Understanding the Child-Only TANF Caseload, 2010-2011

This grant to Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago is jointly administered by OPRE and ASPE. Its purpose is to document differences in state policies that affect child-only TANF cases, describe characteristics and dynamics of such cases, and address the programmatic and policy context in which these cases exist. The study will use a mixed-methods approach, combining secondary administrative data analysis; informant interviews at the federal, state, and county levels; and a national survey of TANF administrators. It will provide a broad overview of policies, demographic trends, and program challenges, nationwide and in four focal jurisdictions – California, Florida, Illinois, and New York – that account for 40% of all child-only cases.