Some TANF recipients may have disabilities that would qualify them for the specialized employment preparation services Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agencies provide. This brief explores the benefits and challenges of linking TANF and VR services, describes partnerships that have been formed in...

The implementation of more stringent sanctions as part of welfare reform has been accompanied by interest in how sanctions are used and their outcomes. This report analyzes how TANF sanctions have been implemented in Illinois, New Jersey, and South Carolina, based on six key tasks: informing...

This study identified Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients (that is, welfare recipients) who use mental health services, compared them with Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients, and estimated the number of TANF recipients who might qualify for SSI.

Identifies strategies that state and local welfare offices are using to promote participation in food stamps, Medicaid, and SCHIP. Also discusses challenges they face in providing support to working families. The findings suggest that diverse strategies, focusing on program awareness,...

Assessment is often the first step in helping TANF recipients living with a disability find and maintain employment. This brief describes five different approaches to assessment: disability screening, psychosocial assessments, clinical and psychological assessments, functional needs assessments,...

Based on survey findings, this report examines the characteristics, circumstances, and job readiness of single-parent TANF cases, noting that most are not long-term welfare recipients, and the majority had some paid employment in the past two years. However, many had weak educational backgrounds...

Documents findings from a short-term study that identifies and describes four types of work-based program models that are serving, or could serve, hard-to-employ TANF recipients. Also assesses the feasibility of conducting a rigorous, large-scale evaluation of these programs.

This resource guide provides examples of program strategies and approaches, including creating a positive context and coordinating services, to help people who face difficult challenges in making the transition into employment.

Dramatic changes in the welfare system have drawn attention to the need to engage a broader group of welfare recipients in activities that build their capacity to work. Some state and local programs currently strive to engage all or most TANF recipients in work-related pursuits, but little is...