Working Smarter, Not Separately: Integrated Systems in Action

Record Description

WorkforceGPS will host a free webinar on May 28, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. ET focused on how agencies can improve coordination through integrated systems and cross-program collaboration. For Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) practitioners, this is especially relevant because families often interact with multiple systems at the same time, including workforce, childcare, child welfare, education, and housing programs. When these systems are not aligned, families may encounter duplicated paperwork, service gaps, or confusion about where to access support.

The webinar will explore how integrated approaches can better align workforce, education, and human services, including TANF programs, by moving from strategy into implementation. It will highlight how data sharing can improve coordination, strengthen efficiency, and support better outcomes, as well as how labor market analysis can inform joint planning and decision-making across systems. Drawing on state examples, the session will share implementation approaches, lessons learned, and real-world impacts, along with practical considerations for putting integration into practice and emerging priorities for strengthening coordinated service delivery.

Record Type
Combined Date
2026-05-28T15:00:00
Source
OFA Initiatives
Region
City/County
Publication Date
2026-05-28

FRA Secondary School Attainment Measure Roadmap & Checklist: Step-by-Step Implementation Guide for TANF Administrators and Data Partners

Record Description

As part of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, all states are required to submit the Secondary School Diploma or its Recognized Equivalent Attainment Rate report annually, with the first report due on November 14, 2027. This outcome measure is intended to help federal and state policymakers to better understand the effectiveness of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families programs in promoting successful education credential attainment. States have some flexibility in determining the data sources used to create this report. For states planning to collect administrative records, this document is both a roadmap and a checklist that assists you with creating the report and includes additional resources. We suggest that you work through the steps in this document with your team.

Record Type
Combined Date
2026-05-18T00:00:00
Source
OFA Initiatives
Region
City/County
Publication Date
2026-05-18

ACF Notifies 39 Governors That States Are Diverting Foster Youths’ Earned Social Security Survivor Benefits

Record Description

In December 2025, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) sent letters to 39 governors, calling for immediate action to protect vulnerable foster youth in their states. The letters highlighted the pressing issue of state child welfare agencies diverting foster youths’ earned Social Security survivor benefits. These agencies were intercepting federal benefits, such as Social Security survivor benefits earned through a deceased parent’s lifetime contributions, that were intended for a child in foster care. The agencies then used these funds to reimburse their own costs.

ACF has notified the governors who allowed this practice and is working with states to end it. The goal is to ensure these earned benefits are no longer taken from foster youth and are instead preserved to support them as they transition out of state care.

Record Type
Combined Date
2025-12-11T00:00:00
Source
OFA Initiatives
Region
City/County
Publication Date
2025-12-11

Strengthening Integrity in Child Care Subsidy Programs: Addressing Fraud Risk Through Design, Not Disruption

Record Description

Childcare support is a key piece of how Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs help parents work, attend training, and stay on track toward stability. But increased attention on fraud and improper payments can create pressure to tighten rules in ways that may unintentionally limit access. The American Public Human Services Association will host a webinar on June 4, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. ET that will focus on how better system design can prevent issues before they happen, rather than reacting after the fact.

The webinar will walk through where childcare subsidy breakdowns typically occur, such as in eligibility, attendance tracking, or payment processes, and shows how aligning these pieces can reduce errors without adding extra steps for staff or families. For TANF practitioners, this helps address a common challenge: maintaining program integrity while keeping services accessible and manageable. It points to practical ways to build safeguards directly into everyday workflows.

By understanding that many issues stem from system gaps rather than individual behavior, TANF staff can use this resource to strengthen oversight in a way that supports both accountability and access—helping ensure families continue receiving the childcare support they need to stay employed.

Record Type
Combined Date
2026-06-04T13:30:00
Source
OFA Initiatives
Region
City/County
Publication Date
2026-06-04

Rising to the Challenge: How State and Local Governments Use Technology and AI

Record Description

Technology is increasingly shaping how human services are delivered, and this resource highlights how states and localities are using tools like AI to improve outcomes. For TANF practitioners, the value lies in seeing what’s possible—especially when it comes to reducing administrative burden and improving how clients access services. It helps bridge the gap between innovation and day-to-day practice, offering examples that can inform program improvements and spark new approaches to service delivery.

