Post on 30-Jun-2020
Barbara Poppe and Associates The collective for impact
ReporttotheDirectoroftheDCDepartmentofHumanServices(DHS)fromtheWorkingGrouptoInformaTANFHardshipExtensionPolicyfortheDistrictofColumbia
RecommendationsforDevelopmentofaTANFHardshipExtensionPolicyforWashington,DC
PreparedbyBarbaraPoppeandAssociatesinpartnershipwiththeEconomicSecurityAdministration(ESA)withintheDCDepartmentofHumanServicesOctober18,2016
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DHSMissionStatement:
ThemissionoftheDCDepartmentofHumanServicesistoempowereveryDistrictresidenttoreachtheirfullpotentialbyproviding
meaningfulconnectionstoworkopportunities,economicassistance,andsupportiveservices.
Formoreinformation,pleasevisitwww.dhs.dc.gov.
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MembersoftheWorkingGrouptoInformaTANFHardshipExtensionPolicyfortheDistrictofColumbia
11TANFcustomersYvetteAlexander,DCCouncilmemberYulondraBarlow,OfficeofCouncilmemberAlexanderBrianCampbell,EconomicSecurityAdministration,DHSCurtCampbell,LegalAidSocietyoftheDistrictofColumbiaTamithaChristian,EconomicSecurityAdministration,DHSAndreaGleaves,DCCoalitionAgainstDomesticViolenceSharraGreer,Children’sLawCenterMoniqueGraham,FarSoutheastFamilyStrengtheningCollaborativeDarbyHickey,OfficeofCouncilmemberGrossoKellyHunt,OfficeofCouncilmemberSilvermanMonicaKamen,DCFairBudgetCoalitionWon-okKim,EconomicSecurityAdministration,DHSJeremyLares,GrantAssociatesErinLarkin,DCCoalitionAgainstDomesticViolenceEdLazere,DCFiscalPolicyInstituteTaiMeah,OfficeofCouncilmemberNadeauGingerMoored,OfficeoftheChiefFinancialOfficerBrianneNadeau,DCCouncilmemberDavidRoss,EconomicSecurityAdministration,DHSJudithSandalow,Children’sLawCenterAntheaSeymour,EconomicSecurityAdministration,DHSElissaSilverman,DCCouncilmemberLisaSimmons,VicePresident,MAXIMUS,Inc.KellySweeneyMcShane,CommunityofHopeJenniferTiller,AmericaWorksofWashington,DC
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TableofContents
ExecutiveSummary…………………………………………………………………………………………… 5
Background………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 7
DescriptionofDCTANFProgram…………………………………………………………………….. 13
DataonFamiliesReceivingTANFCashBenefits………………………………………………… 17
KeyThemes……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 29
Recommendations………………………………………………………………………………………..……
• ExtensionPolicyOptions• POWERImprovements• TANFProgramServicesImprovements• PostTANFServices
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Appendices……………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Appendix 1. Listening Sessions
Appendix 2. Community Dialogues
Appendix 3. Notes from Working Group meetings
Appendix 4. TANF Hardship Extension Policy Options: Opinions on Risk and
Benefits
Appendix 5. CommentsondraftreportfromWorkingGroupmembers
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ExecutiveSummary
Thisreportdocumentstherecommendations,deliberations,andstakeholders’feedbackfordevelopingahardshipextensionpolicyandrelatedimprovementstotheDistrictofColumbia’sTemporaryAssistanceforNeedyFamilies(TANF)program.ThePersonalResponsibilityandWorkOpportunityActof1996(PRWORA)thatcreatedTANFimposeda60monthlifetimelimitonTANFassistance.IfstateswishtoextendTANFassistancebeyond60months,federallawprovidesthatstatesmustfundthoseservicesthemselvesbutmayusefederalTANFfundstosupportupto20percentofthecaseloadbeyond60months.ManystateshavedevelopedTANFhardshippoliciessothatvulnerablefamiliescancontinuetoreceiveassistancebeyond60months.In2011,theDCCouncilenactedatimelimittostepdownbenefitsforfamilieswhohadbeenontheTANFprogramforlongerthan60months.InFY16andFY17,theMayorandCouncilchosetocontinuefundingforfamiliesbeyond60monthsandnotimplementafulleliminationofbenefits.Currentlawmandatesthatthenew60monthtimelimitgointoeffectonOctober1,2017.TheDistrictofColumbiaPublicAssistanceAmendmentActof2015(B21-0515),introducedbyCouncilmembersNadeau,Silverman,May,Todd,Orange,andBondsonDecember1,2015,isunderconsiderationbytheDCCouncilandhasbeenreferredtotheCommitteeonHealthandHumanServices.ThelegislationwouldchangetheDistrict’scurrentTANFtimelimittocontinueprovidingcashbenefitspast60monthstocertaingroupsofTANFcustomersandmaintainbenefitsforchildreniftheadultsinthegrantarenolongereligible.InpreparationforthepotentialofaTANFtimelimitbeingenforcedin2017,DC’sDepartmentofHumanServices(DHS)embarkedonacomprehensiveprocesstoengagemultiplestakeholdersinadialogueaboutoptionsforapossibleTANFhardshipextensionpolicy.DHSinvitedTANFcustomers,advocates,providers,andmembersoftheDCCounciltojoinaTANFWorkingGroupandoutlinedaprocesswhichincludedlisteningsessions,WorkingGroupmeetings,andcommunitymeetingsheldoverthespanoftwomonths,facilitatedbyBarbaraPoppeandAssociates,anoutsideconsultant.ThisreportwaswrittentodocumenttheprocessandoutlinerecommendationsforsubmissiontoLauraGreenZeilinger,DirectorofDC’sDepartmentofHumanServices.TheWorkingGroupaddressedthefollowingquestions:(1)WhichfamiliesshouldcontinuetoreceiveTANFassistancepast60months,(2)Whatamountofassistanceshouldbeprovidedandforhowlong,and(3)Whatconditionsandrequirementsshouldbeinplaceinordertocontinuereceivingassistancebeyond60months.AlsoconsideredwerebestapproachesforservingfamiliesaftertheirTANFassistanceendsinvoluntarily.AcommongoalamongallWorkingGroupmemberswastoidentifyandrecommendapolicythatwastwo-generational(i.e.,focusedonenrichingbothparentandchild),keptappropriateresourcesinthehouseholdtosupportchildren,incentivizedworkparticipationfortheheadsofhousehold,andprotectedthemostvulnerablefamilies.ThisreportprovidesasummarydescriptionoftheTANFprogramanditskeycomponents,qualitativeandquantitativedataconsideredbytheWorkingGroup,asetofrecommendationsforconsiderationbytheAdministrationandCouncilonTANFextensionpolicyoptions,suggestedimprovementstotheProgramonWorkEmploymentandResponsibility(POWER),improvementstoTANFEmploymentProgram(TEP)services,andrecommendedservicesforwhichTANFcustomersshouldbeeligibleforaftertimingoffofTANF.
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TheWorkingGrouptriedtoreachconsensussupportforeachrecommendation.Whenconsensuswasnotachievable,ahandvotewastaken.Iftherewasamajorityinfavor,therecommendationwasacceptedwiththenumberofdissentingvotesnoted.ThegroupconsideredanumberofpolicyframeworksforhowtheDistrictcouldextendbenefitstoparticularfamiliesaftertheyhavebeenonTANFforlongerthan60months.TheWorkingGroupidentifiedapreferredextensionpolicythathadtheapprovalofamajorityofgroupmembers.ThatproposalwouldcreatetwoseparateTANFgrants:aChildEnrichmentGrantandaParentTANFGrantwithIndividualResponsibilityPlan(IRP)Compliance(hereafterreferredtoasParentTANFGrant).Thegroupfeltthatthisapproachembracedatwo-generationalpolicythatkeptresourcesinthehouseholdtoprotectandsupportchildrenandalsoincentivizedprogramparticipationonthepartoftheheadofhousehold.Thisapproachdidnotreceiveunanimousapprovalwhenavoteonthisoptionwastaken;fourgroupmembersdissented.Thosewhodissentedagreedinprinciplewiththepolicyrecommendationbutdisagreedwiththesuggestionthatthegroupmadewithregardtohowthetwograntswouldbeweighted.OtherpolicyoptionsconsideredbytheWorkingGroupincludedthefollowing:
– Providinganextensiontofamiliesatimminentriskofhomelessness– Providinganextensiontofamiliesatriskofentryintochildprotection– Grantextensionsbeyond60monthsduringperiodsofhighunemployment− AnexpansionofeligibilityforPOWERtocustomerswithanewborn− Improvedservicedelivery− ImprovedcommunicationwithcustomersaboutTANFprogramservicesandcommunity
resources− Improvedassessmentstoidentifycustomers’barrierstoemployment− ThecreationofmorepersonalizedIndividualResponsibilityPlans(IRPs)andadditionalsupports− EnsuringthatfamiliesthatareinvoluntarilyexitedfromTANFreceivealltheotherservices
providedbytheDistrictforwhichtheyareeligibleaswellasreferralstocommunityprogramsthatmightmeetafamily’suniqueneeds.
AnumberofothermorespecificpolicyrecommendationsforvariouspartsoftheTANFprogramweredocumentedthroughoutthisprocess.DHSwillworkwiththeOfficeoftheChiefFinancialOfficer(OCFO)todeterminetheestimatedbudgetcostsforeachofthepolicyoptionsconsideredbytheWorkingGroup.
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BackgroundTemporaryAssistanceforNeedyFamilies(TANF)isafederalblockgrantthatstatesreceivetoprovidecashassistanceandsupportservicestolow-incomefamilieswithchildren.Federallawhasa60monthtimelimitonassistanceforuseofFederalTANFfunds.However,FederallawalsoprovidesthatstatesmayuseFederalTANFfundstosupportupto20percentofthecaseloadbeyond60months(knownasahardshipexemption).
In2011,theDCCouncilvotedtostepdownbenefitsforfamilieswhohadbeenonTANFforlongerthan60monthsandimposedacompletecut-offasofOctober1,2015.InFY16andFY17,theMayorandCounciltwiceextendedthattimelimit.CurrentlawmandatesthatthetimelimitgointoeffectonOctober1,2017.
Morethan15,000familiesarecurrentlyenrolledintheDistrictofColumbia’sTANFprogram.Approximately5,700ofthosefamilieshavereceivedTANFbenefitsforlongerthan60monthsandaresubjecttoalossofbenefitsifthetimelimitgoesintoeffectonOctober1,2017.FamiliesonTANFaresomeofthemostvulnerableintheDistrictwithcomplexchallengesthatpreventthemfromworking.DCalsohasaparticularjobmarketwherethejobsavailableoftendonotmatchtheskillsetandbackgroundofTANFcustomers.
ManystateshavedevelopedTANFhardshipextensionpoliciesthatallowfamilieswithparticularcircumstancestoremainonTANFinordertominimizeharmtothefamilyfromahardcutofffromcashassistance.GivenapossibleupcomingTANFtimelimitforDistrictfamilies,DHSsoughttoexamineoptionsforahardshipextensionpolicy.WithaneffectiveTANFextensionpolicy,someoftheDistrict’smostvulnerablefamilieswouldcontinuetoreceivecriticalsupportthroughTANF.
ChargetotheWorkingGroupLauraGreenZeilinger,DirectoroftheDCDepartmentofHumanServices(DHS),chargedtheEconomicSecurityAdministration(ESA)withinDHStoconveneaworkinggroupcomprisedofkeyconstituenciestodeveloprecommendationsforahardshipextensionpolicy.TheTANFWorkingGroup,composedofTANFcustomers,advocates,serviceproviders,lawmakers,andgovernmentadministrators(seeprefaceforalistofWorkingGroupmembers),waschargedwithsubmittingareportwiththeirrecommendationsforanextensionpolicytoDirectorZeilingerbySeptember30,2016(however,thedeadlinewasextendedwhenstakeholdersrequestedmoretimetoreviewthedraftreport).Thepolicyoptionsweretoaddresswhichfamiliesshouldcontinuetoreceiveassistance,theamountandlengthoftimethatassistanceshouldbeprovided,andtheconditionsandrequirementstocontinuereceivingassistancebeyond60months.ThechargeincludedmakingrecommendationsbasedontargetedbudgetmarksforFY18.ThispartofthechargewasdismissedbeforethefinalWorkingGroupmeeting,however,inresponsetosomeWorkingGroupmemberswhopreferredtoprovidepolicyrecommendationsoutsidetheconstraintsofbudgetmarks.TheTANFWorkingGroupwasalsoaskedtorecommendapproachestomoreeffectivelyservefamiliesaftertheirTANFassistanceends.
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OverviewoftheProcessDHSreleasedacompetitiveRFPtosolicitafacilitatorandawardedacontracttoPublicPerformanceManagement,alocallyownedbusiness.PublicPerformanceManagementsuggestedBarbaraPoppeandAssociatesasthefacilitator.TheTANFWorkingGroupmetthreetimesduringAugustandSeptember2016.FourseparatelisteningsessionswereconductedwithTANFcustomers,advocates,serviceproviders,andCouncilmembersinadvanceofthefirstworkinggroupmeeting.FiveCommunityDialogueswerealsoheldwithTANFcustomersthroughouttheWorkingGroupprocesstoelicitfeedbackandexplorewaystohelphouseholdsthatwouldnotreceiveahardshipextension.TheWorkingGroupalsoheardapresentationfromDr.LaDonnaPavetti,VicePresidentforFamilyIncomeSupportPolicyattheCenteronBudgetandPolicyPriorities,anationallyrecognizedexpert,whodiscussedthehistoryofTANFtimelimitsandtheeffectsoftimelimitsonfamilies.AgendasandnotesfromtheWorkingGroupmeetingsaswellassummarynotesfromtheListeningSessionsandCommunityDialoguesareincludedintheAppendix.
PurposeandValueofTANFStatutoryandRegulatoryBackground
CreatedbythePersonalResponsibilityandWorkOpportunityReconciliationActof1996(PRWORA),TANFhasbeenbothcriticizedandapplaudedforitsworkrequirements,timelimits,sanctionspolicy,andotherfeatures.Fundedthroughafederalblockgrant,stateshavewidediscretionintheiruseofTANFfunds,solongastheusesmeetoneoffourpurposes:
1) Provideassistancetoneedyfamiliessothatchildrenmaybecaredforintheirownhomeorthehomeofrelatives;
2) Endthedependenceofneedyparentsongovernmentbenefitsbypromotingjobpreparation,work,andmarriage;
3) Preventandreducetheincidenceofout-of-wedlockpregnancies;and4) Encouragetheformationandmaintenanceoftwo-parentfamilies.
Stateshavewidelatitudeintheinterpretationandimplementationofthe60monthtimelimit.Somestateshaveverynarrowlyadheredtothefederallydefinedtimelimitandinsomecaseshaveevenshortenedit.Otherstateshavemaximizedandevenaugmentedthefederalgrantwithlocalresourcestosupportmorefamiliesundermorecircumstances.Federallawdoesnotimposeatimelimiton“child-onlyfamilies”(wherethereisnotaneligibleadult1intheassistanceunit)oronfamiliesreceivingassistancefundedentirelywithstatefunds.
1 Non-eligible adults include an immigrant parent, a parent on Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or a nonparent caregiver.
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TherearenotwoTANFprogramsinthenationwhichlookalike.WhenPROWRAwaspassedin1996,manystateswentthroughtheexerciseofchangingtheirprogramstoconformtothefederalregulationsatthattime.TheDistrictelectedtoinvestlocalresourcessothatfamilieswouldnotloseassistance,whicheffectivelyremovedatimelimitonreceiptofTANFbenefits.However,in2011,Districtlawchangedtoenactatimelimitandtograduallyreducebenefitsforthoseexceeding60monthsonTANF.
AnewbilliscurrentlyunderconsiderationbytheDCCouncilthatwouldamendtheDistrict’sTANFtimelimitpolicy.TheDistrictofColumbiaPublicAssistanceAmendmentActof2015(B21-0515),introducedbyCouncilmembersNadeau,Silverman,May,Todd,Orange,andBondsonDecember1,2015,hasbeenreferredtotheCommitteeonHealthandHumanServices.UnderB21-0515,multiplegroupswouldbeexemptedfromtheTANFtimeclockincludingchildren,customerswhoarecaringforahousehold
Exemptionsv.ExtensionsExemptionsallowhouseholdstoreceivethefullTANFgrant,“stoptheclock,”andsuspendparticipationrequirements.Exemptionsareforpeoplewhocannotengageinworkactivitiesduetosignificantbarrierswhethertemporaryorlong-term.IntheDistrict,TANFcustomerswhoparticipateintheProgramonWork,Employment,andResponsibility(POWER)canreceiveanexemptionbasedonshortorlong-termissuesthatpreventcustomersfromworkingsuchasmentalorphysicalhealthissues(includingsubstanceabusetreatment),disabilities,domesticviolence,TANFcustomersovertheageof60,pregnantorparentingteenagerswhomeetcertainconditions,andthosewhoarecaringforafamilymemberwhoismentallyorphysicallyincapacitated.
AnextensionwouldallowafamilytoregaineligibilityforTANFiftheymeetcertainconditionsandprovidesadditionaltimeonTANFforfamilieswhohavealreadyreachedtheFederaltimelimit.Stateshavelatitudeindeterminingwhoiseligibleforanextension.Factorssuchasahighunemploymentrate,personalbarriers,andpreservingresourcesinthehomeforchildrenareallexamplesofcriteriathatstateshaveusedfortheirTANFextensionpolicies.
memberwhoisphysicallyormentallyincapacitated,customersdealingwithdomesticviolence,pregnantorparentingteenswhomeetcertainconditions,aparentorcaretakerwhois60yearsorolder,andthosewhoaremeetingtherequirementsoftheirIndividualResponsibilityPlanandareenrolledinaneducationortrainingprogram.B21-0515wouldalsograntTANFextensionsbeyond60monthstocustomersbasedonthefollowingcriteria:
(1) Thesamecriterialaidoutabovethatwouldqualifyacustomerforanexemption(2) IfcustomersarecomplyingwiththeirIndividualResponsibilityPlan(IRP)2andarenot
sanctioned(3) Iftheunemploymentrateforcustomerswithoutahighschooldegreeishigherthanseven
percent
2 An IRP is the agreed upon plan that a customer develops with the assistance of their case worker to outline their goals, action steps, and timetable for completion.
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(4) Ifthecustomerexperiencessignificantbarrierstoemploymentincludinglowliteracy,alearningdisability,orphysicalormentalimpairments
(5) Ifthecustomerisatriskofhomelessness(6) Ifthecustomer’schildrenareatriskofenteringthefostercaresystem.
CustomerPerspectives
FromtheperspectiveoffamiliesthatreceiveTANF,ascapturedthroughtheWorkingGroupdeliberations,theListeningSessions,andtheCommunityDialogues,TANFisviewedasthefinalsafetynetwhenallotherresourceshavebeenexhausted.TANFallowsfamiliestocarefortheirchildrenandadvancetheireffortstoimprovetheirfamily’seconomicstabilitythroughemploymentandtrainingactivities.TANFcustomerscitedseveralbarrierstobeingabletofullyparticipateintheTANFprogram,includinglackofaccesstochildcare,transportation,casemanagement,andemploymentleads.Customersidentifiedandappreciatedthestrengthsoftheprogramandspokehighlyofindividualizedcasemanagementandtheopportunitiesavailablethroughtheservicedeliveryoptions.
CustomersalsoarticulatedthateventhoughTANFisasafetynet,itisaporoussafetynext.ThemerefactthatonereceivesTANFdoesnotensureeitherstabilityorsuccess.Thelackofabroadnetworkofsupportmeansthateventheslightestbumporanomalycansendsomefamiliesintoatailspin,whichcanbehardtostop.Acarproblemforonefamily,whichcouldberemediedwitha$300creditcardpayment,mayforaverylow-incomefamilyquiteeasilyresultinalossoftransportation,whichresultsinthelossofajob,whichresultsinthelossofahome,whichthenleadsafamilytotheTANFprogram.
ExpertperspectivesInthepresentationtotheWorkingGroupbyDr.LaDonnaPavetti,Dr.PavettidiscussedthehistoryofTANFtimelimitsandtheimpactoftimelimitsonfamilies.Shestatedthatbackinthe1990swhenoriginallyproposed,thetimelimitcamewiththeguaranteeofajobattheendofthetimeline.However,thatjobguaranteedidnotremaininthefinallegislation(PRWORA)thatendedupbecominglaw.ItwasnevertheoriginalintentofthefederallawtotakeawaysafetynetsbutrathertoprovideasenseofurgencyforTANFagenciesandparticipantstosecureemployment.Additionally,whenthelawwasdrafted,farlesswasknownaboutthecharacteristicsandneedsoffamiliesreceivingcashassistance.Wenowknowmuchmoreandcanusethisknowledgetoourbenefit.
Dr.Pavettisuggestedthatgivenwhatwehavelearnedfromotherstatesthathaveimplementedtimelimits,thelikelihoodofemploymentafterbeingcutoffofTANFduetoatimelimitisabout30%atbest.Researchsuggeststhatifpeoplearecutoff,theyarenotlikelytofindjobsontheirown.Ifextensionsarenotputinplace,therewillbeagroupoffamiliesthatcontinuestobeunemployedafterlosingtheirbenefitsandthereisalowlikelihoodthatindividualswillreceiveothercashbenefits(i.e.,SupplementalSecurityIncomeorSSI)sinceenrollinginSSIisverydifficult.MostfamilieswhohavebeenonTANFlongerthan60monthshavemultiplebarrierstoworkbutnotonebarrierlargeenoughtoqualifythemforSSI.Atbest,10%arelikelytoreceiveSSIbenefits.
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Ethnographicresearchhasshownthatwhenfamilieshavenoavailablecash,theyresorttodesperatemeasurestomeettheirbasicneeds.Suchmeasuresincludemovingintosituationsorhomesthatindividualsknowareunhealthyorengaginginriskywork.Manyfamiliesmayscrapetogethermoneytomeettheirneedsbuttheseopportunitiesarenotusuallysteady,creatingdailyuncertaintyandstress.Dr.Pavettistatedthatcashisanecessityforallfamiliesbecauseotheroptionsarenotenoughtomeetneedswithconsistency.
CitingastudythatwasconductedinWashingtonstatewheretheytightenedextensionsfortimelimits,Dr.Pavettisaidthatthestatesawanincreaseinhomelessnessaswellasanincreaseinchildmaltreatmentresultinginanincreaseinfostercareandengagementwiththechildwelfaresystem.Additionally,ifchildrenareinunstablesituationsandexposedtoharm,therearelifelonghealthconsequenceswhichresultinhugecostsinthehealthcaresystem.Dr.Pavettistatedthatitisalsoimportanttoconsiderwhatwillhappenwhenthenextrecessionhits.
Dr.PavetticommendedDCfortheincredibleprogressthathasbeenmadeinemploymentservicesbutsaidthatDC’semploymentservicesarenotnecessarilygearedtowardspeoplewhoarenotquicktogainwork.Someindividualsneedmoretimetoworkonmentalhealthorotherbarriersandtheseindividualsarenotwellservedbycurrentprograms.Itisveryimportanttounderstandthatdatadoesnotshowthatremovingbenefitsleadspeopletoworkifthereisnotagoodjobmarket.Peopleoftendonothavejobsduetotheirlackofskillsandresources.Thelackofajobmaybebecausetherearen’tsufficientjobopeningsthatfitcustomers’scheduleasparents.TANFisanimportantsafetynetthatshouldcatchpeoplewhenthelabormarketandeconomicsystemsdonotwork.
OtherperspectivesForsomemembersoftheWorkingGroup,theprimaryimportanceofTANFwasthatitisaresourcetoprotectchildrenandmeetafamily’smostbasicneeds.Forothers,theprimaryimportanceofTANFistoprovideasetoftailoredservicestohelpparentsachievegreatereconomicindependencethroughtraining,education,andemploymentplacementwhilereceivingcashassistancetohelpafamilymeetitsbasicneeds.ManyalsoviewedTANFasaprogramthatshouldaddressbothcorevalues.
AllWorkingGroupmembersnotedthatwhiletheactualamountofcashassistanceforfamiliesbeyond60monthsisverylow,itwasinfactveryvaluablesincethereweresofewotherresourcesavailabletoafamily.Forexample,theabilitytouseTANFcashassistancetopaytheutilitybillwascitedasawayforafamilytocontinuetostaywithafriendorfamilymemberandavoidhomelessness.Forsome,however,tensionariseswhendiscussingwhethertocontinueprovidingTANFcashassistancetohouseholdsasasafetynetevenwhentheadultisnotmeetingTANFparticipationrequirements.Somebelievethatbyprovidingcashassistancewithoutparticipationrequirementsiscountertoencouragingandsupportingwork.
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StakeholdersintheTANFprogramintheDistrictofColumbiahavediversevalueswithregardtotheprogram.Ontheonehand,researchshowsthatpullingcashoutofanalreadyimpoverishedhomecanharmthechildreninthathomeandcreatepressuresonothersystemsinthecommunity.Also,withthesmallsizeoftheTANFgrant,customersareforcedtomakehardchoices.Thosechoicesinvariablybendtowardsmakingthebestdecisionpossibletomeetthepresentingneedorcrisis.Ontheotherhand,TANFisdesignedtobeatemporarysupportforfamilieswhiletheadultsinthehouseholdbuildtheircapacity.Itinvestsinparentsthroughjobtrainingandemploymentprograms,barrierremediationprograms,andworksupports.Itrecognizesthattheonlywaythatanindividual–andbyextension,afamily–canbuildself-sufficiency,isthroughengaging.TheTANFprogramintheDistricthasbeendesignedtodefineengagementinthebroadestmannerpossible.Forone,itcouldbeafulltimejob;foranotheritcouldbecaringforasickchild;andforanotheritcouldbeattendingsubstanceabusetreatment.
Alltheseperspectivesrepresentreasonablevalues.Someidentifythechildasthecorevalue,regardlessoftheengagementoftheparents.Othersidentifytheengagementoftheparentasthecorevalue,regardlessoftheimpactonthechild.Itisimportanttorecognizethatthereisalsothepositionofsome– includingsomecustomers,someproviders,andsomeamongthegeneralpublic–whoholdthevaluethat“enoughisenough.”Somebelievethat60monthsisampleopportunitytopulloneselftogetherandthateachindividualhaspersonalresponsibilityfortakingcareoftheirfamilies.
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DescriptionoftheDCTANFProgramTANFProgramOverviewThefederalTANFblockgranthasreceivedthesameleveloffunding,$16.5billion,everyyearsinceTANF’sinceptionin1996.Duetoinflation,therealvalueoftheTANFblockgranthasfallenbyaboutone-third.3InFY2016,DC’sTANFprogramreceived$92millionfromtheTANFblockgrant.TANFcustomerswhohavebeenontheprogramforlessthan60monthsreceiveanaverageof$395permonthincashassistance.AfteracustomerhasbeenonTANFforlongerthan60months,theirbenefitsarescaledbacktoroughly$150permonthonaverage.
DHSstrivestoimplementanaccountable,compassionate,andperson-centeredmodeltohelpcustomerstobuildtheireconomicsecurity,obtainorincreaseearnings,andtransitionoffTANF.Theagencyoffersavarietyofservicesincluding:
• Enhancedcustomerassessments• Personalizedreferralstoservicestoaddressbarriers• ReferralstoaTANFEmploymentProvider(TEP)toobtainemploymentorincreaseemployability
skills• Casecoordinationandsupervision• Effortstounifycaseplansforfamiliesconnectedtomultipleagencies• Housingreferralsandsupport• Connectiontoemploymentandcommunityservices,and• Wraparoundcasemanagementandcoordination.
