During the recession, the Oregon TANF agency choose to let more families access cash assistance rather than restrict new applicants. This allowed parents to support their families during hard economic times, but the state had the largest caseload growth in the country between 2007 and 2013. In response to stretched resources, in 2011, the state reduced spending for programs to help move TANF parents to work. The improved economy is gradually reducing TANF cases, but not fast enough to get back to pre-recession levels for many years. Absent more effective action to move more clients into jobs, the dollars dedicated to basic benefits will remain relatively high. This report identifies other steps DHS management could take to put Oregon’s TANF program on more solid ground. Some recommendations include:

• Allowing clients more time and credit for pursuing GED certificates and higher education while working or looking for work;
• Allowing clients with barriers to employment to receive more participation credit for documented progress in activities, such as health care, addiction treatment and vocational rehabilitation, that help them address their barriers;
• Giving credit for partial participation in work-related activities, such as unpaid work experience and community service, particularly for clients with documented barriers.
• The state legislature should revisit budget and program decisions made during the recession that decreased client services and increased the number of TANF clients, using improved data on program performance and client needs.
• Federal auditors should review further federal TANF regulations that limit participation credit for clients who pursue education, health care, addiction treatment and other activities that help them address their barriers to work.

Oregon’s Secretary of State Audit Report – Temporary Assistance for Needy Families: High Expectations, Stronger Partnerships, and Better Data Could Help More Parents Find Work

Improving Fiscal Accountability and Effectiveness of Services in the Kentucky Transitional Assistance Program

Kentucky Ready to Work (RTW) is a partnership between the Kentucky Community and Technical College System and the state TANF agency, the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (KCHFS).  RTW is designed to assist low-income parents in the Kentucky Transitional Assistance Program who are enrolling in and attending community and technical colleges in Kentucky. The program provides the RTW participant with a comprehensive network of support services including counseling, advocacy, mentoring, job skills training, academic success training, tutoring, and referrals to other community based agencies.  The program also provides paid work-study opportunities to participants to allow them to participate in vocational education programs that last longer than 12 months.  RTW Coordinators also assist students in accessing additional supportive services and benefits provided through KCHFS and other agencies including transportation, childcare, and housing assistance.

CLASP Brief – Kentucky’s Ready to Work Program

Program Materials
Ready-to-Work Manual

Ready to Work End of Semester Report: Spring 2013

General Summary Ready to Work Spring 2013

Promoting Career Pathways through Greater Education and Training Options: Kentucky’s TANF Collaboration Presentation Slides

Improving Fiscal Accountability and Effectiveness of Services in the Kentucky Transitional Assistance Program