1. WIOA Partner Briefing: The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program
Moderator: Charlotte Harris
Workforce Analyst
Department of Labor
Employment & Training Administration
Presenter: Rachel Gwilliam, Program Specialist
February 13, 2018
OFFICE OF FAMILY ASSISTANCE

2. The TANF Program: Overview
$16.5 billion block grant program for states.
Replaced Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) in 1996 as the federal cash assistance program, included new work requirements and time limits.
TANF’s block grant structure and four broad purposes have made TANF into a flexible funding stream that is used by states for a wide variety of activities.

3. Purposes of TANF Program
Provide assistance to needy families so children may be cared for in their own homes or in the homes of relatives
End dependence of needy parents through job preparation, work, and marriage
Prevent and reduce out-of-wedlock pregnancies
Encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families

4. TANF: Federal and State Roles
Federal role
Policy: Provide broad policy guidance on statutory provisions
Financial: Ensure state spending is for allowable purposes and meets required minimum level (quarterly financial reports and audits)
Work participation: Measure participation of adult recipients to ensure activity requirements are met
State role
Flexibility to determine eligibility requirements, benefit levels, income and asset limits, sanction policies, etc.
Develop and provide a variety of non-cash services for families with children

5. Federal Oversight Data reported to HHS:
Caseload – number of families, children, characteristics
Financial – information on federal and state spending
Work participation – what adults are doing
States submit:
State TANF Plan – how they will operate their program
Work Verification Plan – how they will verify hours of participation
Other:
State audits
Penalties

6. TANF and MOE Spending and Transfers by Activity, FY 2016: United States

7. TANF Statutory Work Activities
Core activities
(count toward at least 20 hours)
Non-core activities
(do not count toward the first 20 hours)
Unsubsidized employment
Subsidized private employment
Subsidized public employment
Work experience
On-the-job training
Job search/job readiness assistance (6/12 weeks per year)
Community service
Vocational educational training (12 months lifetime)
Providing child care for an individual in community service
Job skills training directly related to employment
Education directly related to employment
Attendance at secondary school/GED program

8. WIOA Combined Plans
Combined plans include WIOA core programs and at least one combined state plan partner program, such as TANF.
States with combined WIOA plans including TANF:
AL, AR, CO, LA, MD, MA, MN, MS, MO, NE, PA, RI, TN, VA, WA

9. Benefits of Partnering with TANF
Experience with hard-to-serve populations
TANF agencies know the importance of and how to provide work supports
WIOA youth fund requirement
Research on what works
The Coaching Model
Webinar:
Brief:

10. Other Innovations in TANF
Career Pathways
Program Instruction:
Health Profession Opportunity Grants (HPOG)

11. TANF and One-Stops
TANF is a mandatory one-stop partner (it was optional under WIA).
Governor can opt out
One-stops must provide individuals with the opportunity to initiate an application for TANF benefits and services.
TANF agencies must ensure access to career services at the one-stop.

12. TANF and One-Stops cont.
Maryland: The Anne Arundel County Department of Social Services is an affiliate Career Center, offering services for clients receiving public assistance and foster care youth.
Texas: The Health and Human Services Commission conducts TANF income eligibility and the Texas Workforce Commission administers the Choices employment program for TANF recipients. Choices staff are co-located in Workforce Solutions offices.
Iowa: The Department of Human Services administers the state’s TANF cash assistance program (Family Investment Program) and the employment and training program for TANF cash assistance participants (PROMISE JOBS). The partnership requires a joint decision-making process between the two agencies.

13. TANF Employment and Training Services
Examples:
Unsubsidized and subsidized employment
Vocational Training
Community Service
Education (GED/Adult Education/Career-related training)
On-The-Job-Training
Work Experience
Job Skills Training
Mentoring
Job Retention

14. TANF Employment and Training Collaborations
Examples:
Education (GED/Adult Education/Career-related training)
VA – VIEW Program (VA Initiative for Employment not Welfare)
WV – Partnership between Dept. of Health and Human Resources and Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College
On-The-Job-Training
KY – Ready to Work Program and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System
CA – California Community College CalWORKS
PA – Keystone Education Yields Success
Work Experience
WA – Workfirst Program (Community Jobs; Career Jump)
Job Skills Training
OR - Rogue Educational Achievement Program

15. Emerging Practices from the Field
Common Intake Systems and Co-Enrollment
Work-Based Learning and On-the-Job (OJT) Training
Anne Arundel County, Maryland
Kentucky
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
Iowa
Career Pathways
Adult Education
California
Virginia
Oregon
West Virginia

16. True or False:
TANF participants or “welfare recipients” are generally not work-ready and lack the basic skills to perform on the job.

17. True or False
TANF is a complex and confusing program that may limit the ability of one-stops to function according to their mission.

18. Collaboration Resources
TANF/WIOA Resource Hub (2016)
TANF WIOA Learning Community Affinity Calls (January-March 2016)
Peer Exchange Workshop (September 2015)
National Experts Roundtable (June 2015)
Webinar: Building TANF and WIOA Partnerships to Improve TANF Recipient Employment Outcomes: Lessons Learned from TANF/WIA Coordination (January 2015)
TANF/WIOA Toolkits (Ongoing)

19. Additional Resources & Contact Information
OFA Website:
Welfare Rules Database:
Questions? Contact Julie Siegel, Director, Division of State TANF Policy: