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ReporttotheDirectoroftheDCDepartmentofHumanServices(DHS)fromtheWorkingGrouptoInformaTANFHardshipExtensionPolicyfortheDistrictofColumbia

RecommendationsforDevelopmentofaTANFHardshipExtensionPolicyforWashington,DC

PreparedbyBarbaraPoppeandAssociatesinpartnershipwiththeEconomicSecurityAdministration(ESA)withintheDCDepartmentofHumanServicesOctober18,2016

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DHSMissionStatement:

ThemissionoftheDCDepartmentofHumanServicesistoempowereveryDistrictresidenttoreachtheirfullpotentialbyproviding

meaningfulconnectionstoworkopportunities,economicassistance,andsupportiveservices.

Formoreinformation,pleasevisitwww.dhs.dc.gov.

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MembersoftheWorkingGrouptoInformaTANFHardshipExtensionPolicyfortheDistrictofColumbia

11TANFcustomersYvetteAlexander,DCCouncilmemberYulondraBarlow,OfficeofCouncilmemberAlexanderBrianCampbell,EconomicSecurityAdministration,DHSCurtCampbell,LegalAidSocietyoftheDistrictofColumbiaTamithaChristian,EconomicSecurityAdministration,DHSAndreaGleaves,DCCoalitionAgainstDomesticViolenceSharraGreer,Children’sLawCenterMoniqueGraham,FarSoutheastFamilyStrengtheningCollaborativeDarbyHickey,OfficeofCouncilmemberGrossoKellyHunt,OfficeofCouncilmemberSilvermanMonicaKamen,DCFairBudgetCoalitionWon-okKim,EconomicSecurityAdministration,DHSJeremyLares,GrantAssociatesErinLarkin,DCCoalitionAgainstDomesticViolenceEdLazere,DCFiscalPolicyInstituteTaiMeah,OfficeofCouncilmemberNadeauGingerMoored,OfficeoftheChiefFinancialOfficerBrianneNadeau,DCCouncilmemberDavidRoss,EconomicSecurityAdministration,DHSJudithSandalow,Children’sLawCenterAntheaSeymour,EconomicSecurityAdministration,DHSElissaSilverman,DCCouncilmemberLisaSimmons,VicePresident,MAXIMUS,Inc.KellySweeneyMcShane,CommunityofHopeJenniferTiller,AmericaWorksofWashington,DC

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TableofContents

ExecutiveSummary…………………………………………………………………………………………… 5

Background………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 7

DescriptionofDCTANFProgram…………………………………………………………………….. 13

DataonFamiliesReceivingTANFCashBenefits………………………………………………… 17

KeyThemes……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 29

Recommendations………………………………………………………………………………………..……

• ExtensionPolicyOptions• POWERImprovements• TANFProgramServicesImprovements• PostTANFServices

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Appendices……………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Appendix 1. Listening Sessions