Inadditiontocashassistance,TANFcustomersintheDistrictcanaccessanumberofsupportservicesincludingjobtraining,education,healthcare,mentalhealthservices,assistancewithdomesticviolence,andsubstanceabusetreatment.TANFcustomerscanalsoaccessanumberofindividualizedservicestohelpremediatebarriersthatpreventthemfromparticipatingfullyorpartiallywithworkrequirements.Examplesoftheseservicesincludesupportingcustomerswithparentingchallenges,assistingcustomerswithnavigatingtheirmedicalproviderstoobtaindocumentationtoapplyforPOWER,andworkingwithparentstoimprovecrisisresolutionskills.Fiveyearsago,DHSundertookamajorredesignoftheTANFprogram.Bydesign,theprogramstrivestoberesponsiveandiscontinuallyevolvingtobettermeettheneedsoffamilies.TANFEmploymentProgramTheTANFEmploymentProgram(TEP)reliesonanetworkofserviceproviderpartners(internal,contractual,grantee,andsisteragencies)todeliverworkreadiness,jobplacementandretentionservices,andbarrierremediationassistance.ThemissionofTEPistoassistcustomersinenhancingtheir
3 Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: http://www.cbpp.org/research/policy-basics-an-introduction-to-tanf
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educationandskilllevelstohelpthempreparefor,find,andretainunsubsidizedemploymentinordertoultimatelyearnafamily-sustainingincome.TheTANFComprehensiveAssessment(TCA)determineseachcustomer’seducation,skills,andexperienceandtheextenttowhichhis/herpersonalhealthorotherbarriersmayimpedetheirabilitytoengageinworkactivities.UponcompletionoftheTCA,customerscompleteanInitialIndividualResponsibilityPlan(InitialIRP)withDHSstaff.TheresultsdeterminetheTEPserviceproviderthatismostappropriateforthecustomergivenhis/herpresentingcircumstances,abilities,strengths,needs,andgoals.
Work-eligiblecustomers,thatis,adultsthatreceiveTANFandarerequiredtoadheretoworkparticipationrequirements,mustparticipateinactivitiesthatwillassisttheminobtainingemployment.ThenumberofhoursinwhichaTANFcustomermustparticipatedependsontheageofhis/heryoungestchildandwhetherthecustomerisasingleparentorpartofatwo-parenthousehold.
DHScurrentlyhascontractswithtenTEPserviceprovidersasfollows:
1. SixTEPserviceprovidersprovideworkreadinessservicestocustomerswithlowpersonaland
healthbarriersandlowlevelsofeducationandskills.Servicesaregearedtowardsenhancingcustomers’skillsandeducationtopositionthemforemployment:− AmericaWorksofWashington,DC− CareerTeam,LLC− GrantAssociates
− KRA− MaximusHumanServices− OIC/DC
2. FourTEPserviceprovidersprovidejobplacementservicestocustomerswithlowpersonaland
healthbarriersandmoderatetohighlevelsofeducationandskillswithservicesthataregearedtowardsrapidemployment:
− AmericaWorksofWashington,DC− CareerTeam,LLC− KRA− MaximusHumanServices
DHSassignseachcustomertoanappropriateTEPserviceprovidertypebasedonthecustomer’sTCAoutcomes,accountingforallgoals,uniqueneeds,andchoicesinprovidertypes.TEPserviceproviderssupportcustomerswithintensivecasemanagementbyguidingandfacilitatingtheirconnectiontoemploymentservices,availabletrainingandeducationprograms,andanyotherbarriermitigatingservicestheymayneed.
CasemanagerswiththeTEPprovidersworkwitheachcustomertocreateaDetailedIndividualResponsibilityPlan(DetailedIRP)thatactsasthecustomer’sroadmaptosecuringemployment.The
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DetailedIRPoutlinesspecificstepsthatthecustomeragreestoandcommitstotakeinordertoaddressandremovebarriersandfindandretainemployment.Italsoprovidesthebasisbywhichanyfuturesanctionswouldbesupportedthroughnon-compliancewiththecustomer’sDetailedIRP.
TEPservicesincludebutarenotlimitedto:
1. Childcaresubsidyreferral2. Careerexplorationassistance3. Referralstoeducationandtrainingprograms4. Structuredjobsearch5. Jobdevelopmentandplacement6. Coordinationofservicestoremovebarriers:
a. Domesticviolenceb. Housinginstabilityc. Mentalhealthservices
7. Wrap-aroundcasemanagement8. Softskillsbuilding:
a. Resumewritingb. Jobcoaching/interviewpreparationc. Businessetiquetted. Professionalattiree. Conflictresolutionf. Timemanagementandschedulingg. Financialliteracy/counseling
AcustomerwhofailstocomplywithrequirementsoftheTANFprogrammayfaceafinancialsanctionthatremovesaportionoftheTANFgrant,therebyreducingthecustomer'scashassistance.
TANFSanctionsPolicyinDCAsanctionisareductionintheamountofacustomer’sTANFcashbenefit.Itisimposedforfailuretoengageinworkactivities.SanctioningisrequiredbyfederallawbutlikeothercomponentsoftheTANFprogram,stateshaveawidedegreeoflatitudeinhowsanctionsareimplemented.In2011,theDCCouncilapprovedlegislationandregulationswerepromulgatedtoimplementaprogressivesanctionpolicywiththreelevelsofsanctioning.ALevel1sanctionwouldleadtoa20%reductionincashassistance(roughly$70-$80dollarslessincashpermonth,onaverage),aLevel2sanctionwouldleadtoa50%reduction,andaLevel3sanctionwouldstopcashassistanceforafamilyaltogether.
Inregulation,ifacustomerdoesnotparticipatewiththeirTEPserviceproviderorotherprovidersatallforfourweeksinarow,oronlyparticipatesatalowlevelforeightweeksinarow,s/hewouldreceiveaLevel1sanction.Iftheycontinuetonotparticipateorconsistentlyparticipateatalowlevelafterthey
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receiveaLevel1Sanction,theywouldreceiveaLevel2Sanction.IftheycontinuetonotparticipateafteraLevel2sanction,theywouldreceiveaLevel3sanctionandallcashassistancewouldstopuntilthecustomerfullyparticipatesforfourweeksinarow,within12months.CustomersmustworkwiththeirTEPserviceproviderstoensuretheyareengagingwiththeprogramtoavoidsanctions.Thusfar,theDistricthasonlyimplementedLevel1sanctions.
TheDistrict’ssanctionspolicyisintendedtoencourageTANFcustomerstoparticipatewithserviceproviderssothattheyreceivetheservicestheyneedtoobtainemploymentandalleviatebarrierstoworkandwell-being.CustomerscanavoidasanctionbyparticipatingwiththeirTANFserviceproviderorvendor.Theycanalsoavoidasanctionbyshowingconsistentimprovementintheirparticipation.Itistheresponsibilityofthecustomertocommunicatewiththeircasemanagertodevelopaplanthatworksforthem.Customerscanalsore-negotiatetheirIndividualResponsibilityPlan(IRP)onetimetoavoidasanction.Inordertoliftasanction,customershavetore-engagewiththeirserviceprovideraccordingtotheirIRPforfourweeksinarow.Oncecustomersparticipateforfourweeks,theirbenefitswillberestoredtothefulllevel.Iftheycontinuetofullyparticipateforsixmonths,theirsanctionhistorywillberesetasiftheywereneversanctioned.
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DataonFamiliesReceivingTANFCashBenefits
DataaboutTANFcustomerswhohavebeenintheprogramforlongerthan48months(andthereforepotentiallysubjecttoanupcomingtimelimit)wassharedbyDHSduringtheWorkingGroupmeetings.ThesourceofthedataincludedbutwasnotlimitedtofindingsfromtheDHSFamilybyFamilySurvey(conductedinthespringof2016withcustomerswhohadbeenonTANFlongerthan48months),theCustomerAssessment,TrackingandCaseHistory(CATCH)Database(DHS’sTANFcustomerinformationmanagementsystem),andTANFComprehensiveAssessment(TCA)findings.
FamilybyFamilySurveyOverviewAcomprehensiveoutreacheffortwasundertakenbyDHS,providers,andhomevisitorgranteesinthespringof2016toadministersurveystoallofthe6,559TANFcustomerswhohadbeenintheprogramforlongerthan48months.Thesurveyobjectiveswereasfollows:
– OutreachtoasmanyfamiliesfacingapotentiallossofTANFbenefitsaspossible.
– Learnaboutcustomers’challengesandbarrierstoengagementinemploymentand
educationalactivitiesaswellastheirexperiencewiththeTANFprogram.
– IdentifyfamilieswhomaybeeligibleforPOWERandconnectthemtoservices.
– EncouragefamiliestoengagewithexistingTANFresources.
– IdentifyadditionalareasofneedandsupportforTANFcustomers.• Surveytargetpopulation:6,559adultswhowouldreachorexceed61months(morethan5years)
onTANFbyOctober2016.• Outreachactivity:Outreachwascompletedto96%ofthecustomers.
• Surveyparticipants:42%ofthetargetpopulation(2,787individuals)completedthesurvey.
• Surveymethod:Phoneinterviewsorface-to-faceinterviewsfollowingmailingandrobo-calls.
• Surveyadministrationtimeperiod:MarchtoMay2016.
• Surveyors:DHSOfficeofWorkOpportunity(OWO),TANFhomevisitorgrantees,TANFEmployment
Program(TEP)providers,andDHS’sCommunityOutreach,Response,andEngagementteam.
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CharacteristicsofFamiliesSubjecttoLossofTANFBenefitsduetoTimeLimit
FamiliesonTANFbyLengthofStay
• Approximately48%offamiliesonTANFinDC(nearly5,800)havebeenservedbytheTANFprogramformorethan60months.
Figure1.TANFCustomersbyLengthofStay
* ThisfiguredoesnotincludechildonlyhouseholdsandfamiliesservedinthePOWERprogram.ThedatawasextractedasofJuly2016.
AgeandGenderDistribution• Ninety-sixpercent(96%)ofheadsofhouseholdssubjecttolossofTANFbenefitsarewomen,
mostlysinglemothers,andtheirmedianageis33yearsold.• Morethan10,000childrenareestimatedtobeaffectedbythe60-monthtimelimitand61%of
thosechildrenareunderage10.
Number/PercentofNon-ExemptFamilies*byLengthonTANF n=11,982*
<=5Years:52% >5and<=10Years:29% >10and<=20Years:19%
15001200900
600
300
0
<=1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20YearonTANF
Num
berofFam
ilies
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Figure2.AgeandGenderDistribution Figure3.AgeDistributionofChildren
AgeandGenderDistributionofSurveyTargetPopulation
Ag
21-25
26-30
31-35
36-40
41-45
46-50
51-55
>=56
Female(n=6291)96% Male(n=268)4%
-30% -25% -20% -15% -10% -5% 0% 5%
Age10~13215221%
Age4~9475545%
Age14~18183918%
Age0~3169216%
AgedistributionofchildreninfamiliesonTANFfor>60months
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GeographicDistribution• AlmostthreeoutoffourfamilieswhoaresubjecttoalossofTANFbenefitsresideinWards6,7,
or8.
Figure4.GeographicDistributionofFamiliesbyWard
Engagement(EmploymentandEducation)
• NearlyfouroutoffivecustomerssubjecttoalossofTANFarenotengagedinemploymentoreducation.
• TwothirdsofsurveyrespondentsindicatedthattheyareNEITHERemployedNORenrolledinaneducationalprogram.
PercentofCustomersbyWard33%
N=6559 25%
14%11%
5% 6% 6%
0.1%
Ward1 Ward2 Ward3 Ward4 Ward5 Ward6 Ward7 Ward8
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Figure5.EngagementLevelofFamilies>60Months100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
77% 69%
10% 13%13% 18%
NotParticipating
PartiallyParticipating
FullyParticipating
SurveyTarget(n=6053)
SurveyParticipants(n=2592)
*Eachcustomer’sengagementlevelisdeterminedbasedontheaveragehoursofparticipationinworkortrainingactivitiestowardtheirrequiredhours.Dataaboveisbasedonwhat’sbeenrecordedinthesystem(CATCH)regardingtheirengagementlevelasofMarch2016forthosecustomersselectedforthesurvey,NOTbasedonrespondents’surveyresults.
Figure6.EmploymentandEducationEnrollmentStatus(Self-reportedthroughSurvey)
n=2787
Employedand/orEnrolledinEducationalProgram:35%
Employed(22%)
Enrolledin
4% EducationalProgram(17%)
NeitherEmployedNorEnrolledinEducationalProgram:65%
* Fourpercent(4%)reportedthattheyarebothemployedandenrolledinaneducationalprogram.Theyareincludedinthegroupof22%thatareemployedandthegroupof17%thatareenrolledineducationalprogram.
EmploymentandEarnings
• Twooutoffivecustomerswhowereemployedworkedmorethan30hoursperweekbuthalfofthemmadelessthan$500everytwoweeks.
• TheoveralllevelandthemedianwageofTANFcustomersgraduallyincreasedinthelastthreeyears.However,theleveloftheincreaseintheirmedianwagehasbeenminimalandisnotcommensuratewiththeleveloftheincreaseintheDCminimumwage.
• ThemedianhourlywageofTANFcustomershasbeenconsistentlyabovetheDistrict’sminimumwagelevelbutfarbelowtheDClivingwagelevel.
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n=606
<$500 $501-$700 $701-$900 >$1000
100%80%
49%60%
10%10%
11%14%
13%
15%
29% 30% 65%38%
40%43%
20%39%
0% 8%
FY13
7%
FY14
31%
3%FY15
HourlyWage
$15.00orabove
$12.50-$14.99
$10.00-$12.49
$7.50~$9.99
$7.50orbelow
Figure7.HourlyWage Figure8.By-weeklySalary
Howmanyhdoyouusuallyw
ourspeorkife
rweekmployed
?
Howmuchdoyouearneverytwoweeksfromyouremployment?
49%
1-10hours 25%
11-20hours 12% n
(Em=619ployed)
23%
21-30hours 24% 14% 14%
31-40hours 39%
*TheDCminimumwageatthetimeofsurveywas$10.50perhourandthelivingwagewas$13.85.Theminimumwagehasincreasedto$11.50perhourasofJuly2016.
Figure9.TANFCustomersbyHourlyWageLevelatJobEntry(FY13~FY15)
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Figure10.TANFCustomerMedianWagevs.MinimumWageandLivingWage
$15$14$13$12$11
$13.40 $13.60 $13.85 D.C.LivingWage
TANF
$10$9$8$7
$9.50
$8.25
$9.50
$10.50$10.50 CustomerMedianWage
D.C.MinimumWage
* TheLivingWageActof2006,TitleI,DCLawNo.16-118,(DCOfficialCode§§2-220.01-.11)setalivingwageforthoseemployedbycontractorsorsubcontractorsoftheDCGovernmentanditissupposedtobereseteachyeartoreflectcost-of-livingestimates.
Education
Onethirdofcustomersenrolledin
Figure11.TypeofEducationalProgram
Whattypeofeducationalprogramareyouenrolledin?(n=470whowereenrolledineducational
educationprogramswerepursuingaGEDorhighschooldiplomaandanotherthirdwereenrolledincollege.
BarrierstoEngagement
• Morethanhalfofcustomersreportedthathealthissuespreventedthemfromworkingorattendingtraining.
GEDTrainingProgram
HighSchoolDiplomaProgram
CommunityCollege
College
VocationalProgram
10%
8%
21%30%
31%
• Lackofworkexperienceandeducationwereadditionalmajorbarrierstoengagementinemploymentortraining.
• Manycustomersdonotgetpropertreatmentfortheirphysicalandmentalhealthproblems.
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• NearlyhalfoffamiliesfacingalossofTANFbenefitscontinuetograpplewithchildcareandchildwell-being.
Didnothaveenough 35%
Other
9% n=27
careformychildren
Abusedby 6%
18% n=2787
Figure12.CustomerswithHealthIssuesThatPreventThemfromWorking
Figure13.OtherBarriersandIssuesthatpreventCustomersfromWorking
Inthelastyear,haveyouhadanyhealissueskeepingyoufromworking,look
forwork,orattendingatraining
thing
Inthelastyear,haveyoueverhadtroubleworking,lookingforworkorattendingatrainingprogramdueto
thefollowingissue? program?
Physicalhealthissue 39% workexperience Depressionoranxiety 32% Didnothaveenough 31%
education/training Drugoralcoholabuse 3% Experiencedhousing 20%
instability/homeless Atleastoneoftheabove
issues 53% Couldnotgetchild 87 partner/spouse
Figure14.SeekingTreatmenttoHandleHealthIssues
Lastyear,howoftenhaveyougonetoseeadoctororotherprofessionaltotreatyourhealthissues?
Never Lessthanonceamonth 1-3permonth Onceaweek Morethanonceaweek
Hadphysicalhealthissue(n=1078): 41% 24% 25% 4%6%visiteddoctor
Haddepressionoranxiety(n=881): 55% 15% 15% 10%5%soughtmentalhealthtreatment
Haddrugoralcoholabuseissue(n=84): 63% 10% 4%6% 18%
soughtdrug/alcoholtreatment
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Figure15.UnmetNeedsofFamiliesonTANFforMorethanFiveYears
UnmetNeedsofTANFFamiliesIdentifiedthroughTANFComprehensiveCaseReview45% (TCCR)*
N=3,847
18%14% 12% 11% 9% 9%
6% 3% 1%
ChildCare/ChildWellBeing
MentalHealthBarriers
EducationalBarriers
LegalBarriers
DomesticViolence
HealthBarriers
HousingBarriers
SubstanceAbuse
LearningDifficulties
AdultWellBeing
* BetweenMarch2015andMay2016,DHSOWOconductedin-depthcasereviewforatotalof3,847TANFcustomerswhohadbeenonTANFformorethan60months,andevaluatediftheirneedsidentifiedfromtheinitialassessmentshadbeenmet.
TANFExperienceandExpectation
CyclingOnandOffofTANF
• HalfofthecustomerssurveyedhadahistoryofleavingTANF,mostlyduetoearningsfromemployment.
• CustomerswhohadleftTANFpreviouslyreturnedduetolossofjoborlowwages.
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4
CurrentandExpectedSupportfromTANF
• TANFhelpswithpayingbills,housing,transportation,andchildcarebutnotsomuchwithemployment.
• Customerswantmorehelptogettrainingforcareerdevelopmentandpersonalizedcasemanagement.
Figure16.CustomersCyclingOnandOffTANF Figure17.ReasonforReturningtoTANF
HaveyoureceivedTANFpreviously, WhydidyoureturnafterleavingTANF?lefttheprogramandcomeback?
n=2787 Lostjoborcouldnotfindjobto 76%
supportfamily Indicatedahistoryof 1leavingTANFinthepast (5
070%)
Wantedtoincreaseincomeand/or 38%findahigherwagejob
Figure18.ReasonforLeavingTANFinthePast
WhydidyouleaveTANFprogrambefo
Gotajoband/ormadetoomuchmoney
Chosetostop 39%participatingvoluntarily
Hadfamily/personal 17%issues
Wassanctioned 14%
MovedoutoftheDCarea 10%
Haddifficultygetting 6%transportation n=140
re?75%7
Familysizeincreaseddueto 25%pregnancy
Neededhelpgettinganeducationor 25%
jobtraining
Neededhelpwithbudgetingand 19%finances
Losthousing 13%
ChildcarecostsincreasedfromleavingTANFandcouldn'taffordtopayfor 11%
childcare
Separatedfromspouseorpartnerwho 9%wassupportingthefamily
Wasescapinganunsaferelationship 7%
n=1407
Otherreason 10%
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Figure19.PerceivedBenefitsfromTANF Figure20.AreasinNeedofMoreSupport
HowdidTANFprogramhelpyou? WhatwouldmakeyourTANFexperiencebetter?
DidNOThelpmebecomemoresecure
Helpedmetopaymybills
Stablehousing
Stable
34%
57%
47%
Workshopsonnewcareers
Moreinformationabouttrainingprograms
Morehelppayingforschools
Morehelpgettingintoa
80%
78%
77%75%
transportation
Stablechildcare
Stablejob
20%
44%
44%
n=2787
trainingprogram
Morepersonalizedcasemanagement
ClosertowhereIlive
74%
64%
n=2787
UtilizationofGovernmentandCommunityServices
• MorethantwooutofthreeTANFcustomersreportedusingservicesprovidedbyothergovernmentagencies.
• TANFcustomersidentifiedfamilyasthestrongestsupportresourceandonlyafewreportedseekingsupportfromcommunityresources.
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Figure21.UtilizationofOtherGovernmentAgencies Figure22.AreasinNeedofMoreSupport
Doyouuseanyofthefollowinggovernmentservices?
Public/CharterSchools(DCPS)forfamilycounselingorIEPspecialedu.
32%
Doyoureceivesupportfromanyofthefollowing?
ChildSupportServices(CSS)
DepartmentofEmploymentServices(DOES)
DepartmentofHealth(DOH)
DepartmentofBehavioralHealth
(DBH)
ChildandFamilyServicesAgency(CFSA)
OfficeofStateSuperintendentofEducation(OSSE)
28%
22%
14%
12%
11%
9%
Myfamily
FamilySupportCollaboratives
Localchurchorcongregation
Othercommunityprogram
11%
8%
13%
43%
HousingAuthority 5% n=2787 n=2787
OutlookonPost-TANFHardship
MorethanhalfoffamiliesanticipatethatlosingTANFbenefitswouldmaketheirlivesmoredifficultand25%areuncertain.
Figure23.Customers’OutlookafterExitingTANF
*Numbersindicatedintheareasofintersectionsbetweencirclesareincludedinthenumberofeachrespectivecircle.
HowdoyouthinkyourabilitytomeettheneedsofyourfamilywillchangewhenyouexitTANF?
n=1926
Idon'tknow25%
Getmuchworse23%
Staythesame23%
Bealittlemoredifficult29%
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KeyThemesThissectionsummarizesthekeythemesabouttheTANFprogramandconsiderationsforthedevelopmentofaTANFhardshipextensionpolicythatemergedacrosstheListeningSessions,theCommunityDialogues,andthedeliberationsoftheWorkingGroup.Theintentionofthissectionistoprovidesomequalitativecontexttosupplementthedatathatwasprovidedinthepriorsection.
• TheDistrictshouldcontinuetheimprovementstotheTANFprogramofrecentyears,whichprovidemoreperson-centeredservicestofamilies.TheseimprovementsmeanthatmorefamiliesshouldbeabletoreceiveservicesmorerapidlyandtoexitTANFduetoemployment.
• TheDistrictshouldmovequicklytoestablishaTANFhardshipextensionpolicysothatthetimelimitdoesnottakeeffectonOctober1,2017.Theimplementationofstricttimelimitsforallhouseholdswhoexceedthe60-monthtimelimitwouldbedisastrous.
• TheDistrictshouldincreaseoutreachandengagementtoidentifyandassistfamilieswhomightqualifyforaPOWERexemptionandenhancePOWERtoprovideserviceswheneverfeasibletoassistadultsinthehouseholdtoeitherqualifyforfederaldisabilityassistanceorprepareforemploymentoncethefamilycircumstancesthatcreatedtheeligibilityforPOWERareresolved.
“Asasingleparentofthreechildren,TANFmeansalottoourfamily.IwasworkingandgettingunemploymentbuthadtoresorttoTANFbecausethejobmarketchangedandIneededadegreetogetabetterjob.Ithasbeenhelpfultomyfamily,tosupportmeandmykids.It’shardtoliveinDCsoifwecanuseitinawaytogetpeoplesituatedandgroundeditwillhelptogetthemtothenextlevel.”
TANFcustomerwhohasreceivedTANFformore
than60months
• TheDistrictneedstoincreasecommunicationwithTANFcustomerssothattheyunderstandtheservicesandprogramsavailablethroughTANF,toensureawarenessofthePOWERexemptionprocess,andtofacilitatemorefeedback.
• ManyWorkingGroupmembersdidnotknowthatTANFparticipationratesinDCaswellasTANFprogramsnationallyarelow.
• Theparticipationrequirementsaregenerallyviewedasfairandreasonablebutattimes
understandingandmeetingthoserequirementsisburdensome.ThereisconcernthatmostparentswhoreceiveTANFarenotcomplyingwithworkparticipationandotherrequirements.
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• TherewasawidespreadbeliefthatadditionaltimetoreceiveTANFcashassistanceandservicesshouldbeprovidedtoparentswho“playbytherules,”i.e.,parentswhoareengagedandparticipatingintheprogrambutdespitetheirbesteffortscannotfindemployment.
• FormanyparentswhoreceiveTANF,theybelievethattheirprimaryjobistoprovidefortheemotional,social,andphysicalwell-beingoftheirchildren.Asmostaresingleparents,thelogisticsofmanagingthefamilyarecomplicatedwithfewotherreliablesupports,makingitdifficulttoalsoimproveskillsandeducationandtheirfamily’ssituation.ToooftenfamilieswhoreceiveTANFliveinneighborhoodsthatrequireahighlevelofdiligencebyparentstokeeptheirchildrensafe.Themanagementofgettingchildrento/fromschools,especiallywhenthechild(ren)isnotenrolledinneighborhoodschools,istimeconsuming.
• Thereareinsufficientjobsthatofferfull-timeworkintheDistrictthatalignswiththetimethatchildrenareinschooloraftercare.
• SomecustomersreportedthatTEPprovidersneed
tobeheldmoreaccountableforhelpingcustomersfindapathwayoffofTANF.Thepathwayshouldbe
“It’shardtobeasinglefatheroftwo.It’sdifficulttoworkaroundthat.Itisdifficultwithnosupportsystemtohelpwithchildren.Forexample,whenthekid’sschoolhadagasleak,therewasnooneto call to pick up the child. It is hard to trustpeoplewithyourkids.Theschoolonlyofferschildcare until 6 pm. Job hours do not line up withdaycare hours. There needs to be a supportsystem.”
TANFcustomerwhohasbeenreceivingTANFfor
lessthanthreeyears
designedtomeettheuniquestrengthsandneedsofeachparent,notbea“cookiecutter”programthatisfocusedonmeetingjobsearchrequirements.
• ThepotentialconsequencestoahouseholdthathasaninvoluntaryexitfromtheTANFprogramare
ofgreatconcern.Theseincludedfoodinsecurity,childmaltreatment,housinginstabilityandhomelessness,andnegativeoutcomesonphysicalandbehavioralhealthforchildrenandadults.Thepotentialforlapsesinotherpublicassistanceprogramswasalsocitedasaconcern.
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RecommendationsThissectiondescribesthefinalrecommendationsoftheTANFWorkingGroup.Thegrouptriedtoreachconsensussupportforeachrecommendation.Thespecificconsensusquestionaskedwas:“Doyouagreewithincludingthisinthereport?”Whenconsensuswasnotachievable,ahandvotewastakenandiftherewasamajorityinfavor,therecommendationwasacceptedwiththenumberofdissentingvotesnoted.
ThefollowingrepresentsasetofrecommendationstoconsiderforTANFhardshipextensionsandmodificationfortheentireTANFprogram.ThepolicyoptionsdescribedarenotcostneutralsotheAdministrationandCouncilwillneedtoconsiderthecost-benefitoftheserecommendationsduringtheannualbudgetprocess.Witheachoftheoptionsbelow,therearevariableswhichcanbeadjustedwhichwouldinfluencecost.
PreferredOptionChildEnrichmentGrantandParentTANFGrantwithIRP Compliance
Thisconceptualstructurewasuniversallyappealingtothegroup.Thisoptionwouldcreatetwoseparategrants,aChildEnrichmentGrantandaParentTANFGrant,whichthegroupfeltcreatedatwo-generationalpolicythatkeptresourcesinthehouseholdtoprotectandsupportchildrenandalsoincentivizedprogramparticipationonthepartoftheheadofhousehold.Asrecommendedwithmajorityapproval,theChildEnrichmentGrantwouldequatetothechildportionofthegrantandwouldcompriseapproximately80%oftheexistingTANFgrant.EligibilityrequirementsfortheChildEnrichmentGrantwouldbethesameasthecurrentTANFgrantbutwithoutworkrequirementsoratimelimit.ThepurposeoftheChildEnrichmentGrantwouldbetoensurethatthereareresourcesinthehometosupportthechildevenwhenthecaretakermaynotbeengaginginTANF-relatedactivities.Thesentimentbehindthisrecommendationwasthatthereisresearchwhichsuggeststhattakingmoneyoutofthehomebothcausesharmtothechildandoftenstrainsmoreexpensivepublicsystemssuchasthechildprotectionsystemandthehomelessresponsesystem.Whiletherecouldbehigh-levelrequirementsforreceivingtheChildEnrichmentGrant,suchasschoolregistrationorproofofvaccinations,thegroupwassplitastothemeritofsuchrequirements.
