Federal benefits programs, such as TANF and SNAP, and tax credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit, can help encourage work and reduce poverty among working families. In the 2016 tax year, almost 26 million working families and individuals in every state received the EITC, which is available to low- and moderate-income families and individuals. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP), families often use these credits to pay for necessities, repair homes or vehicles, and in some cases, obtain additional education or training to boost their employability and earnings. Additionally, research indicates that children in families receiving the tax credits do better in school, are likelier to attend college, and earn more as adults. Looking at the Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM), the Brookings Institution reports that these tax credits lowered the national poverty rate by three percent in 2015, equivalent to lifting 9.2 million people above the poverty line. Many states and municipalities also operate state tax credit and subsidy programs that can enhance the benefits associated with federal credits.

This facilitated webinar on January 30, 2019 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET shared how they use their state and local programs, strategies, and informational tools to deliver valuable services and disseminate information about the value of tax credits and their impacts on low-income, working families. Presenters discussed strategies for how TANF programs and others can promote and leverage these programs to support the families they work with.

This Office of Family Assistance-produced resource guide intends to support HPOG grantees’ ability to implement stronger employer engagement and employment services. The guide includes case studies and tools created as a result of the HPOG Employment Virtual Learning Cohort technical assistance activity that involved 10 HPOG grantees meeting virtually for learning opportunities.

The State Plan is a mandatory statement that states submit to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS); it is comprised of an outline describing how the state's TANF program will be administered, as well as certifications required by the state's Chief Executive Officer. States are required to submit new plans within a 27-month period. HHS/Administration for Children and Families (ACF) proposes to continue information collection without change, and copies of the proposed collection can be obtained by writing to ACF. The Office of Management and Budget is required to make a decision regarding the collection of information between 30 and 60 days after publication of this document in the Federal Register.

The Systems to Family Stability (SFS) National Academy was an OFA initiative that consisted of eight teams (comprised of state TANF agencies, OFA representatives, and subject matter experts) that were organized to design and build collaborative systems within and across agencies to improve family economic security. In this second of three videos that were produced as a result of this initiative, leaders from the SFS National Policy Academy offer advice and ideas on supporting change.

The Systems to Family Stability (SFS) National Academy was an OFA initiative that consisted of eight teams (comprised of state TANF agencies, OFA representatives, and subject matter experts) that were organized to design and build collaborative systems within and across agencies to improve family economic security. In this first of three videos that were produced as a result of this initiative, SFS National Policy Academy participants share practical tips and ideas based on how they implemented strategies to expand their agency's capacity and support system-wide changes.

This blog post from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is part of the "Self-Sufficiency Series: Solutions from the Field" and highlights the $150 million initiative by the Administration for Children and Families’ Office of Family Assistance to conduct Healthy Marriage and Responsible Fatherhood (HMRF) promotion activities; of this $150 million, $75 million each year is designated for healthy marriage and relationship education (HMRE). OFA funds 46 HMRE programs in 27 states and the territory of Guam. One of these programs is University Behavioral Associates/Montefiore’s Supporting Healthy Relationships program, which delivers services on building healthy relationships and marriages to 300 married and unmarried couples each year. This blog post describes the services that two UBA/Montefiore program participants received and their appreciation for the services.

This blog post from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) discusses interoperability, data integration, and data-informed decision-making, which are essential elements in the delivery of effective human service programs. ACF has committed to an Interoperability Action Plan with the goal of expanding data sharing initiatives within ACF and beyond. The action plan supports and strengthens the ReImagine HHS focus on aligning programs and “Putting People in the Center of HHS Programs.” The plan takes a fresh approach on serving individuals and families to examine existing and service delivery models.

Strong partnerships between TANF programs and employers can lead to better long-term employment outcomes for TANF participants. By developing a partnership with employers, TANF programs gain direct access to information about potential and existing job openings, current occupational and skill needs, and anticipated changes within the organization that may impact jobs. In return, employers benefit by having access to a large pool of work-ready job applicants who have been pre-screened to fit the employer’s need, receive job supports that improve the likelihood of workplace success such as transportation and child care, and have access to education and training resources that help participants continue to build their skills. In these partnerships, TANF programs can work with employers to balance an employer’s need for productive employees and a TANF program’s need for job placements.

 

In this facilitated webinar, presenters shared how they leverage stable, long-term relationships with employers to increase employment opportunities for TANF participants. Additionally, presenters highlighted lessons learned and strategies for making such partnerships work. This webinar was held on August 22, 2018 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. EDT.