TANF at 30

The history of the nation’s cash assistance programs reflects nearly a century of evolving approaches to supporting low-income children and families. Beginning on August 14, 1935, Aid to Dependent Children (ADC) was established under the Social Security Act as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal response to the Great Depression. ADC offered cash assistance specifically to needy children whose parents were absent, incapacitated, or deceased, without extending aid to adult caregivers. By 1962, Congress formally recognized the importance of the family unit and parental employment by allowing states to broaden the program—becoming Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC)—to include households with unemployed parents (UP) through the AFDC-UP option. These early developments laid the groundwork for the comprehensive reforms that would follow, ultimately leading to the modern Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.
US House Majority Leader Newt Gingrich (stands behind Clinton) applauds US President Bill Clinton after Clinton signed the Balanced Budget Agreement on the South Lawn of the White House August 5th in Washington.

Landmark Dates for TANF

 
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Families are Stronger Together

 
Webinar / Webcast

The American Public Human Services Association will host a webinar on May 7, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. to explore how childcare systems and TANF programs can better align in a shifting policy and operational environment. TANF programs can use these…

Research-To-Practice Brief

This Chapin Hall brief helps unpack how families actually move through Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) over time, going beyond simple caseload counts to show how long families stay connected to support. One of the key insights is…

Fact / Tip Sheet

This Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network tipsheet focuses on how Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs can support children living with relatives or caregivers who are not receiving full family benefits. It fills a key…

Stakeholder Resource

Families participating in Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) may face challenges that extend beyond financial hardship. This guide helps Tribal TANF staff recognize family strengths, connect caregivers with supportive services…

Webinar / Webcast

The Heritage Foundation will host a webinar on April 30, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. ET to explore how family stability connects to broader economic and social outcomes. This presentation will help Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs to…

Stakeholder Resource

This webpage offers a comprehensive approach to empowering parents and serves as an example of how Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs can think more intentionally about family formation as part of their services. It shows how…

Work Innovations

 
Dataset

The National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD) provides data on outcomes for youth transitioning out of foster care, including education, employment, and housing. For Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) practitioners, this is a…

Stakeholder Resource

This AIR resource explores how adopting practices that focus on skills rather than other predictors of success like degrees and past job titles can open more employment opportunities. That approach aligns closely with Temporary Assistance for…

Fact / Tip Sheet

This Apprenticeship.gov resource highlights how intermediary organizations can help connect employers, training providers, and workforce programs to expand access to apprenticeships. For Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs,…

Podcast

This Annie E. Casey Foundation podcast highlights CareerReady ATL, a youth apprenticeship program, and shows how targeted workforce strategies can connect young people to education and employment pathways. For Temporary Assistance for Needy…

Dataset

The Urban Institute’s Affordability Tracker shows how affordability varies across regions and over time, highlighting pressure points in household budgets. It provides context for understanding why families may struggle even when working by…

Toolkit

Credential Finder is a tool that helps individuals explore certifications and training programs that align with career goals and labor market needs. TANF programs can use this resource to support participants in advancing their education and…

Promoting Healthy Marriages and Two-Parent Families

 
Webinar / Webcast

On April 22, 2014, the Administration for Children and Families' Office of Family Assistance (OFA), Division of Tribal TANF Management and the Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) hosted a webinar, "Tribal Child Support and Tribal TANF:…

Webinar / Webcast

The OFA Regions VI & VIII TANF Webinar Series: TANF Data Reporting and Analysis Webinar # 3: Using Research to Inform Practice: ACF's Family Self-Sufficiency and Stability Research Consortium (FSSRC), was held on September 12, 2013. The…

Report

The Administration for Children and Families' Office of Family Assistance (OFA), Division of Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Management and the Office of Child Support Enforcement hosted a Webinar entitled "Partnering for…

Webinar / Webcast

The Administration for Children and Families' Office of Family Assistance (OFA), Division of Tribal TANF Management hosted a Webinar, "Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Webinar." This Webinar was the first of a two-part series, and…

Webinar / Webcast

The Office of Family Assistance hosted the "Broadening the Scope of Work Activities: Using Cultural Activities in Tribal Communities" Webinar to provide an opportunity for participants to hear from Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (…

Report

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Family Assistance (OFA), Region IX hosted six Tribes from Arizona, community stakeholders and topical experts at the 2011 Tribal TANF…