Appendix 2. Community Dialogues

Appendix 3. Notes from Working Group meetings

Appendix 4. TANF Hardship Extension Policy Options: Opinions on Risk and

Benefits

Appendix 5. CommentsondraftreportfromWorkingGroupmembers

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ExecutiveSummary

Thisreportdocumentstherecommendations,deliberations,andstakeholders’feedbackfordevelopingahardshipextensionpolicyandrelatedimprovementstotheDistrictofColumbia’sTemporaryAssistanceforNeedyFamilies(TANF)program.ThePersonalResponsibilityandWorkOpportunityActof1996(PRWORA)thatcreatedTANFimposeda60monthlifetimelimitonTANFassistance.IfstateswishtoextendTANFassistancebeyond60months,federallawprovidesthatstatesmustfundthoseservicesthemselvesbutmayusefederalTANFfundstosupportupto20percentofthecaseloadbeyond60months.ManystateshavedevelopedTANFhardshippoliciessothatvulnerablefamiliescancontinuetoreceiveassistancebeyond60months.In2011,theDCCouncilenactedatimelimittostepdownbenefitsforfamilieswhohadbeenontheTANFprogramforlongerthan60months.InFY16andFY17,theMayorandCouncilchosetocontinuefundingforfamiliesbeyond60monthsandnotimplementafulleliminationofbenefits.Currentlawmandatesthatthenew60monthtimelimitgointoeffectonOctober1,2017.TheDistrictofColumbiaPublicAssistanceAmendmentActof2015(B21-0515),introducedbyCouncilmembersNadeau,Silverman,May,Todd,Orange,andBondsonDecember1,2015,isunderconsiderationbytheDCCouncilandhasbeenreferredtotheCommitteeonHealthandHumanServices.ThelegislationwouldchangetheDistrict’scurrentTANFtimelimittocontinueprovidingcashbenefitspast60monthstocertaingroupsofTANFcustomersandmaintainbenefitsforchildreniftheadultsinthegrantarenolongereligible.InpreparationforthepotentialofaTANFtimelimitbeingenforcedin2017,DC’sDepartmentofHumanServices(DHS)embarkedonacomprehensiveprocesstoengagemultiplestakeholdersinadialogueaboutoptionsforapossibleTANFhardshipextensionpolicy.DHSinvitedTANFcustomers,advocates,providers,andmembersoftheDCCounciltojoinaTANFWorkingGroupandoutlinedaprocesswhichincludedlisteningsessions,WorkingGroupmeetings,andcommunitymeetingsheldoverthespanoftwomonths,facilitatedbyBarbaraPoppeandAssociates,anoutsideconsultant.ThisreportwaswrittentodocumenttheprocessandoutlinerecommendationsforsubmissiontoLauraGreenZeilinger,DirectorofDC’sDepartmentofHumanServices.TheWorkingGroupaddressedthefollowingquestions:(1)WhichfamiliesshouldcontinuetoreceiveTANFassistancepast60months,(2)Whatamountofassistanceshouldbeprovidedandforhowlong,and(3)Whatconditionsandrequirementsshouldbeinplaceinordertocontinuereceivingassistancebeyond60months.AlsoconsideredwerebestapproachesforservingfamiliesaftertheirTANFassistanceendsinvoluntarily.AcommongoalamongallWorkingGroupmemberswastoidentifyandrecommendapolicythatwastwo-generational(i.e.,focusedonenrichingbothparentandchild),keptappropriateresourcesinthehouseholdtosupportchildren,incentivizedworkparticipationfortheheadsofhousehold,andprotectedthemostvulnerablefamilies.ThisreportprovidesasummarydescriptionoftheTANFprogramanditskeycomponents,qualitativeandquantitativedataconsideredbytheWorkingGroup,asetofrecommendationsforconsiderationbytheAdministrationandCouncilonTANFextensionpolicyoptions,suggestedimprovementstotheProgramonWorkEmploymentandResponsibility(POWER),improvementstoTANFEmploymentProgram(TEP)services,andrecommendedservicesforwhichTANFcustomersshouldbeeligibleforaftertimingoffofTANF.

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TheWorkingGrouptriedtoreachconsensussupportforeachrecommendation.Whenconsensuswasnotachievable,ahandvotewastaken.Iftherewasamajorityinfavor,therecommendationwasacceptedwiththenumberofdissentingvotesnoted.ThegroupconsideredanumberofpolicyframeworksforhowtheDistrictcouldextendbenefitstoparticularfamiliesaftertheyhavebeenonTANFforlongerthan60months.TheWorkingGroupidentifiedapreferredextensionpolicythathadtheapprovalofamajorityofgroupmembers.ThatproposalwouldcreatetwoseparateTANFgrants:aChildEnrichmentGrantandaParentTANFGrantwithIndividualResponsibilityPlan(IRP)Compliance(hereafterreferredtoasParentTANFGrant).Thegroupfeltthatthisapproachembracedatwo-generationalpolicythatkeptresourcesinthehouseholdtoprotectandsupportchildrenandalsoincentivizedprogramparticipationonthepartoftheheadofhousehold.Thisapproachdidnotreceiveunanimousapprovalwhenavoteonthisoptionwastaken;fourgroupmembersdissented.Thosewhodissentedagreedinprinciplewiththepolicyrecommendationbutdisagreedwiththesuggestionthatthegroupmadewithregardtohowthetwograntswouldbeweighted.OtherpolicyoptionsconsideredbytheWorkingGroupincludedthefollowing:

– Providinganextensiontofamiliesatimminentriskofhomelessness– Providinganextensiontofamiliesatriskofentryintochildprotection– Grantextensionsbeyond60monthsduringperiodsofhighunemployment− AnexpansionofeligibilityforPOWERtocustomerswithanewborn− Improvedservicedelivery− ImprovedcommunicationwithcustomersaboutTANFprogramservicesandcommunity

resources− Improvedassessmentstoidentifycustomers’barrierstoemployment− ThecreationofmorepersonalizedIndividualResponsibilityPlans(IRPs)andadditionalsupports− EnsuringthatfamiliesthatareinvoluntarilyexitedfromTANFreceivealltheotherservices

providedbytheDistrictforwhichtheyareeligibleaswellasreferralstocommunityprogramsthatmightmeetafamily’suniqueneeds.

AnumberofothermorespecificpolicyrecommendationsforvariouspartsoftheTANFprogramweredocumentedthroughoutthisprocess.DHSwillworkwiththeOfficeoftheChiefFinancialOfficer(OCFO)todeterminetheestimatedbudgetcostsforeachofthepolicyoptionsconsideredbytheWorkingGroup.

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BackgroundTemporaryAssistanceforNeedyFamilies(TANF)isafederalblockgrantthatstatesreceivetoprovidecashassistanceandsupportservicestolow-incomefamilieswithchildren.Federallawhasa60monthtimelimitonassistanceforuseofFederalTANFfunds.However,FederallawalsoprovidesthatstatesmayuseFederalTANFfundstosupportupto20percentofthecaseloadbeyond60months(knownasahardshipexemption).

In2011,theDCCouncilvotedtostepdownbenefitsforfamilieswhohadbeenonTANFforlongerthan60monthsandimposedacompletecut-offasofOctober1,2015.InFY16andFY17,theMayorandCounciltwiceextendedthattimelimit.CurrentlawmandatesthatthetimelimitgointoeffectonOctober1,2017.

Morethan15,000familiesarecurrentlyenrolledintheDistrictofColumbia’sTANFprogram.Approximately5,700ofthosefamilieshavereceivedTANFbenefitsforlongerthan60monthsandaresubjecttoalossofbenefitsifthetimelimitgoesintoeffectonOctober1,2017.FamiliesonTANFaresomeofthemostvulnerableintheDistrictwithcomplexchallengesthatpreventthemfromworking.DCalsohasaparticularjobmarketwherethejobsavailableoftendonotmatchtheskillsetandbackgroundofTANFcustomers.

ManystateshavedevelopedTANFhardshipextensionpoliciesthatallowfamilieswithparticularcircumstancestoremainonTANFinordertominimizeharmtothefamilyfromahardcutofffromcashassistance.GivenapossibleupcomingTANFtimelimitforDistrictfamilies,DHSsoughttoexamineoptionsforahardshipextensionpolicy.WithaneffectiveTANFextensionpolicy,someoftheDistrict’smostvulnerablefamilieswouldcontinuetoreceivecriticalsupportthroughTANF.

ChargetotheWorkingGroupLauraGreenZeilinger,DirectoroftheDCDepartmentofHumanServices(DHS),chargedtheEconomicSecurityAdministration(ESA)withinDHStoconveneaworkinggroupcomprisedofkeyconstituenciestodeveloprecommendationsforahardshipextensionpolicy.TheTANFWorkingGroup,composedofTANFcustomers,advocates,serviceproviders,lawmakers,andgovernmentadministrators(seeprefaceforalistofWorkingGroupmembers),waschargedwithsubmittingareportwiththeirrecommendationsforanextensionpolicytoDirectorZeilingerbySeptember30,2016(however,thedeadlinewasextendedwhenstakeholdersrequestedmoretimetoreviewthedraftreport).Thepolicyoptionsweretoaddresswhichfamiliesshouldcontinuetoreceiveassistance,theamountandlengthoftimethatassistanceshouldbeprovided,andtheconditionsandrequirementstocontinuereceivingassistancebeyond60months.ThechargeincludedmakingrecommendationsbasedontargetedbudgetmarksforFY18.ThispartofthechargewasdismissedbeforethefinalWorkingGroupmeeting,however,inresponsetosomeWorkingGroupmemberswhopreferredtoprovidepolicyrecommendationsoutsidetheconstraintsofbudgetmarks.TheTANFWorkingGroupwasalsoaskedtorecommendapproachestomoreeffectivelyservefamiliesaftertheirTANFassistanceends.