TheParentTANFGrantwouldrepresenttheother,approximately,20%oftoday’sTANFgrant.EligibilityrequirementsfortheParentTANFGrantwouldbethesameasthecurrentTANFgrant(residency,incomelimits,havingadependentchildinthehome,etc.)andwouldincludeworkrequirementsandcompliancewiththeIRP,withsanctionsforcustomerswhoarenotincompliance,butnotimelimit.ThegroupalsorecommendedthatthesanctionlevelsfortheTANFParentgrantbeadjustedfrom20%,50%and100%,respectively,to20%,40%,and60%.ThegrouprecommendedthatthereshouldbenotimelimitontheParentTANFgrant.
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Thereportshouldnotethatthosewhodissentedwiththisrecommendationagreedinprinciplewiththepolicyrecommendation,butdidnotagreewithhowthetwograntswereweighted,withtheChildEnrichmentGrantat80%andParentTANFGrantat20%.DissentinggroupmembersthoughtmoreincentiveshouldbeaddedtotheParentTANFGrantportionofthetotalgrant,witheachgrantweightedequallyat50%ofthetotalhouseholdTANFgrant.
OtherOptionswithConsensus
Thefollowingtwooptionsrepresentpoliciesthattheworkgroupvotedonseparately.Theyarebeingrecommendedassecondaryoptions.CompliancewithProgramRequirements
(Thetablebelowsummarizesthisscenario.)Compliance Child
EnrichmentGrant
(80%)
ParentGrant
(20%)
TotalPercentperFamily(All)
%ofBenefit
Compliant 80% 20% 100%
SanctionLevel1(20%) 80% 16% 96%
SanctionLevel2(40%) 80% 12% 92%
SanctionLevel3(60%) 80% 8% 88%
ThisoptionwouldcontinuetheTANFprogramasisbutwouldimplementanextensionbeyond60monthsforthosecustomerswhoarenotinasanctionstatusatthetimetheyareatthe60monthmark.Effectively,ifafamilyisengagedwiththeirTEPserviceproviderandNOTsanctioned,allcashbenefitswouldcontinue,regardlessofthetimeonTANF.Therewasunanimousagreementthatallhouseholdswhometthesecriteriashouldbeextendedandtherewasamajorityinsupportofthegrantbeingsetat
Page33of112
thefullamount.ThisoptionalsocamewithsomeconcernamongtheTANFWorkingGroupbecauseitwouldcreateascenariowheretherewouldbenomoneyinthehometosupportchildrenforhouseholdsthatwerenotextended.
Therewerealsoasignificantnumberofimplementationquestionsthatwouldneedtobeaddressedtoexecutethispolicy.Specifically,ifafamilyexceededtheirTANFtimelimit,andwasnotonTANF,wouldtheybeeligibletoaccessTANFbenefitsinthefutureorenrolldirectlyintoPOWER?Althoughnotaddressedinthecontextofthisspecificpolicyoption,basedonthesenseoftheworkinggroupinothercontexts,theanswerislikelyyestobothquestions.Thetablebelowsummarizesthisscenario.
Compliance TANFGrant TotalAmountper
Family(All)
Compliant 100% 100%
SanctionLevel1(20%) 80% 80%
SanctionLevel2(50%) 50% 50%
SanctionLevel3(100%) 0% 0%
ChildOnlyGrant
ThisoptionwouldcontinuetosupportthefamilywithaChildOnlyGrant(80%ofthefullTANFGrant)after60monthsonTANF.Therewouldbenorequirementsassociatedwiththegrant.Resourceswouldremaininthehometosupportthechild.Somestateshaveelectedtoimplementavariationofthistypeofextension.ThisoptioncamewithconcernamongtheTANFWorkingGroupbecauseitwouldcreateonesetofrulesforfamilieswhohavereceivedTANFforlessthan60monthsandthenwouldrelaxthoserulesoncethefamilyeclipsed60months,albeitwithareducedbenefit,butnosanctioning.Thepolicyoption“ChildEnrichmentGrantandaParentTANFGrant”waspreferredtothisoptionbyamajorityofWorkingGroupmembers.Thetablebelowsummarizesthisscenario.
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Compliance TANFGrant(<60months)
ChildOnlyGrant(>60Months)
Compliant 100% 80%
SanctionLevel1(20%) 80% 80%
SanctionLevel2(50%) 50% 80%
SanctionLevel3(100%) 0% 80%
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IndependentPolicyOptions:
Thefollowing“independentpolicyoptions”representpoliciesthattheworkgroupvotedonseparately.Theyarebeingrecommendedassecondaryoptionsandcanbecombined.Theyarenotnecessarilymutuallyexclusivebutratherrepresentuniversesofindividualswhothegroupfeelsshouldbeprotected.
Inadditiontotheextensionscenariosconsideredabove,theTANFWorkingGroupthoughtitwasimportanttoconsiderparticularsituationsthatshouldwarrantaTANFextension.Intheeventoflimitedresources,theWorkingGrouprecommendedconsideringthefollowingfactorsas“triggers”whichwouldmeritahardshipextensionorcontinuationofbenefitsbeyond60months.
MajorityApprovalwithFourDissensions:AtImminentRiskof Homelessness
Atthetimeafamilyiseclipsingtheir60thmonthonTANF,thegrouprecommendedthatextendingbenefitsforafamilywhoisatimminentriskofhomelessnesswasappropriate.Thepurposeofthisextensionwouldbetostave-offhomelessness.TherewereoutstandingquestionsofwhetherTANFbenefitsshouldcontinueifafamilyslippedintohomelessness.Supportersnotedthatitiscounterintuitivetoremovebenefitsforfamiliesnavigatinganalreadychallenginghousingsituation.Dissentersnotedthatcontinuingbenefitscouldpotentiallycreateaperversefinancialincentivetoenterthehomelesssystemtogainacashbenefitforwhichonewouldnototherwisebeeligible.TheWorkingGroupnotedthattherewasconsiderableadditionalworkneededbytheAdministrationtodefine“imminentriskofhomelessness”andtodeterminehowtohandleeligibilityforfamiliesexperiencinghomelessnessandreceivingDHSservicesaswellashouseholdsenrolledinpermanentsupportivehousingandrapidrehousingprograms.TheWorkingGroupwasalsodividedonwhetherthereshouldbeparticipationrequirementstoretainthisextension.
MajorityApprovalwith1dissension:Atriskofentryintochild protection
Atthetimeafamilyiseclipsingtheir60thmonthonTANF,thegrouprecommendedthatextendingbenefitsforafamilywhoisatriskofenteringthechildprotectionsystemwasappropriate.Liketheprovisionabove,aseriesofinterpretationorimplementationquestionswouldarise.Whileitisestablishedthatlackoffinancialresourcesalonedoesnotconstituteeitherabuseorneglect,researchdoessuggestthatalackofresourcescancontributetocircumstanceswhichleadtosubstantiatedneglect.IftheDistrictshouldelecttopursuethisasahardshipcategory,aspecificdefinitionof“at-risk”wouldneedtobeestablished.Complementingthat,adefinitionofhowtodeterminewhenthatriskwasmitigatedornolongerpresentandwhatwouldthenhappenregardingtheTANFgrant,wouldneedtobeestablished.
ConsensualApproval:Highunemployment
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Atthetimeafamilyiseclipsingtheir60thmonthonTANF,thegrouprecommendedthatextendingbenefitsundercertaineconomicconditionswasappropriate.Timesofeconomicchallengedisproportionallyaffectindividualsinentryleveljobswithinthebroadereconomy.TheWorkingGrouprecommendedthatthereshouldbea“hardship-trigger”basedontheunemploymentrateintheDistrictforadultswithoutacollegedegree.Whilethelevelwouldneedtobeestablished,theconceptisthat,ifunemploymentroseaboveacertainlevel,familieswhohadalreadyreceivedbenefitswouldagainbeeligible(andthoseonTANFwouldnothavebenefitsterminatedduetoatimelimit)toreceivebenefitsandservices,shouldtheymeettheothereligibilitycriteria.
ConsensualApproval:CreatehardshipextensionsthatmatchcurrentPOWERtimelimitexemptions.POWERservesTANFfamilieswhoseheadofhouseholdfacesspecialchallenges.WhenfamiliesareplacedinPOWER,themonthsofassistancetheyreceivedonotcounttowardthe60-monthtimelimitandfamiliesreceivethefullTANFbenefitamount,eveniftheyhavereceivedTANFformorethan60months.TheWorkingGrouprecommendedthatthecategoriescurrentlydefinedasPOWER-eligible,alsobecometimelimitextensions,meaningafamilywhohasreachedthe60monthtimelimitbutsubsequentlyfacesasituationthatwouldhavequalifiedthemforPOWERcangetbackontoTANFthroughanextension.Thosecategoriesincludecustomerswhoare:
• Sufferingfromtemporaryorpermanentincapacitiesthatareexpectedtolastlongerthan30days;
• Takingcareofahouseholdmemberwhoisphysicallyormentallyincapacitated;• 60yearsorolder;• Pregnantorparentingteenundertheageof19whomeetscertainconditions,suchasattending
school;or
• Experiencingdomesticviolenceandhavebeengrantedadomesticviolencewaiver.
Majorityapprovalwith3dissensions:AddparentswithanewborninfantasaneligiblecategoryforPOWERand/orhardshipextension.
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resources,improvedassessmenttoidentifycustomerbarrierstoemploymentandcreatemorepersonalizedserviceplans(IRPs),andadditionalsupportsweredescribedastheprimaryareasneededforprogramimprovement.MostimprovementsarelikelynotcostneutralsotheAdministrationandCouncilmayneedtoconsiderthecost-benefitoftheserecommendationsduringtheannualbudgetprocess.
TANFProgramServicesImprovementsThefollowingrepresentsasetofrecommendationstoconsiderforimprovingtheoverallTANFprogram.TherewasextensivefeedbackacrosstheListeningSessions,CommunityDialogues,andtheWorkingGroupdeliberationsthatfamiliesshouldbebetterservedbytheTANFprogramandthatiftheseimprovementsweremade,familieswouldachieveamorerapidexitfromTANFtogreatereconomicstability.ImprovedcommunicationwithcustomersaboutTANFprogramservicesandcommunity
FeedbackfromListeningSessionsandWorkingGroup
DHSComments
Assessments&OutreachWeneedtodoabetterjobassessingneedsandidentifyingbarriers
DHSacknowledgestheneedforasetofserviceoptionsforengagedandunengagedcustomersthatdiffersfromthecurrentTANFEmploymentProgram(TEP)model.Aspartofthatacknowledgement,thefollowingactionsstepswilloccurwithinFY17:1. EnhancetheTANFComprehensiveAssessment(TCA)
andcreateastrategytore-assesscustomerspriortoapotentialterminationofbenefitsduetotimelimits.
2. RecommendinnewTEPcontractsthatahomevisitisincludedaspartofaProvider’soutreachattemptstoengagecustomerspriortotakingactionfornoncompliance.
3. DHSwillpilotaprogramtoreachthosecustomerswhohavenotachievedsuccess(unengaged/sanctioned)throughthetraditionalTEPmodel.
Customersshouldbereassessed6–12monthspriortoTANFtermination
Increasedoutreach,engagement,andcasemanagementservicesforcustomers(families)approachingthetimelimitorduringthelast12monthsbeforereachingthelimit.Useevidence-basedassessmentsforhomevisits.DHS/OWOneedstorevisetheirassessmenttoolstoallowcustomersamorepersonalizedexperienceandimprovedservicecoordinationandreferrals.
Moremeaningfulengagementwithcustomerslongbeforereaching60monthstoavoidcustomersreaching60months
DHSbelievesthatthekeytoassistingcustomersachievesuccessisdependentuponmeaningfulandengaginginteractionsbetweenTEPProviderstaffandcustomers.Toaddressthisissue,newTEPcontracts(beginninginFY17)willhavesmallercaseloadsizes:1:50forWorkReadinessProvidersand1:75forJobPlacementProviders.Smallercaseloadsizeswillcreateaspacefor
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morein-depthengagementofcustomers.DHSisalsotighteningboththecasemanagementrequirementsandexpectationsforTEPProviderengagementwithcommunityprovidersandservicedeliverypartnersinthenewFY2017TEPcontracts.
SpecializedServicesforCustomersForsomecustomers,especiallythosewithmentalhealthorotherbarriers,20to30hoursofworkrequirementsistoohighabarandsetscustomersupforfailurefromthebeginning.
DHSagreesthatforsomecustomersexperiencingcrisissituations,inclusiveofmentalhealthandotherbarriers,the20,30,and35hourperweekworkrequirement(basedonhouseholdsizecomposition)istoohighofabartoset.CustomersexperiencingthesehardshipshavedetailedIRPsthataddressthebarrier(s)anddonotadheretoanhourrequirement.DHSwillcontinuetoenhanceitsorientationmaterialsandprocesstobetterexplaintocustomersfacingcrisissituationsthattheyhaveanoptiontoengagewithinternalLicensedClinicalSocialWorkerstoaddresstheirbarriersandnotanhourrequirement.
POWER&RehabilitationServicesAnintensiveoutreachandassessmentstrategytoincreasePOWERenrollmentisneeded.Culturechangeisneededtore-brandandde-stigmatizeservices,especiallyPOWER.POWERneedstobeevaluated.POWERneedstobeaddedtothecommonapplication.
TheresultsoftheFamilybyFamilyEngagementInterviewsconductedbyDHS/ESAstaffandpartnersrevealedthatDHSstillhasworktodotobetterpromotethebenefitsofenrollmentintothePOWERprogramforeligiblecustomers.Withinthenext180days,DHSwillreviewitscommunicationstrategyaroundthePOWERprogramincludingthewebsite,documentation,andorientationtoensurethateligibilityrequirementsandserviceofferingsareknowntoallcustomers.Additionally,inFY17,DHSwillimplementastafftrainingmoduletoensurethatstaffaremessagingthebenefitsofPOWERappropriatelyandareassistingcustomerswithnavigatingtheapplicationprocess.DHSwillalsoseektheassistanceofcommunitypartnerstoencouragecustomerstoseekPOWERassistancewhennecessary.
Mentalhealthandsubstanceabuseservices
DHSagreesthatservicesforcustomersexperiencingmentalhealthandsubstanceabuseissuesneedtobebetterpromotedduringorientationandperiodicallythroughmassmailings,communityengagement
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activities,andbyTEPProviders.DHSwillworktoreviseitsorientationmaterialandprocessduringthenext180daystode-stigmatizementalhealthandsubstanceabuseservicesandencouragecustomerstoseekhelpasneeded.
EnhancedEducationalOutcomesImprovedaccessandenrollmentintoGEDprogramsforcustomerswithlowliteracylevelsProvidemorerobustservicestoimproveliteracyImprovecollegereferrals
DHSisfocusedonincreasingeducationaloutcomesforTANFcustomersandagreesthatweneedtoimproveaccessandenrollmentintoGEDprogramsaswellasothereducationandtrainingprograms.NewTEPcontractsthatwillbeexecutedinFY17willincludeamorerobustincentivepackageforproviderstoencouragecustomerstoenrollinandcompleteeducationandtrainingprograms.DHSwillalsoexplorewaystoencouragetheuseofeCASAS,aliteracyandnumeracyassessmentforcustomers,tobetterscreenforeducationandtrainingneeds.
CommunicationStrategyBettercommunication,services,andstructuretoensurethatcustomerswhoaretryingcanactuallysucceed
DHSisworkingonafive-foldstrategyforFY17thatincludesthefollowingactivitiesaimedatengagingcustomerswheretheyareat:1. Enhanceddocumentationandmanagementofthe
DHSwebsite2. DevelopmentofaTEPCustomerHandbook3. ContinuousgrowthoftheDHSCustomerAdvisory
Board(CAB)4. DHSwillconductquarterlylisteningsessionswith
customersatTEPlocationsandotherlocationsinthecommunity.
5. Developasocialmediastrategicplan
TEPProviderEmploymentSupportEnhancementsTrainingforTEPProviderstaff DHSagreesthatTEPprovidersshouldconveneroutine
stafftrainingstoensureoptimalservicedeliverytocustomers.Tothatend,DHSisaddinglanguagetonewTEPcontracts(tobeexecutedinFY17)thatrequirespotentialTEPproviderstoarticulatehowtheywillconductongoingstafftrainingtoincludebutnotbelimitedto:1. CustomerService2. Coaching/CaseManagementstandards3. CulturalCompetency
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4.Workingwithcustomersexperiencingmentalhealth,substanceabuse,anddomesticviolenceissues
CollaborationwiththeDCDepartmentofEmploymentServices(DOES)andPaidOn-the-JobTrainingforhardtoplacecustomers
DHSwillworkcloselywithDOEStocollaborateontrainingandemploymentopportunitiesforcustomers;DHSiscurrentlyworkingwithDOEStoco-locateservicesforcustomersaspartoftheDistrict’simplementationoftheWorkforceInnovationandOpportunityAct.
OtherMoreintensiveservicesforimmigrantsandEnglishasaSecondLanguage(ESL)households
EnsurethatallmaterialsfortheentireTANFprogramaretranslatedinotherlanguagesandincludemethodsofcommunicatingwithhardofhearinganddeafcustomers.
Withinthenext180days,DHSwillworkcloselywithitsLanguageAccessCoordinatorstocreateanoutreachandengagementstrategytoinformmembersoftheLimitedEnglishProficient/Non-EnglishProficient(LEP/NEP)communityabouttheservicesofferedthroughtheTANFprogram.DHSwillworkwiththeappropriateMayoralOfficestocoordinatetheseactivities.
Housingandutilityassistance DHSwillfurtherdeveloprelationshipsandcoordinateserviceswithsisteragenciesandgovernmentpartnerstosupportafamily’shousingstability.DHSintendstoaddlanguagetoFY17housingcontractsrequiringthecoordinationandintegrationofservicesforcustomersaccessingbothTANFandhousingservices.
Strictdaycarebenefits(6monthsmaximum)Morechildcareoptions(non-traditionalhoursandmoreslotsandmorehours,abilitytoservechildrenwithspecialneeds)
DHSiscurrentlyexploringthefeasibilityofdecouplingeligibilityforchildcaresubsidiesfromparticipationrequirementstoensurethatchildrenhaveaccesstoearlylearningservices.AfinaldeterminationwillbemadeinFY17betweenDHSandtheOfficeoftheStateSuperintendentofEducation(OSSE).
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POWERProgramServicesImprovementsThefollowingrepresentsasetofrecommendationstoconsiderforimprovingPOWER.TherewasextensivefeedbackduringtheListeningSessionsandtheCommunityDialoguesindicatingthatPOWERwasnotwellunderstoodbymanyTANFcustomers.TherewasgeneralagreementthatDHSshouldincreaseoutreachandengagementtoidentifyandassistfamilieswhomightqualifyforthePOWERexemption.ItwasalsorecommendedthatPOWERneededtobeenhancedtoassisttheadultsinthehouseholdtoeitherqualifyforfederaldisabilityassistanceorprepareforemploymentoncethefamilycircumstancesthatcreatedtheeligibilityforPOWERareresolved.Parentswithachildlessthan12monthsofagearenotsubjecttoworkparticipationrequirements,however,thegroupsuggestedtheneedtoincludeparentsofinfantsaseligibleforPOWER.
Finally,therewasfeedbackacrosstheListeningSessions,CommunityDialogues,andtheWorkingGroupdeliberationsthathouseholdsthatwereeligibleforPOWERexemptionsshouldalsobeabletoentertheprogramoutsideofthecurrentTANFprocess.ThiswouldincludetheabilitytoapplydirectlyintothePOWERprogramifonehasexhaustedtheirTANFeligibilitybasedonmonthsofreceipt.ConsensualApproval Recommendations:
– AllowhouseholdstoapplydirectlytobeservedbyPOWERfromthecommonapplication
processinlieuofbeingfirstadmittedtoTANFandthenreferredforPOWER.
– Allowhouseholdswhohaveexceededthe60-monthtimelimittobeservedbyPOWERincludingthosewhohaveexitedoffTANF.
– Includeasix-monthtransitionalperiodfollowingPOWEReligibilityforhouseholdswhohaveexceeded60months.
– ConductanevaluationofPOWERincludingassessmentofwhetherPOWERshouldberenamedandrebrandedtoreducestigma.
– IncreasecommunicationaboutthePOWERprogramtoTANFcustomers:mailletters,disseminatebrochures,usewebsites,buildpartnershipswithcommunityorganizations,advocacygroups,andsisteragencies.
– IncorporateorientationaboutPOWERduringtheTANFOrientationandAssessmentprocess.
– StreamlineandcentralizeservicedeliveryforpotentiallyeligiblecustomerstoapplyforSSIorSocialSecurityDisabilityInsurance(SSDI).
– ContinuetotrainDHSstafftousetheSSI/SSDIOutreach,Access,&Recovery(SOAR)modelwithTANFcustomersinordertoincreaseaccesstoSSIorSSDIbenefits.
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– ContinuetoimproveDHSservicedeliverytocustomerswhoareapprovedforPOWERincludingcasemanagement,counseling/supportgroups,assessments,personaldevelopment,careerdevelopment,andfinancialcoaching.
– FurtherdeveloptherelationshipbetweentheDCDepartmentonDisabilityServicesandDHStoenableTANFcustomerstoreceivevocationalrehabilitationservices.
– ImplementastafftrainingmoduletoensurethatDHSstaffandTEPProvidersaremessagingthebenefitsofPOWERappropriatelyandareassistingcustomerswithnavigatingtheapplicationprocess.
– RequiretheassistanceofcommunitypartnerstoencouragecustomerstoseekPOWERassistancewhennecessary.
PostTANFServices
ThefollowingrepresentsasetofrecommendationstoconsiderforhouseholdswhoareinvoluntarilyexitedfromtheTANFprogram.TherewasextensivefeedbackacrosstheListeningSessions,CommunityDialogues,andtheWorkingGroupdeliberationsthatthepotentialconsequencestoahouseholdthathasaninvoluntaryexitfromtheTANFprogramareofgreatconcern.Concernsincludedthepotentialforfoodinsecurity,childmaltreatment,housinginstabilityandhomelessness,andnegativeoutcomesonphysicalandbehavioralhealthforchildrenandadults.Thepotentialforlapsesinotherpublicassistanceprogramswerealsocited.Initially,thechargewastodeveloprecommendationsfora“warmhand-offtocommunityservices.”TherewasresoundingsentimentfromWorkingGroupparticipants,however,thatthiswasnotfeasibleascommunityorganizationswereill-equippedtoassistthesehouseholds.TheinputevolvedtorecommendingthatfamiliesbeofferedservicesprovidedbyDistrictGovernmentandalsobereferredtocommunityprogramsthatmightmeetthefamily’suniqueneeds.DependingonthepolicyoptionthattheCounciladopts,theneedforservicesatexitmaybealtered.MostservicesarelikelynotcostneutralsotheAdministrationandCouncilmayneedtoconsiderthecost-benefitoftheserecommendationsduringtheannualbudgetprocessbecausesomecouldbearsignificantcosts.
ConsensualApprovalRecommendations:ThefollowingservicesshouldbeofferedbyDHSanditssisteragenciestohouseholdswhoareinvoluntarilyexitedfromtheTANFprogram:
• Transportation/stipend• Childcare• Accesstocasemanagement• Jobreadinessandjobplacement
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• Paidjobtraining• Familymediation• Homelessprevention• Mentalhealthservices• Substanceabusetreatment• Basicneeds:housing,food,healthcare
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Appendices AbouttheTANFHardshipExtensionFacilitatorBarbaraPoppeFounderandprincipalBarbaraPoppeisthefounderofBarbaraPoppeandAssociatesandtheformerexecutivedirectoroftheUnitedStatesInteragencyCouncilonHomelessness.Duringhertenure,OpeningDoors,thefirstcomprehensivefederalstrategicplantopreventandendhomelessnesswaslaunchedinJune2010.Ms.Poppeisanationallyrecognizedexpertonhomelessnessandresults-drivenpublic-privatepartnerships.BarbaraPoppeandAssociates,establishedin2014,isanindependentconsultingfirmthatdevelopsthecapacityofcommunitiesandorganizationstotacklecomplexissuesusingacollaborativesystemsapproachtoachieveresultsandimpact.Ms.Poppeisafrequentnational,state,andlocalspeakeronhomelessnessandservesonthenationalboardsoftheEnterpriseCommunityPartnersandtheSiemerInstituteforFamilyStability.
Appendix1
ListeningSessions:
1. TANFCustomers:August9,2016;15participants2. Advocates:August9,2016;10participants3. TEPServiceProviders:August10,2016;12participants4. CityCouncilStaff:August10,2016;6participants
Themes
Improveservicesbefore60months
• Needtohavemeaningfulengagementwithcustomerslongbefore60monthstoavoidhittingtimelimits.
• Increasedoutreach,engagement,andcasemanagementisneededduringthelast12monthsbeforeacustomerreachesthetimelimit.
• IntensiveoutreachandassessmentforPOWERenrollmentisneeded.• IntensiveandspecializedworkpreparationforTANFcustomerswithseverechallengesis
neededincluding:o Vocationalrehabilitationforthosewithsignificantmentalhealthchallengesand/or
developmentaldisabilitiesthataredifficulttoidentifythroughtraditionalassessmentsandcasemanagement
o Improvedaccess/enrollmentinGEDprogramsforthosewithlowliteracyo MoreintensiveservicesforimmigrantsandESLhouseholds.
ImprovePOWER
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• IncreaseaccesstovoluntaryservicesforPOWERhouseholdstoprepareforworkwhileonPOWER
• BeawareofstigmaattachedtoPOWER• IncreaseoutreachandengagementtoidentifyandassistcustomersthatqualifyforPOWER
TANFcustomersthatshouldreceiveanextension(acrossmultiplelisteningsessions)
• HouseholdsthatmeetexistingPOWERcategories:
◦ Adultwithanincapacitatingordisablingmedicalcondition◦ Adultthatisneededinthehometocareforaphysicallyormentallyincapacitated
householdmember(e.g.caringforachildinthehome)◦ Householdheadedbysomeone60yearsorolder◦ PregnantorparentingteeninhighschoolorGEDprogram◦ Customersexperiencingdomesticviolence
• Parentswho“playbyalltherules,”i.e.,parentswhodespitetheirbesteffortscannotfindemployment
• Under-employedandpart-timeworkingparents• Familieswhoareatriskofbecominghomelessorwhohaveunstablehousing• Familieswhoareatriskoftheirchildenteringfostercare• Parentswithlowliteracylevels(definedas<8thgradeandnoGED)and/orESLandnotyetready
toworkwithoutlongerassistance• Allchildrenregardlessofparentparticipation
OtherCustomerstoExtend(singlelisteningsession)
• ParentsfacinghighunemploymentintheDistrict• Parentswithlowcognitiveability,lowachievement,oralearningdisability• Parentswhohavephysicalormentalimpairment(s)andnotabletoworkevenifnotqualified
forSSI/SSDI
• Parentswhoareveterans• Parentswhoarehousebound(can’tgetoutofbed)• Parentsinwitnessprotection• Parentswithsocial/mentaldisorderswhoareengagedintreatment/counseling
Whatshouldbetheconditions/requirementsofanextension?
