Who We Are

Bipartisan and membership driven, the National Association of State TANF Administrators (NASTA) provides national leadership for the development of sound policy, successful and innovative practices, and critical capacity building to improve agency performance and consumer outcomes. NASTA promotes informed decision making through the distribution of best practices and research to enhance the professional development of both its members and the federal policy making process. To facilitate its work, NASTA maintains an active listserv, hosts webinars and all member calls, and conducts an annual education conference and business meeting.

Our Purpose

NASTA members are public administrators and other officials who are committed to developing, implementing, and evaluating Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) and related economic support programs that are responsive and accountable to the needs of the communities and the people they serve.

FYI...

Join us for our new Leadership Corner Series: Conversations to Spark Inspiration and Innovation among human serving professionals who are leading the way in their communities.
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2020 APHSA AASD/NASTA Annual Education Conference is cancelled.
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Looking to review presentations released to APHSA from previous years? Find all...
Presentation materials from the 2019 Conference available here.
Presentation materials from the 2018 Conference available here.
Presentation materials from the 2017 Conference available here.
Presentation materials from the 2016 Conference available here.
*Note: Only presentations where presenters granted permission are available.
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Latest Resources

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.
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TANF Extension Coalition Letter to Congress
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.
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Changes in State TANF Policies in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic
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.
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APHSA submitted comments in response to a proposed rule from the Social Security Administration that would increase the frequency of redetermination reviews for many individuals receiving disability benefits. The proposed rule would add further stress on individuals to navigate an already burdened system, particularly impacting children and individuals with behavioral health needs. Read our comment letter here.
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New Paper! Measuring What Matters: Shifting Temporary Assistance for Needy Families to an Outcomes-Based Model
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.
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