This cross-site analysis examines all 8 of the exemplary FBCO-TANF partnerships described in the project’s case studies, by drawing out important findings related to volunteer management, organizational infrastructure, inter-agency communication, and place-based strategies. Moreover, the 14-page report articulates some of the leading reasons a TANF agency would want to partner with an FBCO, and it describes how effective partnerships can emerge.

The Office of Family Assistance is pleased to remind you of an excellent opportunity for State and local Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) agencies to partner with local Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites to help American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) subsidized employment workers receive additional resources.

On January 26th, 2011, at 2:00 pm Eastern, Peer TA hosted a Webinar on TANF and EITC: Creating Additional Opportunities for ARRA Funded Subsidized Employment Participants. Although ARRA funding has ceased, State and local TANF agencies have an opportunity to provide additional support to their subsidized employment participants. Their subsidized employment participants may be eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), recognized as one of the most successful anti-poverty efforts in U.S. government history. This Webinar discussed how EITC and free tax filing at VITA sites can help TANF participants improve economic self-sufficiency and generate a positive economic return on the local economy; how TANF agencies have an opportunity to provide additional support to participants in ARRA funded or non-funded subsidized employment programs; and low-cost ways to connect participants to free tax preparation and services.

These resources come directly from the field, and consist of tools used by leading practitioners--both TANF officials and FBCO leaders--throughout the country. Examples include inter-agency Memoranda of Understanding, tracking and referral forms, recruitment tools, confidentiality agreements, and relevant participation surveys. Our tools are available in PDF, but if you would like Word versions of the tools, please email us at: peerta@blhtech.com.
Please note: Though used in the field, these products are not endorsed by the Office of Family Assistance, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services or any other branch of the federal government.

During Phase 3 of the project (2009-2010), in close partnership with the OFA Federal Project Officer, the project team conducted two-day site visits with each leading organization, which included faith-based organizations, community-based organizations, and intermediary partners. The case studies were drafted to isolate key insights about local collaboration and help identify strategic on-the-ground practices for FBCO leaders or TANF practitioners.

For many years the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program has been integrating economic, work, and program services with other safety-net programs to improve the available supports for low-income and working families. The impact of the recent recession has provided additional impetus to improve better-coordinated service delivery systems. From the desire to simplify and streamline client processes to improving service effectiveness, integrating TANF with workforce, child support, child welfare, SNAP, medical assistance, and education is key to increasing economic self-sufficiency. On October 26-27, 2010, The Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Assistance, Regions V and VII convened the Innovation through Integration: 2010 Heartland TANF Conference in Chicago, Illinois to bring together safety-net partners in an effort to enhance service integration and outcomes for TANF participants. The conference topics included TANF reauthorization, improving interoperability, serving immigrants and refugees, increasing work participation, employer engagement and program sustainability, domestic violence, and career development. The peer-focused conference sought to bridge the gaps between programs and begin the foundation for future technical assistance, program development, and integration.

In the foreground of reauthorization the Administration for Children and Families Regions I, II, III, and IV convened the first ever 2010 East Coast TANF Directors’ Conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on October 19-21, 2010. The conference brought together 24 State TANF directors and program staff to strategize on ways to move low-income and working families closer to economic self-sufficiency while providing important input on the development of new TANF legislation. Specific topics included subsidized employment, strengthening safety-net partnerships, improving assessments and service delivery for domestic violence victims, and asset development strategies to improve long-term economic development. The conference brought together federal, state, and local partners and stakeholders to develop a new vision for a new decade and to enhance the program options available to low-income families and TANF participants.

The economic and social needs in many Tribal communities are substantial. Poverty and related social challenges have long provided American Indian and Alaska Native Nations increased reason to improve economic development while enhancing service delivery for Tribal members. To aid in the development of comprehensive strategies to improve the available services for Tribal TANF participants, the US Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Region X hosted the Tribal TANF Conference in Tulalip, Washington on September 27-29, 2010. The 2-and-a-half day conference highlighted a variety of topics including data management, subsidized employment, emergency preparedness, client assessment, responsible fatherhood, domestic violence, self-sufficiency programming, and non-custodial parent services.

As states and territories prepare for TANF Reauthorization in 2011 and continue to navigate the challenges of the “Great Recession” they are focusing increased attention on harder-to-serve groups who may require strategic thinking and comprehensive service delivery. In order to develop stronger programs, increase interoperability, and leverage resources, the US Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Region IX brought together safety-net partners and other key stakeholders for the Region IX TANF Strategic Session in San Francisco, California from September 15-16, 2010. The session focused on increased program integration, improved service delivery, and enhanced client interaction. Specific topics included improving assessment and service delivery for domestic violence victims, interagency collaboration, client assessment, and program development in a tough economy.

For many years Tribal communities throughout Arizona have been challenged to meet the economic needs of low-income residents. Many Tribal communities suffer from high unemployment and low educational attainment and are hampered economically by low-income levels. On September 1-2, 2010, to respond to the ongoing and specific needs of Tribes in Arizona, the US Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Region IX hosted a Tribal TANF meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona. The meeting focused on comprehensive case management for Tribal TANF participants, administrative guidance, job creation, data management, and program development. As requested by the participants of the 2009 Tribal TANF meetings in ACF Region IX all care was used to develop a more interactive session between presenters and participants. As a result, the 2010 ACF Region IX Tribal TANF meetings were developed as discussion forums and there are no additional printed resources available at this time. For any additional information on these meetings, please contact ACF Region IX.