• MustmeetallparticipationrequirementsandfollowIRP(notbesanctioned)• Mustbeenrolledineducationortrainingprogram;confirmedcareerpath• Norequirements-justhavechildren
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Whatshouldbethebenefitlevels?• Fullbenefits–increasetofullTANFbenefit• Fullbenefits–atlevelreceivingin60thmonth• 75%ofTANFbenefitin60thmonth• 20%ifcapableofworking;100%ifnotcapableofworking• Basedonnumberofchildreninhousehold• Increasewithcostofliving• Basedonbudgetforprogram
Howlongshouldbenefitsbeprovided?
• Aslongasneededwithperiodicreview/recertify• Dependentonreasonforexemptionorspecifictoindividualneeds
o OneyearafterreceivingGED/HighSchoolo Untiltheyareemployedinpermanentjobo Aftertheycompleteprobationaryperiodforjobo 6monthsafterlastcycleoftrainingo Aftercompletetrainingo Extensionsconnectedtoconditions/requirementnotonlyoffamilybutofTANF
providers(ex.ifservicesnotavailablethefamilynotpunished)o Untilfamilycatchesupwithfinancialissues
• Fixedtimeperiods:12monthsor6monthwithrecertification
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Appendix2
CommunityDialoguesCommunityDialogueswereoriginallyplannedtooccurinfourneighborhoodstoexploreideasforthehardshipextensionpolicyandwaystohelphouseholdsthatwillnotreceivea‘hardshipexemption’.Intentwastohosttheseeventsinpublicmeetingspacesandconduct2dialoguesinWard8;1inWard7;1inWard6.Theinvitationwasextendedtocommunityorganizations,keystakeholders,andTANFCustomers.Theverylowattendanceatthefirsttwodialogues,promptedchangesinthemeetinglocations.Thewidespreadconcernthattimelimitsmightincreasehomelessness,resultedindecisiontohostanadditionaldialogueatDCGeneralforparentswhowerecurrentlyexperiencinghomelessness.Overall39TANFcustomersparticipatedinthefivecommunitydialogues.ThedialogueswerefacilitatedbyBarbaraPoppewithtechnicalsupportfromDHS/ESAstaff.Thegeneralcontentforeachsessionisdescribedbelow.Theactualformatvarieddependingontheparticipantsbutthecontentandrequestedfeedbackwasconstantacrossallfivesessions.
GeneralAgenda
1) Welcome,framingandflow–BarbaraPoppe,facilitator
2) Checkin:WhydidIdecidetoparticipateintoday’sdialogueandwhatdoIhopetocontribute?
3) Projectoverview
4) SmallGroupDialogue#1onpolicyfor‘TANFhardshipexemption’totheTANFlimitof60monthsforrecipientfamilieswhohavecomplex,difficultproblemsthatarenoteasilyorquicklyresolved
a. WhoshouldbeeligibleforTANFcashassistancebeyond60months?
b. Whatconditions/requirementsdoyouthinkfamiliesshouldmeettoreceivecashassistance
beyond60months?
c. WhatdoyouthinkshouldbetheamountofcashbenefitforTANFhardshipexemptedhouseholdswhowillreceivecashassistancebeyond60months?
d. WhatdoyouthinkshouldbethelengthsofassistanceforTANFhardshipexemptedhouseholds
whowillreceivecashassistancebeyond60months?
5) SmallGroupDialogue#2onwaystohelpthosehouseholdswhowillnotreceivea‘TANFhardshipexemption’andthereforewillnotbeeligibleforcontinuingTANFcashassistance,includinghowtoconnectthemtootherpublicandcommunityservices.
a. Whatdoyouthinkarethekeyservicesthatneedtobeprovidedtohelpthosehouseholdswho
willnotreceiveaTANFhardshipexemption?
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b. WhatagenciesandcommunityorganizationsdoyouthinkneedtobeinvolvedtohelpthesefamilieswhowillnotreceiveaTANFhardshipexemption?
c. WhatdoyouthinkwouldbethebestwayforafamilywhowillnotreceiveaTANFhardship
exemptiontobeconnectedtotheseservices?
6) Reportout
7) Thankyou,checkoutandadjourn
TANFCommunityDialogue#1BenningNeighborhoodLibraryAugust18,20166:30-7:30PMCommunityParticipants:ThreeTANFcustomersFormat:AttendeesmetwithmembersoftheDHSTANFTeamandBarbaraPoppetodiscusstheirindividualexperienceswhileonTANF.Belowareafewofthethemesalongwithspecificexamplesthatemergedfromtheinformaldiscussion.
Theme1:TANFdoesnotconnectpeopletosustainablejobsTANFprogramwassupposedtochange5yearsagotogetpeopletobeself-sufficientandhavejobs.Shetookhergrandsontotheworkprogramoffice.Theydidnothaveanythingforajob.Theyonlyprovidedfoodstamps.Wenttothecommunitycollaborativeandtheydidn’thaveanythingforajob.TherewerenojobsattheNortonJobfair.It’sfrustratingwhenDHSdoesnothaveanythingforpeopletobeself-sufficient.TANFhelpsalotofpeople,buttheyneedjobs.
Theme2:TANFshouldbestrictlymonitoredandconnectpeopletojobsTANFshouldhavestrictsecurityanddocumentation.Everythingshouldbemonitoredontheinsideandoutside.Weshouldmakesuretheassistancegoeswheretheyaresupposedtogo.Thereneedstobejobtraining/jobs,buttheassistanceshouldnotcutoffimmediately.Allthejobdetailsshouldbedocumented.Thevouchercanbedownsizedaftersteadyemployment.Theyshouldbeeasedofftheassistancegradually.Alotofjobtrainingprogramsarenotproducing.Everythinghastobemonitored.SomeplaceslikeCCPrep(adultschool),needmoremonitoring.Theschoolsneedmonitoringtoensuretheyaredoingtheirjob.
Theme3:Step-DownAssistanceonceemploymentisachievedThereneedstobejobtraining/jobs,buttheassistanceshouldnotcutoffimmediately.Allthejobdetailsshouldbedocumented.Thevouchercanbedownsizedaftersteadyemployment.Theyshouldbeeasedofftheassistancegradually.
Theme4:Additionalgovernmentemploymentprogramsareneeded
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Youusedtobeabletogetadecentjobwiththegovernment.Youcan’tparticipateinprogramslikeProjectEmpowermentifyouarereceivingTANF.Thisprogramshouldn’tbelimitedtopeopleinjail.
Theme5:Women,especiallymothers,havedifferentneedsthanmen
Singlemalesdon’thaveasmanyneedsasmothers,forexample.Itiswrongwhenmoneyistakenawayfrommothersandchildrenforsinglemales.Somemalesselltheirfoodstamps.Thisisalotofmoneythatcouldbeputtowardmotherswhoneeditmore.
CustomerExperience:Iworked13yearsinmedicine,firstappliedtoTANFwhenIwas16.Iamusedtobeingintheworkingenvironment,andIquittotakecareofmymother.
Theme6:ItisdifficulttoexitTANFtoastablejobwithoutacollegedegree
Alotofthejobsneedcollegedegrees.Withoutadegree,it’sdifficulttogetthesejobs.Customerappliedtocollegetogetintothecareerfield.Therehastobeanextensionforthingslikethat.Alsotheeconomyisimportant.Manyjobsareonlypayingaround$25,000ayear.Thehousingisexpensive,howarepeoplesupposedtolive?Issomeonecandosomething,itshouldbedone.Peopleshouldn’tbedroppedandletgo,knowingsomethingthatcanbedone.
Theme7:Transportationisanissuetofindingajob
Transportationisanissuebecauseit’stooexpensive.Customercouldn’tlethergrandsontotakeajobinVirginiabecauseitwastoofar.
TANFCommunityDialogue#2BenningNeighborhoodLibraryAugust19,201610:30AM-12:00PMCommunityParticipants:TwoTANFcustomersFormat:AttendeesmetwithmembersoftheDHSTANFTeamandBarbaraPoppetodiscusstheirindividualexperienceswhileonTANF.Belowareafewofthethemesalongwithspecificexamplesthatemergedfromtheinformaldiscussion.
Theme1:PeopleneedservicesbeyondhelpwithgettingajobThereareissuesthatpeoplegrowupindifficultsituationsandthinkthatistheonlyway.Somepeoplehavebeen“beatenup.”Youhavetogetthesoulfixed.Weneedmentoringsessionsandclasses.The
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hoursneedtobesetuparoundtherapeuticservices.Thereneedstobesomethingotherthan,“gogetonacomputerandjobsearch”.
Theme2:ItisdifficulttobeasingleparentonTANFandtakecareofachildwhilegettinganeducationorworking
Whenyouareasingleparentitishardtolineupajobwithhourstotakecareofchildren.Ihadtoputmy10-year-oldonthemetro.Itishardtolinethingsup.Ittakestime,andIhavebeengettingcertificatesandschooling.ThereisnosupportandamabouttoloseTANF.Itisdifficultandtimeconsumingtogetchildrenintoprograms.Customerenrolledinschoolwhileherchildrenwereinschool.TANFwasabouttoexpire,butwasnotdonewithherprogram.Theprogramisongoingforcertificates.Customerhopescertificationswillgetheradecentjob,andhopestogobacktocollege.Sheneedstohelpherchildrenfirst.Itishardtogetastablejobwithoutacollegedegree.It’sdifficulttogetthecollegedegreewithoutanybenefitsleft.“Imadeadecision[togobacktoschool],butIhavechildrenthatIhavetomakesureareok.”It’shardtobeasinglefatheroftwo.It’sdifficulttoworkaroundthat.Itisdifficultwithnosupportsystemtohelpwithchildren.Forexample,whenthekid’sschoolhadagasleak,therewasnoonetocalltopickupthechild.Itishardtotrustpeoplewithyourkids.Theschoolonlyofferschildcareuntil6pm.Jobhoursdonotlineupwithdaycarehours.Thereneedstobeasupportsystem.Thereisarecreationcenternearhishousetohelptakecareofthechildren,butsomeonewasrecentlyshotthere.Therearefewresourcesintheneighborhoodtohelp.SurvivingonTANFforamonthisdifficult.Hewaspayingall$400amonthfromTANFforchildsupportpayments.
Theme3:ItisdifficulttofindworkwithoutreliabletransportationCustomerworkedallofhislife.HeplannedonusingTANFforafewmonths.Hehadlicensesuspendedandcartakenaway.Withoutavehicle,hecouldn’tgetbacktowork.
Theme4:HowTANFisusedWith$150,shepayscarinsurance,andthemosturgentbill,suchaskeepingelectricityfromturningoff.Nothingelseiscominginforresources.Shehastouseherchild’smoneytopayfornecessities.Shehashadtouse$450towardhousing,carinsurance,transportation,andcellphone.Hegetsthemoneyonthefirstofthemonth,anditisgonebythesecondorthird.Youhavetofindawaytogetbyandsurvive.
Theme5:TANFextensionswouldbeusefultohelpachieveeducationalgoalsCustomerwantstoworkparttimeandgobacktocollegefulltime.IfIgotanextensiontoachievethatgoal,itwouldtakethestressoffoffindingmoney.IwouldgobacktoschoolifIhadthetimeorincometodoit.Thecurrent$150isnothing,butitpayssomething.Itisworkingforsomething.
Theme6:Programsneedtobeheldaccountable,notjustcustomers
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Thereare300studentsatCCPrep.200studentsareonTANF.Thereshouldbemoreemphasisonplaceslikethat.Peoplebouncearoundprogramstoomuch.Thismakesarevolvingdoor.Placeswithalotofturnoverneedtobelookedatcloser.Thereneedstobeoutsideaccountability/monitoring.Customersneedtobeabletosaywhatisgoingoninsteadofbouncingaround.Rightnowitlookslikethecustomersarebouncingaroundfornoreason.Inrealitythereisareasonthisishappening.Customersaretheonlyoneslookedat.
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Shouldtherebeanextensionforaparentthatfollowstherules(playbytherules)?o Mostattendeesagreethatparentsshouldreceiveassistance.o Ifparentsaremeetingallrequirementstheyshouldreceivefullbenefitsuntiltheyfind
employment(i.e.,theyshouldnotbepunished).o Ifparentscannotfindemployment:Reevaluategoalsoftheparents,enrollineducation,
createprogramstosupportchildrenfrom0-15yearsofage,removethedaycarebarrierbyassistingparentswithchildcare,inquireastowhyparentscannotfindwork.
o Allsituationsandindividualsarenotthesame.Needtofigureoutbarrierstoemployment.o Afterfiguringoutbarrierstoemployment,give2-yearextension(after60months)withfull
benefits.
TANFCommunityDialogue#3AmericaWorksAugust31,201610:00–11:30AMAttendance:13TANFCustomerswhoalsoparticipatedinAmericaWorksprogram
•
WhatConditionsandRequirements?
AmountofCash? LengthofAssistance? Why?
Proofofactivity.Child(ren)mustbe0-15yearsofage
Dependsonageofchild
Dependsonsituationoftheindividual
Allsituationsarenotthesame
Stayonitaslongastheyaredoingwhattheyarerequiredtodo
Untiltheyfindemployment
Addressbarriersofwhytheycan’tgetemployment
Fullbenefits 2years
Fullamount Untiltheyfindemployment
Yes,mustbemeetingrequirements
Full Untiltheyfindemployment/2years
Shouldn’tpunish
Proofofactivity.Birthto15yearsofageiftheyhavechildren
Dependsonageofthechildandiftheyareactivelypursuingtobebetter
Dependsonthesituationof theindividual
Allsituationsarenotthesame
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Shouldtherebeanextensionforpeoplewhohavejobsbutareunderemployed?
o Voteisthatafewfeelit’sgoodforanextension§ Theyshouldreceive50%benefitsuntiltheysecurefulltimeandstableemployment.
o Peoplewhoagreewithextendingbenefitsdonotthinkthiswasagoodidea§ Thereductioninbenefitswouldbeamotivatortofindabettersituation§ Mustbelookingforfulltime,extensionisonlyfor2years.2yearswillhelpwith
individualswhoareincollege.§ Orsomesuggest6monthsto1yearextensionasmax,tobedoneonacasebycase
basisaddressingbarrierstofindingfulltimeemployment.o Generalconsensusisthatthegoalshouldbetofindfulltimeemployment,providingupto2
yearofextensionbutthisisacasebycasebasis.Barrierstofindingfulltimeemploymentmustbeaddressed.
itishardtofindemployment
Theyareaddressingreasonforunemployment
Fullamount 2years Theyfiguredoutwhy
IftheystayIcoulditcouldbe2to3years
Notsure
Iftheyaredoingeverything Notsure,nomorethan$500
Aslongasyouhaveprooforatleasttrying
BecauseIbelieveTANFwillneverbeerasedbutreduced
Donotrecommend None Donotrecommend Donotrecommend
Reevaluategoals.Maybeenrollineducation/WorkExperience(WEX)
Some 1year Therehastobesomethingholdingthemback
•
WhatConditionsandRequirements?
AmountofCash? LengthofAssistance? Why?
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Shouldtherebeanextensionforfamiliesatriskofhomelessness?o Keepbenefitsifyoucanprovideproofofhomelessness.o Benefitsprovidedinacasebycasebasisuntilstablehousingisfound.o Peoplemustbeengagedwithhousingproviderstoshowtheyaretryingtofindhousing.
§ VirginiaWilliamsFamilyResourceCenterisnotawelcomingenvironmentandthereisalotofhassleassociatedwithgoingtousetheseservices.Peoplefeelbelittled.Availablehousingoptionsarenotalwaysclean,orrentalpaymentsarelimited.
o After60monthsshouldbefullbenefitsifyouareengagingwithTEPandhousingproviders(i.e.followingIRP).IfyouarenotengagingwithTEPandhousingprovider(i.e.notfollowingIRP)then60%benefits.
o Theclockshouldbestoppedifyouarehomelessbecausethisisaveryhardsituationandtakeslongertorecoverfrom.
Don’tcutthewholeTANFwhentheyonlyworkparttime
6months–1year,casebycasebasis
Casebycasebasis 50% 2years
No,becauseshouldbeabletomakeit
Proof Dependingonfullparticipation, fullbenefits
40% 6months
•
WhatConditionsandRequirements?
AmountofCash? LengthofAssistance? Why?
Proof
Don’tcutafter60months Toseekhousingandemployment,doallrequirements
Shouldbeengagedinaprogram
60% 1½years
Inshelter/transitionalbutneedtime
Full Untilinstablehousing/employed
Hardtobestablewithouthousing
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Shouldtherebeanextensionforfamiliesatriskofhavingchildenterfostercare?
o Extensionshouldapplyifparentneedshelpandcanshowproofthatyouaretrying(i.e.playingbytherules)
§ Especiallyyouplayedbytherules,didwellwithyourolderchildrenpreviously,butnowyouhaveanotherchildandarebackatsquareone.
o Parentsneedtoplaybytherulesbutsupportshouldbeprovidedtothoseatriskoffostercareregardless
o Aconditionoftakingaparentingcourseandseekingparentingassistancetoensurefostercaredoesnothappen
o Extensionsshouldbeappliedtoindividualswithspecialneedschildren.
None Allparents
None Allbenefits Untiltheyimprovetheirlivingsituation(shelter)
Becausetheyarehomeless
Engagedwithahousingprovider
60% 1year Verylargepopulationandlimitedservices
Workingwithhousingcoordinator/enrolledinvender
Unchanged 2-3years Noadditionalincome
•
WhatConditionsandRequirements?
AmountofCash? LengthofAssistance? Why?
Proof
Don’tcut,mustseekparentingclasses
Yes,mustmeetacorrectingrisk
Full Untileverythingisfixed Withoutbenefits,won’tcareforkids
Proof
Sometimesparentsneedparentingclasses
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Mustengageinforatleasttwomonthsmeetingallrequirements
60% 1year Specialneeds
• Shouldtherebeanextensionforadultswhohavelowliteracy?o NoextensionbecausethereareliteracyandGEDprogramsprovided.Theyneedtoplayby
therules.WhatConditionsandRequirements?
AmountofCash? LengthofAssistance? Why?
Proof
Needtoenrollinaclasstoassistthem
Needsandplayrules 60% 1½years LengthofProgram
Yes,mustbeinschoolandparticipating
Full UntilGED/skillsacquired
Needextraskills
Proof
GED Some 2years Theycan’tunderemployed
HighschooldiplomaorGED Some 2years Theycan’tunderstand
EnrolledinTANFprogrammeetingliteracyrequirements
60% 1½years/2years Lengthofprogram
EnrolledinGES/diplomaprogram
Unchanged ?2years Duetothelackofeducation/lengthofGEDprogram
• Shouldtherebeanextensionforhouseholdswithchildrentoreceiveextensionregardlessofwhetherparentisparticipating?
o ResoundingNO!!o Thereisnotincentivetoaddressyourbarriers,seekemploymentandmoveforward
§ No,byprovidingextensionsyouareessentiallydoingworsebecauseparentsarenotforcedtoworkonthesebarriers,potentiallymakingaworseenvironment
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§ Beforepeoplearecutofahomeassessmentneedtobecompletedtomakeacasebycasedecisiononwhoreceivesextensions.
§ 2yearsofbenefitswithafocusonmakingimprovementso Doyouthinkcuttingcheckworkedasamotivator?
§ SomebutnotreallyWhatConditionsandRequirements?
AmountofCash? LengthofAssistance? Why?
Noagerequirementbuthowmanychildren?
Disagree
None 0% 0years Notrecommended
Fullamount Childrenshouldnothavetosufferbecauseofparents
No–mustparticipate
Noagerequirement,buthavemanychildren
Singleparentandchildshouldn’tsuffer
Fullamount 6monthsorlonger Takingcareof2childrenalone
No! 0% 0 Customerhasnoreasontoworkisassistanceisnotconditioned
None 0
• Arethereanyothersituationsthatshouldbeconsideredforextensions?
o Extensivecriminalbackgroundthatcreateabarrier§ Thesepeoplemayneedabitmoretimetogetontheirfeet§ Receivebenefitsaslongasmeetingrequirements
o Enrolledineducationprogramshouldbeextended
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§ Shouldreceivefullbenefits§ 48monthstogetmoreassistancesothattheyhavetimetofinishtheprogram
o Everyonereaching60monthlimitneedmoreintensivecasemanagement§ At48months,moreintensivecasemanagementshouldkickin.
o Singleparentsshouldreceiveextension§ Itisdifficulttomoveforward§ Mixedviewonthissomefeelsingleparentplayingbytherulesreceiveextension
somefeelallsingleparentsshouldbeextended.o VolunteertoWork(commentonattendeesworksheet)
• WhatservicesshouldbeprovidedtofamiliescutfromTANF?
o Accesstojobreadinessservices(TANFJobReadinessprogramandothercityjobreadinessprogram)
o Childcareserviceso Transportationserviceso Somecasemanagementshouldbeprovidedtopeoplewithbarriers
• WhatimprovementsareneededtotheTANFprogramtomakeitmoreeffective?o Jobpartnershipprograms(i.e.companiesbasedinDCthatwilltakeTANFcustomers)o MoretrainingandeducationprogramsprovidedwithTEPProviders(onsite)forcertification.
Thiswouldencouragepeopletocometoproviders.o Intakeprocessneedstobeadjusted.Barriertoworkproblemsarenotbeingaddressed(i.e.
GED,mentalhealth,literacy)o Whyisn’titworkingforsomefolk?
§ SomefeelitisbecausetheyaregiventheoptionNOTtoengagewithproviders.Peopleneedmoremotivation.
§ Ifindividualsareabouttobesanctionedthenhomeassessmentsneedtotakeplacepriortosanctions
• Therewasshockinthenumberoffamiliesthataresanctionedandthenthelowpercentageoffamiliesthatrespondedtocurethesesanctions.
§ Thereneedstoberestrictionsandmoreprogramstomovepeopleforwardtowardseconomicsecuritybecauseweneedtothinkaheadaboutthechildren.
TANFCommunityDialogue#4DCGeneralFamilyShelterAugust31,20161:00–2:30PM
Attendance:9TANFcustomerswhoarealsoresidentsofDCGeneralFamilyShelter
• Backgroundonwhywe’retalkingtoyouandthengetyourfeedback/ideaso FeedbackonPOWERexemptions
§ MostnotawareofPOWER§ Customermusttakecareofcounselingservices,feeltheyarenotyetreadyto
work§ DidnotrealizethePOWERprogramstoppedtheworkrequirement.
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o Feedbackonsanctions.§ Yes,somehaveexperiencedthatalready.§ Feelitisnotalwaysfair,becauseitwashardtoaccessservices.Providersare
notalwaysintheoffice.• GeneralfeedbackonExtensionPolicy
o Peoplewhoplaybytherulesorpeoplewhohaverealbarriers(i.e.POWERorcriminalbackgrounds)shouldreceiveanextensionorbeofferedapprenticeships.
o GrantAssociatesdoesagoodjob,butnotallvendorsarelikethem.TheotherProviderssheworkedwithbeforewerenotasproactive.
o Thebehaviordoesnotseemtochangebasedonthreats,sanctionsorcuts.o Theextensionsshoulddependonhowengagedtheyare.o Noteveryoneshouldreceiveandextension.o Ifplaybytherulesyoushouldreceiveextensions.o TherearesituationswherepeopleclaimDVanditisnottrue,thatisatrickyone.o Shelostherjobduetolosingchildcare,friendthatwatchedchildcouldnotdoso
anymore.o Childrenundertheageoffiveshouldreceivethechildonlybenefit,notbenefitsforfull
householdjustbecausethereisachild.o Documentationisimportant.o Conclusion:
§ iftheparentplaysbytherulesthenthefamilyshouldbeextendedbutgraduateddownservicesandreceivetransportationstipend
§ iftheydonotplaybytherules,thenshouldstillreceivebenefitbutreduced• Shouldhomelessnessorriskofhomelessbeareasonforexemptionorextension?
o No.Thisdoesnotmatterbecausetherearealotofservicesforhomelessfamiliesandsheltercoverscostofhousing/food/etc.Ifyoudon’tplaybytherules,thenyoushouldnotreceivebenefits
• Whydoyouthinksomanyparentsarenotcompliant?o Theyarelazy,ormayhavesomedisability.o ManypeopledonotwanttodojobsearchwiththeProviders
§ HategoingtotheProviders,doingthetimesheetsandpaperwork§ Wanttodothisontheirownterms§ ProvidersareextremelyoverwhelmedwithcustomersinDCwhohavehigher
barrierssoit’seasiertofocusandprovideservicesforcustomerswithlowerbarriers
§ Biggestbarriers–Somecustomersaresoyoung,thereissomemuchdramaandtheyarenotfocusedonemploymentbecauseofmentalhealthandotherstressors.
• DoyoufeelDHSisgoodatidentifyingneeds/barriers?o No,theydonotconnectyouwellwithotherservicesandhelpingyoutogetnecessary
ofdocumentationo TEPProvidersarealldifferent,alotofrunningaroundo PSIhasbeenverygoodathelpinggetdocumentation.o FormentaldisabilityitisveryhardgetSSI
• WhatcouldTANFdobetter?
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o Therearesomanysigninsheetsandsometimeyoumaymisssomethingresultinginamissingstipend.
o DCGeneralFamilySheltercansignoffonatimesheetwhichishelpfulbutnoteveryonehasthatsupport.
o TheTANFbenefithasbeenreducedafter60months;thereisafearmorefamilieswillbecomehomeless.DCisanexpensivecitytolivein;$150isnotalotbutitcanhelpwithbills.Maybeyouarestayingwithsomeoneandpickingupthepowerbill.
o DHSServiceCentersshouldhavebettercommunication,messageisnotconsistentandthingsgetlostbetweenthedepartments
§ Thingsarelostwhentheyareputinthedrop-box.Shewasnotabletoseeacaseworkerandthiswasfrustrating.ShereappliedinJunebutwastoldsheonlyneededtogiveabitmoreinformation.ShewasassuredsheONLYneededgiveafewmoreinfothenheardnothing…latershefindsoutsheneedtoreapply.Shereceivedahardtimeeverywhereshewent.Intotal3monthstogetthroughthesystem.
o POWERexemptiondoesnothavehomelessness.Shouldhomelessnessbeincludedandwhataretherequirementsexpectedofthem?
§ It’sgoodthattheyhaverequirements,mustparticipate.AtDCGeneralFamilyShelteritisgoodthattheyarerequiredtoparticipate.TheclockstopisabadideabecauseyoucouldliveinDCGeneralFamilyShelterandbeonTANFforthree(3)years.Thatisalotofsupport.
• IfafamilyisgettingcutfromTANF,whatservicesshouldbeavailable?o Servicestohelpthemgainemployment,seeaTEPProviderorgotoaDOESprogram.
Notsureoniftheyshouldstillreceivechildcare–thisshouldonlybereceivediftheyareinschoolorjob.
o Shouldnotreceivetransportationstipend.
TANFCommunityDialogue#5CCPrepAcademySeptember12,201610:30AM–12:00PM
Attendance:12TANFcustomerswhoarealsostudentsatCCPrepAcademy
FeedbackrequestedonpolicyforTANFHardshipextension(questionsbelow).CustomersworkedinsmallgroupswithDHSstaffavailabletoanswertechnicalquestions.
1. Whoshouldbeeligibleforcashassistancebeyond60months?2. Whatconditions/requirementsdoyouthinkfamiliesshouldmeettoreceivecaseassistance
beyond60months?3. WhatdoyouthinkshouldbetheamountofcashassistancebenefitforTANFhardshipexempted
householdswhoreceiveassistancebeyond60months?
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4. WhatdoyouthinkshouldbethelengthofassistanceforTANFhardshipexemptedhouseholdswhowillreceivecashassistancebeyond60months?
Compiledresponsesfromthereportout:
− Peoplewithdisabilitieswithanannualreview,withfullbenefitsor50%.− Peoplewithmentalillnesswhoareincompliancetoplanandcheckinannuallywithfull
benefits.− Peoplewhoarepursuingeducation–extendthemupto4or5yearswithfullbenefitsifin
compliance.− Peopleseekingemployment/educationwhoareparticipating–fullbenefitsuntilemployed.− Peoplewhoarehomelessuntiltheyarehousedandemployed.Theywillneedtoshowthat
theyarecompliantandseekingemploymentorparticipatingineducation,receivingfullbenefits.
