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2022 Economic Mobility & Well-Being Conference Recordings

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APHSA TANF Modernization Resources

Resources	Description
TANF Next Practices: Lessons from COVID-19 Informing Innovation and Modernization March 23, 2022	This webinar from The Office of Family Assistance (OFA) PeerTA will provide a discussion platform for TANF programs just starting to think about program innovation and modernization, as well as those deep into the journey. PeerTA and APHSA will facilitate a discussion with three TANF programs at various stages of innovation and modernization that will share their experiences and how COVID-19 has impacted their journey.
The Core—A Cutting Edge Blog Series Getting to the Core of Modern TANF Reform Part 1: TANF Agencies' Critique and Aspirations for the Future April 8, 2022	Our new multi-part blog series on TANF reform will be taking a detailed look at the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, now rounding a quarter century. We will be highlighting the ways in which TANF agencies, aligned systems, and community voices are thinking differently about TANF programs and how they can help families succeed for the long-term and get to the root of barriers communities face to promote opportunity for all. Our first blog is from Babs Roberts, Director of the Community Services Division at the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services.
Core Principles for TANF Modernization: A Legislative Framework for TANF Reform March 2022	As we round a quarter-century of TANF, APHSA is embracing the call to reimagine how TANF can work in support of the families it serves. APHSA’s members have laid out a legislative framework to unlock the potential of TANF. We call upon Congress to use this framework as a starting point to build common ground to achieve a TANF reauthorization that promotes a more equitable and prosperous future for all Americans.
Core Principles for TANF Modernization April 30, 2021	The latest installment of our Cornerstone series highlights how we can build common ground on what families need to thrive and how TANF can align with other key building blocks of well-being, as well as addressing the limitations in current TANF policy—particularly in redressing long-standing structural inequities—so that we can be bold about embracing change.
TANF North Star Map of Core Principles April 30, 2021	Our Infographic illustrates the renewed vision of what TANF can be and embedded within the principles are the values of equity, inclusion, and the limitless possibilities of human potential.

