This report is part of the Congressional Research Services series that focuses on changes in programs affecting low-income children in light of the upcoming 30-year anniversary of the enactment of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA).

Reliable childcare is often essential for parents to participate in employment, education, and training activities. This report explores how childcare programs have changed over the past three decades and why those changes matter for families with low incomes. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) practitioners can use this resource to better understand the role of childcare in supporting family self-sufficiency, strengthen partnerships with childcare providers, and connect families to services that help remove barriers to work and long-term economic stability.

This report is part of the Congressional Research Services series that focuses on changes in programs affecting low-income children in light of the upcoming 30-year anniversary of the enactment of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA).

This report looks at how Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) has evolved since its creation in 1996, highlighting key policy changes and trends over time. It is a useful resource for TANF administrators, managers, and frontline staff who want to better understand the program's history and how it has adapted to meet the changing needs of families. The report can help inform TANF program planning, staff training, and discussions about future improvements while providing important context for serving families more effectively.

This report is part of the Congressional Research Services series that focuses on changes in programs affecting low-income children in light of the upcoming 30-year anniversary of the enactment of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA).

This report examines how Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for children with disabilities has changed over the past 30 years and what those changes mean for families with low incomes. For Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs, it provides valuable context on how disability benefits can complement TANF services and support children with significant needs. TANF staff can use this resource to better understand how families may access multiple supports, strengthen referrals, and coordinate services that promote family stability and financial security.

Helping families achieve economic security requires more than employment services. This Child Trends brief examines Virginia's Comprehensive Health Investment Project, a comprehensive case management program that helps families with low incomes meet immediate needs, such as housing and other basic supports, while also working toward long-term education and employment goals. The findings show how a whole-family approach can improve employment outcomes over time. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) practitioners can use these insights to strengthen case management, build partnerships with community providers, and better connect families with the coordinated supports they need to achieve lasting economic stability.

With funding from the U.S. Department of Labor, Jobs for the Future (JFF) partnered with organizations across 24 states to expand pre-apprenticeship and Registered Apprenticeship programs that create career pathways for young people ages 16–24. This JFF resource explores what can help participants successfully transition from pre-apprenticeship into Registered Apprenticeships and where common barriers exist. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) practitioners can use these insights to strengthen career pathways for youth and young adults, build partnerships with apprenticeship programs, and connect participants to in-demand careers that lead to long-term employment and economic stability.

Approximately one in seven young people in New York City between the ages of 16 and 24 are not in school or not working. This MDRC brief examines the Advance & Earn program, which combines education, career coaching, and paid work experiences to help young adults build skills and prepare for employment. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs serving opportunity youth can use these findings to explore strategies for engaging young adults who face barriers to work, supporting them as they complete training and creating stronger pathways to long-term employment and economic independence.

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has proposed changes to the regulations governing federal financial assistance, including grants and cooperative agreements that support programs administered by states, tribes, local governments, and nonprofit organizations. If finalized, the proposed rule could affect how federal funding is awarded, managed, monitored, and reviewed across a wide range of human services and workforce programs.

The National Congress of American Indians will host a webinar on July 1, 2026 at 3:00 P.M. ET to provide an overview of the proposed changes and their potential implications for organizations that receive or administer federal funds. For Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs, understanding these proposed revisions is important for anticipating how future changes to federal grant requirements could affect program operations, compliance responsibilities, partnerships, and funding administration. The session will offer an opportunity to learn about the rulemaking process, key provisions under consideration, and ways stakeholders can stay informed as the proposal moves forward.

The Workforce Pell initiative expands federal Pell Grant eligibility to certain short-term training programs, creating new opportunities for individuals seeking credentials that can lead to employment in high-demand industries. As states and training providers begin implementing the program, understanding how Workforce Pell will operate is essential for workforce and human services professionals.

This Jobs for the Future roadmap provides a practical overview of Workforce Pell, including eligibility requirements, the role states play in approving programs, and key implementation considerations. It also highlights the challenges states and institutions may face as they build the systems needed to support eligible nondegree credential programs.

For Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) practitioners, the Workforce Pell has potential to increase access to financial aid for participants pursuing short-term training that aligns with employment goals. This resource can help TANF programs understand emerging opportunities, identify eligible training pathways, and prepare to connect participants with programs as they become available.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) serves over 40 million Americans annually, and SNAP program integrity involves multiple federal and state responsibilities, including eligibility verification, payment accuracy oversight, fraud investigations, claims recovery, and efforts to address rising third-party EBT theft. Because many Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) families also receive SNAP, practitioners regularly encounter situations where these issues intersect: a client whose EBT card was skimmed, a case flagged for review, or a question about what "payment error" means. This American Public Human Services Association report walks through the full picture of common SNAP fraud: the different types of integrity risks, the critical difference between intentional fraud and honest mistakes, how the investigation and enforcement process works, and what states are doing to protect benefits from theft.

It is important to distinguish between intentional fraud, unintentional household or agency error, retailer trafficking, and third-party benefit theft, because different integrity risks require different prevention, investigation, oversight, and recovery approaches. For TANF practitioners, this resource is a practical reference for real situations — helping you speak accurately with clients, navigate conversations with partner agencies, and support families whose benefits have been compromised.

When a parent can't care for their child, a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or close family friend often steps in without a second thought, even when it stretches their own household thin. These kinship caregivers are doing something remarkable, and the research confirms it makes a real difference. Children raised by kin experience fewer school disruptions, fewer placement changes, and better mental health outcomes than their peers in traditional foster care. Yet despite this, fewer than 12% of eligible kinship caregivers ever receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits.

This Chapin Hall resource highlights the positive outcomes associated with kinship care and examines the barriers that can prevent caregivers from receiving needed assistance. For TANF practitioners, it offers practical insights into the unique needs of kinship families and strategies for improving outreach, coordination, and service delivery. Whether you're strengthening partnerships with community-based organizations, developing referral processes, or helping families connect to benefits, this research provides evidence-based approaches to better support kinship caregivers and the children in their care.