− Everyoneshouldbeextendedwhoisseekingemploymentoreducationbecausenooneispreparedforleavingtheprogram.Thereshouldbeathree(3)monthassessmentthatincludesassistance.Afterthree(3)monthassessmentthereisnoprogress,allbenefitsshouldbestopped.
− Extendchildrenupto15yearsold.(discussionofabilityfor15,16,17yearoldtoworkandmanagemoney)
− Extendchildrenupto8yearsold.− Ifsomeonehasusedtheir60monthsandthenislaidofforterminated(andnoteligiblefor
unemployment)theyshouldbeabletoeligibleagain.
FeedbackrequestedonwhatservicesthosenolongereligibleforcashassistanceduetoinvoluntaryexitfromTANF.Compiledresponsesfromthereportout:
− Housing–acasemanagerreviewtoensurehousingstability− SNAP(FoodStamps)eligibility− Medicaid− Employment/educationassistance/training/jobreadiness/connectionstoemployers/internships− Childcare− Transportation
Additionalcomments:
− Homevisitstoassesschildrenandadultcircumstances.− TEPProvidersneedtoofferwhattherecipientswantandneed.− Somerecipientshaveothersourcesoffundsthataren’tbeingreported.− SomehavebeenonTANFformanyyearssobeingexitedduetotimelimitswillbemajorshift.
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WorkingGroup:ToInformaTemporaryAssistanceforNeedyFamilies(TANF)HardshipExtension
PolicyforDC(Meeting#1)Thursday,August18,2016
AnacostiaNeighborhoodLibrary–1800GoodHopeRd.SE2pmto5pm
CommitteeMembersPresent
Appendix3
WorkingGroupNotes
WorkingGroupMeeting#1notes:
Name Organizations
9individuals(5voting) Customers
CMYvetteAlexander/YulandaBarlow CouncilmemberYvetteAlexander
BrianCampbell DHS
CurtCampbell LegalAid
DarrellCason DHS
TamithaChristian DHS
AndreaGleaves DCCoalitionAgainstDomesticViolence
MonicaKamen DCFairBudgetCoalition
JeremyLares(non-voting) GrantAssociates
EdLazere DCFiscalPolicyInstitute
TaiMeah CouncilmemberNadeau
GingerMoored OCFO
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CommunityMembersPresent
Otherparticipants:LauraZeilinger,DHS;BarbaraPoppe,BarbaraPoppeandAssociates;ToddIves,BarbaraPoppeandAssociates
1. Welcome–DHSDirectorLauraZeilinger(2:21pm)
• Manydifferentvoicesarerepresentedintheroom–Council,DHS,advocates,serviceproviders,TANFcustomers–thankyouforparticipating.
• October1,2017lawgoesintoeffectthatdoesnotpermitextensionofTANFcashassistancepastthe60-monthlimit.
• ThegoalistodeveloparobustTANFpolicytodeveloprecommendationsforTANFhardshipextensions.
DavidRoss DHS
JudithSandalow Children’sLawCenter
AntheaSeymour DHS
CMElissaSilverman/KellyHunt CouncilmemberSilverman
LisaSimmons(non-voting) Maximus
JenniferTiller(non-voting) AmericaWorks
JohnCoombs EOM
ChristineWong BreadfortheCity
KateCoventry DCFiscalPolicyInstitute
ErinLarkin DCCoalitionAgainstDomesticViolence
TonyLopez NeighborhoodLegalServicesProgram
KathyHaines DMHHS
DamonKing Children’sLawCenter
• BarbaraPoppewashiredtofacilitateasaneutralthirdpartyinordertohearfromalldifferentperspectives.
2. Agendareviewandintroductions–BarbaraPoppe(facilitator)
Scope/ChargeofWorkingGroup
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• DeveloprecommendationstoDHSDirectorLauraZeilingerforTANFhardshipexemptionpolicybySeptember30,2016
o PrioritiesandsuggestionsforhardshipextensionpoliciestosupportvulnerableDistrictfamilieswhoshouldbeeligibletoreceiveTANFassistancebeyond60months.Budgetassumptions/options:a)Allextended;b)$25million;c)$17.5million,d)$10million
o DevelopingthebestapproachestoservefamilieswhoseTANFbenefitshaveended.
• Reviewofprocesstimeline(August2016–September2016formationofworkinggroup,listeningsessions,communitydialogues,dataanalysis).
• Meeting1(8/18/16):Stagesetting,listeningsessionreport,dataaboutfamilies,costexamples,preliminarypolicyideasforhardshipexemptionsfromtimelimits
• Meeting2(8/30/16):communitydialoguereport,nationalexpertpresentation,financialimpactoftimelimits,risks&benefitsifallfamiliesareexemptedfromtimelimits,prioritizepolicyideaswithinbudgetmarks
• Meeting3(9/13/16):communitydialoguereport,finetuneallrecommendations,voteonfinalrecommendations.
• Allworkingmemberswillhaveopportunitytocommentonfinalreportbeforesubmission.
• Thepurposeistogainconsensusattheendforpolicyrecommendations.Ifconsensusisnotpossible,avotingprocesswillbeused.
• Thefinalreportwillincludeeverythingthatcameoutofthemeetings.
Questions:
• EdLazere(DCFPI):Nervousabouttheprocess,especiallyhemmingintoa$10millionbudgetmark.Weshoulddecidewhatthebestpolicyisandthenpriceit.
• Barbara:Thebudgetquestionsgetatthecoreissueofpriorities.Wehavebeengiventhistaskandthebudgetwillhelpusbeclearonpriorities.Thereportwillalsohighlightwhataretherisksandbenefitsoftotalexemption.
• EdLazere:Canwefigureoutwhatisthebesttimelimitpolicyandgofromthere?Thiscouldbeallexemptionsornot.
• Barbara:Thenextmeetingwilldiscussbenefitsandrisksofnotimelimitsandpresentanimpactanalysisofcostsoftimelimits.Theremaybeoptionsbetweenthe$25millionbudgetmarkandprovidingexemptionsforall.
• EdLazere:Re:thirdmeetingvoting,wouldliketoreportouttheconsensusitemsandthenlistthenon-consensusitemsseparately(withoutvotingonthem).
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Barbara:Timetobeginourworktogether.Invitedextrovertstostepback,introvertstoopenup.Keepanopenmind,bepositive.Listenwithintenttounderstandothers’perspectives.Facilitatorcommitment:fair,open,inclusive,responsiveprocess.Capturetheconversationandrecommendationsasaccuratelyaspossible.Providemembersopportunitytoreviewreportbeforesubmission.
Activity:Turningtoyourneighbor:“WhydidIdecidetoparticipateandwhatdoIhopetocontributetotheWorkingGroup?”(2:43pm)
3. ProjectOverview–AntheaSeymour,EconomicSecurityAdministrationAdministrator
• DHSMission
• TANFoverview
o Providescashassistanceandsupportservicestofamilies
o DChasa60-monthtimelimitgoingintoeffectOctober2017
o DCdoesnotcurrentlyhaveahardshipextensionpolicy;allstateshavetheoptionofhavingone
o 2011Districtlawcreatedatimelimit,whichhasbeenpostponedtwice
o Morethan15,000familiescurrentlyparticipateinTANF(nearly5,800havereceivedbenefitsformorethan60months)
• POWERProgramOverview(ProgramonWorkEmploymentandResponsibility).Participantswithparticularcircumstancescanenterthisprogram;stopsyourTANFclockwhileyouareintheprogram
o 815inPOWER,527oftheseare60+monthstatus;(DHSbelievesthisisanundercountofwhomayqualifyforPOWER.)
• Displayedlistof16possibleexemptioncategoriesusedbyotherstates
• Graduatedsanctionsexistnow(3levels);Level1:20%,Level2:50%,Level3:100%(ButonlyLevel1hasbeenimplemented;Levels2&3willcomerightafterDCASupdates).
• Forhardshipextensionpolicy:Whoshouldbeeligible?Whatqualifications?Whatamountofcash?Lengthsofassistance?Howtohelpthosewhodon’tqualify?
4. Presentation:ThemesfromListeningSessions-BarbaraPoppe
• Heldlastweek(separatesessionsforTEPVendors,TANFrecipients,advocates,andCouncil).Thefollowingcommonthemesemergedacrossallsessions:
o Improvequalityofservicesbefore60months
o Increaseengagement,especiallyinlast12months
o Importanceofintensiveservices
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o ImprovePOWER(increaseoutreachforenrollment,accesstoworkpreparationservices,beawareofstigmaattachedtoPOWER)
• Familiestoexemptfromtimelimit:manyofthecategoriesthatlisteningsessionparticipantsnamedarealreadyqualifyingfactorsforPOWER,whichstopstheTANFclockanywayandsodonotneedanextension
• Recommendedfamiliestoexemptfromtimelimit(6themes,pervasiveinalllisteningsessions):
o Familieswhoplaybyalltherules(yetcan’tfindemployment)
o Under-employed/part-timeworkingparents
o Familiesatriskofhomelessness/haveunstablehousing
o Familiesatriskofchildenteringfostercare
o Parentswithlowliteracylevels(<8thgradeornoGED)and/orESLandnotyetreadytoworkwithoutlongerassistance
o Allchildrenregardlessofparentparticipation
o Question:isthisforexemptionsorextensions?
§ Thisreferstohardshipextensionafter60months
• Themesfromasinglesession(notacrossmultiplelisteningsessions):
o HighunemploymentinDC
o Parentswithlowcognitiveability,lowachievement,learningdisability
o Veterans
o Housebound
o Parentswhocannotworkbecauseofphysicalormentalimpairments
o Witnessprotection
o Engagedinsocial/mentalhealthtreatment/counseling
• Conditions/requirementssimilaracrossgroups
o MustmeetallparticipationrequirementswithTANF
o Mustbeenrolledineducation/trainingonacareerpath
o Norequirements–exemptallchildrenfromtimelimitsregardlessofparentalparticipation
• BenefitsLevel.Recommendationsvariedwidely:
o Customersshouldreceivefullbenefits
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o Customersshouldreceivepartialbenefits
o Benefitsshouldbedeterminedbyannualbudget
o Benefitsshouldbedeterminedbynumberofchildren
• Howlong?3themes:1)extensionaslongasneeded(withperiodicreview),2)dependentonaspecificreason,3)fixedtimeperiodextension(e.g.6or12months)
5. TANFFamilyData(3:08pm)–AntheaSeymour
• Lengthofstay:roughly½offamilieshavebeenonTANFforlessthan60months,½over
• Averageage:32years
• Metricschart:inFY13,about25%ofcustomerswerewaitingforreferralstoserviceproviders,nowthatnumberisdowntonearlyzero
• Customersleavingduetowagehasincreasedoverthepasttwoyears
• ThereisstillaDHSconcernthatTANFfamiliesarenotearningasmuchastheywouldlike
o Question:whyaresomepeoplemakinglessthanminimumwageonTANF?
§ Anthea-SomepeoplemayworkoutsideoftheDistrictorworkjobsthatrelyontips
• Educationalbackground(self-reported):76%reportHSdegree/GED;22%reportpost-highschooleducation(Antheanotesthatthesenumbersmaybeelevated,basedonreportsofexperiencesfromTANFEmploymentProgramorTEPvendors).
o Comment:OneparticipantnotedthatDCPublicSchools(DCPS)doesnotretaineducationrecordsverylong,sosomemayhavehighschoolcredentials,butnotbeabletoprovethis.
§ BrianCampbell:POWERisanopt-inprogram;someparticipantsmightopt-outbecausenostipendsareavailable(astheyareforTEPvendorparticipationintraditionalTANF)
• MorefamiliesshouldbeusingPOWERthencurrentlydo.Thereisanunderlyingstigmawithbeingaprogramforpeoplewithdisabilitiesthatmaydrivesomepeopleawayfromusingit.
• About1,900customersonTANFliveinpublichousingandhavebeenreceivingTANFbenefitsfor60+months
• 1,08660-monthfamilieshaveenteredshelterannuallyoverpastthreeyears
• 60+monthoutreachplan:diddirectmail,HomeVisitorsProgram,outreachthroughCommunityBasedOrganizations,customerfeedback(throughAdvisoryBoard,roundtables,surveys)
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• CharacteristicsoffamiliesonTANFformorethan60months
o Benefitisabout$150(variesbasedonhouseholdsize).Thisisdownfrom$428amonthin2011.
o 96%ofheadsofhouseholdssubjecttolossofTANFbenefitsarefemales,mostlysinglemothers.
o Morethan10,000childrenareexpectedtobeimpactedbythe60monthtimelimit.61%areundertheageof10.
o 75%liveinWards6,7,and8
• InSpring2016,DHSadministeredasurveytoover6,000familieswhowouldbesubjecttothelossofTANFbenefitsduetothefiveyearlimit.Thesurveywasbasedonself-reporting.Therewasa42%responserate.
o About77%ofthetargetpopulation(n=6,053)werenotparticipatinginTANFprogramrequirements/TEPvendor;forsurveyparticipants(n=2,592),engagementlevelsweresimilarwith69%ofrespondentsnotparticipatinginTANFprogramrequirements
o 65%wereneitheremployednorineducationprograms
o Twooutoffiveofthoseemployedworkedmorethan30hoursbutbringhomelessthan$500everytwoweeks
o Ofthoseenrolledinaneducationprogram,roughly1/3college,1/3vocationaltraining,1/3workingonhighschooldiploma/GED
o Manycustomersreportedhealthissuesbuthavenotaccessedtreatment
o Question:CMAlexander:hastherebeenanycoordinationwithhealthcare/ManagedCareOrganizationsaboutparticularcustomers?Concernedaboutnon-compliancewithMCOs;thisneedstobeaddressed
§ AntheaSeymour:in-depthfollow-upvisitsareongoingwithcustomersbasedontheresponsesofthesurvey.
o About66%hadproblemslookingforworkbecausetheydidn’thaveenougheducationorworkexperience;18%couldnotgetchildcare
o DetailedreviewofCATCHsystem(TANFcasenotes)foundthatabout45%ofallTANFcustomersarehavingdifficultieswithchildcare/childwell-being;18%ofcustomershavementalhealthissues
o 50%goonandoffTANF,mostoftenduetoincome
o CustomerswholeftTANFandreturned,mostlywasduetoalossofjoborwage
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o 34%said,“TANFdidnothelpmebecomemoresecure,”57%statedthatTANF“helpedmetopaymybills”(multi-selectanswer)
§ Comment:participantnote:theserespondentsareonlygettingabout$150/monthnow;theiranswermighthavebeendifferentwhentheyhadhigherTANFamounts
o AskedcustomershowwecanimproveTANF.80%saidworkshopsonnewcareers(amongstotherresponsesthateachreceived70+%approval;thisquestionwasmulti-select)
o Useofothergovernmentservices:32%reportedDCPSIndividualEducationPlans(IEPs)/DCPScounseling
o Supportfromothersources?43%family
o Morethan50%saidthatlosingTANFwouldmaketheirlivesmoredifficult
o Question:howmuchdofamiliesreceivebefore60months?
§ Anthea-theaverageis$450amonth.After60months,itis$150.
6. SmallGroupDialogues:Developpolicyconcepts(3:42pm)
• Format:smalltablegroupdiscussions
• Thepurposeistodevelop“policyideas”byfamilysituation/characteristics.ThesmallgroupshadtheoptionofworkinguptheListeningSessionideasthathademergedacrossmultiplesessions(below)and/ordevelopadditionalideas.
o Parentswho“playbyalltherules,”i.e.,parentswhodespitetheirbesteffortscannotfindemployment
o Under-employedandpart-timeworkingparents
o Familieswhoareatriskofbecominghomelessorhaveunstablehousing
o Familieswhoareatriskofchildenteringfostercare
o Parentswithlowliteracylevels(definedas<8thgradeornoGED)and/orESLandnotyetreadytoworkwithoutlongerassistance
o Allchildrenregardlessofparentparticipation
• Read-out:Theoptionswereplacedontheboard,lettersA-J.
o ListeningSessionideasthatwerefurtherdevelopedwereposted
o Additionalideasweredevelopedandposted
§ WantstomakesurePOWERparticipantsareincluded.
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costingthedata.
• Votingwilltakeplacebyvotingmembersusingstickervotes.Placeastickerontheideasthatareimportanttoyou.DHScancreatecostestimatesfortheprioritizedideas.
Presentation:Examplesoffinancialscenarios–AntheaSeymour
• Antheapresentedasamplecostanalysis;thiswasdoneasasample,withcertainbaselineassumptions.Forexample,$450/monthfor<=60months;$150/month>60months,incorporatedCostofLivingAdjustment,focusedoncashbenefitsonly.Nostaffcosts,systemrebuildsorothertechnicaladjustmentstothesystem.
• AntheapresentedOCFOestimatesofacostextensionfordifferenttypesofcustomergroupsunderCMNadeau’sBill(items1-7)andtwoadditionalscenarios.
§ Education–thosethatdon’thaveaGED/highschooldiploma.
§ Childcare–nothavingstablechildcare.
§ Two-generationalapproachtoworkingwiththechildrenaswelltoaddressintergenerationalpoverty.
• DHSwillneedtocostouttheideasthatareprioritized.BarbarahadaskedDHStoworkon
7.
No Criteria FY18 FY19 FY20 Projected#ofFamilies
1CustomersinJobTrainingorPost-SecondaryEducation $11,435,152 $12,751,553 $13,076,931 1,800
2 SingleParentsw/Childrenunder6Months $ 2,602,993 $ 2,898,001 $ 2,972,880 288
3 SingleParentsw/Childrenunder4Months $ 1,787,233 $ 1,985,981 $ 2,038,059 192
4 AdultLearners $ 2,873,874 $ 3,206,918 $ 3,288,306 457
5 ExtensionatFullBenefitifComplyw/IRP $33,796,937 $37,784,975 $38,729,600 5,524
6 Complyw/IRP+FullorPartialParticipation
$20,483,734 $22,900,814 $23,473,335 3,348
7 Complyw/IRP+FullParticipation
$11,379,852 $12,722,675 $13,040,741 1,860
8
ContinueatCurrentBenefitLevel:65%ReductionfromFullBenefitsafter60Months
$11,383,115
$12,726,323
$13,044,481
6,200
9 20%ReductionfromFullBenefitsafter60Months
$36,491,392 $40,797,376 $41,817,311 6,200
• Question:o JudithSandalow:Isthecalculationoffsetbycostofcoveringfamilieswhofallintoother
services?o Anthea-No,thatanalysiswillcomeforthesecondmeeting.
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8. Prioritizepolicyideasfordevelopmentofcostestimates
• Basedontheinputfromthesmallgroups,memberswereaskedtovotewithdotsonpoliciesfromtheideasheetsforDHStocostandbringbacktothenextmeeting.Eachvotingmemberoftheworkinggroupwasgivenfivedots.
IdeaA:Parentswhoplaybyalltherules,i.e.parentswhodespitetheirbesteffortscannotfindemployment
IdeaA1:Parentswho“playbyalltherules”shouldreceivefullbenefitswithrecertification.IRPshouldbeindividualandbethedeterminateandintentionofplayingbytherules.Besteffortslookdifferent.Theconcernwiththiscategoryisthatitcreatesanotionthatsomefamiliesare“moreworthy”ofservices.Butitalsofailstoacknowledgethatfamilieswhocan’t“playbytherules”havegreaterbarriers.
IdeaA2:Parentswho“playbyalltherules”shouldreceivethefullbenefitamountfor6monthswithreview.Uponreviewadditionaltimemaybegranted.
IdeaA3:Parentswho“playbyalltherules”shouldbeinfullcomplianceinconsistentassessmentsorfacesanctions.Theyshouldreceivefullbenefitsuntilsanctionedonaninterimbasisbasedonassessment.
IdeaA4:Parentswho“playbyalltherules”mustshowparticipationandreceivefullbenefitsbecauseofincomeandeconomicrationale.
IdeaA5:Parentswho“playbyalltherules”mustshowproofofyourbestefforts(needtodeterminehowtoshowproof)andproofofparticipationandmoremandatorytrainingormockclasseswithfeedbackfromprospectiveemployers.Theyshouldreceivefullbenefitswith6monthreviewbecausetheyareplayingbytherules.
IdeaA6:Parentswho“playbyalltherules”mustshowfullcompliancewiththeIRPandreceivefullbenefits.Isthereanotheralternativetotimelimitssothatthechildrenaren’timpacted?
IdeaB:Under-employedandpart-timeworkingparents
IdeaB1:Under-employedandpart-timeworkingparents-Ifsomeoneisworkingthereshouldbenoextension,orjusta6monthextensionwithfullbenefitspendingreview.Itshouldbethesameasplaybytherules.Somefeltthatlowworkhoursisareflectionofpoorperformance.Thegroupwassplitonthis.
IdeaB2:Under-employedandpart-timeworkingparentsshouldbeinfullcompliance(almostlikeIdeaA)withaslidingscaleofbenefitspendinginterimassessments.
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IdeaB3:Under-employedandpart-timeworkingparentsmustdemonstrateactiveparticipationinfindingbetteremploymentwiththeproviderandreceivepartialbenefitswithrecertificationupto12months.CostoflivingwithinDC.Improvementofeconomicstabilityisgreatlyneeded.
IdeaC:Familieswhoareatriskofbecominghomelessorhaveunstablehousing
IdeaC1:Familieswhoareatriskofbecominghomelessorhaveunstablehousingshouldhavelowbarrierstoparticipationandreceivethemaxamountofassistance.Lengthofassistanceiscase-by-case.TherationaleforthebenefitisDC’scurrenthousingmarket(toounaffordable),lackofhousingopportunitiesforlargefamilies,thepotentialburdenonthesheltersystem,andresearchshowsthatifyoucanputpeopleinhousingitleadstobetteroutcomes.
IdeaC2:Familieswhoareatriskofbecominghomelessorhaveunstablehousingmustbeinamulti-familyhousehold,inarentburdenedsituation(30%+ofincometowardrent),andreceivingnohousingsubsidytoqualifyforfullbenefitsforthehousehold.Thisassistanceshouldlastuntiloneofthethreeconditionsisnotmetorthechildagesoutbecausehousingstabilityisatcoreofhouseholdstabilityandhealth.
IdeaC3:Familieswhoareatriskofbecominghomelessorhaveunstablehousingshouldreceivefullbenefitsbasedonhousingriskonlyforaslongasneededbecausehomelesscostsleadtoadownwardcycle.
IdeaD:Familieswhoareatriskofchildenteringfostercare
IdeaD1:Familieswhoareatriskofchildenteringfostercareshouldreceivefullbenefitsaslongasthechildiswithincustodyandtheriskcontinueswithnootherrequirements.Benefitsshouldcontinueaslongastheriskcontinueswithattentionpaidtohowthefamilyusesthebenefitsbecauseitisveryimportanttokeepthefamilytogether.Someparentsarenotspendingthemoneyonthewell-beingofthechild.
IdeaE:Parentswithlowliteracylevelsand/orESLandnotyetreadytoworkwithoutlongerassistance
IdeaE1:Parentswithlowliteracylevelsand/orESLandnotyetreadytoworkwithoutlongerassistanceshouldreceivethe$150dollaramountofbenefitsbasedoncompliancewithconditionsandrequirementsalong“IdeaA(playbytherules).”Thebenefitsshouldcontinuewith6monthreview.
IdeaE2:Parentswithlowliteracylevelsand/orESLandnotyetreadytoworkwithoutlongerassistancemustbeinaneducationprogramandbeinfullparticipationatalltimes.Parentsreceivefullbenefitswithnolimitbutmustrecertify.ThereisacompetitivejobmarketinDCwithoutcollegeeducation.
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IdeaE3:Parentswithlowliteracylevelsand/orESLandnotyetreadytoworkwithoutlongerassistancemustfollow“playbytherules”(IRP)conditionsandrequirementsandbeinaneducationprogramtoreceivebenefits.Benefitsshouldgoupiftheyhavespecialneeds.ThebenefitshavenolimitsiftheyfollowIRPbecausetheparentsarenotabletoearn.
IdeaF:Allminorchildrenregardlessofparentparticipation
IdeaF1:Allminorchildrenregardlessofparentparticipationshouldremoveparentheadofhouseholdfamilyfromthebenefitbasis.Theyshouldreceivethefullbenefitamountwithanaverage20%reductionbasedonfamilysizeuntilthechildis18/19(CAmodel).Weshouldnevercutchildrenofffromassistance–weknowfromresearchchildrenwillfallintofurtherpovertywithoutassistance.
IdeaF2:Allminorchildrenregardlessofparentparticipationshouldreceivetheoriginalbenefitamountforhouseholdsizewiththerequirementofhavingaminorinthehousehold.Benefitsshouldextendyearlywithrecertificationtoensure(1)residencyand(2)parenthoodofminorchild.TherehastobeasafetynetforminorandthisaddressesamultigenerationalapproachtoTANF.
IdeaF3:Allminorchildrenregardlessofparentparticipationshouldreceive$250untiltheoldestchildreaches15yearswiththerequirementsthatsafeguardsareinplacetoprovemoneyisbenefitingthechildrenandthereisprogrammoneyforcertainitems.
IdeaG:POWERfamilies
IdeaG1:POWERfamilies–theprogramshouldkeepexistingconditionswithintentionofbetterimplementation/screening/application.Theyshouldreceivefullassistanceasneededwithrecertificationbecausethesearethemostvulnerablefamilies
IdeaG2:POWERfamilies–theprogramshouldmakenewcategoriestoqualifyforPOWERifyouareatriskofhomelessnessorfostercareandmoveallextensioncategoriesintoPOWER.
IdeaH:Nothavingchildcare
IdeaH1:Thosewithkids6weeks–3yearscannotaffordchildcareandshouldreceivefullbenefits.Theymayhavenon9-5workhours.
IdeaI:Unemploymentwithouthighschooleducation
IdeaI1:UnemploymentwithouthighschooleducationshouldreceivemaxbenefitsuntiltheprogramendsconditionalonmeetingtheIRP.
IdeaJ:Twogenerationalapproach
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IdeaJ1:Twogenerationalapproach-acknowledgementofeffortstooutcomesaswellasacknowledgementofoutcomesandgoals.Assistanceshouldbechildonly.
• Question:o JudithSandalow:CanweaddCMNadeau’sBillasanoptionontheboard?(OptionK?).
§ Barbara:Yes.§ IdeaK:Nadeaubillwasadded
o EdLazere:Canwehavemoredots?Expressedconcernsabouthavingtovalueonepolicyovertheother.
§ Barbara:No.Thisismeanttobeaprioritizationprocess.Manyarenotcomfortablewithprioritizing.Onestrategywouldbetowaituntiltheendoftheprocesstoplacedots,sothatundercoveredareascanbecoveredwithyourdots.Wearetryingtobringbackthemostimportantpieceswithcostanalysisthroughthisprocess.
o JudithSandalow:Wouldliketoknowthenumberofpersonsineachgroupbecausethatwouldbepriority.Wedon’thaveaccurate/enoughinformationtoprioritize.
§ Barbara:Thisisnotthefinalvote.Basedonwhatyouknow,whatareyourpriorities?Youcanoptnottoparticipate.
o TEPProvider:howwillnon-votingmembersbeheard?(E.g.non-votingTEPvendors)§ Barbara:Herunderstanding–ifyouhaveafinancialinterestinthisprocess,you
cannotvote.TheTEPprovidershavehadthechancetovoicetheirideasinsmallgroups.Thereisanevenmixofvotingmembersamongadvocates,customers,CityCouncil,andcitystaff.Theideasinputwillshowupinthereport,notjustthepriorities.Theprocessisopentosuggestionsaswell.
§ Laura–Thisisoneofmanypiecesbeforeanypolicybecomeslaw.ThereareotherprocessesthroughcitycounciltogivepublicinputontheNadeauBill.
