The Arkansas TANF Program

Transcription

1 TANF The Arkansas TANF Program MAKING FAMILIES STRONGER, TOGETHER Arkansas Poverty Task Force State Capitol, Room 151 January 15, 2010 The Birth of TANF The welfare reform movement reached its apex on August 22, 1996, when President Clinton signed a welfare reform bill, officially titled the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act (PRWORA) of AFDC was ended by the Federal PRWORA. In it s place, the TANF program was established and States were given more flexibility in implementing the program. TANF was not an entitlement, although Food Stamps and Medicaid remained as entitlements.

2 The Four Purposes of TANF Provide assistance to needy families so that children may be cared for in their own home or in the homes of relatives. End the dependence of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work, and marriage. Reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies and establish annual numeric goals for decreased incidence of these pregnancies. Encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families. Arkansas Welfare Reform Arkansas Act 1058 of 1997 The General Assembly recognized that: For too many families, welfare had become what it never was intended to be: a permanent way of life. The old system of continuous income maintenance not only discouraged all incentive for an individual to become self-sufficient, but often led to intergenerational dependency. The old system built-in disincentives toward obtaining work and toward any effort to seek and secure a job. The total package of welfare benefits available to some was frequently better than the package of benefits the working poor could obtain, creating an incentive to stay on welfare.

3 Arkansas TANF Today Arkansas TANF Program consists of: TEA Work Pays Career Pathways Initiative Community Investment Initiative Act 722 and TANF Established the Arkansas Legislative Taskforce on Reducing Poverty and Promoting Economic Opportunity Section 3 of this Act articulates the Taskforce s powers and duties. Although these duties are wide ranged, we believe we can and are assisting with: Section 3(5) Identify existing statewide public and private programs that address poverty, especially child poverty, Section 3(6) Identify and assess best practices, model programs, and strategies that existing research has proven to reduce poverty, including without limitations: o 3(6)(B) Education and workforce development policies o 3(6)(F) Work supports such as child care and health care

4 How Can TANF Help? There are no easy solutions to the formidable task of reducing poverty or alleviating its consequences. However, research suggests that States must consider their options, including: o Employment o Education/Training o Additional Programs TANF + Employment Arkansas Work Pays Designed to assist the working poor $204 monthly cash assistance Bonuses for meeting certain goals Supportive Services

5 TANF + Education Arkansas Career Pathways Initiative TANF-Funded Statewide Educational Program Annual Financial Commitments to the State s Two-Year and Technical Institutions Assists Low-Income Students with: Tuition Supportive Services Short-Term Training Project Provides additional TANF funding to each Career Pathways Institution. TANF + Education Arkansas Works Project (Arkansas s College & Career Planning System powered by Kuder) In addition to the Career Pathways Initiative, a substantial investment has been made in the Arkansas Works Project. Building a college-going culture in Arkansas.

6 TANF + Additional Programs Arkansas TANF Program currently supports poverty eradication through: Financial Support to the DHS - Division of Child and Family Services and Career Pathways for Childcare Community Investment Initiative Healthy Marriage Program Community Investment Initiative Responsible Fatherhood Program Individual Development Account (IDA) Program Winter Heat Initiative Arkansas TANF Program Questions?