Delaware Code Title 31. Welfare § 1502. Establishment of program

(a) The Delaware Welfare Employment Program (the “Program”) is created within the Department of Health and Social Services (the “Department”) as a critical component of the State's welfare-to-work strategy;  provided, however, that the Program shall, as with the State's other welfare-to-work strategies, be administered by the Department in cooperation with the Department of Labor (“DOL”), and the Delaware Workforce Development Board (“WDB”).  To the extent necessary to enable the Department to make use of the Program for appropriate cases, the Department shall amend the state plans for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (“TANF”) program and shall seek federal approval for plan amendments and any waivers from federal law.  The Department shall implement the Program with maximum federal financial participation.

(b) In lieu of receiving cash payments from the TANF program during a placement, participants in the Program shall be provided with productive jobs and paid in a way that promotes self-sufficiency and the opportunity for advancement in the workforce.

(c) Job placement services shall be used by the State to the maximum extent possible to assist participants to take unsubsidized private sector jobs.  Only if no suitable unsubsidized job or more cost-effective job can be found within a reasonable time may participants be assigned to jobs under the Program.