Trauma-Informed Practices in TANF Programs

This brief is for TANF leadership and administrators to support programs in designing and implementing trauma-informed practices.
Research-To-Practice Brief

Leaders in TANF and related programs operate in a complex, rapidly changing service environment. In fall 2022, OFA’s Project IMPROVE launched a nationwide Leadership Initiative to support leaders and emerging leaders from state, local, and Tribal TANF and related programs. The Leadership…

Webinar / Webcast

Millions of food and cash assistance customers rely on cash transfers each month to meet their family’s needs. Much of today’s benefits available to families are deposited directly onto electronic benefits transfer (EBT) cards that are assigned to customers. EBT card skimming is a growing…

Webinar / Webcast

Survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) are overrepresented among people who receive TANF services. In recognition of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Office of Family Assistance Project IMPROVE team hosted a webinar on October 26, 2022. The webinar featured a panel of TANF…

Webinar / Webcast

The Office of Family Assistance’s Project IMPROVE team hosted a webinar entitled Building Resilience and Reducing Trauma in TANF and Workforce Programs Leaders and Staff on August 25, 2022. This webinar was designed to support TANF agencies across the country as they manage staff trauma and…

Stakeholder Resource

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) has published several resources under 

Webinar / Webcast

TANF agencies across the country are preparing to or beginning to reinstate participation requirements that had been waived during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Office of Family Assistance’s Project IMPROVE team moderated a panel of TANF leaders across the country on this topic on…

Research-To-Practice Brief

This brief outlines how New York City’s Human Resources Administration (HRA) successfully restructured its upfront assessment process for individuals receiving Cash Assistance by utilizing data-driven reflection. In particular, HRA used a method called Learn, Innovate, Improve, an approach that…

Research-To-Practice Brief

This brief describes how Iowa’s Family Development and Self-Sufficiency (FaDSS) program used a data-driven reflection process to understand how well virtual coaching is meeting the needs of families. The brief also examines whether families may want a mix of remote and in-person coaching options…

Research-To-Practice Brief

This brief captures staff experiences, successes, lessons learned, and recommendations from designing and implementing a transitional jobs program called Baltimore Health Corps (BHC). Designed by the Mayor’s Office for Employment Development (MOED), Baltimore City Health Department, and other…

Research-To-Practice Brief

Drawing on the partnership experience between Baltimore City Mayor’s Office of Employment Development, MOED’s Workforce Reception Center, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, and Mathematica, this brief describes lessons learned and potential strategies that technical assistance providers can use to…

Research-To-Practice Brief

This practice guide, used in partnership with a research or technical assistance support team, can help program leaders make evidence-driven decisions as they manage change. The guide targets individuals thinking about or implementing a program change, including those operating TANF or workforce…