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OverviewoftheProcessDHSreleasedacompetitiveRFPtosolicitafacilitatorandawardedacontracttoPublicPerformanceManagement,alocallyownedbusiness.PublicPerformanceManagementsuggestedBarbaraPoppeandAssociatesasthefacilitator.TheTANFWorkingGroupmetthreetimesduringAugustandSeptember2016.FourseparatelisteningsessionswereconductedwithTANFcustomers,advocates,serviceproviders,andCouncilmembersinadvanceofthefirstworkinggroupmeeting.FiveCommunityDialogueswerealsoheldwithTANFcustomersthroughouttheWorkingGroupprocesstoelicitfeedbackandexplorewaystohelphouseholdsthatwouldnotreceiveahardshipextension.TheWorkingGroupalsoheardapresentationfromDr.LaDonnaPavetti,VicePresidentforFamilyIncomeSupportPolicyattheCenteronBudgetandPolicyPriorities,anationallyrecognizedexpert,whodiscussedthehistoryofTANFtimelimitsandtheeffectsoftimelimitsonfamilies.AgendasandnotesfromtheWorkingGroupmeetingsaswellassummarynotesfromtheListeningSessionsandCommunityDialoguesareincludedintheAppendix.

PurposeandValueofTANFStatutoryandRegulatoryBackground

CreatedbythePersonalResponsibilityandWorkOpportunityReconciliationActof1996(PRWORA),TANFhasbeenbothcriticizedandapplaudedforitsworkrequirements,timelimits,sanctionspolicy,andotherfeatures.Fundedthroughafederalblockgrant,stateshavewidediscretionintheiruseofTANFfunds,solongastheusesmeetoneoffourpurposes:

1) Provideassistancetoneedyfamiliessothatchildrenmaybecaredforintheirownhomeorthehomeofrelatives;

2) Endthedependenceofneedyparentsongovernmentbenefitsbypromotingjobpreparation,work,andmarriage;

3) Preventandreducetheincidenceofout-of-wedlockpregnancies;and4) Encouragetheformationandmaintenanceoftwo-parentfamilies.

Stateshavewidelatitudeintheinterpretationandimplementationofthe60monthtimelimit.Somestateshaveverynarrowlyadheredtothefederallydefinedtimelimitandinsomecaseshaveevenshortenedit.Otherstateshavemaximizedandevenaugmentedthefederalgrantwithlocalresourcestosupportmorefamiliesundermorecircumstances.Federallawdoesnotimposeatimelimiton“child-onlyfamilies”(wherethereisnotaneligibleadult1intheassistanceunit)oronfamiliesreceivingassistancefundedentirelywithstatefunds.

1 Non-eligible adults include an immigrant parent, a parent on Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or a nonparent caregiver.

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TherearenotwoTANFprogramsinthenationwhichlookalike.WhenPROWRAwaspassedin1996,manystateswentthroughtheexerciseofchangingtheirprogramstoconformtothefederalregulationsatthattime.TheDistrictelectedtoinvestlocalresourcessothatfamilieswouldnotloseassistance,whicheffectivelyremovedatimelimitonreceiptofTANFbenefits.However,in2011,Districtlawchangedtoenactatimelimitandtograduallyreducebenefitsforthoseexceeding60monthsonTANF.

AnewbilliscurrentlyunderconsiderationbytheDCCouncilthatwouldamendtheDistrict’sTANFtimelimitpolicy.TheDistrictofColumbiaPublicAssistanceAmendmentActof2015(B21-0515),introducedbyCouncilmembersNadeau,Silverman,May,Todd,Orange,andBondsonDecember1,2015,hasbeenreferredtotheCommitteeonHealthandHumanServices.UnderB21-0515,multiplegroupswouldbeexemptedfromtheTANFtimeclockincludingchildren,customerswhoarecaringforahousehold

Exemptionsv.ExtensionsExemptionsallowhouseholdstoreceivethefullTANFgrant,“stoptheclock,”andsuspendparticipationrequirements.Exemptionsareforpeoplewhocannotengageinworkactivitiesduetosignificantbarrierswhethertemporaryorlong-term.IntheDistrict,TANFcustomerswhoparticipateintheProgramonWork,Employment,andResponsibility(POWER)canreceiveanexemptionbasedonshortorlong-termissuesthatpreventcustomersfromworkingsuchasmentalorphysicalhealthissues(includingsubstanceabusetreatment),disabilities,domesticviolence,TANFcustomersovertheageof60,pregnantorparentingteenagerswhomeetcertainconditions,andthosewhoarecaringforafamilymemberwhoismentallyorphysicallyincapacitated.

