Transitional Jobs 2 2010-2011

Appropriation Level: $5,000,000

The OTDA Transitional Jobs 2 program will provide subsidized job opportunities and paid education and training opportunities to low or no income TANF-eligible individuals, with priority given to TANF-eligible public assistance recipients. The Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) released 10-LCM-18 on November 5, 2010 to inform districts of the availability of $5,628,198 in federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Funds to support the Transitional Jobs 2 program. The $5,628,198 is comprised of $5M appropriated in the SFY 2010-11 State Budget and $628,198 in unspent SFY 2009-10 Transitional Jobs funds. District allocations are based on three components. First, $5 million was distributed based on each district’s share of the SFY 2009-10 Transitional Jobs allocation. Then, districts that claimed at least 50% of their first year Transitional Jobs allocation as of August 16, 2010 were provided an add-on of 25% (districts that claimed 80% or more received an add-on of 33%) of the initial Transitional Jobs 2 allocation. Finally, the remaining balance ($518,940) was allocated to districts that had a six-month average Unemployment Rate above the six-month Statewide Average (March 2010-August 2010).

Districts establishing a Transitional Jobs 2 program are expected to provide a subsidized employment placement for up to twelve months at an hourly rate of at least $7.25 per hour, however, employment opportunities that pay more than minimum wage are preferred. Up to 40 hours per week of employment may be subsidized, provided that each participant receives at least 105 hours of paid education and training during the program period. Paid education and training activities are expected to improve participants’ employment skills and prepare individuals for unsubsidized employment. The combination of the subsidized employment with the education/training will permit participants to develop workplace skills while also enhancing education attainment and/or job skills to support permanent job placement at or before the end of the transitional job. Districts will provide supportive services, as needed to support job retention both during and following the subsidy period and to support advancement in the education/training component of the program. Districts are also expected to ensure that program participants are provided information on the availability of earned incomes tax credits and other credits that participants may access once working and facilitate access to transitional benefits including health insurance and transitional child care and supplemental nutrition assistance benefits.

Subsidized employment positions established under the Transitional Jobs program may not replace existing funding and must be consistent with Sections 336-e and 336-f of the Social Services Law.

Districts are expected to submit plans to OTDA no later than December 6, 2010 to be eligible for funding. Approved projects are expected to begin on or after October 1, 2010 and operate through June 30, 2014. Final claims must be received by August 15, 2014.

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