§ Barbara–Wewillcomebackintwoweeks;pleasegiveusfeedback.Wewantthistobeinclusive.
o JudithSandalow:howdowepickprioritiesamongchoices,whenanoptionshouldbeextendingittoeveryfamilywhoneedsit?
§ Barbara-thisisjustaprocesstodeterminewhichoptionsDHScostsandbringsbacktotheWorkingGroup.Thenextmeetingwewillbeworkingtowardrecommendations.Noneoftheoptionsgoawaybasedontoday’svoting.
• [Votingbeganat4:50pm]
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9.
Themeetingadjournedat5:12PM.
o Strongestinterest:Parentswho“playbyalltherules”(19votes);theNadeaubill(19votes);minorchildrenregardlessofparentparticipation(18votes);.
Closingandnextsteps-Barbara
• Thenextmeetingwillinclude
o Reportfromcommunitydialogueso Nationalexpertpresentationo Developrecommendationsforhouseholdswhowillnotreceivea“TANFhardship
exemption”andwillnotreceivecontinuingTANFcashassistance§ ReviewListeningSessionthemes§ Reviewfinancialanalysisofcoststootherservicesforexitedhouseholds;
clarifyingquestions§ DiscusswaystohelpCostanalysisofpolicyideas
o Evolvepolicy§ Reviewandevolvebenefitsandrisksofnotimelimits§ Reviewfinancialanalysisofpolicyoptions§ Organizeoptionswithinbudgetbreaks
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WorkingGroup:ToInformaTemporaryAssistanceforNeedyFamilies(TANF)HardshipExtension
PolicyforDC(Meeting#2)Wednesday,August30@11amto2pm
DHSHeadquarters–64NewYorkAve,SixthFloor
CommitteeMembersPresent(votingandnon-voting)
WorkingGroupMeeting#2notes:
Names Organizations
6individuals Customers
BrianCampbell DHS
CurtCampbell LegalAid
JenniferTiller(non-voting) AmericaWorks
SharraGreer Children’sLawCenter
SusanneGroves DCCouncil
AntheaSeymour DHS
TaiMeah CouncilmemberNadeau
KellySweenyMcshane CommunityofHope
JenBudoff DCCouncil
JeremyLares(non-voting) GrantAssociates
EdLazere DCFiscalPolicyInstitute
YulondaBarlow CouncilmemberYvetteAlexander
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CommunityMembersPresent
DavidRoss DHS
ChristinaOkonkrus DHS
MoniqueGraham FSFSC
AndreaGleaves DCCoalitionAgainstDomesticViolence
Won-okKim DHS
GingerMoored OCFO
LisaSimmons Maximus
MelissaMcClure LegalAidSocietyofDC
KathyHaines DMHHS
ChrisVera DHS
AnnPierre DHS
KateCoventry DCFiscalPolicyInstitute
ReneeMurphy Children’sLawCenter
JenniferMezey DCLegalAid
RuthRich DHS/OWO
LinneaLassiter DCFiscalPolicyInstitute
KellyHunt CouncilmemberSilverman
MonicaKaman FBC
DebbieFox DCCoalitionAgainstDomesticViolence
DamonKing Children’sLawCenter
Otherparticipants:DonnaPavetti,CBPP;BarbaraPoppe,BarbaraPoppeandAssociates;KelseyWeber,BarbaraPoppeandAssociates.
Welcome–AntheaSeymour,ESAAdministratorDHS
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• Manydifferentvoicesarerepresentedintheroom–Council,DHS,advocates,serviceproviders,TANFcustomers–thankyouforparticipating.
Agendareviewandintroductions–BarbaraPoppe(facilitator)
• ReminderoftheScope/ChargeofWorkingGroup:DeveloprecommendationstoDHSDirectorLauraZeilingerforTANFhardshipexemptionpolicybySeptember30,2016
o WorkinggroupheldMeeting1on8/18,andafewrequestsweremadewhichhavebeentakenintoconsideration.Theserequestswere
§ Aninterimmarktosupportpolicyobjectivebeincludedintothebudgetassumptions.
§ Anadditionalmeetingbeheldtofurtherdiscussanddeveloprecommendations.Thiswillbeputtoavoteattheendofthismeeting.
• Reviewofprocesstimeline(August2016–September2016formationofworkinggroup,listeningsessions,communitydialogues,dataanalysis).
o August,2016,listeningsessionswereconductedwithTANFparticipants,advocates,serviceprovidersandcitycouncilinadvanceofthefirstWorkingGroupmeeting.
o August–September,2016:CommunityDialoguesarebeingheld.
o August–September,2016:DataAnalysistounderstandTANFparticipationcharacteristics,needs,barrierstoemploymentandprogramparticipation.
o September30,2016:FinalReporttoDHSDirectorwithrecommendationsforTANFhardshippolicies.
• Reviewofworkinggroupmeeting
o Meeting#1(8/18/16):Completed.Wesetthestage,listenedtosessionreports,revieweddataaboutfamiliesandcostexamples,andstartedpreliminarypolicyideaforhardshipexemptionsfromtimelimits.
o Meeting#2(8/30/16):communitydialoguereport,nationalexpertpresentation,financialimpactoftimelimits,risks&benefitsifallfamiliesareexemptedfromtimelimits,organizepolicyideaswithinbudgetmarks,
§ BasedonrecommendationsfromMeeting1,wewillNOTdeveloprecommendationsforserviceforfamiliesexitingduetotimelimitsduringtoday’smeeting.ThiswillbecompletedduringMeeting3toallowforthepolicydiscussiontobecompletedtoday.
o Meeting#3(9/13/16):communitydialoguereport,developrecommendationsforservicesforfamiliesexitingduetotimelimits,finetuneallrecommendations,voteonfinalrecommendationsandpriorities.
o Allworkingmemberswillhaveopportunitytocommentonfinalreportbeforesubmission.
• Timetobeginourworktogether.EveryoneisanexpertonTANFinsomeway,thereforewewouldlikeeveryonetoshare.Lastsessionmanypeopledidnotfeelrespectedbyothermembersoftheworkinggroup.Wewanttoensureeveryoneisabletoexpresstheirviewsand
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feelsrespectedindoingso.Thereareawiderangeofviews,whichweencourageandwanttoremindeveryonetoexploreallideaswithanopenmind.Pleaselistenandunderstandothers,donottrytoconvinceothersofyourperspective.
• BarbaraPoppe,asfacilitator,commitstolistenandberesponsivetoeveryoneduringthisprocess.QuiteafewchangesbasedonsuggestionsfromMeeting#1.Shewillcontinuetoupdateandadjusttheprocessaswemoveforward.Aswithmeeting1ameetingrecordwillbeshared.PleaseletBarbaraknowifyouwanttoproposeanyadjustmentstotheMeeting1record.
• Today’sAgenda:o SettingthestagewithpaneldiscussionandanationalexpertonTANF,o Keydrivers:reviewofcostanalysisforpotentialunintendedconsequencesandpolicy
optionso Rollingupoursleevestodiscussrisksandbenefitsofpolicyoptionsandevaluatingcost
scenariosofallpolicyoptions.ThisistheimportantworkweneedtocompletesowecanhavedeliverablestomoveforwardintoMeeting#3.BasedonfeedbackfollowingMeeting1thisactivitywillbeorganizedbyconstituentgrouptoensureallgroupsfeelcomfortableandheard.Wewillcompletewithashareouttoensureallperspectivesareheard.
Questions:
• NoquestionsontheAgenda
Activity:Introductionsandcheck-in:Turningtoyourneighbor,“WhoamI?WhatdidIlearnsofarfromthisprocessthatIambriningforwardtothismeetingdeliberations?
UpdateonCommunityDialogues–BarbaraPoppe
• Twocommunitydialoguesarecompleted.Theywerenotwellattendedbuttheyweredeeplyattendedwhichcausedashiftinthefocusofthesedialogues.Theywillbeshiftedawayfrompubliclocations,infavoroflocationswhereTANFcustomersaremorelikelytobeengaged.
o Therearetwocommunitydialoguestomorrow,oneatAmericaWorks(10:00–11:30am)opentothepublic,oneatDCGeneralFamilyShelter(1:00-2:30pm)notopentogeneralpublicduetotheshelterrules.
o DCGeneralcommunitydialoguewasaddedbasedontheextensiveconversationregardinghomelessindividualsthatwasexpressedduringpriordialogues.
o ThefinaldialoguewasmovedtoCommunityCollegePrepAcademy(9/1210:30-11:30am)becausemanyTANFcustomersparticipateinthisprogram.
4. PanelDiscussiononthe“ValueofTANF”customerandadvocateperspectives.
• Thispanelwasincludedintothemeetinginresponsetoworkinggroupfeedback.MembersfeltthatiswasimportantnottolosesightofthevalueofTANF,understandthecommunitywideperspectiveandthecustomerperspective.
• Panelists:MatthewandMona,TANFCustomers;CurtandMonica,Advocaterepresentatives.
• QuestionstoMonaandMatthew:WhathasTANFmeanttoyouandyourfamily?
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o Matthew:TANFhasmeantasupplementalincome.Withoutworkandbeingunabletoreceiveunemploymentbenefits,thisistheonlythingtofallbackon.SowithTANFIcanuseittohelpprovideformyfamily;withoutTANF,IamnotsurewhatIwouldhavedoneorhowIwouldhavemadeitthisfar.
o Mona:Asasingleparentofthreechildrenitmeansalot.IwasworkingandgettingunemploymentbuthadtoresorttoTANFbecausethejobmarketchangedandIneededadegreetogetabetterjob.Ithasbeenhelpfultomyfamily,tosupportmeandmykids.It’shardtoliveinDCsoifwecanuseitinawaytogetpeoplesituatedandgroundeditwillhelptothemgettothenextlevel.
• QuestionstoCurtandMonica:WhyisTANFaresourcetotheDCarea?
o Curt:Iwillcomeatthisfromtwoanglessojusttogiveyousomebackground.Iworkinlegalaid,butwasonTANFasachildinHoboken,NJ.LikeDC,Hobokenwasrapidlygentrifyingandbecomingadifficultplacetolive.DCisoneofthemostexpensiveplacestoraiseachild.Heandhiswife,whoarebothwellemployed,areabouttohavetheirfirstchild.Theyarealreadyfeelingoverwhelmedwiththeprospectofprovidingwellfortheirchild.Iftheyhavetheseconcernsandanxieties,thenhowdoothersfeel?Otherswhocannotfindstableemployment,fearleavingtheirhomeduetodomesticviolence,orarejustscrapingbytofeedandclothetheirfamily.MyfamilyhadbeenthroughTANFanditprovidedasenseofstability,allowedhimandhissiblingsnottomissschoolandparticipateinafterschoolprogramsbecausetherewastransportationsupport.Thisallowedhimandhissiblingtosucceed,getdegreesandgotocollege.TherewasrecentaRadioprogramtalkingabouttriage,i.e.theneedtoprioritizemedicalresourcesinwarzones.Thedoctorsintheseareasweremakingincreasinglyquestionabledecisionsaboutwhotohelpandwhotoleavebehindbasedonthebestuseoflimitedresources.Thisrealizationledtocreatingworkinggroupsfordevelopingguidelinesonwhotohelpwhenresourcesaretight.Theydevelopedasystemwhichwouldhelppeoplewiththebestchancesofhavingahighqualityoflifeandleavingothersbehindeg,thosewhousuallyhavechronicillnessesandwouldnothaveahighqualityoflife.ThedoctorspeakingsaidshesawthissystemactedoutinHaitiaftertheearthquakewhereachronicallyillpatientwastriagedintoanareathatwastargetedtobehelpedlast.Thepatientslowlyreceivedlessandlessresources(thiscasebeingoxygen)untilshewouldeventuallypass.Thankfullythedoctorintercededandthepatientwastransferredtoadifferenthospital.However,ourapproachtoTANFismuchlikethisviewoftriageinlowresourceareas.Whenwearetalkingabouttheexemptionsanddecidingonwhowouldqualify,itisimportanttothinkaboutthepeoplewhowouldbeleftout.Whatifyourfamilywasonthevergeofhomelessness,needtransportationtoajobintervieworhadchildrenwhomayendupgoingtoschoolhungry?DCisNOTawarzone,wedoNOTneedtotriageTANF.Wecanfindcreativesolutionstohelpasmanypeopleaspossible.
o Monica:IworkfortheFairBudgetCoalition,whereweaddressavarietyofhumanneeds.Runningthefullgamutfromhealthcare,toemployment,etc.Inthisworkweseehowallsystemsareworkingtogethertoleavepeopleout.Theeconomyisnotcreatingadequatejobs;thereareonlylowincomejobsavailablewherepeoplecannotsurviveonthewages.Thehousingmarketisshovingpeopleout.PeopleareonlyabletoaccessreactivehealthcaresuchasERservices.Peopleliveinareaswithlimitedaccesstogroceriesstoresandadequatehealthfoodoptions.Allofthesedifferentissuesare
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keepingpeopleatthebottom.TANFshouldbeanettocatchfamilieswiththesystemsfail.Werecognizethatallhumansdeserveacertainqualityoflife,whichincludeeducation,healthcare,ahome,etc.Ifsystemsdon’tprovidethis,thenTANFisasafetynettoprovideit.Whileitisimportanttocontinuetolookatthebigpicturesystemreform,asafetynetisneededasaninterimtoensurepeoplehavebasicdignities.Especiallytoensureallchildreninthecityareprotected,haveaqualityoflifeandallpipelineofopportunities.
• QuestionstoMonaandMatthew:Whatdoyouwanttheworkinggrouptothinkaboutwhenmakingdecisionsonthe60monthTANFtimelineandsettingprioritiesofwhoshouldbeexemptandextended.
o Mona:youshouldbethinking“whatwouldIwantifthiswereme,mychild,mygrandchild,whatwillmyfuturehold?”Thinkofthefutureandbecomeproblemsolvers.Weneedtostartputtingourselvesinpeople’sshoes.Thishappenedtome.IusedtogivemycousinsahardtimeforbeingonTANF,neverdidIthinkIwouldbehere.Asaparentyoudon’tknowwhatisinfrontofyou.Youwanttomakesureyougetbackontrackandgohigher.It’simportanttomakesureyouhavemoralsandvalueswhenyouthinkaboutTANFandeveryone,becausethisisnotjustaboutmeoryou,itisabouteveryone.
o Matt:WhatMonasaidisexactlycorrect.Thiscouldbeanyofyou.Manypeopleareonlyonepaycheckaway.Youneverknowwhatcouldhappentoyouinyourlife.
PresentationbynationalTANFexpert.-DonnaPavetti,CBPP
BrianintroducedDonna:Shehasbeenaleadingnationalvoiceforover20years.WhenstatesandcitieswanttoadjusttheirprogramstheygotoLaDonnafirst.ShehelpedDC12yearsago,thenagain6yearsagainandisheretodaytohelpusturnthepageandlookatthingscritical.
• WanttoensureeveryoneisclearontherulesandregulationofTANF.
o Federallawseta60monthtimelimitonfederallyfundedTANFbenefitsbutdoesnotstatethatpeoplecannotbeservedafterthisperiod.DCcanusefederalfundstoserve20%ofpeopleafter60monthsandcanuselocalfundstosupportallfamiliesandstillbeincompliancewithfederalregulations.DChasbeenprovidingextensionsfor20yearsandhasnotgoneagainstfederalpolicyindoingso.
• Understandingthehistoryofthetimelimits.
o Timelimitsoncash,whenoriginallyproposed,camewiththeguaranteeofajobattheendofthetimeline,howeverthisjobguaranteedidnotremaininthelegislation.Itwasnevertheintendofthefederallawtotakeawaysafetynets,butrathertoprovidethemwithasenseofurgencyforTANFagenciesandparticipantstosecureemployment.Additionally,whenthislawwasdraftedweknewfarlessaboutthecharacteristicsandneedsoffamiliesonTANF.Wenowknowmuchmoreandcanusethisknowledgetoourbenefit.
• Thingstoconsider
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o ThinkaboutwhatitmeanstobeonTANFfor60months.PeopletendtogoonandoffTANFovertheyearsresultinginacombinedtimeof60months.ThereisalsoabroadrangeofcircumstancesthatcauseindividualstogoonandoffofTANF.
o Whatwe’velearnedfromotherprogramsthatimplementedtimelimitsisthatthelikelihoodofemploymentisabout30%atthebest.Ifpeoplearecutoffofbenefitstheyarenotlikelytofindjobsontheirown,andtheseresultswerefoundduringamuchbetterjobmarket.Ifextensionsarenotputinplacetherewillbeagroupoffamiliesthatcontinuetobeunemployedafterlosingtheirbenefits.
o Thereisaverylowlikelihoodofindividualswhowillreceiveotherbenefits(i.e.SSI).WeknowthatenrollinginSSIisverydifficult.MostfamiliesonTANFlongtermhavemultiplebarriersintheirlivesbutnotonebarrierlargeenoughtoqualifythemforSSI.Atbest10%ofparticipantswillreceiveSSIbenefits.
o Ethnographicresearchhasshownthatwhenfamilieshavenoavailablecashtheyresorttodesperatemeasuretomeettheirbasicneeds.Thiscanmeananythingfrommovingintosituationsorhomesthatindividualsknowareunhealthytoengagingriskywork.Manyfamiliesmayscrapetogethermoneytomeettheirneedsbuttheseopportunitiesareneversteady,creatingdailyuncertaintyandstress.Cashisanecessityforallfamiliesbecauseotheroptionsarenotenoughtomeetneedswithconsistency.
o TANFisaservicethatcatchesmanypeopleandprovidesopportunityandoptions.Itprovidesservicesthatmostpeopledonothaveaccesstootherwise,suchaschildcare.
o AstudywasdoneinWashingtonStateontighteningextensionsfortimelimits.Asaresult,theysawanincreaseinpercentageofpeoplewhowerehomeless,anincreaseinchildmaltreatmentresultinginanincreaseinfostercareandchildreninthechildwelfaresystems.Additionally,ifchildrenareinunstablesituationsandexposedtoharmtherearelifetimehealthconsequenceswhichresultinhugecostsinthehealthcaresystem.
o Itisimportanttoconsiderwhatwillhappenwhenthenextrecessionhits.AlotoffamilieshavebeenonTANFformorethan60months.Ifthereisarecessionthisnumberwillincreasebutbudgetswillalreadybelimited.
• KeyElementsofthePathForward
o Mostinitialassessmentsdonotaccuratelyidentifytheexistenceofsignificantemploymentbarriers.IncomingTANFcustomersareaskedtodivulgealargeamountofpersonalinformation.Thisisuncomfortable,evenintimidating,thereforefirstassessmentisusuallynotreflectiveoftheactualsituation.Howdowedoabetterjobassessingneedsandidentifyingbarriersinitiallyandovertime?
o Exemptions-Viewthisaspeoplewhocannotbeexpectedtofindworkduetosignificationbarriers(mentalhealth,physical,acombinationofissues,etc.)
o Extension-Viewthisaspeoplewhohavethepotentialofgainingemploymentandmovingforwardbutitwilltakethemabitmoretime.Therecanbemanyreasonsforthisandweneedtoconsiderallfactors,suchasthecurrentjobmarket,personalcircumstancesandwhatwillhappentothechildrenifbenefitsarestopped.
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o Itisveryimportanttothinkofalternativepathwaystoemployment.DChasmadeincredibleprogressinemploymentservices,butitisnotgearedtowardspeoplewhoarenotquicktogainwork.Someindividualsneedmoretimetoworkonmentalhealthorotherbarriersandtheseareindividualsarenotwellservedbycurrentprograms.Realisticallysomeadultsmayonlybeabletoparticipateinservicesat1or2daysaweek;20-30hoursofworkistoohighofabartosetformanyindividualsatthebeginning,thereforewearesettingpeopleuptofail.
§ Forexample,thereisacommunitybasedprogramcalledMOMSpartnership.ThisprogrammetwithwomenonTANF,intheircommunity,toassesstheirneeds.Basedontheirrequestsan8-weekstressreductionprogramwascreated.Itwassosuccessful,with80%completionrate,thatajobcomponenthasrecentlybeenadded.Thisdemonstratesthatforsomegroupsotherissuesneedtobeaddressedandworkcompletedpriortoenteringtheworkforce.
o Itisveryimportanttounderstandthatdatadoesnotshowthatremovingbenefitsleadspeopletoworkifthereisnotagoodjobmarket.Peopleoftendonothavejobsduetothelackofskillsandresources,thelackofajobmaybetherearen’tsufficientjobopeningsthatfitthescheduleasparents.TANFisanimportantsafetynetthatwillcatchpeoplewhenthelabormarketandeconomicsystemsdonotwork.
o Questions
§ ThankyouforclearingupthelawregardingthetimelineofTANF.Iunderstandwhatyousaidaboutexemptionsversusextensionbutwhatistheactualdefinitionoftheseterms?
• Donna-ExemptionsstoptheclockandsayanindividualisnotexpectedtoparticipateintherequiredactivitiesbutwillstillreceiveTANF.AnextensionprovidesadditionaltimeonTANFtosomeonewhohasalreadyreachedthetimelimitandcontinuestoworkwiththemonmovingforwardandcompletingrequiredactivities.
§ Intermsoflocalframework,isthegoalthatwemeetthebudgetarymarkersindicated?Whatarewetryingtoalignthepolicyrecommendationswith?
• Barbara-ConsiderthatDChasahardstopforallhouseholdsreceivingTANFformorethan60months.Whichofthesehouseholdsorindividualsshouldbeextendedandtrytoofferthoserecommendationswithinthenotedfiscalmarks.
§ TheTANFgranthasnotincreasedsince1996.Sohowmuchadditionallocalfundingdoweexpectedtobeincluded?
• Donna-DCisinlinewiththenationalaverageforthefundingamountallocatedtocashassistance.However,ithasalsoputalargeamountofTANFfundingtowardschildcareservices.Incomparisontootherstates,DChasstayedwithinprettynarrowrangeofhowTANFfundingisused.
6. StandUpExercise:BarbaraPoppe
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• Wewanttotalkabitaboutvalues.Inthistopictherecanbeconstantconflictbetweenmoralsandvalues,thereforeithelpstoknowwherethegroupandourindividualvaluesaregrounded.
o Activity:Inthistopictherearetwoconflictingvalues“Servicingmorefamiliestoassureagreaternumberofpeoplereceivesomeassistance”and“Helpingthosewhohelpthemselvesorthosewhocannothelpthemselvesasmuchasothers.”Theworkinggroupmemberswillputthemselvesonacontinuumbetweenthetwojuxtaposingvaluestoindicatewhattheyvaluethemost,onetheotherorsomewhereinbetween.
§ CommentbyEd–Pleaserememberduringthisexercisethatthetwovaluesonlyindicatetheactionsofneedsoftheparents,itdoesnottakeintoaccountthechildren.
o Results:Membersweregroupedclosertothe“Servicingmorefamilies”value.However,membersarelookingforsolutionsthatprovidebalancebetweenthetwovalues.
§ CommentbyRita-Whenlookingatrecommendationsweneedtoprepareforthefuture.PrepareDHSbetterforthecustomersthattheyreceiveandensurecustomersarepreparingfortheirfuture.
§ Ed–Itismyexperiencethatmostpeoplewanttohelpthemselvesanddonotliketheimplication,bythiswording,thatsomepeopledonotwanttohelpthemselves.Itisbettertothinkaboutthebarrierspeoplefacethatwillexplainwhyitisperceivedthattheyarenothelpingthemselves.
• Barbara–Thereareallkindsofvaluesheldonthistopicandthe“helpingthemselves”valueisheldpeopleinthecommunity.Iagreewithyourreservations,butthishasbeenincludedtomakesureweareallthinkingabouttheconflictingandvariedpublicvaluesthatareheldregardingTANF.
7. Presentation:CostAnalysis:PolicyOptions.–AntheaSeymour
• Presentationontheadditionalcostanalysiswascompletedsincetheworkinggroupmeeting1.
• AnalysisofDotExercise:
o Inmeeting1MemberswereaskedtovotewithdotsonpoliciesfromtheideasheetsforDHStocostandbringbacktothenextmeeting.Eachvotingmemberoftheworkinggroupwasgivenfivedots.
o Parentswho“playbyalltherules”andNadeauBillreceivedthemostvotesat19each.WithAdvocatesheavilysupportingtheNadeauBillandcustomersandcitystaffsupportingparentswho“playbyalltherules.”
o Allminorchildrenregardlessofparentparticipationreceived18voteswithanevenmixofsupportfromcustomersandcitycouncil/staff.
o Wecanseethatunemploymentwithouthighschooleducationandfamilieswhoareatriskofchildenteringfostercarereceivednovotes
o Thisshowswherewhichpoliciespeoplemostsupportedbutthisdoesnotmeanwearealigningourpolicywiththisexerciseoutcome.
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• FeedbackontheNadeauBill:AntheaexplainedthegenesisoftheNadeaubillandwhatpoliciesitproposes.
o ThiswasacollaborationbetweensomeCouncilmembersandadvocates,andproposesto:
§ Continuebenefitsforchildreninhouseholdsthathavereachedthetimelimit,
§ FundthePOWERcategoriestoincludeindividualsinaneducationprogramandindividualwithachildunder6monthsofage.
§ Extendbenefitsfortheentirefamilybeyond60monthsunderthefollowingcircumstances
• ThosecomplyingwiththeirIndividualResponsibilityPlan;
• AlackofemploymentopportunitieswithintheDistrictforindividualswithoutahighschooldiploma;
• Thoseaffectedbysignificantbarrierstoemployment(lowliteracy,learningdisabilities,orphysicalormentalimpairment);
• Individualsthatarehomelessoratriskofhomelessness;and
• Childrenareatriskofenteringfostercare.
• Assumptionsforcostprojections
o ProjectionsweredonebyDHSalonewithmanyassumptionsbuiltintotheprojections.Rememberthesearenotbottomlinenumbers,aswestillneedtospeakwiththeOCFO,andDHScannotprovidefinalcostswithoutworkinginpartnershipwiththeOCFO.
§ AverageofTANFcashbenefitperfamilyinFY17isanaverageof$450permonthatfullbenefits(lessthan60months)andanaverageof$150permonthatreducedbenefits(morethan60months).Theseamountsfluctuateperhouseholdbutareaveragesacrosstheprogram.
§ FY17startinOctoberandprojectionsarebasedonFY18,withtheinclusionofthe3COLAincreasedtobeexpectedoverthenext3years.
§ TheTANFextensionwillincludeotherbenefitinadditiontocashassistancebuttodayweareonlydiscussingthecashassistanceportion.Thesearetheamountprojectedandtheotherbenefitswillbeincludedbackintotheextensionproposal.
§ CostProjectionfor“NoTimeLimitGroup”focusesonfamiliesprojectedtoexceed60months.Theassumptionsforeachcriteriaarelisted.
• CHILDonlycoverage–forsanctionprocesstheheadofhouseholdisremoved.Weassumeremove20%andkeep80%coverage
• Fullbenefitstoallfamilies–100%benefitforall• ReducedbenefitswithCOLAforallfamilies–recalculationreduced
benefitbutwithCOLAincrease.Wealsoreducedthenumberoffamiliesto5,800.
• ReducedbenefitswithoutCOLAforfamilies–thisiscurrentlyextended
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• Question:
toallfamilies§ Playbytherulesgroup–Theseincludeconservativeestimatesoftheprojected
families.• NotSanctioned–conservativeestimateof75%of5,800• Fullandpartialcompliance-againconservativeestimateofprojected
families• EnrolledinEducation/Trainingprograms-conservativeestimateof
projectedfamilies• Employed(includingpart-time)-Thisincludesalltypesofemployment.
§ OtherCriteria• Homelessoratriskofbecominghomeless–about25%isprojected,but
thisnumberislikelytochange.• Householdheadswithlowliteracy–originalprojectednumberoffamilies
waslow;therefore,itwasincreasedto45%basedonarticlebyAmericanUniversity
• Nadeaubill§ Thecomparativeslideshowstheprojectednumberoffamiliesthatcanbe
servedwithinbudgetlimits.Thisdoesnotmeanweneedtofitwithinthesebudgetlimitstheyarejusthypotheticalsituationsthatallowsustovisualizethenumbersandfiscalimplications.
