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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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: https://peerta.acf.hhs.gov/content/integrating-executive-functioning-principles-soft-skills-activities-and-case-management Brief: https://peerta.acf.hhs.gov/content/establishing-coaching-and-motivational-interviewing-practices-tanf-programs

Other Innovations in TANF Career Pathways Program Instruction: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ofa/resource/tanf-acf-im-2016-05 Health Profession Opportunity Grants (HPOG)

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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)

Additional Resources & Contact Information OFA Website: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ofa Welfare Rules Database: http://wrd.urban.org/wrd/databook.cfm Questions? Contact Julie Siegel, Director, Division of State TANF Policy: julie.siegel@acf.hhs.gov