ESP Overview/Participation Requirements

106 CMR 707.00 contains the regulations for the TAFDC Employment Services Program (ESP), which is administered by the Department. TAFDC grantees, including a sanctioned or an ineligible grantee who is a parent, excepting an SSI parent, must participate in ESP as follows: (A) If the youngest child in the assistance unit (or who would be in the assistance unit but is ineligible) in accordance with 106 CMR 704.305(A)(5)(a) through (c), is two years of age or older the grantee must participate in ESP in accordance with 106 CMR 703.150(A): Requirements, unless he or she is employed for the required hours per week as provided in 106 CMR 703.150(A)(5). If there are slots available in any other ESP component, the grantee may be required to participate in one of those components. Also, if the grantee is meeting his or her Work Program requirement by working for pay, participating in community service or in other work program activities as provided in 106 CMR 703.150(A)(2) or a combination of these activities, he or she may volunteer to participate in the Full Employment Program. (B) In accordance with 106 CMR 707.140, a grantee, including sanctioned and ineligible grantees, must participate in the ESP Educational Component (high school or high school equivalency test (HiSET) certificate program) if he or she is a teen parent and has not graduated from high school or does not have a HiSET certificate. (C) A dependent child 16 or 17 years of age who is not attending school must participate in ESP. (D) All other clients may volunteer to participate in ESP, subject to appropriations.