The Office of Family Assistance’s TANF Outcomes Technical Assistance and Logistics (TOTAL) team delivers training and technical assistance to state TANF programs and partners responding to the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 (FRA). The team hosted their May office hours, which reviewed the work outcomes of TANF Exiters Report submission requirements. A documentation template for Work Outcomes of TANF Exiters Report was made available as well.

For any questions or assistance, contact the TANF Data Division at TANFData@acf.hhs.gov.

Studies have shown that literacy levels are strongly positively correlated with earnings and socioeconomic status, with high literacy levels associated with higher earnings. The effect is not limited to only adults in the household. Research highlights the importance of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs investing in adult basic education (ABE) to not only improve the earnings and employment outcomes for adults but also improve future outcomes for children in the household. This Office of Family Assistance brief explains how these investments aligns with TANF purpose two as literacy programming have downstream effects on the entire family and can lead to higher-paying jobs that increase economic independence and reduce benefit churn, where families exit TANF (or other means-tested benefits) only to reapply shortly thereafter. The brief highlights programs that utilized federal or state TANF dollars to provide programming that focuses on increasing literacy levels and skills gain, along with providing supportive services, to lead to better outcomes.

Under Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) purpose three, states implement programs to prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies. States have taken various approaches to pregnancy prevention, from offering family planning services to sexual risk education, youth mentoring, and home visiting programs. This Office of Family Assistance brief spotlights some of these approaches in Georgia, Minnesota, and Oklahoma.

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program plays a key role in promoting strength and stability for families experiencing poverty. By helping families to meet their basic needs, obtain employment, and nurture healthy family relationships, TANF programs can foster long-term family wellbeing and economic independence. States have significant flexibility to use TANF funds to address unique family needs and accomplish any of the four purposes of TANF.

The Office of Family Assistance released a series of briefs that highlight innovative and strategic ways that states are leveraging TANF funds to strengthen families and communities by building capacity for self-sufficiency and economic independence. This brief highlights kinship navigator programs (KNP) and how they respond to purpose one of TANF. The brief looks at the work of Louisiana’s KNP, including their goals, services, and funding.

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program plays a key role in promoting strength and stability for families experiencing poverty. By helping families to meet their basic needs, obtain employment, and nurture healthy family relationships, TANF programs can foster long-term family wellbeing and economic independence. States have significant flexibility to use TANF funds to address unique family needs and accomplish any of the four purposes of TANF.

The Office of Family Assistance released a series of briefs that highlight innovative and strategic ways that states are leveraging TANF funds to strengthen families and communities by building capacity for self-sufficiency and economic independence. This brief explains the gap between Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program and TANF participation and suggests that there is room to increase support for families in need. The brief highlights how state TANF agencies could work to increase participation in WIC to fulfill the TANF purpose one.

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program plays a key role in promoting strength and stability for families experiencing poverty. By helping families to meet their basic needs, obtain employment, and nurture healthy family relationships, TANF programs can foster long-term family wellbeing and economic independence. States have significant flexibility to use TANF funds to address unique family needs and accomplish any of the four purposes of TANF.

The Office of Family Assistance released a series of briefs that highlight innovative and strategic ways that states are leveraging TANF funds to strengthen families and communities by building capacity for self-sufficiency and economic independence. This brief spotlights healthy relationship initiatives in West Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, and Utah.

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program plays a key role in promoting strength and stability for families experiencing poverty. By helping families to meet their basic needs, obtain employment, and nurture healthy family relationships, TANF programs can foster long-term family wellbeing and economic independence. States have significant flexibility to use TANF funds to address unique family needs and accomplish any of the four purposes of TANF.

The Office of Family Assistance released a series of briefs that highlight innovative and strategic ways that states are leveraging TANF funds to strengthen families and communities by building capacity for self-sufficiency and economic independence. This brief highlights the work of Family Support Centers (FSCs) towards preventing child welfare involvement. FSCs serve as a single-entry point for families to access a range of free or low-cost services. Although FSC services may support all four purposes of TANF, the brief focuses specifically on their role in strengthening families and preventing CPS involvement in support of TANF’s first statutory purpose: to provide assistance to families so that children can be cared for in their own homes or in the homes of relatives.

This National Responsible Fatherhood video explores the community's interest and openness to change, reflecting on insights from leadership, staff, and family members about anticipated improvements and expectations. Topics covered in this video include:

• The collective commitment to enhancing the well-being of all families in West Virginia;
• The overwhelming desire to encourage and provide services specifically for fathers, ensuring they receive the support needed to be actively involved in their children's lives;
• The perspectives from leaders, staff, and family members about the future of social services and the changes they hope to see; and
• The efforts to create programs that foster stronger community connections and remove barriers that fathers face. 

This National Responsible Fatherhood video highlights the dedicated efforts taking place within West Virginia's Family Support Centers (FSCs), which are essential community hubs that provide a wide range of services to families with children up to age 18 and pregnant families. Topics covered in this video include:

• Innovative service models implemented at FSCs, designed to meet the unique needs of each community;
• Diverse range of services offered, including parent education classes, child development activities, after-school programs, GED and literacy instruction, health information, and more;
• Staffing, training, and recruitment practices that ensure effective and compassionate service delivery;
• Continuous quality improvement measures in place to maintain the effectiveness and sustainability of these programs; and
• Renewed efforts to support and empower fathers, enhancing their role in family dynamics.

This National Responsible Fatherhood video highlights the often-overlooked struggles of fathers, who face significant barriers in receiving the support and resources they need to be present and effective caregivers. Topics covered in this video include:

• The pervasive economic struggles that impact countless families across the state;
• The devastating effects of drug addiction, particularly opioids, on individuals and their loved ones; and
• The alarming number of children entering the foster care system due to familial instability and substance abuse.