OFA Regions IV, V, VI, VII, and VIII Tribal Technical Assistance Meeting

Record Description
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Family Assistance (OFA), Regions IV, V, VI, VII, and VIII hosted the Tribal Technical Assistance Meeting on May 3‐5, 2016 at the Hilton Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport Mall of America Hotel in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The meeting brought together Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Native Employment Works (NEW) stakeholders to discuss innovative strategies and collaborations to promote economic and social well‐being for individuals, families, and tribal communities. During the meeting, tribal representatives engaged in talking circles and listening sessions, shared best practices, and participated in workshops and action planning in order to more successfully serve the program participants in their communities.
Record Type
Posting Date
Combined Date
2016-06-08T20:00:00
Source
Region
City/County
Publication Date
2016-06-09
Upload Files
Attachment Size
Agenda 706.05 KB
Participant List 521.82 KB
TANF Drug Testing FY2014 - Elaine TopSky 228.35 KB
TANF Drug Testing FY2016 - Elaine TopSky 196.85 KB
Intake Process for Clients - Elaine TopSky 94.08 KB
OFA Regions IV-VIII Tribal TA Meeting Action Planning Template 352.18 KB
2Gen in Tribal Communities - Holly Snowball Morales 1.44 MB
Employment Strategies for Youth and the Hard-to-Employ - Charles Modiano 825.51 KB
Human Trafficking in Indian Country - Sadie YoungBird-Barusto_Linda Thompson 3.47 MB
Opportunity Link: Havre, Montana - Barbara Stiffarm 1.88 MB
Building Individual and Community Prosperity in Northcentral Montana - Barbara Stiffarm 1.05 MB
Case Management Strategies for Participation and Engagement in Career Pathways Programs, Pt. 1 - Jodie Sue Kelly 4.12 MB
Case Management Strategies for Participation and Engagement in Career Pathways Programs, Pt. 2 - Jodie Sue Kelly 3.79 MB
Garden of Truth_The Prostitution and Trafficking of Native Women in Minnesota - Nicole Matthews 817.74 KB
Speaker Biographies 519.53 KB
Tribal Talking Session_Start-Up and Planning 235.88 KB
WECARE_White Earth Coordination Assessment Resources and Education - Kim Turner 3.64 MB
Workin with Tradition_Barbara Stiffarm 1.82 MB
Summary Report 1.44 MB

H-PACT: A descriptive study of Responsible Fatherhood programs serving Hispanic men

Record Description

This report describes four Responsible Fatherhood programs that focus primarily on low-income Hispanic fathers:

  1. Futuro Now from KidWorks, a partner of The East Los Angeles Community Union, in Santa Ana, California
  2. Project Fatherhood at The Children’s Institute, Inc., in Los Angeles County, California
  3. Project Padres at Imperial Valley Regional Occupational Program in Imperial County, California
  4. Responsible Fatherhood Program at Southwest Key in San Antonio, Texas

This study provides information about how these federally funded programs are implemented in a culturally relevant way and insights into the participating fathers’ program experiences. (author abstract)

Record Type
Posting Date
Combined Date
2014-12-31T19:00:00
Source
Region
City/County
URL
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/opre/resource/h-pact-a-descriptive-study-of-responsible-…
https://www.mathematica-mpr.com/our-publications-and-findings/publications/hpac…
Publication Date
2015-01-01

Webinar: Grandparents Raising Grandchildren and Other Child-Only Issues

Record Description
The Administration for Children and Families' Office of Family Assistance (OFA) Regions V, VI, VII, and VIII hosted a webinar, "Grandparents Raising Grandchildren and Other Child-Only Issues" on Wednesday, August 20, 2014 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. EDT. This webinar was the second in the 2014 Regions V, VI, VII, and VIII Tribal TANF webinar series "Addressing the Needs of Children." The Webinar provided strategies for addressing the needs of the growing population of grandparents who are raising their grandchildren, particularly those with child-only, TANF-eligible grandchildren. The speakers provided strategies and resources that were relevant to both social service providers and grandparents.
Record Type
Posting Date
Combined Date
2014-08-20T10:00:00
Source
Region
City/County
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Attachment Size
Presentation 3.8 MB
Transcript 258.04 KB

