Oregon TANF Alliance Strengthening Families, Protecting Children

1. Oregon TANF Alliance Strengthening Families, Protecting Children TANF 101 Training

2. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) • Keeps families stable • Supports the healthy development of children • Helps Oregonians transition to jobs • Helps break the cycle of poverty

3. TANF basics • TANF provides short-term cash assistance, family stability services and employment support. • To qualify, families must earn below 38% FPL ($616) • Maximum payment for a family of three is $506/mo. • TANF-funded Job Opportunity and Basic Skills (JOBS): provides employment, training, barrier removal, life skills to help families return to work.

4. TANF program components

5. Oregon Current TANF Design 2012 Community Resources Housing; food banks; school programs; mental health; substance abuse; faith-based; etc Initial Contact Describe services, offer application, review application, address emergent needs, referral to community resources. • Child-Only cases • Examples: • 1. Parent receives SSI • 2. Child is in the care of a grandparent • (or other family member) • Referral to community resources • TANF Grant Opens • Not subject to 60-month time limit Program Intake and Eligibility Assessment Determine TANF Eligibility. Screen for domestic violence. Conduct a basic self-assessment. Employability Assessment is required. If eligible TANF Grant Opens. Determine JOBS service level. • JOBS Program • Job Ready • Work Search –connected to WorkSource Oregon. Limited supports provided. • Near Job Ready • Possible Work Experience, Supported Work, JOBS Plus site, Vocational Training, and some limited job search/readiness activities. Limited supports provided. • Least Job Ready • Address family stability issues including fleeing from domestic violence, working with family support and connections, or need referral to apply for SSI/SSDI. • Teen Parents • High School and/or GED completion. Limited supports provided. • Pre-SSI/SSDI Program • Program is voluntary • Same Grant level as TANF • Collect, record, present medical • Possible return to TANF • Not subject to 60-month time limit while in this program • 60-Month TANF Time Limit • Applies to adult or teen parent head of households only - Not children • Hardship Exemptions apply Employment Post Employment Services Transitional Benefits & Services possible include: child-care through Employment Related Day Care (according to policy for that program); JPI food benefit (according to policy for that incentive); transitional medical assistance (up to 12 months); and SNAP Transitional Benefit Assistance (up to five months only to those who leave TANF).

6. TANF quick facts • Serves 36,355 families in Oregon • Serves 64,124 children, representing 1/3 of Oregon children living in poverty • About 50% of children are between 0 and 5 years • Nearly all families (96%) have no earnings • 85% have no housing subsidy or public housing • The majority have a barrier to employment (disability, domestic violence, etc.)

7. Family profile • Unemployed mom with two kids • Shared housing arrangement • Family stability challenges (domestic violence, disability, etc.) • Limited transportation options • Receives $506 a month in TANF benefits, along with SNAP benefits and Oregon Health Plan

8. Overview of JOBS program & Support Services

9. TANF JOBS Program • Connects families to employment • JOBS services are contracted • Employability assessments • Job search – connection to IMatch • Training and work experience, JOBS Plus • Support services: Child care and transportation

10. JOBS Program Funding Reductions that led to structural changes:

11. TANF Service Levels Rationing services: The JOBS program currently serves 15.9% of clients

12. JOBS Service Array 2009 - 2011 2011 - 2013 2013 - 2015

13. Support Services reductions and impacts on families:Rachel Devlin, Home ForwardRachel Post, Central City Concern

14. Leah shares her story…

15. Recession, Caseload growth and Budget cuts

16. Caseload growth &Case Management staffingRatio 1:57 vs 1:154

17. Trends in family make-up

18. Trends across Oregon

19. TANF served 36% of families in poverty at 38% of FPL TANF served 60% of families in poverty at 66% of FPL

20. TANF reductions

21. TANF reductions

22. TANF challenges Growth in caseload coupled with the following: • Caseworker staffing ratio of 1:154 • JOBS program FTE at 75% reduction • Severe limit in types of services available to stabilize families & address employment barriers • 15% of families getting job support services • Time limits approaching • Federal penalties for low participation rates

23. Time limits Governor budget shortens the time a family can receive TANF benefits to 36 months over their lifetime Ways and Means Co-Chair’s budget restores the lifetime limit to 60 months.

24. HB 3440: Reinvesting in Oregon families • Pre-TANF program helps families stabilize and potentially avoid an application for full TANF services • Job retention services offer support to families after they leave TANF • Post-employment assistance: cash assistance for a defined period (3 months) to help them create financial stability as they exit the program

25. Pathways to Stability • TANF – Temporary Assistance for Needy Families: Stabilizing families, supporting vulnerable children and preparing for employment • ERDC – Employment Related Day Care: Ensuring families can maintain new employment by making child care more affordable • EITC – Earned Income Tax Credit. Helping low-wage earners keep more of their income for household expenses and helping families build financial stability

26. Questions • Requests for additional information? • Follow-up meeting? • Other ideas?