Kansas Could Do More For Poor Families and Children. Analysis of TANF Budget and Policies

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1 Kansas Could Do More For Poor Families and Children v Analysis of TANF Budget and Policies

2 v Today s Workshop Why we did this study What we learned What we recommend Finding your own County s TANF data Discussion Doing more with TANF

3 Provides Data Analysis Lead Collaborations Leverage Resources Karen Wulfkuhle, Executive Director United Community Services of Johnson County W 96 Terrace, Suite 200, Lenexa, KS karenw@ucsjoco.org

4 v 20.0% Child poverty steadily increases 19.0% 18.0% 17.6% 16.0% 14.5% 14.0% 12.0% 10.0%

5 v 20.0% Yet, number of children served by TANF dramatically declines 30,000 Child Poverty Rate 18.0% 16.0% 14.0% 12.0% 25,000 20,000 15,000 Children Served in January 10.0% May-14 10,000 Child Poverty Temporary Assistance for Families

6 v How many of Kansas poorest children receive help from TANF 2 in 10 helped by TANF, in 11 helped by TANF, 2014

7 v 3 out of 4 service providers reported requests for help paying for child care went up 2012-today

8 v More than 8 in 10 service providers reported requests for housing aid went up, when compare to previous two years 2012-today

9 v Survey Findings 10% heard from DCF about policy changes 24% worked cooperatively with DCF 50% waited 3 days or more for call back Team staffing

10 What is TANF? Temporary Assistance to Needy Families v Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of Federal block grant for states to provide timelimited cash assistance for needy families, with work requirements for most recipients.

11 v Too few jobs and too little pay At the end of June 2013, 87,000 Kansans were unemployed and looking for work. Yet according to the Kansas Job Vacancy Survey, Kansas has only enough job vacancies to employ about half of the unemployed. Of the 40,000 state-wide job vacancies in 2 nd quarter 2013, more than 4 in 10 were part-time or temporary.

12 What is TANF? Temporary Assistance to Needy Families v States may use their TANF funding in any manner "reasonably calculated to accomplish the purposes of TANF." 1. to provide assistance to needy families so that children can be cared for in their own homes; 2. to reduce dependency by promoting job preparation, work and marriage; 3. to prevent out-of-wedlock pregnancies; 4. and to encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families.

13 v How to qualify for TANF in Kansas One child in the home or pregnant Meet income guidelines Less than $519 a month for a family of 3.

14 v TANF Cash Aid Benefits range from $386 to $429 for a family of three. No adjustment for inflation in 17 years. Fair market rent for two-bedroom apt. in KC area is $738. Few TANF households benefit from public housing assistance. KS limits assets to $2,000, plus vehicle. Prevents building financial cushion.

15 Average monthly persons served by TANF core programs decline v 40,000 30,000 20,000 10,000 - FY 2008 FY 2009 FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 May-14 Temporary Assistance for Families Child Care Assistance Employment Preparation Services

16 v FY 2014 Budget $101.9M federal block grant $ 87.0M state Maintenance of Effort $ 48.7M beginning balance FY 2015 Budget $101.9M federal block grant $ 87.0M state Maintenance of Effort $ 41.0M beginning balance

17 The Budget KS spends less than 30% on core programs v Basic Assistance, Work-Related Activities and Child Care as share of Kansas Total TANF Spending FY 2008 FY 2009 FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013 FY 2014 Basic Assistance Work related activites and supports Child Care FY % 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

18 The Budget Reductions in spending for core programs; increased spending for EITC and other activities. v Total TANF Spending Fiscal Year 2008 All other actitivies 26% Basic Assistance 23% Total TANF Spending Fiscal Year 2013 All other actitivies 34% Basic Assistance 12% Work Related Activites and Supports 4% Child Care 12% Refundable Tax Credits 14% Administra tion and Systems 7% Child Care 24% Work Related Activites and Supports 6% Refundable Tax Credits 32% Administrati on and Systems 6%

19 v Policy Changes Eligibility requirements tightened Stricter sanctions Time limits reduced from months Work experience limited to 6 months Mothers with newborns exempt 2 months, reduced from 6 months Drug testing to be implemented Child care aid requires working 28 hours

20 v Other Challenges Few resources expended for help finding employment Employment services not comprehensive Outcomes not measured for employment Low reimbursement rates for child care Organizational practices

21 Recommendations Strengthen Families v Increase monthly TANF cash grant Eliminate TANF asset limits Reassess policies and practices that deny aid to income eligible families

22 Recommendations Promote Employment v Spend larger share of TANF resources on work related activities. Expand partnership with Workforce Centers. Address barriers to employment. Establish outcome measure related to employment, and hold DCF accountable. Expand educational opportunities for TANF recipients.

23 Recommendations Promote Employment through child care policies v Reset child care policies put in place policies that help mothers work. Return to 6 month work exemption for new mother Return to 20 hours of work per week to receive child care assistance Increase child care subsidy payments to 75 percent of the median.

24 Recommendations Build public/private partnerships v Work in partnership with community organizations. Establish two-way dialogue. Reduce barriers that hinder access to services.

25 Recommendation Exercise responsible stewardship of public funds Spend a larger percentage of TANF funds on programs that directly benefit families cash aid, work activities and child care. Use funds for evidenced based programs. Use data to inform budget and policy decisions, and improve client outcomes. v

26 v Report available at

27 v How to find data on Department for Children and Families website DCF.KS.GOV

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33 Public Assistance Report Statewide, month by month recipient count and cost for TANF, SNAP, child care, employment services and refugee assistance. Historical annual data beginning with 1994.

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35 Monthly Caseload Detail County-bycounty and month-by month detail for TANF, GA, TANF, Child Care. Data by household, adults, children, total persons.

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39 County Packet Average monthly persons served and total expenditures for three fiscal years.

40 v DISCUSSION How to better use TANF to help families achieve economic stability