DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES PUBLIC NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR INFORMATION The Department of Human Services (DHS), Benefit, Employment and Support Services Division (BESSD) requests information and recommendations from the general public, private sector, and community based organizations, as well as religious organizations, in keeping with Sec. 104, Public Law 104-193. The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Programs four purposes are: 1) To provide assistance to needy families; 2) To end dependence of needy parents by promoting job preparation, work and marriage; 3) To prevent and reduce out of wedlock pregnancies; and 4) To encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families. The Department is seeking recommendations from the public on the services needed in the community to further fulfill TANF purpose 2 as stated above The Department seeks to enter into contract(s) to establish a diversion program for TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) and TAONF (Temporary Assistance to Other Needy Families) eligible recipients in Kauai, Maui, West Hawaii, and East Hawaii locations. The diversion program intends to provide an opportunity for TANF/TAONF eligible recipients to become employed without having to collect welfare benefits by providing employment services including but not limited to, counseling, job placement, job retention and support services (e.g. child care and transportation). To assist the Department in planning for such services, information and recommendations are to be submitted in writing no later than March 22, 2008 to: Department of Human Services Benefit, Employment and Support Services Division Employment and Child Care Program Office Attn: Catherine Dela Cruz 820 Mililani Street, Suite 606, Haseko Center Honolulu, HI 96813 Phone: (808)586-7095 Fax: (808) 586-5744 E-mail: cdelacruz@dhs.hawaii.gov The Department may engage in further informal discussions to gather additional information and recommendations. The Department reserves the right to incorporate in a solicitation, if issued, for such a contract, any information and recommendations presented and/or submitted in response to this request for information. Neither the Department nor any respondent to the request for information bears any obligation under this request for information. Lillian B. Koller, Esq. Director