Distance Learning is a countable TANF work activity and supervision can be done electronically!

The ACF Reauthorization of TANF Program; Final Rule released 2/5/08 specifically states in the Daily Supervision section on Page 11 that:

"A responsible party has a daily responsibility for oversight of the individual's participation, not necessarily daily, in-person contact with the participant."

It goes on to say that:

"...the supervision need not involved in-person contact, but can be by telephone or electronic contact where those methods are suitable."

In the next section, Distance Learning Activities, ACF states:

"We will count time spent in distance learning to the extent that such programs otherwise meet the work activity definitions and include supervision."

States need to explain how they will monitor hours of participation in distance learning activities in their Work Verification Plan. The comment on the topic pointed out that "some programs keep track of the time individuals spend on a computer in ways that participants cannot change" -which, of course, your In-Home Learning System programs do down to the second!

Once again, congratulations to us all! Let the innovation begin!