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Local Implementation of TANF in Five Sites
Final Report

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    TITLE PAGE

    EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

  1. INTRODUCTION
    1. STUDY PURPOSE
    2. METHODOLOGY
      1. Site Selection Criteria
      2. Local Offices Selected
      3. Site Visit Discussions
    3. ORGANIZATION OF THIS REPORT
  2. SUMMARY OF THE TANF PROGRAM AT THE LOCAL SITES
    1. PROGRAM STRUCTURE
    2. STATE CONTEXT
      1. TANF Caseloads
      2. TANF Policies
  3. FINDINGS
    1. PROGRAM GOALS AND PHILOSOPHIES VARIED SUBSTANTIALLY AND WERE GREATLY INFLUENCED BY THE STATE
    2. MOST CHANGES IN POLICY AND PROCEDURE ORIGINATE AT THE STATE LEVEL
      1. Changes in Sanction Policies and Procedures
      2. Shifting Responsibility for Employment-related Activities
      3. Changes in Pre-Eligibility Requirements
      4. New Extensions of Assistance
      5. Changes in Contracts and Contractors
      6. Adoption of a Service Integration Pilot
    3. LOCALLY DRIVEN CHANGES GENERALLY FOCUS ON OFFICE PROCEDURES
      1. A New Streamlined Intake Process
      2. Creation of Transportation Services
      3. New Effort to Manage Contractor Services
      4. New Consolidation of Offices
      5. Increased Emphasis on Community Work Experience Program
    4. STATE AND LOCAL POLICIES LIMIT PARTICIPATION IN TANF
      1. Re-emphasizing Up-front Job Search
      2. Creation of New Work Programs
    5. TANF PROGRAM FUNCTIONS ARE BEING CARRIED OUT BY INCREASINGLY COMPLICATED INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURES, A CHANGE THAT MAY AFFECT PARTICIPATION IN TANF AS WELL AS STAFF COMMUNICATIONS AND COORDINATION
    6. LOW BENEFIT LEVELS MAY AFFECT CLIENT PARTICIPATION AND SANCTION EFFECTIVENESS
  4. CONCLUSIONS
    1. TANF PROGRAMS CONTINUE TO EVOLVE
    2. THERE IS LIMITED FLEXIBILITY IN THE TANF PROGRAM AT THE LOCAL LEVEL
    3. TANF PROGRAMS VARIED CONSIDERABLY BY SITE
    4. DIVIDED RESPONSIBILITY FOR ELIGIBILITY AND EMPLOYMENT FUNCTIONS MAY AFFECT TANF'S COHERENCE AND PERFORMANCE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL
    5. TANF REAUTHORIZATION IS LIKELY TO GENERATE ADDITIONAL CHANGES IN LOCAL TANF OFFICES


 

 

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