3.__Project specifications.__The project must meet the following specifications:

A.__The department shall provide notice to ASPIRE-TANF program and Parents as Scholars Program participants in the 4 offices selected for the project pursuant to subsection 2 that peer support, information and advocacy services are available to them and ensure that the project is designed to provide, to the maximum extent feasible, access to those services;

B.__Volunteers in a peer support and advocacy group must receive adequate training from the department to provide the services available under this project. Training must include, without limitation, the establishment of relationships and coordination with relevant advocacy groups;

C.__Volunteers shall maintain the confidentiality of ASPIRE- TANF program and Parents as Scholars Program participants with whom they are working;

D.__Volunteers in a peer support and advocacy group are authorized to work directly with ASPIRE-TANF program workers and Parents as Scholars Program workers and supervisors to help resolve problems identified by participants from whom they have received a request for assistance;

E.__Each peer support and advocacy group is responsible for identifying and documenting systemic problems facing ASPIRE- TANF program and Parents as Scholars Program participants served by its office and reporting those problems to the department and to the Maine Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Advisory Council established by Title 5, section 12004-I, subsection 36-C; and

F.__The department or any employee of the department may not penalize, retaliate against or discriminate against any ASPIRE-TANF program or Parents as Scholars Program participant for seeking assistance from a volunteer in a peer support and advocacy group or against any volunteer in a peer support and advocacy group acting within the scope of the volunteer's role.__If a volunteer in a peer support and advocacy group or an ASPIRE-TANF program or Parents as Scholars Program participant believes this paragraph has been violated, the individual or the individual's representative may request a fair hearing pursuant to Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 4.