Minors age 15 or younger who have not graduated from high school and who are dependent children or parents in an ADC family are required to attend school. ADC benefits will be reduced $50 for each dependent child or minor parent who, without good cause, has accumulated a number of unexcused absences from school sufficient to jeopardize the student's academic progress, and the ADC caretaker relative or needy guardian or conservator has not taken reasonable steps to encourage the child(ren) to improve his/her (their) attendance.
If the student demonstrates satisfactory attendance according to the school, the sanction may be lifted before any subsequent grading period. The benefit payments must be reinstated after a subsequent grading period in which the child has substantially improved his/her attendance.
The $50 sanction is imposed only on a caretaker relative or guardian or conservator who is in the unit.
Note: If a 16-year-old child is removed from the unit, the grant is reduced by the amount for one individual, but the $50 sanction is no longer imposed.
(12/27/97)