AnextensionwouldallowafamilytoregaineligibilityforTANFiftheymeetcertainconditionsandprovidesadditionaltimeonTANFforfamilieswhohavealreadyreachedtheFederaltimelimit.Stateshavelatitudeindeterminingwhoiseligibleforanextension.Factorssuchasahighunemploymentrate,personalbarriers,andpreservingresourcesinthehomeforchildrenareallexamplesofcriteriathatstateshaveusedfortheirTANFextensionpolicies.

memberwhoisphysicallyormentallyincapacitated,customersdealingwithdomesticviolence,pregnantorparentingteenswhomeetcertainconditions,aparentorcaretakerwhois60yearsorolder,andthosewhoaremeetingtherequirementsoftheirIndividualResponsibilityPlanandareenrolledinaneducationortrainingprogram.B21-0515wouldalsograntTANFextensionsbeyond60monthstocustomersbasedonthefollowingcriteria:

(1) Thesamecriterialaidoutabovethatwouldqualifyacustomerforanexemption(2) IfcustomersarecomplyingwiththeirIndividualResponsibilityPlan(IRP)2andarenot

sanctioned(3) Iftheunemploymentrateforcustomerswithoutahighschooldegreeishigherthanseven

percent

2 An IRP is the agreed upon plan that a customer develops with the assistance of their case worker to outline their goals, action steps, and timetable for completion.

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(4) Ifthecustomerexperiencessignificantbarrierstoemploymentincludinglowliteracy,alearningdisability,orphysicalormentalimpairments

(5) Ifthecustomerisatriskofhomelessness(6) Ifthecustomer’schildrenareatriskofenteringthefostercaresystem.

CustomerPerspectives

FromtheperspectiveoffamiliesthatreceiveTANF,ascapturedthroughtheWorkingGroupdeliberations,theListeningSessions,andtheCommunityDialogues,TANFisviewedasthefinalsafetynetwhenallotherresourceshavebeenexhausted.TANFallowsfamiliestocarefortheirchildrenandadvancetheireffortstoimprovetheirfamily’seconomicstabilitythroughemploymentandtrainingactivities.TANFcustomerscitedseveralbarrierstobeingabletofullyparticipateintheTANFprogram,includinglackofaccesstochildcare,transportation,casemanagement,andemploymentleads.Customersidentifiedandappreciatedthestrengthsoftheprogramandspokehighlyofindividualizedcasemanagementandtheopportunitiesavailablethroughtheservicedeliveryoptions.

CustomersalsoarticulatedthateventhoughTANFisasafetynet,itisaporoussafetynext.ThemerefactthatonereceivesTANFdoesnotensureeitherstabilityorsuccess.Thelackofabroadnetworkofsupportmeansthateventheslightestbumporanomalycansendsomefamiliesintoatailspin,whichcanbehardtostop.Acarproblemforonefamily,whichcouldberemediedwitha$300creditcardpayment,mayforaverylow-incomefamilyquiteeasilyresultinalossoftransportation,whichresultsinthelossofajob,whichresultsinthelossofahome,whichthenleadsafamilytotheTANFprogram.

ExpertperspectivesInthepresentationtotheWorkingGroupbyDr.LaDonnaPavetti,Dr.PavettidiscussedthehistoryofTANFtimelimitsandtheimpactoftimelimitsonfamilies.Shestatedthatbackinthe1990swhenoriginallyproposed,thetimelimitcamewiththeguaranteeofajobattheendofthetimeline.However,thatjobguaranteedidnotremaininthefinallegislation(PRWORA)thatendedupbecominglaw.ItwasnevertheoriginalintentofthefederallawtotakeawaysafetynetsbutrathertoprovideasenseofurgencyforTANFagenciesandparticipantstosecureemployment.Additionally,whenthelawwasdrafted,farlesswasknownaboutthecharacteristicsandneedsoffamiliesreceivingcashassistance.Wenowknowmuchmoreandcanusethisknowledgetoourbenefit.

