a job, a better job, a better life

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1 WorkFirst Redesign Washington s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program National Governor Association Center for Best Practices September 2012 Alexis Oliver, Executive Policy Advisor Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire 1

2 Washington s WorkFirst Program Cabinet level partnership referred to as WorkFirst SubCabinet includes: Governor s Office of Financial Management Department of Social & Health Services Department of Commerce Employment Security Department State Board for Community & Technical Colleges Department of Early Learning 2

3 WorkFirst Redesign-How it began With the signing of HB 3141 on April 1, 2010, Governor Christine Gregoire directed the WorkFirst Subcabinet to: Examine how to best meet the challenges for the WorkFirst families to obtain employment and achieve family self-sufficiency, and provide a report and plan to implement evidence based best practices that are sustainable with a block grant program. 3

4 WorkFirst Redesign-What were the challenges The re-examination came as Washington was navigating its way through the worst economy since the Great Depression. Shrinking State Revenues No increases in Federal TANF funding since the program was authorized in 1996 Rising Caseloads January 2008: 50,958 January 2010: 66,002 January 2011: 70,325 4

5 12 Month Child Care Authorizations for ECEAP, Head Start or Early Head Start Kids June Align Federal Participation Rates for 2-Parent Families Eliminate Post-TANF Services Reduce AREN Funding by $2 Million Suspend the Career Services Program for Former TANF Recipients Reduce DCA from $1500 to $1250 Eliminate External Three-Person Sanction Review Panel Reduce Working Connections Childcare (WCCC) Eligibility to 175% FPL Reduce Program Support Services funding by 6% Reduce Employment Services Expenditures by 2.1% Reduce Education and Training Expenditures by 10% Reducing Funding for Supported Works by 9.8% October WorkFirst Policy Changes 2010 to Present February Limit Extensions to the 60-month Time Limit for Non-Child only TANF cases Reduce Diversion Cash Assistance from $1250 to $1000 Reduce TANF Payment Standards by 15% Suspend WCCC Field Trip Fees for Centers Increase WCCC Copayments for families above 82% FPL $726 TANF Grant Maximum Suspend Child Support Pass- Through May 60 Month Time Limit for Child Only Cases with Ineligible Parent Means Testing for Non- Parental Child Only Cases November CEAP funding exhausted for remainder of the fiscal year January Eliminate Child Support Requirement for Child Care Subsidy Programs (CCSP) June April July Deferral/Exemption Criteria Changes for Adults Caring for Disabled Household Members Eliminate Career Services for NAFS Cases Reduce Non- Compliance Sanction (NCS) Period to 4 Months Cure Requirements for NCS Closured Cases January 175% FPL Income Limit Applied to Remaining WCCC Households Reduce Funding by 6.3% for Tribal TANF and Children s Administration March 2 nd Increase WCCC Copayments for families above 82% FPL Implement and Prioritize Access to WCCC (waitlist) Align Participation Requirements for Single parents with a Child under 6 Reduce Partner Agency Services Consolidated Emergency Assistance (CEAP) funding exhausted for remainder of SFY July Participation Suspension Expanded Work Activity Definition Child Support Requirements for Child Care Subsidy DSHS Begins Processing Seasonal Child Care Applications Supported Works Eliminated December February $750 Limit to Additional Requirements for Emergent Need (AREN) Permanent Disqualification for Applicants with 3 or More Non- Compliance Sanctions July Increase TANF Maximum Grant Increase CCSP to 200% FPL Increase CCSP Authorizations to 12 months through December 2012 Suspension Re- Engagement through June

6 WorkFirst Redesign-Core Assumptions to Guide the Redesign Achieving stable and successful employment remains the main objective for WorkFirst Participants A family centered case planning and engagement approach is necessary to achieve good outcomes Policies will recognize the critical role and responsibility of parents in their children's development WorkFirst is a transitional, not long term program to assist families on the pathway to selfsufficiency Leveraging non-tanf resources is crucial to achieving the goals of WorkFirst 6

7 WorkFirst Redesign-Research, Ideas, and Input Research RDA Research (Washington WorkFirst data and analysis) Best Practices Research (looking at other states and studies) Ideas WorkFirst One Table meetings Focus groups (client, service providers and staff from all partner agencies) Input Surveys (clients and service providers) Input from many additional sources including; One Table members, Tribes, advocate groups and other stakeholders 7

8 2010 WorkFirst Re-Examination Planning Process Best Practices Research Group Redesign Teams Sub 2 Research and Data Analysis Information Gathering Analysis Eligibility & Benefits Workforce Attachment & Job Development Workforce Education & Training Child Care Child-only Cases Parental Responsibility & Child Development Case Planning & Case Management Financing & Resource Leveraging 1 Identification of Redesign Options that Require Legislation or Have Major Budget Impact Review Revise Approve Subcabinet Review Revise Approve Final Report to the Governor Process Improvement & Efficiencies 2 One Table Group Input Current Program Assessment Redesign Recommendations Final Redesign Plan Focus Groups Data Group Information July 2010 August 2010 September 2010 October 2010 November 2010 December

9 WorkFirst Redesign-What We Learned 9

10 WorkFirst Redesign-What We Learned 10

11 WorkFirst Redesign-What We Learned 11

12 WorkFirst Redesign-What We Learned 12

13 WorkFirst Redesign-What We Learned 13

14 WorkFirst Redesign-What We Learned 14

15 WorkFirst Redesign-What We Learned 15

16 WorkFirst Redesign-What We Learned 16

17 WorkFirst Redesign-What We Learned Best Practices Research Group Strengthening Families Addressing Major Barriers WorkForce Development Child Only/Kinship Care 17

18 WorkFirst Redesign- Common Themes Emerged WorkFirst participants are an asset to Washington s economy Focus on the whole family Risk Factors Impact Outcomes for Participants and Dependence on TANF Cash Assistance Move from Participation that Counts to Engagement that Matters Person and Family Centered Engagement through an Individualized Case Management Model 18

19 WorkFirst Redesign Recommendations 1. Implement additional reasonable requirements and supports for child-only TANF families 2. Involve participants and local partners in the design and delivery of WorkFirst orientations 3. Strengthen the assessment process 4. Implement new requirements for WorkFirst families with young children in school less than full time 5. Improve employment pathway activities 6. Implement individualized case management and four new engagement tracks to increase opportunities for successful outcomes 7. Re-introduce Post TANF services 8. Implement a continuous evaluation process 19

20 Questions? Website: Alexis Oliver Executive Policy Advisor Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire Phone:

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA S TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF) PROGRAM

An Affiliate of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities 820 First Street NE, Suite 460 Washington, DC 20002 (202) 408-1080 Fax (202) 408-8173 www.dcfpi.org DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA S TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE