A representative from the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) notes that in 2013, ACF clarified that TANF funds could be used to provide access to computers and the internet for needy parents (see https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ofa/resource/q-a-use-of-funds?page=2). It looks like for at least the next several months, virtual participation seems to be the best/only option for many needy parents to engage in employment, job search, education and training, and barrier removal activities such as mental health and substance abuse treatment. Given this, DSHS is researching the feasibility of using TANF funds to support laptops and internet access for grant recipients. Have any states or counties done this? How have you gone about it? How has it worked? Are any states or counties now considering it? If individuals have additional documents or information to share, please contact peerta@blhtech.com.

A representative from the New York Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Performance Evaluation and Data Analysis group asks: Which states include a place on their applications where clients give permission to be contacted for surveys to improve program functioning? Does anyone have a sample consent to contact language that they could share?

A representative from the New York Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance asks, Do any states use "permission to contact" language in their Public Assistance applications?

A representative from the Oregon Department of Human Services asks, "What are other states' best practices on documenting work participation hours, including online educational activities?"