Record Type
Combined Date
2026-04-01T00:00:00
Source
OFA Initiatives
Region
City/County
Publication Date
2026-04-01

Benefit Redeterminations Aren’t Going Away: How Consent-Based Automation Helps States Manage the New Normal

Record Description

Frequent eligibility checks can create administrative strain for both Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) staff and the families they serve. This American Public Human Services Association resource addresses that challenge directly by exploring how automation—when designed with client consent—can simplify the verification process through tools such as Argyle. Automation is an effective way to reduce workload while also minimizing disruptions for families who rely on benefits. TANF programs can use these ideas to rethink how redetermination is handled, making processes more efficient without losing sight of client trust and accessibility.

Record Type
Combined Date
2026-04-28T00:00:00
Source
OFA Initiatives
Region
City/County
Publication Date
2026-04-28

Cross Agency Data Sharing, Governance, and Practice

Record Description

For Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs, access to reliable data is essential: not just for eligibility verification through systems like the Income and Eligibility Verification System (IEVS), but for understanding how families interact with multiple government assistance programs over time. This on-demand webinar recording from the National Center for Education Statistics explores how State-Level Data Systems (SLDS) support that broader view by integrating data across partners.

The value for TANF practitioners is how this resource connects the dots between systems. For example, IEVS provides critical verification data, but SLDS creates the structure that allows agencies to manage, share, and use that data alongside other sources. This webinar highlights how governance, data-sharing agreements, and coordinated practices make that integration possible. TANF staff can use these insights to improve how their programs collaborate with partner agencies, strengthen data quality, and make more informed decisions. It supports more coordinated service delivery and a clearer understanding of outcomes for the families TANF serves.

Record Type
Combined Date
2026-01-01T00:00:00
Source
OFA Initiatives
Region
City/County
Publication Date
2023-03-21

Strategies for Creating Buy-In and Engaging Reluctant SLDS Partners

Record Description

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs rely on accurate, shared data to verify eligibility and coordinate services, but building those data-sharing relationships can be difficult. This on-demand webinar recording from the National Center for Education Statistics focuses on how to engage partners within State-Level Data Systems (SLDS)—the broader platforms that house and manage data across agencies, including systems like the Income and Eligibility Verification System (IEVS).

This recording helps practitioners navigate the human side of that infrastructure, including how to build trust, align priorities, and encourage participation from agencies and providers who may be hesitant to share data. It offers practical ways to strengthen collaboration so TANF programs can more effectively verify information, reduce duplication, and connect families to a broader set of supports.

Record Type
Combined Date
2026-01-01T00:00:00
Source
OFA Initiatives
Region
City/County
Publication Date
2024-11-04

Data Governance: How to Make Data Work for Your Agency

Record Description

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs collect large amounts of data, but often face challenges turning that data into useful insights. This on-demand webinar explains how strong data governance—clear roles, standards, and processes—can help agencies use their data more effectively. Without a clear approach, data can become fragmented or underutilized. TANF practitioners can apply knowledge gained to improve data quality, support decision-making, and strengthen reporting. Better data governance ultimately helps staff understand client needs more clearly and design services that are more responsive and effective.

Record Type
Combined Date
2026-05-04T00:00:00
Source
OFA Initiatives
Region
City/County
Publication Date
2026-05-04

Modernizing Government Budgeting

Record Description

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs operate within tight and often complex funding structures, making it critical to plan and allocate resources effectively. GovLoop will host a webinar on May 14, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. ET to explore practical approaches to modernizing budgeting processes so agencies can be more flexible and responsive. It will address traditional budgeting methods that don’t always keep pace with changing program needs. For TANF practitioners, the webinar will offer ideas for aligning funding decisions with real-time data and program priorities. Adopting these strategies could lead to better use of funds, improved service delivery, and stronger outcomes for families relying on TANF support.

Record Type
Combined Date
2026-05-14T14:00:00
Source
OFA Initiatives
Region
City/County
Publication Date
2026-05-14