Dr.Pavettisuggestedthatgivenwhatwehavelearnedfromotherstatesthathaveimplementedtimelimits,thelikelihoodofemploymentafterbeingcutoffofTANFduetoatimelimitisabout30%atbest.Researchsuggeststhatifpeoplearecutoff,theyarenotlikelytofindjobsontheirown.Ifextensionsarenotputinplace,therewillbeagroupoffamiliesthatcontinuestobeunemployedafterlosingtheirbenefitsandthereisalowlikelihoodthatindividualswillreceiveothercashbenefits(i.e.,SupplementalSecurityIncomeorSSI)sinceenrollinginSSIisverydifficult.MostfamilieswhohavebeenonTANFlongerthan60monthshavemultiplebarrierstoworkbutnotonebarrierlargeenoughtoqualifythemforSSI.Atbest,10%arelikelytoreceiveSSIbenefits.

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Ethnographicresearchhasshownthatwhenfamilieshavenoavailablecash,theyresorttodesperatemeasurestomeettheirbasicneeds.Suchmeasuresincludemovingintosituationsorhomesthatindividualsknowareunhealthyorengaginginriskywork.Manyfamiliesmayscrapetogethermoneytomeettheirneedsbuttheseopportunitiesarenotusuallysteady,creatingdailyuncertaintyandstress.Dr.Pavettistatedthatcashisanecessityforallfamiliesbecauseotheroptionsarenotenoughtomeetneedswithconsistency.

CitingastudythatwasconductedinWashingtonstatewheretheytightenedextensionsfortimelimits,Dr.Pavettisaidthatthestatesawanincreaseinhomelessnessaswellasanincreaseinchildmaltreatmentresultinginanincreaseinfostercareandengagementwiththechildwelfaresystem.Additionally,ifchildrenareinunstablesituationsandexposedtoharm,therearelifelonghealthconsequenceswhichresultinhugecostsinthehealthcaresystem.Dr.Pavettistatedthatitisalsoimportanttoconsiderwhatwillhappenwhenthenextrecessionhits.

Dr.PavetticommendedDCfortheincredibleprogressthathasbeenmadeinemploymentservicesbutsaidthatDC’semploymentservicesarenotnecessarilygearedtowardspeoplewhoarenotquicktogainwork.Someindividualsneedmoretimetoworkonmentalhealthorotherbarriersandtheseindividualsarenotwellservedbycurrentprograms.Itisveryimportanttounderstandthatdatadoesnotshowthatremovingbenefitsleadspeopletoworkifthereisnotagoodjobmarket.Peopleoftendonothavejobsduetotheirlackofskillsandresources.Thelackofajobmaybebecausetherearen’tsufficientjobopeningsthatfitcustomers’scheduleasparents.TANFisanimportantsafetynetthatshouldcatchpeoplewhenthelabormarketandeconomicsystemsdonotwork.

OtherperspectivesForsomemembersoftheWorkingGroup,theprimaryimportanceofTANFwasthatitisaresourcetoprotectchildrenandmeetafamily’smostbasicneeds.Forothers,theprimaryimportanceofTANFistoprovideasetoftailoredservicestohelpparentsachievegreatereconomicindependencethroughtraining,education,andemploymentplacementwhilereceivingcashassistancetohelpafamilymeetitsbasicneeds.ManyalsoviewedTANFasaprogramthatshouldaddressbothcorevalues.

AllWorkingGroupmembersnotedthatwhiletheactualamountofcashassistanceforfamiliesbeyond60monthsisverylow,itwasinfactveryvaluablesincethereweresofewotherresourcesavailabletoafamily.Forexample,theabilitytouseTANFcashassistancetopaytheutilitybillwascitedasawayforafamilytocontinuetostaywithafriendorfamilymemberandavoidhomelessness.Forsome,however,tensionariseswhendiscussingwhethertocontinueprovidingTANFcashassistancetohouseholdsasasafetynetevenwhentheadultisnotmeetingTANFparticipationrequirements.Somebelievethatbyprovidingcashassistancewithoutparticipationrequirementsiscountertoencouragingandsupportingwork.