Webinar: TANF Children Endangered by Drug Use

Record Description
The Administration for Children and Families' Office of Family Assistance (OFA) Regions V, VI, VII, and VIII hosted a webinar, "TANF Children Endangered by Drug Use" on Tuesday, August 12, 2014 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. EDT. This webinar was the first in the 2014 Regions V, VI, VII, and VIII Tribal TANF webinar series: "Addressing the Needs of Children." It addressed the growing issue of protecting children in environments of increasing drug use. Key topics included: identifying when a child is exposed to drug use in his/her home; implementing processes for addressing the needs of drug endangered children; and strategies for keeping a child's life stable when his/her family is unstable.
Record Type
Posting Date
Combined Date
2014-08-12T10:00:00
Source
Region
City/County
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Attachment Size
Transcript 313.86 KB
Presentation 5.21 MB

TANF Directors Region VI Meeting: Building a Path to Family Stability, September 2014

Record Description
The Region VI State TANF Meeting: Building a Path to Family Stability, convened by the Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Assistance, took place on September 23 - 25, 2014 in Dallas, Texas. The meeting brought together TANF program directors, stakeholders, and State administrators to learn strategies, engage in dialogue, and build linkages with peers to improve program outcomes and promote economic and social well-being for individuals, children, and families. Specific topics covered during the meeting included: moving towards evidence-based practices; engaging non-custodial parents to improve child and family outcomes; improving effective programming for families facing homelessness; working with victims of family violence; and addressing the needs of rural TANF participants.
Record Type
Posting Date
Combined Date
2014-11-30T19:00:00
Source
Region
City/County
Publication Date
2014-12-01
Upload Files
Attachment Size
Final Summary Report 525.15 KB
Agenda 917.17 KB
Speaker Biographies 957.68 KB
Texas NCP Choices Presentation 644.65 KB
Ray Marshall Center Presentation 685.93 KB
Genesis Women's Shelter Presentation 2.35 MB
National Network to End Domestic Violence Presentation 640.27 KB
Texas Workforce Commission- Labor Market Presentation 4.43 MB
Career Development and Placement Strategies Presentation 1.65 MB
Goodwill Fatherhood Works Presentation 727.52 KB
FACT Project Presentation 1.32 MB
Oklahoma Department of Human Services Presentation 842.69 KB
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities Presentation (Improving Employment Outcomes) 126.64 KB
Employment and Training Administration Presentation 584.54 KB
ICF International Presentation (Evidence-Based Practice) 327.83 KB
Arkansas Career Pathways Initiative Presentation 1.32 MB
National Alliance to End Homelessness Presentation 608.02 KB
U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness Presentation 435.09 KB
Louisiana Housing Corporation Presentation 284.48 KB
The Family Place Presentation 431.69 KB
Mathematica Presentation 54.6 KB
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities Presentation (Strengthening TANF Programs) 624.66 KB
ICF International Presentation (Strengthening TANF Programs) 330.13 KB
Participant List 521.96 KB

Summary of Outreach to States on TANF Caseloads and Case Management Services: Jefferson County, Colorado Department of Human Services

