For employment and training services for recipients of benefits provided under the transitional aid to families with dependent children program; provided, that funds from this item may be expended on former recipients of the program for up to 1 year after termination of their benefits; provided further, that the department of transitional assistance may expend funds on such services for the noncustodial parents of dependent children receiving transitional aid to families with dependent children; provided further, that the department shall expend not less than the amounts expended in fiscal year 2026 for the young parents program and the competitive integrated employment services program; provided further, that not less than $170,000 shall be expended for learning disability assessments through the University of Massachusetts; provided further, that not less than $200,000 shall be expended for the DTA Works internship program; provided further, that not less than $3,000,000 shall be expended for the service providers with whom the office for refugees and immigrants entered into service agreements in fiscal year 2026 under this item; provided further, that certain parents who have not yet reached 18 years of age, including those who are ineligible for transitional aid to families with dependent children and who would qualify for benefits under
chapter 118 of the General Laws but for the consideration of the grandparents' income, shall be eligible to receive services; provided further, that not later than April 1, 2027, the department shall submit a report to the house and senate committees on ways and means including, but not limited to: (i) the number of clients served by these programs; (ii) the number of clients who transition into employment, when applicable; (iii) the number of clients who remain in employment after 90 days, when applicable; (iv) the number of clients who remain in employment after 1 year, when applicable; and (v) other quantifiable data related to client outcomes as designed by these programs; provided further, that the department shall examine the outcomes of these programs to determine which are effective in transitioning clients to employment and increasing self--sufficiency; and provided further, that the department shall consider other programs to meet the transitional employment needs of clients
