A representative from the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) notes that in 2013, ACF clarified that TANF funds could be used to provide access to computers and the internet for needy parents (see https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ofa/resource/q-a-use-of-funds?page=2). It looks like for at least the next several months, virtual participation seems to be the best/only option for many needy parents to engage in employment, job search, education and training, and barrier removal activities such as mental health and substance abuse treatment. Given this, DSHS is researching the feasibility of using TANF funds to support laptops and internet access for grant recipients. Have any states or counties done this? How have you gone about it? How has it worked? Are any states or counties now considering it? If individuals have additional documents or information to share, please contact peerta@blhtech.com.

A representative from ASPE would like to identify any States that have developed statute procedures or written policies for reducing or suspending state child support debt when parents marry or re-marry. Washington and Vermont have taken steps to help parents who marry or re-marry handle any state child support debt that might have accumulated while they were not living together.