39-7,103. Employment and related services for public assistance recipients; responsibility of secretary for children and families; cooperation by state and local agencies; KanWork program; rules and regulations; contracts; monitoring and evaluating program; waivers from program requirements. (a) The secretary for children and families shall be responsible for the planning, integration and coordination of employment and related services for public assistance recipients. All appropriate state and local agencies shall cooperate with the secretary in the planning, integration and coordination of employment and related services as provided under the KanWork act.

(b) Within the limits of appropriations therefor, the secretary shall establish and administer the KanWork program for recipients of public assistance which shall consist of the following components: Evaluation for eligibility and services; job preparation, training and education; support services; and transitional services.

(c) The secretary shall adopt rules and regulations which establish KanWork program requirements for eligibility for the receipt of public assistance and which establish penalties to be imposed when an assignment under a KanWork program requirement is not completed without good cause. The secretary may adopt rules and regulations establishing exemptions from any such KanWork program requirements, except that no person shall be exempt solely because such person provides care for a child three years of age or older unless federal law or rules and regulations specifically provide that such a person be exempt and a waiver of such requirement cannot be obtained. Requirements, exemptions and penalties established under this subsection (c) shall be consistent with the provisions of any state or federal law, rules and regulations or waiver granted under federal law or rules and regulations which relate thereto.

(d) In carrying out the duties specified under the KanWork act, the secretary shall seek the advice of and consult with the KanWork interagency coordinating committee. The secretary may enter into contracts as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of the KanWork act.

(e) The secretary shall monitor and evaluate periodically the KanWork program and shall track job retention rates of participants for not more than 15 months after a participant is employed and is no longer eligible for cash assistance. Within the limits of appropriations therefor, the secretary may enter into contracts for marketing and publishing information concerning the KanWork program and may enter into contracts for assistance in monitoring and evaluating the KanWork program and in tracking job retention rates of applicants.

(f) The secretary may seek waivers from program requirements of the federal government as may be needed to carry out the provisions of the KanWork act and to maximize federal matching and other funds with respect to the programs established under such act.

History: L. 1988, ch. 141, § 3; L. 2014, ch. 115, § 102; July 1.