Dept. of Human Services Survey: Education, Training & Employment Services for TANF Recipients

 

The District Department of Human Services (DHS) is redesigning the administration, service continuum and operations of the work, training and education related portions of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. There are approximately 16,400 District families who receive TANF each month. Of these families, 26% are exempt from program participation requirements. The remaining 12,000 non-exempt families are required to engage in work, training or education activities. Due to multiple factors, participation rates of non-exempt TANF families in DC are low. The District does not currently place time limits on the receipt of TANF benefits. Benefits are awarded regardless of work participation, though non-exempt families who are not meeting work requirements may be partially sanctioned.

With the redesign of the TANF program, the District of Columbia is committed to becoming a national model for an accountable, compassionate and person-centric approach, which helps welfare recipients (1) build their capacity, (2) increase their earnings and (3) transition from welfare assistance towards self-sufficiency. The system redesign is simultaneously balanced between federal “work first” welfare mandates, which the District is required to meet in order to access federal funds, and a commitment to providing quality services to TANF clients, whatever their presenting circumstances. Throughout, the redesign aims to effectively manage and maximize limited resources.

The new program includes six design elements, which are:

1. An upfront, DHS administered orientation and assessment for all TANF applicants. The orientation will inform TANF customers of program requirements and opportunities. The assessment will be used to develop a profile of each customer’s strengths, barriers and goals.

2. A referral process to match TANF customers to the appropriate program and service provider based on the results of the customer’s assessment.

3. Customer service levels that reflect varying TANF customer profiles and needs. Each service level will provide a continuum of program offerings.

4. Formal links between the TANF program and existing District government and community based education, training and employment services. New links will help to account for activities in which TANF customers are engaged and better connect clients with needed services.

5. Best-practice employment, education, training and/or supportive services that move TANF customers towards employment. Services will be provided especially in areas where significant service gaps exist.

6. A tracking and coordination process that ensures that TANF families are linked to programs/services and measured against their individual goals and federal work participation targets.