700-1           INTRODUCTION TO TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE

The Alaska Temporary Assistance Program (ATAP) is administered by the State of Alaska, Department of Health, Division of Public Assistance under the authority of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) of 1996 and the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 45 Part 260. On July 1, 1997, ATAPAlaska Temporary Assistance Program replaced the federal Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDCAid to Families with Dependent Children) and the Jobs, Opportunities and Basic Skills (JOBSJobs Opportunities and Basic Skills) programs. ATAPAlaska Temporary Assistance Program is authorized under Alaska Administrative Code, Title 7 Chapter 45.  Temporary Assistance is funded with a combination of state general funds and a federal Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANFTemporary Assistance to Needy Families (Federal)) block grant.

The overarching goal of Temporary Assistance (TA) is "To move Alaskans from welfare into jobs so they can support their families, and maintain a safety net for those truly in need.” The Division of Public Assistance (DPADivision of Public Assistance) adopted the Work First approach to achieve this goal. Work First maintains that any job is a good job and the best way to succeed in the labor market is to join it. This policy manual contains policies and guidelines that support the TATemporary Assistance goal. It will guide DPADivision of Public Assistance staff as they work to help needy families reach self-sufficiency.

Although ATAPAlaska Temporary Assistance Program continues to apply some AFDCAid to Families with Dependent Children eligibility rules, it is based on a fundamentally different philosophy supported by very different policies.These policies emphasize work, promote responsibility and set limits while maintaining the safety net for needy Alaskan families. Most TATemporary Assistance families must participate in self-sufficiency planning, and able-bodied adults must participate in work activities. ATAPAlaska Temporary Assistance Program sets a 60 month assistance limit.