Sec. 57e.

(1) Each family receiving family independence program assistance shall execute a family self-sufficiency plan outlining the responsibilities of members of the family independence program assistance group, the contractual nature of family independence program assistance, and the focus on the goal of attaining self-sufficiency. The family self-sufficiency plan shall be developed by the department and the adult family members of the family independence program assistance group with the details of JET program participation to be included in the family self-sufficiency plan being developed by the department, the Michigan economic development corporation or a successor entity, and the adult family members of the family independence program assistance group. Except as described in section 57b, the department shall complete a thorough assessment to facilitate development of the family self-sufficiency plan, including consideration of referral to a life skills program, and determination as to whether the family independence program assistance group's adult members are eligible to participate in the JET program or are exempt from JET program participation under section 57f. The family self-sufficiency plan shall identify compliance goals that are to be met by members of the family independence program assistance group and goals and responsibilities of the members of the family independence program assistance group, the department, and the JET program. The family self-sufficiency plan shall reflect the individual needs and abilities of the particular family, and shall include at least all of the following:

(a) The obligation of each adult and each child aged 16 or older who is not attending elementary or secondary school full-time to participate in the JET program unless exempt under section 57f.

(b) The obligation of each minor parent who has not completed secondary school to attend school.

(c) Except as provided in section 57f(3) and (4), the obligation of each adult to engage in employment, JET program activities, education or training, community service activities, or self-improvement activities, as determined appropriate by the department.

(d) The obligation to cooperate in the establishment of paternity and to assign child and spousal support to the department as required by federal law and to cooperate in the procurement of child support, if applicable.

(e) The obligation of a recipient who fails to comply with compliance goals due to substance abuse to participate in substance abuse treatment and submit to any periodic drug testing required by the treatment program.

(f) If the recipient is determined to be eligible to participate in the JET program, the obligation that the requirements of the family self-sufficiency plan must, at a minimum, meet federal guidelines for work participation. Exceptions may be granted if it is determined that the recipient or a family member in the recipient's household has a disability that needs reasonable accommodation as required by section 504 of title V of the rehabilitation act of 1973, 29 USC 794, subtitle A of title II of the Americans with disabilities act of 1990, 42 USC 12131 to 12134, or another identified barrier that interferes with the recipient's ability to participate in required activities. Reasonable accommodation must be made to adjust the number of required hours or the types of activities required to take the identified limitations into account.

(g) The obligation that the recipient must enroll in a GED preparation program, a high school completion program, or a literacy training program, if the department determines the resources are available and the assessment and plan demonstrate that these issues present a barrier to the recipient meeting the requirements in his or her family self-sufficiency plan. This basic educational skills training shall be combined with other occupational skills training, whenever possible, to assure that it can be counted toward federal work participation requirements.

(h) Notification to the recipient of the 48-month lifetime cumulative total for collecting family independence program assistance.

(i) A prohibition on using family independence program assistance to purchase lottery tickets, alcohol, or tobacco, for gambling, or for illegal activities or any other nonessential items.

(j) Information regarding sanctions that shall be imposed under section 57g for noncompliance.

(k) Any other obligation the department determines is necessary to enable the family to achieve independence.

(2) The department shall monitor each family's compliance with the family self-sufficiency plan.

History: Add. 1995, Act 223, Eff. Mar. 28, 1996 ;-- Am. 2001, Act 280, Eff. Mar. 22, 2002 ;-- Am. 2006, Act 469, Imd. Eff. Dec. 20, 2006 ;-- Am. 2011, Act 131, Eff. Oct. 1, 2011 Popular Name: Act 280