A representative from the Washington State Department of Social & Health Services is seeking strategies to increase opportunities for public assistance recipients to maintain bank accounts with the goal of increasing financial literacy and financial management skills.

A representative from the Missouri Family Support Division is seeking information regarding Temporary Assistance diversion payments:

• What is the diversion payment amount (or how many months TA benefit does it equal)?
• What has been the annual cost of the diversion program to the state?
• How many/what percentage of TANF applicants opt for the diversion payment? What restrictions are imposed when an applicant opts for the diversion payment?
• Has the implementation of the diversion program had a positive impact on the TANF Work Participation Rate? If so, what was the overall impact?
• What has been the annual cost of the diversion program to the state?
• How many/what percentage of TANF applicants opt for the diversion payment?
• What restrictions are imposed when an applicant opts for the diversion payment?
• Has the implementation of the diversion program had a positive impact on the TANF Work Participation Rate? If so, what was the overall impact?

A representative from the New York Human Resources Administration would like to know if anyone recommends an assessment tool to measure the employment-related motivation level of cash assistance for clients? New York is looking for a tool that will allow them to compare motivational levels among different groups of clients to determine whether a particular intervention is successful in increasing clients motivation to find and maintain employment.