(a) There is evidence that families who experience the most disqualifications from the job opportunity and basic skills program are often those with the most barriers to employment; and
(b) The loss of income from a program disqualification adds strain and creates instability in families already experiencing extreme poverty, and this affects the health and food security of the dependent children in the family.
(2) The Department of Human Services by rule shall adopt proven methods of encouraging participants’ full engagement in the job opportunity and basic skills program, including the development of an individualized case plan and an ongoing process to ensure that the case plan is appropriate.
(3)(a) The department shall facilitate the participation of needy caretaker relatives and may not reduce the family’s aid payment as a method of encouraging full engagement in the job opportunity and basic skills program pursuant to subsection (2) of this section until the department determines that the needy caretaker relative that is not fully engaged:
(A) Has no identified barriers or refuses to take appropriate steps to address identified barriers to participation in the program; and
(B) Refuses without good cause, as defined by the department by rule, to meet the requirements of an individualized and appropriate case plan.
(b) The department may not reduce aid payments under this subsection to families:
(A) Receiving aid pursuant to ORS 412.014 or 412.124;
(B) In which the caretaker relative participates in suitable activities for the number of hours required each month to satisfy federally required participation rates; or
(C) Until the department has screened for and, if appropriate, assessed barriers to participation, including but not limited to physical or mental health needs, substance abuse, domestic violence or learning needs.
(c) The department may not reduce aid payments under this subsection before assessing the risk of harm posed to the children in the household by the reduction in aid payments and taking steps to ameliorate the risk.
(4) Following notice and an opportunity for a hearing under ORS chapter 183 and subject to subsection (2) of this section, the department may reduce the aid payment to the family of an individual who refuses to participate in suitable activities required by the individual’s case plan or may terminate the aid payment to the family of a noncompliant individual in accordance with procedures adopted by the department by rule.
(5) A caretaker relative may request a hearing to contest the basis for a reduction in or termination of an aid payment under this section within 90 days of a reduction in or termination of aid.
(6) Every six months, the department shall report to the Family Services Review Commission established under ORS 411.075 the status of and outcomes for families for whom aid has been reduced or terminated under subsection (4) of this section. The department shall work with the commission to establish the details to be provided in the report. [Formerly 418.045; 2011 c.604 §2; 2015 c.765 §12; 2019 c.602 §9]