§ Somecategorieswerenotcostedduetotimeconstraintsandlackofworkinggrouppriority,thesewerefamilieswhoareatriskofchildenteringfostercare,unemploymentwithouthighschooleducation,POWERfamilies,familieswhodonothavechildcareandtwogenerationalapproach.
o Onthenotimelimitgroup,5,800istheprojectednumberoffamiliesthatwillexceed60months.Doesthisnumberfluctuate?
§ Anthea–Yes,itdoesfluctuate.Itwaspreviously6,200butthisprojectionisnotmuchlowerandwewillcontinuetomonitortheprojection.Thefinalnumberwillbeupdatedbeforethefinalreport
o Wouldliketoclarifywhyunemploymentwithouthighschooleducationnotcosted.§ ItwasnotcostedbecausewedonotwanttoredefineunemploymentforDCas
awhole,whichcurrentlyincludedindividualswithcollegedegrees.IntheNadeaubillitisonlyrepresentingindividualswithhighschooldiplomasorlowerbecausetheyaremostadverselyaffectedbyarecession.
o InregardstothecostofextendingTANFservicesbeyondcashassistance,willthisbealargefiscalcostaswell?Iammeaningservicessuchascasemanagementandtransportationservices.
§ Wedoneedtospendtimetoanalyzethecostoftheseadditionalservicesandincludethemintoanyfuturebudgetproposal.Wewouldalsoliketolookatotherservicesfamiliesshouldreceiveoutsideofcashassistanceoriftheynolongerreceivecashassistance.
o WheredidtheassumptionscomefromfortheprojectnumberoffamiliesonthePlaybytheRulesgroup?
§ Thesepercentagesoftheprojectednumberoffamilieswasanestimatecorrelatedtothedataweprovidedinmeeting1.However,thoseprojections
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werequiteconservativeandwefeltitwasbeneficialtoincreasetheprojectionstoensurewearefullycoveredinourbudgetprojections.
§ Inouranalysiswedonothavefulldataon60%ofparticipantsbecausetheywerenotengagedintheservices.Byincreasingtheprojectedthenumberoffamiliescomparedtothedata,weareensuringthatweaccountforindividualsforwhomwedonothavefulldata.Forthefinaldataandprojections,wewillbeworkingwiththeOCFO.
o Howdowemeasureordealwithfamiliesthatfallundertwoormorecategories?Whatdoesthatdofortheseprojections?
§ Barbara-Thisisactuallyagoodthingtothinkaboutduringthesmallgroupsexercise.Soreservethatquestionsforabitlater.
• Inprojectingthenegativeimpact,societalcostandnegativeoutcomesonfamiliesifTANFisstoppedafter60monthswedrewfromexperienceinotherstates.FromthisweknowthatthereisanincreasedriskforfamiliesiftheylostTANF,whichincludefoodinsecurity,childmaltreatment,housingissuesandhomelessness,accesstomedicalcareandothersupportservices.
• WealsoneedtodoabetterjobofensuringfamiliesthatqualifyforSSIaremovedontothisprogram.
• Bottomlineoncostanalysisisthatwewerenotabletoanalyzeandprojectunintendedcostsoftheprogram,butDHSisopentoanysuggestionstoincludeadditionalcostintotheanalysis.
SmallGroupDialogues–BarbaraPoppe
Activity:Theworkinggroupmembersarebrokeninto4smallgroupsbasedonconstituency,(customers,providers,citycouncil/staff,andadvocates).Eachgroupwilldiscussthebenefitsandriskofpolicyoptionsincludingnotimelimitsandthendevelopscenariosofpolicyoptionswithinthesuggestedbudgetmarkers.Pleasenotethattheadvocacygroupwillnotbedoingthebudgetactivitybecausetheyfeelitismoreimportanttodecideonthenecessarypolicyandwouldnotwantbudgetmarkerstoinfluencetheirpolicydecisions.Othergroupsarewelcometodothisaswell,iftheydonotwanttofollowthebudgetmarkerssetoutonthesheets.
Reportoutfromsmallgroups:
Providers:Decidednottogobythebudgetmarksbecausefurtherclarificationisneededtomakebudgetandpolicyoptionsdecisionsandhadafewquestions/concerns.
• RiskandBenefitso Forallscenariosexempt/extendedfamiliesshouldreceivefullbenefits.Advocates
alsosupportextensionsforperiodsofhighunemploymentinDC,familieswithchildrenunder6monthsandfamiliesatriskoffostercareplacement.
o Notimelimit§ Addedthebenefitthatdomesticviolencevictimsdonothavetorisksafety
andprivacybyhavingtodisclosestatusasavictim§ DisagreedwiththeriskoffinancialstabilitybecauseDCcanaffordthe
proposedextension.Theyalsowouldliketoknowifthereisevidenceoftaxpayerfrustrationandin-migrationoffamilies.
§ Studiesshow(perLaDonna)thatmostfamiliesdonotfindworkafterTANFbenefitsarecut,whichsuggestthattimelimitsarenotanincentive.
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Furthermore,mostfamiliesgoonandoffofTANFshowingthatthetimelimitisnotanincentive.
o Childonly§ Allriskswereremovedexcepttheriskofincreaseinhomelessnessand
associatedcostalongwithfamiliesmayfacefoodinsecuritiesandgreaterhousinginstability(includingrighttoshelterinthisjurisdiction).
§ Addedtheriskofincreasedtraumaandstressforparents,increaseinfostercareandwilltakeawayanimportantprotectivefactorforchildrenrecoveringfromcomplextrauma.ThereisalsoariskofincreasehealthcarecostsinthelongtermduetoACEsandinmothersthatreturntoabusersforfinancialreasons.
§ Thisoptionshouldincludetheoptionforparentstoreengagetoreceivefullbenefits.
• Policyoptionswithininbudgetlimitso IsthereareducedamountoptionfortheNadeaubill? Noo Nobudgetoptioncanbechosenuntilassessmentareaddressed
§ Familyassessment,whichmakesurethefullfamilyisincluded,couldleadtolessthan5,000projectedfamilies.Thisassessmentmayrequireadifferenttoolthanthatcurrentlybeingused.
§ Serviceplan/assessmentinclusiveofallservicesisneedinordertomakedecisionsaboutthefiscalimplications.
o Thepolicyoptionsarepresentedassingularbuttheyarenot.Manyhouseholds/individualsmayfallundermultipleoptions.
§ Alotmorediscussionneedstobehadandfeelsthatdiscussioncannotbelimitedtotheseworkinggroups.Thereisconcernaboutthetimelimitsandunintendedconsequences,suchasunstablehousing/homelessness.AdiscussionshouldalsobeheldonexpandingthePOWERcategories.
CityCouncilandCityStaff:Didnotgobythebudgetmarksbutratherspenttimediscussingthepolicyoptionspresentedespeciallynotimelimits,playbytherulesnosanction,playbytherulesIRPandfocuson2generationalapproach.ThegroupstruggledwithprioritizingplayingbytherulesIRPwhichpromotestheworkandthechildonlyoptionbecauseprotectingchildrenanimportantvalue.ThesearetwojuxtaposingissuessowhatisthecorevalueofTANF,havingresourcesinthehomeoraprogramforparentstoavailthemselves?
• Riskandbenefits
o Nadeaubill§ Addedthebenefitthatitischeaperthanhotels§ Addedtheriskthatitwouldbedifficulttoimplement
o Notimelimit§ Addedthebenefitthatitislessexpensivetoextendbenefitsbecauseother
servicesystems(housing)aremoreexpensive.§ Addedtherisksthatitremovespressuretoimproveservicedeliveryand
sanctionsfamilieswithhighriskfactors.o ChildOnly
§ Stronglyagreedthatfamiliesmayfacefoodinsecurityandgreaterhousinginstability/homelessness.
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§ Addedtherisksthatnoservicesforworkforcedevelopment,cannotsanctionhouseholdheadsandindividualarenoteligibleforstipendsandincentives.
o PlaybytherulesfollowingIRP§ AddedthebenefitofcompliancebasedoncustomerneedsandHCAmodel=
capacity§ Addedtheriskofwhowilldecidecompliance?
Advocates:Didnotfollowthebudgetmarksbutratherdiscussedtheprosandconsofeachpossibility.Whowouldthishelp?Whatarethecost/benefitstothecity?Whatarethevaluesonthebill?Whatdowethinkisimportantforthecitizenofthecity?Isthisprotectingchildrenandpreventhomelessness?Lookedatalloutcomestofindthebestsolution.Didnotcometoaconclusionastothebestoptionsandwantadditionalconversationswitheveryoneabouttheprograms.• RiskandBenefits
o Householdheadswithlowliteracy§ Costshouldnotbeafactorinmakingdecisionsonoptions.§ Theriskthatparentsarenotincentivizedtoparticipatefullyin
education/trainingisnottrueastheycanstillbeexpectedtofullyparticipate.
§ Addedtheriskthatifpeoplearenotprotectedthentheywillfacecloseddoorsandsignificantbarrierstoemployment
o Playbytherulesenrolledineducation/training§ Againcostshouldnotbeafactor§ Addedtheriskthatparentswhoarenotplayingbytherulesmaybe
sufferingfromPTSDcausedbydomesticviolence.o Unstablehousing/homeless
§ Inriskswemushthingaboutthefamilies.Withthisoptionwedonotagreethatparentsarenotincentivized,thatthereistaxpayerfrustrationandin-migrationoffamilies.
• Finalthought:Arewefocusingonincentivizingpeopletoworkordowewanttoprotectchildren?
Customers:Discussedwhatwouldbestbenefitthehomeandfeelthebestoptiontoensureeveryonehasassistancebecauseeachhouseholdorindividualhastheirownsetofbarriers.However,prioritizingparentswhoplaybytherulesandchildonlycoveragewerethemostimportantofthespecificpolicyoptions.However,TANFalsoneedstobemanagedbetterwiththebettercommunication,servicesandstructuretoensurepeopletryingcanactuallysucceed.
• RisksandBenefitsIdentifiedwereassuch:o Nadeaubill
§ Benefitofcostsavingsinotherservices.§ Deletedallrisksprovidedandhadquestionsregardingthefinancial
sustainabilityforDCo Notimelimit
§ Agreedwiththebenefitsoffamiliesfacingtimelimitsmayhavemultiple
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barriers(physical,educationetc.),recognizesthatapermanentexitformTANFisdifficultforsomefamiliesevenwork-focused,andbelievethatstuffhappensineveryone’slife.
§ Agreedwithallprovidedrisks.TheyknowoffamiliesmigratingintoDCtoutilizeTANFandonepersonhasexperienceddiscriminationbecausesheisonTANF.
o PlaybytherulesfollowingIRP§ Agreedwithallprovidedbenefitsandincludedthatisgivespeoplethe
chancetobeeconomicallysuccessful§ Nocommentsonrisk
• PolicyOptionswithinbudgetlimitswereassucho <$10M–providingeitherreducedbenefitforallwithnotimelimits(optionA)or
providingfullbenefitstoparentswhoplaybytherulesandareenrolledineducation/trainingprograms
o <$17.5M–afewscenariosweregiven.§ Fullbenefitsforplaybyruleswhoareenrolledineducation/training
programsandUnstablehousing/homeless§ ChildonlyandUnstablehousing/homeless§ Childonlyandplaybytherulesworkingpart-time§ Familiesofhouseholdheadswithlowliteracy
o <$25M–afewscenariosweregiven§ Playbytherulesnotsanctioned§ ReducedbenefitsforchildonlyandplaybytherulesfollowingIRP§ Reducedbenefitsforchildonlyandfamiliesofhouseholdheadswithlow
literacyo <$35M–acombinationofprovidingfullbenefitsforplaybytherulesnotsanctioned
andreducedchildonlyisthemostimportant.WeshouldprioritizecoveringeveryonebutalsoprovidingbetterTANFservicesandstructuredIRPstoensurethose“playingbytherules”areactuallyabletosucceed.
o Allcovered–providingcoveragetoeveryoneisthebestoptionsbecauseeachfamilyhastheirownbarriershoweveronly80%ofbenefitsshouldbeprovided.
• FinalThought:Ifallcoverageisgiventhentheprogramneedstobemanagedbetter.Currentlypeoplegetshuffledarounduntiltheyareover60months.ItisimportanttoensurethealltheservicesintheTANFprogramarebettercommunicatedandcustomersprovidedwithalloftheavailableresources.
Questionsandfinalcomments:• Doyoufeelifwechosechildonlyoptionthatthemoneywouldgettothechild?
o Latoya-inmostcasesprobablynotbutthatisnotallhouseholds.Perhapswithabetterstructuredprogramthiswouldnotbethecase.Sometimethehouseholdheadisnottheonerunningthehousehold.Manytimesthereisa2ndpersonthatneedstobebroughtintotheprogram.Benefitsneedtobeprovidedtothefullhouseholdtoensurechildren’sneedsaremet.
o Mona-SomecustomershavenotseenpeopleinTANFthataredoingallofthenecessarysteps.Iliketohaveresourcesandresearchoptions,andevenstillitishardtounderstand/knowalloftheservicesavailable.Iamworkingtowardsmydegreeandtrytoencourageotherstodothesame.Sometimesaseedjustneedstobe
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planted.• Participant–WedofeelclearandconcisecoordinationofTANFneedstohappen.Wearea
groupofsmartpeopleheresoIknowthiscanhappen.• Ed–Todayweheardalotofpeoplewithreallygoodwilltomakesurechildrenaregetting
protectedandhelppeoplemoveforward.Weneedtohaveapolicyconversationwhichaskswhatoptionsshouldbeconsideredratherthantryingtomeetthearbitrarybudgetnumbers.
Closingandnextsteps–BarbaraPoppe
• Aspeopleareleavingpleaseassessifthereisaneedforanadditionalmeeting/time.o 11peoplevoted-allindicatingtheneedforanadditionalmeeting.
• Thenextmeetingwillinclude:o Reportoutfromcommunitydialoguessessionso Reviewresultsfromsmallgroupexercise
§ Benefitsandrisksofoptions§ Organizeoptions/scenarioswithinbudgetbreaks
o Discussrecommendationsforhouseholdswhowillnotreceivea“TANFhardshipexemption”andwillnotreceivecontinuingTANFcashassistance
WorkingGroupMeeting#3notes:
WorkingGroup:ToInformaTemporaryAssistanceforNeedyFamilies(TANF)HardshipExtensionPolicyforDC(Meeting#3)
Tuesday,September13,2016@9amto3:30pmDHSHeadquarters–64NewYorkAve,SixthFloor
CommitteeMembersPresent(votingandnon-voting)
Names Organizations5individuals Customers
JenniferTiller(non-voting) AmericaWorksJeremyLares(non-voting) GrantAssociatesLisaSimmons(non-voting) MaximusKellySweenyMcshane CommunityofHope
MoniqueGraham FarSoutheastFamilyStrengtheningCollaborativeCurtCampbell LegalAidEdLazere DCFiscalPolicyInstitute
SharraGreer Children’sLawCenter
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ReneeMurphy Children’sLawCenterAndreaGleaves DCCoalitionAgainstDomesticViolence
CouncilmemberBrianneNadeau DCCouncilTaiMeah CouncilmemberNadeau
YulondaBarlow CouncilmemberYvetteAlexanderJenBudoff DCCouncil
SusanneGroves DCCouncilAntheaSeymour DHSBrianCampbell DHSDavidRoss DHSWon-okKim DHS
TamithaChristian DHSGingerMoored OCFO
CommunityMembersPresentKathyHaines DMHHSKateCoventry DCFPI
ChristineOkoker DHSJenniferMezey LegalAidLinneaLassiter DCFPI
Facilitator:BarbaraPoppe,BarbaraPoppeandAssociates
Welcome:LauraZeilinger,DepartmentofHumanServicesDirector
UpdatedChargefortheWorkingGroup• Charge:DeveloprecommendationstotheDHSDirectorLauraZeilingerforTANFhardship
exemptionpolicybySeptember301) Developprioritiesandsuggestionsforhardshipextensionpoliciestosupportvulnerable
DistrictfamilieswhoshouldbeeligibletoreceiveTANFassistancebeyond60months.Consider“hybrid”optionsthatcanbeadjustedduringbudgetprocess.Basedonfeedbackfromearlierworkgroups,budgetconsiderationsarenolongerapartoftoday’sconversationandprioritizationprocess.
2) MakerecommendationsonbestapproachestoservefamiliesaftertheirTANFassistanceends.
• Subsequentmeetings:1)September13,2016at9:00AM–3:30PM–thisisanextensionoftheoriginally
scheduledworkgroupwhichwasscheduled9amtonoon.Becauseoffeedbackfromthegroup,themeetingwasextendedto3:30,allowingmoretimewhilekeepingtothe9/30deadline.
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Agendaoverviewandreviewofprocess:BarbPoppe,BarbaraPoppe&Associates• Meeting#18/28/16
– Settingthestage– Listeningsessionreport– Dataaboutfamilies– Costexamples– Preliminarypolicyideasforhardshipexemptionsfromtimelimits
• Meeting#28/30/16– Communitydialoguereport– Nationalexpertpresentation– Financialimpactoftimelimits– Developrisksandbenefitsifallfamiliesexemptedfromtimelimits– Developrecommendationsforservicesforfamiliesexitingduetotimelimits– OrganizePrioritizepolicyideaswithinbudgetmarks
• Meeting#39/13/16– Communitydialoguereport– Developrecommendationsforservicesforfamiliesexitingduetotimelimits– Finetuneallrecommendations– Voteonfinalrecommendationsandpriorities
• Opportunitytocommentonfinalreport
Today’smeetingagenda:
ü SettingthestageAgendaReviewandIntroductionsFinalReportProcessReport:CommunityDialogues
ü RollingupoursleevesDiscussionandRecommendations:
– PolicyOptionsforExtensions– ProgramImprovements– ServicesforHouseholdsnotExtended
Barbreviewedofdefinitionofconsensusandthegoalofthismeeting:Definition:Ageneralagreement.Amiddlegroundindecisionmaking,betweentotalassentandtotaldisagreement.Consensusimpliesthateveryoneacceptsandsupportsthedecision,andunderstandthereasonformakingit.Generalconsensusquestion:Doyouagreewithincludingthisinthereport?Whenconsensusisnotachievable,avoteandreportoutcountwillbeused.
Barbpresentedtheprocessstepsfortheday.
− StrawPoll(takenasattendeescheckedin)
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− Policywithoutbudgetconsiderations-Whattypesofhardshipextensions;Timelimits/conditions/requirements
− Riskandbenefitsofoptions–capturedfrompreviousmeetings/voteontheupdateddocument− DHShybridapproaches,basedoninputfromthegroupinprevioussessions.
Question:Whyarethefouroptionsselected?ResponsefromBarb:ifthereistimewecandiscussfurtherhowever,the4arebasedonwhatbubbledupinthecommunityconversationsANDmanyoftheotheroptionsmentionedbyEdarecoveredinPOWER(exampleDomesticViolence).Otheroptionsforextensionsthatmaybediscussedwillberecession,fostercare,newborninhouseholdcanbediscussedastimepermitsbutnotethattheseitemsdidnotgetraisedatthesamerateasthefourselectedfortoday’sbroaddiscussion.QuestionraisedregardingtheNadeaubillintroducedtocitycouncil.AclarificationwasprovidedbyBarbthatthisisaprocesstogettheperspectiveofcustomers,advocates,providersetc.Thisprocessisnotintendedtobeareviewofthebill.DiscussionofPOWERisasmallgroupdiscussionontheagendaforlatertoday.
STRAWPOLLresultswerepresented:
1>20agree,0disagree“IbelievethatDCshouldextendTANFhouseholdsiftheparentparticipates
and“playsbytherules”.2>15agree,4disagree“IbelievethatDCshouldensureallchildrenreceiveTANFcaseassistance
regardlessofwhethertheparentparticipates.3>14agree,6disagree”IbelievethatDCshouldextendTANFhouseholdswhoare“atriskof
homelessness”regardlessofwhethertheparentparticipates.4>12agree,9disagree“IbelievethatDCshouldextendTANFhouseholdsatfullTANFcash
assistanceregardlessofwhethertheparentparticipates.“
Rankedresponses:(sumofscores4=mostimportant;1=leastimportant)50:ShouldallHHthat“playbytherules”receiveanextension?“PlaybytheRules”definedas:1.adultisenrolledineducation/trainingorworkingP/TOR2.adultisparticipatingandincompliance--IRPsarenotthesolemeasureofcompliance,oftenlookingatitasparticipationatsomelevelineducation/training/employmentOR3.notsanctioned38:ShouldTANFbeextendedforallHHwhoare“riskofhomelessness”regardlessofwhethertheparentparticipates?38:ShouldTANFbeextendedforallHHregardlessofwhethertheparentparticipates?33:ShouldTANFbeextendedforchildonlygrantstocoverallchildrentoreceiveTANFcaseassistanceregardlessofwhethertheparentparticipates?
Comment:70%TANFcustomersarecurrentlynotincompliancebutonly10%havebeensanctioned
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ConsiderationofPlaybyRulesoption
− Shouldthisberecommended?Handvote:ifplayberules#1:unanimousyes–Consensusapproval
− Ifplaytherulesreenrolled:unanimousyes-Consensusapproval− Compliancerequirements:unanimousyes-Consensusapproval− Notsanctioned:no-1butcanlivewithgroupdecision–Consensusapproval− Nottimelimited–unanimousyes-Consensusapproval− Dotvotingfortheamountfortheextensionpayment:100%:18votes;75%1vote;50%0
votes;25%0votes
ConsiderationofChildEnrichmentpolicyoption–intentistoservethechild,nottheadult(changeinlanguageformearliermeetingsduetodefinitionissues)Conditionalrequirementsandagelimitswerediscussedinearliermeetingsandcanbediscussedinsmallgroupsifdesired.
− Shouldtherebeachildonlyextension,regardlessofparticipationofparents?Allyesexcept2no,bothcanyieldtothegroup–Councilmemberstafferholdsthecontinuingconcernandwouldliketohaveconcernreflectedandalsoagreedtoyieldtogroup.–Consensusapproval
− Shouldtherebeconditionsorrequirementstoreceivethis?-Initialvotedividedsothosewhosaidyes,shouldexplainwhy
o Yes:theparentactuallygetsthebenefit,wanttoseethatthebenefitsactuallygoestothechildandthatthechildisenrolledinschoolandreceivinghealthchecks.
o Iffamilyisnotincompliancetheyshouldbemoreengagedinordertofindoutwhyaretheynotparticipating,includingadditionalinterventions.
§ IncreasedDHSengagementtoparenttogettoknowaboutenrollment/healthchecks.Concern:Costandabilitytotrack–administrativeburden;trackingattendancemaynottakeintoaccountthesituationofthefamilyandlegitimatereasonstomissschool
§ Suggestion:voucherinlieuofcash.Concern:voucherinlieuofcashwouldbetheburdentothefamilyinhowitisused,
§ Newvote:noconsensussohandvote• ShouldtherebeVoucherinlieuofcash?0Yes• Shouldparentberequiredtoenrollchildinschoolandgethealthchecks
toreceiveTANFassistance?–6No(afterdiscussion–movedto2peoplewhosupportthisoption)
• IncreaseDHSandsisteragencyengagementtoparenttogetatadditionalsupporttoaddressbarrierstowhychildnotinschool/nohealthchecks–6 Yes
• Shouldtherebenorestrictions?10Yes
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o SharraGreer:Whenahouseholdisreceivingchildonly,aparentwhoisnotincomplianceshouldtriggerincreasedDHSengagement.
− Shouldtherebetimelimitforexemptionforchildenrichment(leavinginplaceTANFeligibilityrulesre:age,income)?Notimelimits.Allchildreneligibleregardlessofage.Consensusapproval
− Dotvotingfortheamountfortheextensionpayment:100%14votes;75%5votes;50%0votes25%0votes
Considerationof“Imminentriskofhomelessness”policyoptionBarbreviewedbackgroundonthistopicsofar:AreviewofDHSrecordsshowedthat25%ofTANFHHarecurrentlyexperiencinghomelessnessorat“imminentriskofhomelessness”.Homelessfamiliesinfocusgroupsdidnotagreethat“homelessness”shouldbeanexemptionorextension.Itwasstatedthatbecauseofthebenefitsavailabletothosewhoareinthehomelesssystem,includingmealsandlodgingTANFextensionshouldnotapplytothisgroup.
− ShouldTANFbeextendedifat60monthsifafamilyisassessedtobeatimminentriskofhomelessness:4voterswereopposed.
Opinionssharedbythoseopposed:
o IfHHisassessedtobeatriskofhomelessness,theIRPshouldreflectthatandtherefore
thereisanotherintervention.o Cashbenefitmaypayfor“couchsurfing”,keepingfamilyfrombecominghomeless.
− Ifassessedtobeatimminentriskofhomelessness–shouldtherebeconditions?Yes.Consensusapproval
Concern:impactofpossiblycreatingdisincentiveforfamiliestoleaverapidrehousingorPSHiftiedtobenefits.
QuestionraisedastohowoftenandhowquicklydoIRPschange-responsefromcustomerswasthatthishappensquickly.IRPmodificationcanbeeveryfewdaysifneeded.IRPandfamilyhousingstabilizationplanisthesamething.
− Reframingofquestion:shouldtherebeanextensionifyouarenotincomplianceandyouareatimminentriskofhomelessness?Senseofgroup:ifatimminentriskofhomelessness,shouldhaveanextensionBUTtherearedefinitionstobeclarifiedandaneedtomakethiswork.Cityneedstofigureoutawaytocapturethisgroupandprovideanextension.–Consensusapproval
Movingon,runningoutoftime.
Considerationof“Notimelimitsregardlessofparentparticipation”policyoption
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− ShouldTANFbeextendedwithnotimelimitsregardlessofparentparticipation?Dividedregardingnotimelimits–consensusdoesnotseempossiblesowilldoasacount
o Opinionsharedregardingthe5yearlimitthatistooshortifhavechildren,runintoemploymentproblems,andofferedthat10yearwouldbebetter.
o Suggestedthatifrecipienthasaworkhistory(example3years)thatwouldallowthepersontorestarttheclockintheeventfoundthattheyneededthebenefitagain.
• Everyonegetsupto10years–noconsensus• F/Temploymentreducestimelimitsandrestart–noconsensus
− Vote:novoteduetolackofconsensus.“Notimelimit/norestriction”–7votes;“Someformorrestriction/timelimits”–10votes.
− Vote:ShouldTANFbeextendedwithsanctionsmanagingrestrictions/timelimits?:senseofthegroup(onepersonagainst)
− Dotvotingfortheamountfortheextensionpaymentfor“nolimitswithsanctionsmanagingrestrictions”options:–100%12votes;75%5votes;50%0votes;25%0votes
Update/ApprovetheBenefits/Riskdocument(availableinallfolders)–Barbreviewedthedocumentwiththegroupwhichwasgeneratedthroughlisteningsessionsthenmodifiedinworkgroup1,workgroup2andbroughtforward.Todayisachancetocorrectisneeded.Requestanyglaringissuesthatneedmodified.Documentwillappearinthefinalreport.
Questionraised:dotaxpayersreallyhaveobjectionstolifetimebenefits?Howwereitemspickedtobeincluded?Barbrepliedthatthemeswereraisedmultipletimes/morethanonegroup.Themaybeconflictingfeedbackasthisisbroadfeedbackfrommultipleaudiences.Questionraised:Someoftherisksarelistedinoneareaonlybutwouldapplytoall–suchasriskofharmtochildisariskinall,notjustthechild-onlyassistance?BarbrequestedthatgivecorrectionstoBethifthereislanguagethatneedscorrections.Comment:Needtoclarifythatthisdocumentshouldreflectthatthisisaflectionofopinions,notfacts.Groupconsensusthattheycanlivewiththedocument.Consensusapprovalforupdateddocument.
