Maximizing Participation Project (MPP) is an Employment and Training (E&T) Program that provides services to TANF and Extended TANF individuals who have been identified as having:
A physical or mental disability as determined by a Medical Assessment Form (MAF) (PA 635); or
Multiple barriers to participation and have demonstrated a pattern of being terminated from E&T programs due to these barriers.
MPP focuses on the needs and barriers of the entire family. The primary goal of MPP is to help clients secure and retain employment by providing services and encouragement that will help the client and household members remediate or stabilize barriers that may hinder them from achieving self-sufficiency. This is accomplished through appropriate assessments, evaluations, services, and activities.
NOTE: Participation in MPP is available only to clients in Philadelphia CAOs.
All other client who meet MPP criteria should be referred to a Work Ready provider by the CAO.
There is no maximum limit of months to participate in MPP.
TANF individuals may volunteer for MPP if they have:
A physical or mental disability as determined by a Medical Assessment Form (MAF) (PA 635) These clients are identified on eCIS with an ETP Program Status Code of 53 (Exempt); or
Multiple barriers to participation and have demonstrated a pattern of being terminated from E&T programs due to these barriers These clients are identified on eCIS with an ETP Program Status Code of 60 (Mandatory RESET).
Clients are required to meet Extended TANF (E-TANF) requirements in order for their cash assistance to continue beyond the 60 month limit. Clients can meet the E-TANF track requirement by participating in MPP if they have:
A physical or mental disability as determined by a Medical Assessment Form (MAF) (PA 635) These clients are identified on eCIS with an ETP Program Status Code of 53 (Exempt); or
If a pre-60 month client who is mandatory (ETP code 60) agrees to participate in MPP, failure to participate without good cause may result in a sanction. CAOs will follow all procedures related to compliance review, determining good cause, and sanctioning for pre-60 month TANF clients. (See Cash Assistance Handbook, Chapters 135.7 and 135.8).
MPP is designed to provide individuals with the opportunity, tools and services needed to move toward self-sufficiency through a variety of social and health-related services, intensive case management, education, training and ultimately employment opportunities. MPP has a team-centered approach. A team of professionals, called the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) will help the individual identify and resolve barriers.
The MPP worker will coordinate with the CAO Disability Advocacy Worker (DAP) and local social service agencies such as:
Mental Health (MH) Agencies.
Drug and Alcohol (D&A) Agencies.
Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR).
Other social services or medical assistance agencies as appropriate, examples include:
Domestic Violence Agencies.
Housing Agencies.
Crisis Intervention Centers.
The MPP Worker and Team should determine if participants are ready to increase activity hours because they have resolved or stabilized their barriers sufficiently, or have minimal barriers, and do not require extensive interventions MPP participants who need the support of a ramp-up to employment can be referred to the WR contractor for Employment and Training activities.
The CAO will close the MPP case, project code B, and any activities associated with MPP on the ETP Project Enrollment screen in order for the MPP participant to participate in WR.
If a post-60 month participant has been connected with all necessary services, barriers are resolved or appropriately stabilized, does not need continued MPP Team follow-up, and now is only awaiting a decision from Social Security, it is appropriate for the participant to be terminated from MPP using termination code J (Pending SSI Approval), and enrolled in Project A with a Sub-project code 24 on the ETP Project Enrollment screen. The participant would then be entered in the Deferral Track, TE code 34. There is no current time limit regarding the amount of time in the Deferral Track. These participants will be transitioned to a Disability Advocacy Program (DAP) or ongoing caseload to be determined by the CAO.
1. If the individual’s needs would be better met by MPP because the individual has multiple barriers to participation and has demonstrated a pattern of being terminated from E&T programs due to these barriers, or the individual chooses to volunteer for MPP.
2. If needed to determine eligibility the contractor or the CAO will provide the individual with a PA 635.
NOTE: The contractor continues to serve the individual until the MPP referral is completed.
3. The individual returns the PA 635, and it indicates the individual has a disability.
4. The individual completes a Medical and Social History (PA 1718).
NOTE: The MPP worker may assist the individual.
5. When the individual meets with the MPP worker:
The AMR is updated.
The appropriate Releases of Information are completed.
The MPP Enrollment Form (PA 1724) and TANF Work Activity Summary (PA 1725) are completed.
A draft MPP Service Plan (PA 1726) is completed.
NOTE: The individual must participate for an average of 20 hours per week, unless the individual 's circumstances and the MDT recommends less than 20 hours per week. However, at no time will this reduction go below 5 hours per week.
Complete the ETP Project Enrollment screen with “B” Project.
NOTE: The MPP worker and individual can agree to complete this information during one meeting or during several meetings.
6. The individual and the MPP worker meet with the MDT.
7. Finalizes the MPP Service Plan and attaches it to the AMR.
8. Refers the individual to appropriate social and health-related services and monitors the individual's progress.
NOTE: Steps 5 through 8 can be repeated as necessary
9. Completes a Work Capacity Assessment (WCA) for individuals who enrolled in MPP after they began receiving Extended TANF.
NOTE: In Philadelphia County, the Home Health Assessment (HHA) is administered instead of the WCA.
MPP Medical and Social History (PA 1718)
Release of Information Forms (PA 1723)
MPP Enrollment Form (PA 1724)
TANF Work Activity Summary (PA 1725)
MPP Service Plan (PA 1726)
Data entry will be considered timely if entered within five days of the start date of the activity.
Individual Non-Fin Questions screen
Enter ETP code 53.
ETP Project Enrollment screen
Open Project B.
Enter the referral date.
Enter the appointment date.
In Philadelphia, enter Project ID 5101 or 5102.
Update as necessary or required.
ETP Project Enrollment screen
Enter the appropriate begin date and activity codes for all MPP activities.
Enter expected hours.
Enter actual hours of participation at least monthly.
Update as necessary or required.
Individual Non-Fin Questions screen—ETP 53
ETP Project Enrollment screen—Project B, Activity code (AC)= 99 for MPP activities
As TANF clients reach their five-year limit of welfare benefits, they must meet certain Extended TANF eligibility requirements to continue receiving TANF Cash Assistance beyond the five-year limit. One way to qualify for Extended TANF is through enrollment and participation in MPP.
In Philadelphia, Extended TANF MPP participants go through a Home Health Assessment (HHA), provided by PHMC.
The goal of the HHA is to fully evaluate an individual 's circumstances by assessing the his or her health condition and current household situation.
If the individual is already enrolled in MPP at the time he or she reaches 1,830 days of TANF, he or she may continue to participate in MPP.
An individual is eligible for the Extended TANF MPP track when he or she has a verified disability and is exempt from RESET. A referral to MPP is required unless the individual is awaiting receipt of SSI.
Updated April 11, 2013, replacing May 11, 2012