The intent of this chapter is to assist public assistance applicants and recipients to become wage earning, self-supporting citizens of the State of Alabama. Thus, through the provisions of this chapter, the Department of Human Resources shall develop and coordinate employment related programs, training activities including work experience, vocational training, job finding skills, remedial education, and social services with the goal of reducing welfare dependency and the costs thereof to the State of Alabama; to improve the participants' economic quality of life, to improve personal functioning through acquisition of general education and parenting skills, and to remove barriers to employment and financial independence.

The Department of Human Resources shall establish and administer a welfare employment program for persons applying for, or receiving, public assistance in the State of Alabama. The department shall develop program policy, criteria, requirements, and procedures and issue rules and regulations for governance of the program, insofar as federal guidelines permit, and shall assume program management responsibilities including budget planning, cost accounting, data collecting and reporting, evaluation and assessment of program performance, and standards for effective use of distributed funds. The program shall include development of employment strategies, employment-related programs and activities and family support services directed toward affecting the intent and goals of this chapter.

The Department of Human Resources shall seek federal funds, as such are available, to carry out work-related requirements and activities for public assistance applicants and recipients who are required, or permitted, by federal law to be referred to an employment-related activity. Program size, requirements, benefits and services shall be contingent upon the availability of funds and on the program's demonstrated cost effectiveness. The department may also seek and receive other public or private funds, donations, or in-kind services to carry out the program activities of this chapter.

Every applicant for and recipient of public assistance, except those exempted by federal law or regulation, shall be required to register and participate in programs and activities of the Alabama welfare employment program. The state may exercise exemption options under federal law. Exempt applicants and recipients of public assistance may volunteer to register and participate in the Alabama welfare employment program. Mandatory participants shall be subject to sanctions, in accordance with federal law, if they fail to comply with the requirements of the program.