The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Family Assistance (OFA), Regions VI and VIII hosted the Bi-Regional TANF Technical Assistance Meeting on June 28-30, 2016 at the Region VI Program Office in Dallas, Texas. The meeting brought together TANF program directors and other stakeholders to discuss innovative strategies and collaborations to learn strategies, engage in strategic dialogue, and build linkages with peers to improve program outcomes and promote economic and social independence for individuals, children, and families. During the meeting, attendees engaged in listening sessions and discussions, shared best practices, and participated in workshops and action planning in order to more successfully serve the program participants in their communities.

This video from the New York Times reflects on the first 20 years of TANF and how poverty rates have fluctuated over that time. It poses various questions and issues for policymakers and other stakeholders to address in the coming months and years, in order to reduce poverty rates and improve the United States welfare system.

The Uncertain Hour is a podcast series from National Public Radio focused on the uncertainties of today’s economy. Each season looks in-depth at one topic. The first season, which began on April 28th and currently has six episodes airing every other week, asks: “20 years after we ’ended welfare as we know it’ in the U.S., what is welfare today?”

The Office of Family Assistance developed this guide to help state TANF agencies recognize the important role they have in identifying and serving families experiencing homelessness and families at risk of homelessness. It is intended to help states better assess for homelessness and housing instability during intake and formulate cohesive strategies with state and local homelessness providers and systems, such as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-funded Continuums of Care (CoC).

This Congressional Research Service report explains the differences in work requirements, work incentives, and time limits between TANF, SNAP, and housing assistance. Federal law requires most able-bodied adults receiving SNAP to participate in work activities, and has a time limit of 3 months for every 36-month period for able-bodied adults without dependents who do not work at least 20 hours a week. SNAP also has a work incentive for employed participants to deduct some of their earned income, which results in slightly higher benefits. One key difference between SNAP and TANF is that SNAP work requirements apply to individuals, while in TANF, states have the discretion to determine whether work requirements apply to individuals or families.

The Center for Law and Social Policy describes the challenges that workers with volatile schedules face in accessing public benefits, such as SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, and child care assistance. Many low wage workers now have volatile schedules, meaning they receive one week or less advance notice of their upcoming work schedule. These workers also experience fluctuations in the number of hours worked each week. Workers with volatile schedules often need public benefits to supplement their income, but such schedules can make it difficult to access these benefits. After analyzing how volatile schedules impact access to benefits, this brief provides best practices for policymakers to consider to help workers access SNAP, TANF, and other public assistance support. For example, states can request a waiver to allow workers to average their hours across the month, which can reduce the need for clients to participate in employment and training programs for working less than 30 hours a week.

Homes for Families, Inc. developed this guide to help service providers, policymakers, community leaders, state agencies, and other stakeholders conduct comprehensive assessments of homeless families. The guide defines assessment, describes the importance of a two-generation model, and presents implications for policy and practice.

This post from the Urban Institute discusses shortfalls of the TANF program and offers suggestions to make the program more successful and more effective for low-income families. The author describes how TANF policies can create disincentives and barriers to meeting the complex needs of TANF families. Rather, she suggests, federal performance measures should give states incentives to take a balanced approach to promote work, family economic stability, and child well-being. Additionally, states should have greater flexibility through reduced reporting requirements and fewer restrictions on specific client activities.