(1) How do I know if I am eligible to participate in pregnancy to employment?

If you are on temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) or state family assistance (SFA) and are pregnant or have a child under the age of two years, you are a participant in the pregnancy to employment pathway.

(2) What services are provided to the pregnancy to employment pathway?

(a) The pregnancy to employment pathway provides you with services, when available in your community, to look and prepare for work while supporting your child's needs. You and your WorkFirst worker will decide which variety of services you need. Service may include one or more of the items listed in (i) through (vi) of this section:

(i) Home visiting or other parent supports;

(ii) Safe and appropriate child care;

(iii) Mental health treatment;

(iv) Chemical dependency treatment;

(v) Domestic violence services; or

(vi) Employment services.

(b) The WorkFirst worker will contact you every three months to offer you services if you are not required to participate and choose to claim the infant exemption.

(c) You will be offered a voluntary referral to either home visiting or other parent supports at various times in the pregnancy to employment pathway.

(3) What am I required to do while I am in the pregnancy to employment pathway?

You must participate in an assessment with a DSHS social service specialist and based on the results you will:

(a) Work with your WorkFirst worker to decide which required activities best meet your needs (these activities will depend on where you are in the pregnancy or the age of your child and will be added to your individual responsibility plan (IRP)); and

(b) Be required to participate in those activities, as identified in your IRP.

(4) What am I required to do while I am pregnant?

Based upon the results of your assessment, your participation:

(a) During your first and second trimester of pregnancy will be full-time work, looking for work, or preparing for work unless you have a good reason to participate fewer hours as described under WAC 388-310-1600.

(b) During your third trimester of pregnancy will be up to 20 hours per week in either mental health treatment or chemical dependency treatment, if:

(i) The comprehensive evaluation or assessment indicates a need; and

(ii) Services are available in your community.

(5) What am I required to do after my child is born?

After the birth of your child, you may choose to take the infant exemption under WAC 388-310-0300 or volunteer to participate in WorkFirst activities to the fullest of your abilities under WAC 388-310-0400.

(6) What if I have used my 24 month lifetime infant exemption?

If you have another child after using all 24 months of the infant exemption, you will be:

(a) Eligible for a 12 week postpartum deferral period to personally take care of an infant less than 12 weeks of age but will be required to participate up to 20 hours per week in mental health or chemical dependency treatment, or a combination of these, if the comprehensive evaluation or assessment indicates a need and services are available in your community.

(b) Required to participate full time, unless otherwise exempt or you have good reason to participate fewer hours, once your child turns 12 weeks old in one or more of the following activities:

(i) Work;

(ii) Looking for work;

(iii) Preparing for work by participating in a combination of activities based upon the results of your assessment.

(7) Will I be sanctioned if I refuse to participate?

(a) You are required to participate in the WorkFirst program under WAC 388-310-0200 subject to sanction under WAC 388-310-1600 unless you have good reason and you:

(i) Are in your third trimester of pregnancy;

(ii) Have not used up your 24 month lifetime infant exemption and have a child under the age of two years old; or

(iii) Have used up your 24 month lifetime infant exemption and have a child under 12 weeks.

(b) You may be sanctioned if you stop participating in required mental health or chemical dependency treatment when you are:

(i) In your third trimester of pregnancy;

(ii) Claiming the infant exemption; or

(iii) Using a 12 week postpartum deferral period.

PDFWAC 388-310-1450

Pregnancy to employment.