Record Description
In December 2011, representatives from the Jefferson County Department of Human Services, Career and Family Support Services, Colorado Works and Child Care Assistance Program contacted the Welfare Peer TA (WPTA) Network for assistance in determining the optimal number of cases each TANF caseworker should maintain, so that an appropriate amount of time and attention can be paid to all participants to assist them in achieving higher levels of economic self-sufficiency. In response to Jefferson County’s TA Request, the WPTA team conducted information gathering outreach to 10 of the largest cities in the country (New York, New York; Los Angeles, California; Chicago, Illinois; Houston, Texas; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Phoenix, Arizona; San Antonio, Texas; San Diego, California; Dallas, Texas; and San Jose, California). This data provided Colorado and other States a greater understanding of optimal caseload sizes for TANF offices, and of caseload sizes per TANF eligibility workers versus case managers. The Technical Assistance Summary associated with this effort provides a high-level overview of TANF caseload sizes among the 10 highlighted metropolitan areas. It also provides insight into staffing structure, caseload size designation, characteristics of staff and participants, caseload manageability, caseload assignments, caseload demographic information, workload and responsibilities of staff, curricula and training, as well as barriers and challenges faced by the TANF programs.
Record Type
Posting Date
Combined Date
2012-12-31T19:00:00
Source
Region
City/County
Publication Date
2013-01-01
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Attachment Size
Summary Report 1.12 MB
Innovative Programs

Family Pathfinders

Mission/Goal of Program

In September 1996 Family Pathfinders was created by John Sharp, the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts in response to welfare reform. The program goal was to enlist community support for welfare reform efforts by partnering with faith and civic groups to form mentoring teams to work with families on their journey to self-sufficiency.  Over the years, they have expanded their mentoring program to serve additional low-income clients and the reentry population and broadened their programming to include job readiness and financial literacy.

In October 2014 Family Pathfinders was named a Top-Rated 2014 Nonprofit by GreatNonprofits and awarded a spot on the GreatNonprofits Hall of Fame. 

Programs/Services Offered

Mentors join hands with an individual or family for one year, helping them make the very difficult transition to financial stability.  Each mentor provides a broad range of support including budgeting, job preparation, decision making, emotional support, parenting advice and goal setting.  Mentors support a family by helping them set goals and create plans to attain those goals. In addition, mentors provide assistance with problem solving, connection to community resources, decision making, money management, parenting issues, and emotional support. They are closely involved in the lives of their clients.

Financial Literacy: classes help students identify ways to better manage their money, reduce expenses, save for emergencies and improve their self-advocacy skills in a fun and interactive setting. Using the FDIC “Money Smart” curriculum and class role play activities, the students learn basic steps for creating a household budget, choosing and using banking resources, identifying borrowing risks and benefits, improving credit and saving for financial goals. All students receive a “budget box” which is a portable file with tools to help them create a budget and manage their financial records and bills.

Financial Coaching: Pathfinders provides financial coaching to help low and moderate income people attain financial stability. Financial Coaching builds on financial (education/management) skills to address personal needs for improving financial behaviors. Each client-driven session is led by a volunteer Coach with training in budgeting, banking and borrowing, and credit.

Start Date
Sunday, September 1, 1996
Type of Agency/Organization
Non-profit social services agency
City
Fort Worth
State
Texas
Geographic Reach
Onesite
Clientele/Population Served
Low income families, homeless individuals, TANF recipients, working poor
Topics/Subtopics
Employment
Mentoring
TANF Program Administration
Collaborations and Partnerships
URL
http://www.pathfinderstc.org/

Sustainable Employment Strategies: A TANF, Workforce, and Child Support Collaboration

Record Description

The Region IV Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Assistance (OFA); Region IV U.S. Department of Labor (DOL); and Region IV Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) convened a meeting entitled "Sustainable Employment Strategies: A TANF, Workforce, and Child Support Collaboration" in Atlanta, Georgia, from August 14-16, 2013. The meeting provided TANF, Workforce, and Child Support administrators and staff with an open forum for discussing critical issues impacting the collaboration of their respective entities towards sustainable employment strategies for their TANF and hard-to-serve population, and an opportunity to network both amongst themselves and with Region IV leadership. Region IV staff from each agency--ACF, DOL, and OCSE--shared lessons learned and gathered strategies that can improve their own programs' ability to identify and address multiple barriers, and develop pathways to create sustainable employment and career building opportunities for program participants. In addition, the meeting gave participants an opportunity to meet with their individual State teams to develop action plans that support interagency collaboration.

