicable as of July 16, 1996
     Will Apply (See Attachment B)

     We are complying with the provisions that allow a state
     to reduce the income standard, however we will not go
     lower than the May 1, 1988 income standard.


X.   Minor Child's Absence From the Home

     A minor child may be absent from the home for 90
     consecutive days.


XI.  Reserve TANF Funding for Subsequent Years

     No monies will be transferred until the TANF programs
     have stabilized and DFS is assured of enough funding
     for TANF activities.


XII. Will Fund Any Other Activities Needed to Fulfill the
     Goals

     Wyoming will fund any other activities identified as
     needed to fulfill the goals of the Individual
     Responsibility Plan, such as expenditures to the
     Division of Vocational Rehabilitation for assessment
     and services to incapacitated individuals.  Such
     expenditures are limited to appropriation and budget
     levels.


XIII.     Excluded Special Provisions

     A.   Wyoming intends for the following provisions under
          Section 402 to apply:

          1.   Families moving to Wyoming from another state will be
               subject to Wyoming rules, policies and procedures.

          2.   Assistance to non-citizens will not be provided beyond
               the parameters of the Act.  Wyoming will comply with
               mandated exceptions.

          3.   The State will not take the optional domestic violence
               provision.  It is the intent of Wyoming to work with
               domestic violence victims on an individual basis, making
               appropriate referrals to support agencies.  There will be a
               good cause exemption from child support requirements
               available.  We intend to follow a state welfare reform
               statute allowing for a one year extension of benefits for
               domestic violence victims.

     B.   Wyoming elects the following provisions under Section
          404:

          1.   To not expend TANF monies on energy assistance;

          2.   To transfer funding to other programs only after TANF
               program needs are satisfied;

          3.   To not operate an employment placement program or
               provide job placement vouchers.  The TANF agency will
               coordinate services with the Department of Employment; and

          4.   To not fund Individual Development Accounts.


XIV. Waivers (Section 415)

     Wyoming has requested the approved and submitted
     waivers be terminated.


XV.  Emergency Assistance (Section 408 and 409)

     A.   Emergency Assistance will be used to purchase provider-
          based services for needy children under the age of 18.

     B.   Kinds of emergencies covered:

          1.   Abuse, neglect, abandonment of children or at risk
               thereof;

          2.   Children who are in emergency situations where
               continued presence in the home is not in the best interests
               of the child;

          3.   Children who are at risk of removal from the home
               because of abuse, neglect or inability of parents to provide
               care; and
          
          4.   Children who have entered or at risk of entering the
               juvenile justice system.
          
     C.   Kinds of assistance provided to meet emergency
          situations:

          1.   Shelter care, foster family care, or residential group
               care for children separated from their parents, including
               food, clothing, and supervision unless the child is eligible
               for such assistance provided under Title IV-E; and
          
          2.   Wyoming will administer and provide emergency
               assistance services through staff contracts with charitable,
               religious, or private organizations and provide assistance
               through certificates, vouchers or other redeemable means, as
               appropriate. (Section 104)

     D.   Kinds of services provided to meet the emergency
          situations.

          Case management, counseling, protective and preventive
          child care and purchased transportation provided to
          alleviate the emergency condition as determined
          necessary and appropriate by the social services staff.

     E.   Emergency services will be limited to 6 months.


XVI. Court Ordered Child Support Obligor (Section 365)

     Wyoming will provide work activities to a child support
     obligor who:

     A.   Has a child(ren) who is receiving TANF funds in Wyoming
          or is at risk of receiving TANF funds; and

     B.   Has been court ordered to participate.


XVII.     Alien Sponsor's Income and Resources (Section 422)

     The income and resources of any individual who executed
     an affidavit of support pursuant to Section 213A of
     Immigration and Nationality Act will be deemed
     available to the sponsored alien until the sponsored
     alien achieves United States citizenship.


XVIII.    Goal for Prevention of Out-of-Wedlock Pregnancies
     (Section 402) (Attachment C)

     The goal is to reduce out-of-wedlock pregnancies by one
     percent (1%) per year based on the 1995 statistics.


XIX. CERTIFIED BY THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE STATE
     OF WYOMING:



     __________          _________________________________
     Date                 Honorable Jim Geringer, Governor