The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is requesting to extend approval of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Data Reporting for Work Participation, with proposed revisions. Revisions are intended to improve the clarity of the instructions, streamline reporting, and ensure all instructions are up-to-date.

ACF is proposing to continue the same information collections with only changes to instructions to improve clarity and eliminate data elements and guidance that are no longer relevant. The Work Verification Plan Guidance has been updated to incorporate further guidance that was published in 2006. The TANF and SSP–MOE Data Report instructions were revised to streamline the data collection, reduce the burden on respondents by eliminating unnecessary data elements, and clarify confusing data elements. The TANF and SSP–MOE Data Report layouts were also updated to reflect the streamlined instructions. The TANF Sample Manual was revised to eliminate outdated and unused sections.

ACF specifically requests comments on (a) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Consideration will be given to comments and suggestions submitted no later than August 26, 2023.

Copies of the proposed collection of information can be obtained and comments submitted by emailing infocollection@acf.hhs.gov. Identify all requests by the title of the information collection.

This roadmap infographic depicts how the alignment of economic and concrete supports can increase family well-being and prevent child welfare involvement. The roadmap is based on the growing body of evidence that shows that families do better when they have access to concrete services and can achieve economic stability. Economic and concrete supports are “protective factors” – factors that prevent families from becoming involved in the child welfare system. The evidence indicates that increasing access to these supports may be an effective strategy to prevent child maltreatment, keep families together, and address racial inequities. Accompanying this infographic are a one-page brief on this alignment, a reference list of the current research, and a comprehensive PowerPoint presentation that synthesizes this research.

Leaders in TANF and related programs operate in a complex, rapidly changing service environment. In fall 2022, OFA’s Project IMPROVE launched a nationwide Leadership Initiative to support leaders and emerging leaders from state, local, and Tribal TANF and related programs. The Leadership Initiative covered strategic and visionary leadership, tools for managing change and continuous improvement, operational management, supporting and advancing leaders of color, developmental supervision, and changing culture and practice. This brief summarizes the Initiative and links to slides of the content sessions.

These Office of Family Assistance practice briefs and tip sheets focus on trauma-informed practices in TANF programs. Each resource has been informed by State and Tribal TANF staff and former customers and provides practical tips to TANF staff on supporting and implementing trauma-informed practices to improve collaboration between staff and with customers:

• Brief #1: Laying the Foundation: Trauma-Informed Practices in TANF Programs. This brief is for TANF leadership and administrators to support programs in designing and implementing trauma-informed practices.
• Brief #2: Applying Trauma-Informed Practices in Case Management and Supervision. This brief is for TANF case managers and supervisors to design and implement trauma-informed practices when working with customers.
• Tip Sheet: Applying Trauma-Informed Practices for TANF Eligibility Workers. This tip sheet is for TANF eligibility workers engaging directly with customers.
• Tip Sheet: Applying Trauma-Informed Practices for TANF Case Workers. This tip sheet is for TANF case workers engaging directly with customers.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Assistance (OFA) held the 2022 OFA Regions IX and X State and Territory TANF Technical Assistance Virtual Meeting: Reorient, Reset, and Rise on August 2-4, 2022. This virtual event provided TANF program representatives an opportunity to hear from programs in OFA Regions IX and X about each program’s TANF structure, significant insight, and priorities. Also featured were sessions on State TANF essentials and how programs are using technology to further human-centered design in social services. An inspirational speaker concluded the meeting, delivering insights, guidance, and actionable strategies for thriving in the unfolding of the future of work.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Assistance (OFA) held the 2022 Regions V-VIII State TANF Virtual Meeting on July 19-21, 2022. This virtual event brought together TANF program representatives from OFA Regions V-VIII and focused on how programs can best address the needs of families beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. The meeting included sessions on TANF fundamentals and updates, how the shift to the virtual world has impacted TANF customers and agencies, and changes programs can make to improve their support of customers throughout their TANF journey.

Also, participants chose from concurrent peer-to-peer sessions to attend based on their role within their state (case management, data personnel, or administrative/leadership) to discuss topics including eligibility and work requirements, TANF essentials, the new normal, and refocusing the customer.

This guide complements federal efforts (such as the Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation’s From Theory to Practice Project) to expand the use of administrative data for building evidence and is a resource to assist program evaluation teams in assessing the feasibility and potential value of examining long-term outcomes. The guide describes common steps for linking evaluation data and administrative data. Examples and case studies throughout the guide highlight efforts to research long-term economic outcomes such as participant employment and earnings, but the concepts presented should be applicable to a variety of social policy research contexts.

It is crucial for TANF agencies to use their data to understand how programs are working for the families they serve and how to improve those programs. Yet it is often difficult for agencies to prioritize and implement data use and analytics for program improvement. This brief discusses accessible and attainable strategies to increase data use and the dissemination of analyses, with the goal of supporting more evidence-based policymaking and improving programs for children and families participating in TANF.

The State of Washington Department of Social and Health Services, Economic Services Administration (DSHSA), Community Services Division (CSD), Office of Programs and Policy (OPP) is seeking a WorkFirst and TANF Cash Programs Policy Administrator to join their team. WorkFirst is Washington’s employment and training program for parents receiving TANF cash assistance. DSHSA is providing a gradual transition into full responsibility for management of this important and complex program. The selected candidate will collaborate with, be trained by, and learn the position from the outgoing Administrator until January 1, 2023, and then assume full supervisor and management responsibilities.