Record Type
Posting Date
Combined Date
2013-07-31T20:00:00
Source
Region
City/County
Publication Date
2013-08-01
Upload Files
Attachment Size
Agenda 573.79 KB
Participant List 511.83 KB
Speaker Biographies 529.41 KB
Welcome Letter 143.07 KB
Addressing Barriers to Employment: Criminal History 723.75 KB
Re-entry Job Details Description 2 444.3 KB
Network Contacts Blank Form 140.38 KB
Strategic Outreach Presentation 404.9 KB
Telephone Log Blank Form 71.94 KB
TOPPSTEP Client Job Search Plan 253.33 KB
TOPPSTEP: The Offender Parolee Probationer State Training Employment Program Presentation 404.04 KB
Addressing Barriers to Employment: Learning Disabilities and Adult Basic Education 1.21 MB
Pre-Conference Session 14.99 MB
How to Make Career Connections Presentation 1.64 MB
Business Engagement Action Plan Blank Worksheet 115.86 KB
Engaging Non-custodial Parents (NCP) in the Family's Self-Sufficiency Strategy 558.03 KB
Texas Workforce Commission – NCP Choices Program Guide 1.13 MB
NCP Choices – Comprehensive Field Guide 6.55 MB
Facilitated Panel – A Dialogue about Employer Needs 395.78 KB
Importance of Employment Collaboration 741.12 KB
A Brief Review of the DOL Performance Regression Model Presentation 3.22 MB
Sustainable Solutions Session 2.82 MB
Sustainable Solutions – Atlanta Civic Site Presentation 614.24 KB
South Carolina Center for Fathers and Families Overview Presentation 84.6 KB
Addressing Family Homelessness 260.43 KB
North Carolina TANF/Head Start Collaboration 383.37 KB
Resources 222.19 KB
Program Summary Fact Sheet 83.34 KB
Final Report 1.51 MB

Region VI TANF Fiscal Policies and Reporting Training

Record Description

The Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Assistance, Region VI hosted a hands-on and interactive training for TANF programs on September 11-13, 2012. The 2012 Fiscal and Data Management Workshop in Dallas, Texas covered topics from caseload reduction credits and maintenance of effort (MOE) to cost allocation, audits, and penalties and provided TANF program representatives with the most comprehensive and hands-on training on managing TANF programs available. The workshop brought together State TANF directors and fiscal staff to strategize on ways to manage TANF dollars, collect, analyze, and report TANF participant and program data. Attendees learned strategies for maximizing TANF dollars and local partnerships and worked with peers to understand promising strategies for improving program performance and participant outcomes.

Record Type
Posting Date
Combined Date
2012-08-31T20:00:00
Source
Region
City/County
Publication Date
2012-09-01
Upload Files
Attachment Size
Region VI TANF Fiscal Policies and Reporting Training - Summary Report 1.19 MB
How States Have Spent their Federal and State Funds under TANF - PowerPoint 1005.9 KB
Fiscal Forum - PowerPoint 2.47 MB
Helping Families Achieve Self-Sufficiency - PowerPoint 157.11 KB
Region VI TANF Fiscal Policies and Reporting Training - Resources 471.92 KB
Region VI TANF Fiscal Policies and Reporting Training - TANF Website References 37.38 KB

State Approaches to the TANF Block Grant: Welfare is Not What You Think it Is

Record Description

This Urban Institute report details how state policy decisions affect TANF program administration in five states: California, Florida, Michigan, Texas, and Washington. The authors examined both cash assistance and other aspects of the block grant, plus how states responded to the Deficit Reduction Act and the recession.

Record Type
Posting Date
Combined Date
2011-12-31T19:00:00
Source
Region
City/County
URL
http://www.urban.org/research/publication/state-approaches-tanf-block-grant-wel…
Publication Date
2012-01-01