HybridPolicyOptionsBarbnotedthatfollowingpresentationwewillbemovingtosmallgroupprocess.Basedonfeedbackfromthefirstworkgroupthatwhenthereweremixedgroupsmanypeoplefeltshutoutandunheard.Asaresultwewillbebreakingintoconstituentgroups.Fourhybridpolicyscenariosarebeingpresentedtodebate/discuss.Willbreakat½pointtodiscussandthenareportoutattheend.Hopeistodecidewhich,ifany,ofthescenariostobringforwardand/orotherscenariostoconsider.Groupisfreetobringforwardallthescenarios,noneofthemoranycombination.
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AntheaSeymourDHS/ESApresentedthehybridpolicyoptions/scenarios.Thesearebasedonthefeedbackreceivedthroughouttheprocess.TANFisn’tpermanent.TANFisforchildren,ifparentsarenotcompliant,dowereallywanttoremovechildrenfromtheprogram.Invitefeedbackwithinthesmallgroups.Therearehypotheticalbudgetfiguresinthesheetslistingthescenarios.Budgetmarkisarbitrarybutintendedtogroundthediscussion.
Valuesandbeliefs:4themes
o RecognizethatTANFparticipantsshouldbesuccessful,andsuccessshouldbedefinedbythemo Providingresourcesinthehomeforchild,regardlessoftheengagementoftheparents,
recognizingtwogenerational issueso PromoteandencourageTANFparticipantstobuildtheircapacity
ScenariosarefordiscussionpurposesonlynotintendedtorepresentDHSpolicypositions.
Scenario1:Childenrichment+programcompliance(notimelimit)
• ThisscenariowouldcreateaChildEnrichmentGrant(X%)andaParentTANFGrant(X%)=100%Grant.
• EligibilitywouldbethesameasthecurrentTANFeligibility.• Notimelimitwouldapply.• Allrules,includingworkrequirement,sanctionsandstipends,wouldapplytotheParentTANF
Grant(estX%oftheexistinggrant)• ToreceivetheChildEnrichmentGrant,somerequirementswouldbeapplied.• TheParentTANFGrantissubjecttocompliancewithprogramrequirements.
Laurasharedthatthe$200usedasbudgetplaceholderfordiscussionpurposesratherthanactualgrantdollarstofamilies.Inordertomakethesechanges,wouldneedtorevisittheprogramoverallsothatthereisnotarelaxingtherules,andinherentlyinconflict,forthosewhoareover60months.
Question:iffamilywasterminatedinthepastbecauseofbeingaTANFrecipientfor60monthsinthepast,howwouldtheybetreatedundertheextensionscenarios?Barbthatwillbeconsideredbysmallgroups.
Scenario2:CompliancewithprogramrequirementswithmodifiedsanctionstepdownandXX%reductionafter60months
• Thisscenariowouldrequirecompliancewithprogramrequirementsasaconditionofeligibility,butwouldmodifythesanctionamountstoanestimateof80%,60%and40%,respectfully.
• TherewouldbenotimelimitbutthemaximumgrantwouldbereducedbyXX%after60monthsofreceivingTANFbenefits.
• Underthisscenario,resourcesremaininthehome.• Sanctionrules(includingrulestocure)wouldapply.
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Scenario3:ChildEnrichmentwithNoTimeLimit+ParentGrantwithFiveYearTimeLimit• ThisscenariowouldcreateaChildEnrichmentGrant(X%)andaParentTANFGrant(X%).• EligibilitywouldbethesameasthecurrentTANFeligibility.• NotimelimitwouldapplyfortheChildEnrichmentGrant.• EligibilityfortheParentTANFGrantwouldbelimitedto60months.• Allrules,includingworkrequirement,sanctionsandstipends,wouldapplytotheParentTANF
Grant(X%oftheexistinggrant)upto60months.• ToreceivetheChildEnrichmentGrant,somerequirementswouldbeapplied.• NoParentTANFGrantresourceswouldbeavailableafter60monthsperiod.
Scenario4:ProgramCompliance(NoTimeLimit)
• ThisscenariowouldcontinuetheTANFprogramasis.• ImplementaTANFextensionbeyond60monthsforTANFparticipantswhoareincompliance
withprogramrequirements.• Familiesareeligibleforcashservicesifnotunderanylevelofsanction(participation
requirementsvarybyprogramcompliance)
Question:whathasresearchshownaboutsanctioningpoliciesandtheirimpact?Barbnotedthatduringworkgroup2–adiscussionwasheldaboutsanctions.Thescopeoftheworkheredoesnotincludesanctions,however,wehaveendeduptalkingaboutthisandotherissuesthatimpactanextensionpolicy.Thisisimperfectprocessbecausetheseissuesdoimpacttheissueathandbutarenotonthetablenow.Question:Doeseveryoneknowthesanctionpolicycurrentlyworks?Barbnotedthatitwascoveredinothermeetingsbutsomehavemissedthat.LauraofferedaDHSstafftousethelunchhourtoholdadiscussionregardingsanctionsforthosewhoareinterested.
Otherconsiderations:POWER–availablewithouttimelimitconsiderationShouldtherebeatransitionaltimeperiodforthesetimingoffofPOWER?Servicesonly/transportationstipendasanon-goingoption?
Clarification:ifsomeonehastimedoffofTANF(60monthtimelimit)andnoteligibleforPOWERatthattime,considerationofeligibilityoftheirabilitytoaccessPOWERatsomepointinthefutureifasituationarisesinwhichtheyarenoteligible(suchasDomesticViolence).
TheWorkingGroupbrokeupintofourconstituentgroups(Customer,Advocates,Providers,andCity)andweregiven30minutestoconsiderthe4scenariosbeforelunch.Reconvenedaslargegroupfollowinglunchbreak.
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Barbreportedthattheagendawasmodifiedduetotimeoverageinthemorning.Hardstopat3:30,recognizingthatthereareparentswhoneedtodochildpickup.
POWERImprovementsBarbdirectedthegrouptoconsiderthesummaryofPOWERimprovementssuggestedontheslide.
Question:AreparentsofnewbornsexemptedbyPOWER?DHSclarifiedthatfamilieswithnewbornscurrentlygetaoneyearexemptionfromparticipationrequirementsbuttheclockdoesn’tstopandthatthereareamaximumof2kidspermittedtoreceivethisexemption.
ThegroupwasaskedtovoteoneachstatementforareastoimprovePOWER:
− Increasecommunication:yes-Consensusapproval− ParticipatinginPOWERispersonaldecision:yes-Consensusapproval− DHSwillstreamlineandcentralizeservices:yes-Consensusapproval− DHSwillcontinuetotrainstafftouseSOARmotelorotherwaystoaccessSSI–yes-Consensus
approval− DHSwillcontinuetoimproveservicedeliverytocustomerswhoareapprovedforPOWER:yes-
Consensusapproval− POWERparticipantsshouldhaveaccesstosametypeofserviceswithouttheparticipation
requirementofTANF.Yes-Consensusapprovalo Question:WhatisthepurposeofPOWER?DHSrespondedthatPOWERwasintended
tomeetneedsforthosewithadditional,significantbarriers.− ShouldNewbornbeaddedtoPOWER:No-3.No:didnotyieldtothegroup–Approvalwith3
dissenting.
Thegroupthenconsideredothersuggestionsposedbyworkinggroupmembers
− ShouldPOWERbeavailableregardlessofnumberofmonthsonTANF?–yes-Consensusapproval
− CanenrollinPOWERiftimedoffTANF?–yes-Consensusapproval− Shouldtherebea6monthtransitionalperiodwhennolongeronPOWER?–yes-Consensus
approval− ShouldmonitoringrequirementforPOWERproviderscomparabletothoseforTEPprovider
(quarterlybasis,5benchmarks)measurethelevelofservicesprovided?o Comment:DHSneedsabetterwaytomeasureaccountabilityforPOWERproviders,
informedbycustomers.o Handvote:noonevotedinfavor.
HybridPolicyOptionsFeedbackScenario#1Childenrichment+programcompliance(notimelimit)
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Generalsupportbygroup:Thisscenariohadthestrongestappealacrossallgroups—bringtoreportw/improvements
− Advocates:yes− City:yes
− Providers:yes− Customers:yes
#2Compliancewithprogramrequirementswithmodifiedsanctionstepdown
− Advocates: no− Customers: no
− Providers:no− City:no
#3ChildEnrichmentwithNoTimeLimit+ParentGrantwithFiveYearTimeLimit
− Customers;no− Advocates:no
#4ProgramCompliance(NoTimeLimit)
− Advocates:no− Customers:no
− Providers:maybe− City:no
− City:split− Providers:no
FinalDecisionsonHybridPolicyOptions:
Scenario#1–improvements
• Proportionaltokidsorgreater• Change%ofsanctionlevelofbenefits:100,80,60,40(from100,80,50,0)
o Questionraised–whereisevidencethatsanctionswork?Response:incustomercommunitydialoguesalotoffeedbackthatinsomehouseholdsitdoeschangesbehavior–inothersisdoesnot.Federallawrequiressomesanctionlawbutdoesn’tsaywhatitmustbe.Themovetothisnew%willresultinlessdramaticsanctions.
• Handvotewithchanges:4No.Approvalwith4dissenting.
Scenario#2includeinreport?NO,inappendixonly(byconsensus)Scenario#3includeinreport?No(byconsensus)Scenario#4includeinreport?No(onevotetokeepinreport)
DiscussionofadditionaloptionsPolicyoption:IfHHatriskofchildgoingintofostercareasaresultoflosingassistance,shouldtheybeeligibleforextension?Yes(allbutonevoter).
Policyoption:Shouldtherebeanextensionacrosstheboardifhighrateofunemployment(ratepredetermined)forthosewithoutcollegedegree(ex.DCrateofunemployment)fortypesofpositionstypicallysoughtbyTANFrecipient.?Yesunanimous.–Consensusapproval
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ServicesafterTANFendsYes/novotetoincludeinreport.Theseweregatheredfromlisteningsessions.Questiontogroup:Areanymissing?Nonemissing,alltobeincludedinreport.Consensusvoteofslate–Consensusapproval
• Transportation/stipend• Childcare• Accesstocasemanagement• Jobreadiness/jobplacement• Paidjobtraining• Familymediation• Homelessprevention• Mentalhealth• Substanceabuse• Basicneeds–housing,food,healthcare
TANFEmploymentServicesImprovementsFeedbackfromListeningSessionsandWorkingGroupandDHSrecommendedimprovementsbasedonthefeedbackwaspresentedbyDavidRoss(DHS/ESA)
Assessments&Outreachslides.Acceptedwithadditions:
− Add:Enhancededucationaloutcomes
SpecializedServicesAccepted
POWERandrehabilitationservicesAcceptedwithadditions:
− EvaluationofPOWERthenconsiderrebrandingofPOWERtobelessstigmatizing− CommonapplicationthatincludesPOWER(makingiteasiertoapply)
EnhancedEducationalOutcomesAcceptedwithadditions:
− providemorerobustservicesforthosewithlowliteracy− improvecollegereferrals
CommunicationstrategyAcceptedwithadditions:
− addsocialmediastrategicplan
TEPprovideremploymentsupportenhancementsAcceptedwithadditions:
− addtraumatrainingonself-careandtraumaforstaff(willleadtodecreasedturnover)− addDHSstafftrainedre:wage/laborlaws
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HousingandutilityassistanceAcceptedwithadditions:
− addDHSworkwithsisteragenciestoimproveservicesforTANFcustomersforassistanceinpaymentofbill.
Childcare–recommendationbyWG.ConsensusApproval.
− Daycarebenefits:decouplefromifparentisparticipating.Intentisthatchildneedsaccesstothis
service,don’tconnectittotheparentdoingwork/training.Otherassistance–recommendationbyWG.ConsensusApproval.
− TrainingforDHSstaffregardingtherequirementsofsisteragencies.Intent–betterreferrals
ESL/ImmigrantHH.Acceptedwithadditions:
− Add:entireTANFprogramistranslated/includehardofhearinganddeafcustomers.− Changetoslidefrom“TEP”programto“TANF”program
OtherrecommendationsbyWG.
− PrioritizeTANFcustomerstofillpositionsatDHSandproviders.Vote:allinfavor.ConsensusApproval.− Insurethatdefinitionof“highwage”and“minimumwage”areupdated.Vote:allinfavor.Consensus
Approval.− CreateresourceguideforTEPprovidersofwhatisavailablethroughTANFcommunity.vote:allin
favor.ConsensusApproval.− Morechildcareoptions(non-traditionalhoursandmoreslotsandmorehours,childrenwithspecial
needs)vote;allinfavor.ConsensusApproval.Additionalsuggestionsworkinggroup(novotetaken):
− Customizedoptionsforunengaged− Assessmentshouldnotdisconnectedfromeligibility− Homevisitingprogramneedsevidencebasedtoolforassessment
FinalVotingEachworkinggroupmemberwasaskedtovoteonthepolicyoptionsthatwillbeincludedinthereport.Therewasdiscussionofdifferentwaystostructurethevote.BarbaskedthattheHybrid#1,Playbytherules,andchildonlyberanked:1lowestto3bestoption(0isdon’tlikeatall).Thenvoteyes/nofortheseextensions:Homeless,FosterCare,Highunemployment.
Thevoteswerecollectedandcountedfollowingadjournment.Theresultsarebelow.
Rankingofpolicy:
− Hybrid#1:41;
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− PlayBytheRules:30;− ChildOnly:27.
Extensioncategories:
− Homeless:Yes:11;No:2− Fostercare:yes:10;No:3− Unemployment:Yes:11;No2
ClosingCircle:WhatdoIhopeistheimpactofmycontributionstotheworkinggrouponthelivesofchildrenandparentswhoparticipateinTANF?
− Morecommunicationbetweenandamong–notjustwhenneeded− Morecommunicationwithcustomers− Workleadstomorefamiliesliftedoutofpoverty− Apolicyemerges,notanother1yearextensionandnotknowing− IncreasestabilityoffamiliesandchildrenintheDC− Itallcomesdowntotheindividual− Stabilitytofamiliesandchildren− Beabetterresourcetocouncil− Hopethatyouallarethinkingofthosewhoaretryingtogetontheirfeetandbecomemoreself-
sufficient–morebeingdoneandnotlookatcustomersinabadwayashasbeendone− Beapartofcreatingpolicythathelps− BegintofightthestigmaofTANFandtheracialinjusticeitreflects− Morerecipientswillbeaskedtoparticipateinandbeheardinthefuture.
Adjourned:3:35PM
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Appendix4TANFHardshipExtensionPolicyOptions:RisksandBenefitsThefollowingsummaryrepresentsopinionsthatwereexpressedbymembersoftheWorkingGrouporbyparticipantsinListeningSessionsandCommunityDialogues.Onlyopinionsthatwereexpressedbymultipleindividualswereincluded.Theseopinionswereorganizedamongthebroadrangeofpolicyoptionsthatemergedfromthesesameprocesses.ThissummaryincludespolicyoptionsthatwererecommendedbytheWorkingGroupaswellasoptionsthatultimatelywerenotincluded.TheentiretyofoptionsisincludedtorepresentthebodyofworkbytheWorkingGroup.
PolicyOption:Notimelimitsregardlessofparentparticipation
Benefits• Familieswithchildrenprotectedfromadditionalhardships.4• Familiesfacingtimelimitsmayhavemultiplebarrierstoemploymentsoreceivingcontinuouscash
assistanceandservicesmayhelpthemremovethesebarriersovertimeandachieveemployment.• RecognizesthatpermanentexitfromTANFisdifficultforsomefamilies,eveninawork-focused,time-
limitedsystem.• Customersexperiencingdomesticviolenceshouldnothavetorisksafetyandprivacybyhavingto
disclosestatusasavictiminordertoreceivebenefits.
Risks• Somebelievethatparentsmaynotfeelincentivizedtoparticipateasitcreatesaprogramwherethere
arerequirementsforthefirstfiveyearsafamilyisreceivingbenefitsbutthennorequirements(andpossiblynoservices).
• Somebelievethatthereistaxpayerfrustrationwith“welfareforlife.”• Somebelievethatin-migrationoffamiliesfromotherstatesthathavetimelimitsmayoccur.
PolicyOption:Nadeaubill
Benefits• Familieswithchildrenprotectedfromadditionalhardships.• Familiesfacingtimelimitsmayhavemultiplebarrierstoemploymentsoreceivingcontinuouscash
assistanceandservicesmayhelpthemremovethesebarriersovertimeandachieveemployment.• MaybelesscostlytotheDistrictthanpayingforhotelsforfamiliesthatmaybecomehomelessunder
otheroptions.• DCmayavoidadditionalcostsassociatedwithprovidingotherservicesforfamiliesthatwouldbe
impactedbyimpositionoftimelimits.
4 Children are negatively impacted by extreme poverty and have poorer educational, health, and lifetime earnings than children who do not live in extreme poverty.
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Risks• Somebelievethatparentsmaynotfeelincentivizedtoparticipateasitcreatesaprogramwherethere
arerequirementsforthefirstfiveyearsafamilyisreceivingbenefits,butthennorequirements(andpossiblynoservices).
• Somebelievethatthereistaxpayerfrustrationwith“welfareforlife.”• Somebelievethatin-migrationoffamiliesfromotherstatesthathavetimelimitsmayoccur.
PolicyOption:Childonlyassistanceregardlessofparentparticipation
Benefits• Childrenareprotectedfromadditionalhardships.• RecognizesthatpermanentexitfromTANFisdifficultforsomefamilieseveninawork-focused,time-
limitedsystem.• Reducesthepotentialforanincreaseinhomelessnessandassociatedcostsifgrantreduction
increaseshousinginstability.• Reducestheriskthatfamiliesmayfacefoodinsecurityandgreaterhousinginstabilityand
homelessness.• Decreasedtraumaandstressforparentsthaniftheentirehouseholdisexitedfromtheprogram.• Reducespotentialriskofincreaseinfostercareduetofamilyinstabilityresultingfromreductionin
grantamount.• Doesnotremoveofimportantprotectivefactorforchildrenrecoveringfromcomplextrauma.• ReducesriskofincreasedhealthcarecostsinthelongtermduetoACEs(AdverseChildhood
Experience)andinmothersthatreturntoabusersforfinancialreasons.
Risks• Parentsloseaccesstoservicesforworkforcedevelopmentandtransportationstipendswhichreduces
potentialforimprovedeconomiccircumstancesforthefamily.• Reducesimpactofsanctiononhouseholdheads.• FamiliesmayincreaseuseofSNAPandotherpublicbenefitstocoverlossofparentportionofgrant.• Somebelievethatparentsmaynotfeelincentivizedtoparticipateasitcreatesaprogramwherethere
arerequirementsforthefirstfiveyearsafamilyisreceivingbenefits,butthennorequirements(andpossiblynoservices).
• Somebelievethatthereistaxpayerfrustrationwith“welfareforlife.”• Somebelievethatin-migrationoffamiliesfromotherstatesthathavetimelimitsmayoccur.
PolicyOption:AttimeofHardshipExtension,familyisatimminentriskofhomelessnessandextensiongrantedregardlessofparentparticipation
Benefits• Housinginsecurefamilieswithchildrenareprotectedfromadditionalhardships.• Familiesthatarenottime-limitedfacelessfoodinsecurity,housinginstability,andhomelessness.• Fewerfamiliesmayenterthehomelesssystem.• ReducesassociatedcoststotheDistrictofprovidinghomelessnessservicesforthesefamilies.• Childreninfamiliesthatarenottime-limitedareprotectedfromadditionalhardships.
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Risks• Somebelievethatparentsmaynotfeelincentivizedtoparticipateasitcreatesaprogramwherethere
arerequirementsforthefirstfiveyearsafamilyisreceivingbenefits,butthennorequirements(andpossiblynoservices).
• Perceptionthatthismayincentivize“homelessness.”• Somebelievethatthereistaxpayerfrustrationwith“welfareforlife.”• Somebelievethatin-migrationoffamiliesfromotherstatesthathavetimelimitsmayoccur.
PolicyOption:“PlaybyRules”withparticipationrequirements–householdnotsanctionedattimeofHardshipExtension
Benefits• Providesopportunitytoallcustomerswhoareparticipatingandprotectshousingstabilityforthose
households.• Parentsareincentivizedtoparticipateorfacesanction/lossofcashassistance.• Childreninfamiliesthatarenottime-limitedareprotectedfromadditionalhardships(e.g.lessfood
insecurity,housinginstability,andhomelessness).
Risks• Familiesthataretime-limitedmayincreaseuseofSNAPandotherpublicbenefits.• Somebelievethatparentsmaynotfeelincentivizedtoparticipateasitcreatesaprogramwherethere
arerequirementsforthefirstfiveyearsafamilyisreceivingbenefits,butthennorequirements(andpossiblynoservices).
• Somebelievethatfamiliesinthisextensioncategorymaydominimumtoavoidsanctionbutnotfullyparticipate.
• Familiesthataretime-limitedmayfacefoodinsecurityandgreaterhousinginstabilityandhomelessness.
PolicyOption:PlaybyRuleswithparticipationrequirements–parentismeetingprogramrequirements(followingIRP)attimeofHardshipExtension
Benefits• Providesopportunitytoallcustomerswhoareparticipatingandprotectshousingstabilityforthose
households.• Parentsareincentivizedtofullyparticipate.• Complianceisbasedoncustomerneeds.• Childreninfamiliesthatarenottime-limitedareprotectedfromadditionalhardships(e.g.,lessfood
insecurity,housinginstability,andhomelessness).
Risks• Familiesthataretime-limitedmayfacefoodinsecurityandgreaterhousinginstabilityand
homelessness.• Childreninfamiliesthataretime-limitedarenotprotectedfromadditionalhardships.• Familiesthataretime-limitedmayincreaseuseofSNAPandotherpublicbenefits.• PotentialforincreasedcoststotheDistrictofprovidinghomelessnessservicesforfamiliesthatare
time-limited.
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• Doesnotprotectchildrenwhoseparentsarenot“playingbytherules”duetosufferingfromPTSDcausedbydomesticviolence.
PolicyOption:“PlaybyRules”withparticipationrequirements–parentisenrolledineducation/trainingattimeofHardshipExtension
Benefits• Providesopportunitytocustomerswhoareparticipatingandprotectshousingstabilityforthose
households.• Parentsareincentivizedtofullyparticipateineducationandtrainingwhichcanleadtogreaterfuture
earningsandimprovedfamilyeconomicstability.• Improvedtaxpayeracceptancesincetime-limitedbenefitwithclearrationale.
Risks• Familiesthataretime-limitedmayfacefoodinsecurityandgreaterhousinginstabilityand
homelessness.• Childreninfamiliesthataretime-limitedarenotprotectedfromadditionalhardships.• Familiesthataretime-limitedmayincreaseuseofSNAPandotherpublicbenefits.• PotentialforincreasedcoststotheDistrictofprovidinghomelessnessservicesforfamiliesthatare
time-limited.• Doesnotprotectchildrenwhoseparentsarenot“playingbytherules”duetosufferingfromPTSD
causedbydomesticviolence.PolicyOption:“PlaybyRules”withparticipationrequirements–parentisworkingpart-timeattimeofHardshipExtension
Benefits• Parentsareincentivizedtofullyparticipateineducationandtrainingwhichcanleadtogreaterfuture
earningsandimprovedfamilyeconomicstability.• Improvedtaxpayeracceptancesincetime-limitedbenefitwithclearrationale.• Encourageswork.• Childreninfamiliesthatarenottime-limitedareprotectedfromadditionalhardships.• Familiesthataretime-limitedmayincreaseuseofSNAPandotherpublicbenefits.
Risks• Familiesthataretime-limitedmayfacefoodinsecurityandgreaterhousinginstabilityand
homelessness.• Childreninfamiliesthataretime-limitedarenotprotectedfromadditionalhardships.• Familiesthataretime-limitedmayincreaseuseofSNAPandotherpublicbenefits.• PotentialforincreasedcoststotheDistrictofprovidinghomelessnessservicesforfamiliesthatare
time-limited.• Doesnotprotectchildrenwhoseparentsarenot“playingbytherules”duetosufferingfromPTSD
causedbydomesticviolence.
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PolicyOption:FamiliesofHouseholdHeadswithlowliteracyregardlessofparentparticipation
Benefits• Recognizeschallengesfamiliesfacewhentheheadofhouseholdhaslowliteracylevelandcannotfind
employment.• Familiesthatarenottime-limitedwillnotfacefoodinsecurityandgreaterhousinginstabilityand
homelessness.• Childreninfamiliesthatthatarenottime-limitedareprotectedfromadditionalhardships.
Risks• Parentswithlowliteracymaynotbeincentivizedtofullyparticipateineducationandtrainingwhich
canleadtogreaterfutureearningsandimprovedfamilyeconomicstability.• Familiesthataretime-limitedmayfacefoodinsecurityandgreaterhousinginstabilityand
homelessness.• Childreninfamiliesthataretime-limitedarenotprotectedfromadditionalhardships.• Familiesthataretime-limitedmayincreaseuseofSNAPandotherpublicbenefits.• PotentialforincreasedcoststotheDistrictofprovidinghomelessnessservicesforfamiliesthatare
time-limited.• Doesnotprotectchildrenwhoseparentsarenot“playingbytherules”duetosufferingfromPTSD
causedbydomesticviolence.
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MAKING JUSTICE REAL
Roberta Downing Economic Security Administration DC Department of Human Services 64 New York Ave. NE Washington, DC 20002
Via Email: Roberta.Downing@dc.gov
Feedback from Legal Aid Society
October 6, 2016
RE: TANF HARDSHIP EXTENSION POLICY WORKING GROUP DRAFT REPORT
Dear Ms. Downing:
We write on behalf of the Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia.1 The Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia was formed in 1932 to "provide legal aid and counsel to Indigent persons In civil law matters and to encourage measures by which the law may better protect and serve their needs." Over the years, legal Aid attorneys and volunteers have served tens of thousands of the District's most vulnerable residents, many of whom have received Temporary Assistance for Needy Families ("TANF"} benefits at some point in their lives.
Through this representation, we have learned that famllies need TANF for a variety of reasons, many of which make it impossible for them to exit the TANF program completely. Our work with these families brought us to the conclusion that District parents and children are not well served by arbitrary deadlines or "one-size fits all" job training programs. This conclusion was echoed throughout the TANF Working Group process.
Over the course of several community listening sessions and three Intensive strategy sessions, we heard from people with a broad array of backgrounds and experiences. Their stories highlighted the barriers to employment TANF parents face, and the dire need for cash assistance to promote successful outcomes for their children In times of economic hardship. We heard, both anecdotally and from local and national policy e,cperts, about the potential consequences of terminating TANF benefits before parents can support themselves through employment Including: food Insecurity, housing Instability and homelessness, child endangerment, and poor school performance. We heard from TANF parents and advocates that Job training programs should be tailored to meet the needs of Individual families, and the desire of the Department of Human Services ("DHS") to undertake the work to make this aspiration a reality.
For these reasons, Legal Aid fully supports the Working Group's recommendation to eliminate the arbitrary 60-month lifetime limit on TANF benefits, and replace It with a program that makes sense for District families. The plan would divide the traditional TANF grant Into two separate grants: a Child Enrichment Grant, and a Parent TANF Grant. The Child Enrichment Grant would ensure at least a base level of cash assistance to children, ensuring that we protect our most vulnerable residents. The Parent TANF Grant lncentivizes parents to engage with OHS by providing more cash assistance to those families who comply with their Individual Responsibility Plans ("IRPs"), while promoting accountability by reducing
1 Legal Aid also endorses the collective comments of the advocacy groups that participated In the Working Group -provided to DHS through the DC Fiscal Policy Institute.
1331 H Street, NW, Suite 350 Washington, DC 20005 Telephone: (202) 628-1161 Fax: (202) 727-2132 www.lC$�dc.org