Vocational specialists will be introduced to all DTA offices, but starting with Brockon, Dudley Square, Fall River, Holyoke, Lawrence, Lowell, Malden, New Bedford, North Shore, Revere, and Springfield State Street. Certain TAFDC recipients who are subject to but not meeting the work program requirements, and recipients with documentation of a learning disability or who have been screened as possibility having a learning disability will be referred to these specialists.

As part of a pending agreement with the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), the Department must provide TAFDC applicants and recipients with the opportunity for screenings and in-depth assessments for learning disabilities. This agreement will help TAFDC applicants and recipients with learning disabilities obtain equal access to participation in DTA's Employment Services Program (ESP). DTA will be entering into the agreement to ensure that TAFDC applicants and recipients with learning disabilities are helped in overcoming barriers to reach self-sufficiency.

This Field Operations Memo also transmits changes to the Learning Disability Screening/Assessment Consent/Declination form (LDSC – 3/2006).

Due to comments received after issuance, the Learning Disability Screening Consent Declination form (Attachment A of 2006-14) has been revised. TAO Staff must destroy all copies of Attachment A and use the Learning Disability Screening Consent Declination form sent with this memo. If any applicant or recipient signed the Assessment Section of the previous form, the revised form must be mailed to the recipient with a request to resign the appropriate LD Assessment consent or waiver portion of the form.

Field Operations Memo 2006-14: “TAFDC – Learning Disability Screening and Assessment Clarifications and Revised Form” in part gave TAFDC staff instructions for answering the Learning Disability question on the Nonfinancials Q&A Navigator.

Updated memo informing DTA staff about the Department obligations under the agreement with the HHS Office of Civil Rights.

Survey for TAFDC recipients who recently participated in an ESP education or training activity, to see if disability-related needs were met and in a timely manner.