APHSA Resources

Resources	Description
Comments in Response to OFA's Request For Information related to Sections 302 and 304 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 January 11, 2024	On June 3, 2023, the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 was signed into law; four provisions impacted the federal TANF program. Sections 302 and 304 of the Act mandate a six-year pilot program as well as four outcome measures states must track for one year after individuals exit the TANF program. Both sections become effective on October 1, 2024. OFA published a Request For Information (RFI) in November 2023 soliciting public input on select topics related to these sections. Read NASTA's response to this RFI here.
APHSA Comment Letter on 2023 TANF NPRM	This comment shares APHSA member feedback regarding the cross-cutting proposed rules to the TANF program. APHSA's Leadership Council and its NASTA affinity group were incremental in raising these considerations and establishing these recommendations.
APHSA Comment Letter on House Ways and Means Work and Welfare Subcommittee July Hearing. July, 2023	This APHSA letter offers comment on the Work and Welfare Subcommittee Hearing related to the spending of non-assistance TANF funds held on July 12, 2023.
APHSA Comment Letter on House Ways and Means Work and Welfare Subcommittee March Hearing March, 2023	This APHSA letter offers comment on the Work and Welfare Subcommittee Hearing related to work requirements, held on March 29, 2023.
Advancing Race Equity in TANF, November 2022 Mobilizing Data Infographic Mobilizing Data Video Training & Staff Development Toolkit Training & Staff Development Video	Created in support of the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Office of Family Assistance’s (OFA) by APHSA and BLH Technologies Inc., new resources focus on mobilizing data and developing staff training & development to advance race equity in TANF.
AAPHSA Joint Letter to Congress on TANF Extension September 9, 2022	APHSA submitted a joint letter on behalf of our coalition of membership associations urging Congress to provide a one-year extension to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, while we continue to work towards a bipartisan solution for a long-term reauthorization.
APHSA Comment Letter: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking – Public Charge Grounds of Inadmissibility April 25, 2022	This APHSA comment letter to the Department of Homeland Security is in response to a proposed rulemaking on public charge, which re-examines how public charge is defined.
APHSA Comment Letter on Regulatory Relief to Support Economic Recovery December 28, 2020	Comments in response to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Regulatory Relief to Support Economic Recovery published on November 25, 2020. The response reflects the feedback received from our affinity groups: NAPCWA, NASCCA, NASTA, and ISM in consultation with additional leaders in APHSA’s membership community.
TANF Extension Coalition Letter to Congress November 24, 2020	APHSA and a coalition of membership organizations representing the nation’s state legislatures, counties, cities, and state and local workforce and health and human services agencies submitted a letter to Congress to provide a one-year extension to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, effective through December 31, 2021.
Webinar: Improving Economic Stability for Young Parents – Spotlight on Kentucky & Massachusetts	Representatives from the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) and the Kentucky Department of Family Support (DFS) share how they are working to better meet the needs of young parent families through TANF-funded programs. Examples include place-based adjustments, cross-agency coordination, and gathering ongoing feedback from participants to inform program improvements.
Changes in State TANF Policies in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic August 2020	In partnership with The Urban Institute, APHSA co-produced a brief “Changes in State TANF Policies in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic”. In this brief, we describe how some state agencies adapted their policies during the early months of the pandemic to meet their states’ and families’ unique situations, needs, and challenges.
Submitted Comments in Response to a Proposed Rule From the Social Security Administration on Continuing Disability Reviews January 31, 2020	The APHSA comment letter addresses the proposed rule that would increase the frequency of redetermination reviews for many individuals receiving disability benefits.
TANF Extension Letter September 2019	As a coalition of member organizations representing the nation’s governors, state legislatures, counties, cities, and state and local health and human services agencies, we urge the House Committee on Ways and Means to provide a one-year extension to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program
Measuring What Matters: Shifting Temporary Assistance for Needy Families to an Outcomes-Based Model June 2019	The purpose of TANF is right in the name—to provide temporary assistance for needy families. Unfortunately, the current TANF system can make it challenging for parents to become self-sufficient or advance in today’s economy. APHSA’s joint paper with the National Skills Coalition (NSC) suggests TANF shift to an outcomes-based accountability system where states are rewarded based on how successfully they assist TANF participants in earning in-demand job skills and gaining sustainable, family-supporting employment.
TANF at 20: Time for Rational Changes November 2016	TANF at 20: Time for Rational Changes was developed by a special work group led by APHSA's Center for Employment and Economic Well-Being and the National Association of State TANF Administrators. It contains suggested legislative, regulatory and administrative recommendations for improving TANF to be more client- and family-centric and to align TANF more productively with elements of other workforce programs.

Additional Resources

Resources	Description
Office of Family Assistance – TANF Webpage	The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program is designed to help needy families achieve self-sufficiency. States receive block grants to design and operate programs that accomplish one of the purposes of the TANF program.
TANF/WIOA Resource Hub	The TANF/WIOA Learning Community is an initiative sponsored by the Office of Family Assistance. The community brings together seven teams from states across the country to explore strategies for successful integration of TANF and workforce programs. Teams focus on WIOA planning and implementation strategies ranging from creation of a common vision to on-the-ground implementation.
Pathways to Work Evidence Clearinghouse	This resource from OPRE is a systematic evidence review and website. By systematically reviewing the evidence, the Pathways Clearinghouse identifies interventions that aim to improve employment outcomes, reduce employment challenges, and support self-sufficiency for populations who are low income.
Self-Sufficiency Research Clearinghouse	The SSRC is a virtual portal of research on low-income and TANF families and an online hub for professional networking among researchers, policymakers and practitioners who serve these populations.
Workforce GPS	Online technical assistance website created to help build the capacity of America's public workforce investment system. Sponsored by the Employment and Training Administration of the U.S. Department of Labor, WorkforceGPS was developed specifically for workforce professionals, educators, and business leaders.

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If you are looking for TANF or other benefits, please visit the Office of Family Assistance under the Administration for Children and Families here. For general information on government benefits click here.