TANF, Child Support and Employment Program Partnerships Promoting family self-sufficiency through coordinated service delivery

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF EACH OF THESE PROGRAMS?

Title IV-A: Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)  To provide assistance to families so that children may be cared for in their own, or a relatives’ home, by promoting job preparation and work, and by encouraging the formation and maintenance of two- parent families

Title IV-D: Child Support Program (CSP)  To ensure that both parents financially (and emotionally) support their children  Focus on obtaining financial support from the non-custodial parent (NCP)

Employment and DOL job programs  To make job search, work activities, including education, skills and job- readiness training, available to clients who require assistance

WHAT IS THE COMMON GOAL OF TANF, CSP, AND EMPLOYMENT/JOB PROGRAMS?

Common Goals  Empowering families to achieve self-sufficiency through regular employment, and when necessary, paying child-support  The combination of regular job earnings, and regular child support payments, helps low-income families to become, and remain, self-sufficient

Common Goals  Reducing dependency on government benefits, which allows governments to provide benefits to other families and children in need  Providing services leading to self- sufficiency through education, job search assistance, job-skill training and education and support services (transportation, childcare, counseling, medical insurance)

Why is it important that IV-A and IV-D have good partnerships?  To ensure families receive the optimum benefits from all the services that are available  To maximize resources by ensuring programs are not providing duplicate services  To ensure the programs meet heir respective objectives efficiently and effectively

Program Services  Is each program aware of the services available under the other programs?  If so, how is that information shared with clients?  Are referrals made to other programs, and if so, who is responsible for follow-up?

Maximizing Resources  Are programs providing timely and/or similar services?  If so, which program is in a position to provide the most comprehensive service?  Can programs pool resources and personnel to achieve shared-goals?

Meeting Program Requirements  How can the actions of one program affect the responsibilities and performance of another program?  How can programs ensure they support the responsibilities and performance of another program?

COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION-SHARING

Why is information-sharing important?  To accurately identify the legal custody of children and the services needed by CP’s, NCP’s and relative care-givers so no one falls “between the cracks”  To accurately track court-ordered and required program activities for clients that are receiving services  To identify fraudulent activities

Information-Sharing continued…  Prompt assessment and opening of cases to ensure timely services  Sharing of information and providing education on the services a client may qualify for under other programs  Joint-efforts to support family needs

Communication  How does each program identify a “case” (parent, child, relative)?  How does each program make, and track, referrals to other program (is their a central point of contact, by case number)?  Is input from the other programs requested when taking action on a case (how is this accomplished)?

WHAT IS WORKING…

Best Practices  Co-locating staff in the same building or in close proximity  Teaming of the respective program staff that works the same caseload  Creating a Coordinator Position to facilitate IV-A/IV-D links  Cross-training and shared-training to facilitate a better understanding of the respective programs

Best Practices  Formation of a team, with representatives from each program, to review the shared cases and determine the best course of action for the family  Manual and systems development to expedite referrals and case- management activities

WHAT OTHER PROGRAMS PLAY A PART…

Clients with Special Needs IIdentify clients with shared- needs that the programs can not address: - Physical disabilities - Alcohol and Drugs - Mental and Emotional Health - Domestic Violence

Special Needs  What State/Tribal programs can address these needs?  Who qualifies for services?  How can you create better relationships with these programs?  If a referral is made, how does he referring agency inform other IV- A/IV-D/Employment programs of the referral?