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StakeholdersintheTANFprogramintheDistrictofColumbiahavediversevalueswithregardtotheprogram.Ontheonehand,researchshowsthatpullingcashoutofanalreadyimpoverishedhomecanharmthechildreninthathomeandcreatepressuresonothersystemsinthecommunity.Also,withthesmallsizeoftheTANFgrant,customersareforcedtomakehardchoices.Thosechoicesinvariablybendtowardsmakingthebestdecisionpossibletomeetthepresentingneedorcrisis.Ontheotherhand,TANFisdesignedtobeatemporarysupportforfamilieswhiletheadultsinthehouseholdbuildtheircapacity.Itinvestsinparentsthroughjobtrainingandemploymentprograms,barrierremediationprograms,andworksupports.Itrecognizesthattheonlywaythatanindividual–andbyextension,afamily–canbuildself-sufficiency,isthroughengaging.TheTANFprogramintheDistricthasbeendesignedtodefineengagementinthebroadestmannerpossible.Forone,itcouldbeafulltimejob;foranotheritcouldbecaringforasickchild;andforanotheritcouldbeattendingsubstanceabusetreatment.

Alltheseperspectivesrepresentreasonablevalues.Someidentifythechildasthecorevalue,regardlessoftheengagementoftheparents.Othersidentifytheengagementoftheparentasthecorevalue,regardlessoftheimpactonthechild.Itisimportanttorecognizethatthereisalsothepositionofsome– includingsomecustomers,someproviders,andsomeamongthegeneralpublic–whoholdthevaluethat“enoughisenough.”Somebelievethat60monthsisampleopportunitytopulloneselftogetherandthateachindividualhaspersonalresponsibilityfortakingcareoftheirfamilies.

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DescriptionoftheDCTANFProgramTANFProgramOverviewThefederalTANFblockgranthasreceivedthesameleveloffunding,$16.5billion,everyyearsinceTANF’sinceptionin1996.Duetoinflation,therealvalueoftheTANFblockgranthasfallenbyaboutone-third.3InFY2016,DC’sTANFprogramreceived$92millionfromtheTANFblockgrant.TANFcustomerswhohavebeenontheprogramforlessthan60monthsreceiveanaverageof$395permonthincashassistance.AfteracustomerhasbeenonTANFforlongerthan60months,theirbenefitsarescaledbacktoroughly$150permonthonaverage.

DHSstrivestoimplementanaccountable,compassionate,andperson-centeredmodeltohelpcustomerstobuildtheireconomicsecurity,obtainorincreaseearnings,andtransitionoffTANF.Theagencyoffersavarietyofservicesincluding:

• Enhancedcustomerassessments• Personalizedreferralstoservicestoaddressbarriers• ReferralstoaTANFEmploymentProvider(TEP)toobtainemploymentorincreaseemployability

skills• Casecoordinationandsupervision• Effortstounifycaseplansforfamiliesconnectedtomultipleagencies• Housingreferralsandsupport• Connectiontoemploymentandcommunityservices,and• Wraparoundcasemanagementandcoordination.

Inadditiontocashassistance,TANFcustomersintheDistrictcanaccessanumberofsupportservicesincludingjobtraining,education,healthcare,mentalhealthservices,assistancewithdomesticviolence,andsubstanceabusetreatment.TANFcustomerscanalsoaccessanumberofindividualizedservicestohelpremediatebarriersthatpreventthemfromparticipatingfullyorpartiallywithworkrequirements.Examplesoftheseservicesincludesupportingcustomerswithparentingchallenges,assistingcustomerswithnavigatingtheirmedicalproviderstoobtaindocumentationtoapplyforPOWER,andworkingwithparentstoimprovecrisisresolutionskills.Fiveyearsago,DHSundertookamajorredesignoftheTANFprogram.Bydesign,theprogramstrivestoberesponsiveandiscontinuallyevolvingtobettermeettheneedsoffamilies.TANFEmploymentProgramTheTANFEmploymentProgram(TEP)reliesonanetworkofserviceproviderpartners(internal,contractual,grantee,andsisteragencies)todeliverworkreadiness,jobplacementandretentionservices,andbarrierremediationassistance.ThemissionofTEPistoassistcustomersinenhancingtheir

3 Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: http://www.cbpp.org/research/policy-basics-an-introduction-to-tanf

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educationandskilllevelstohelpthempreparefor,find,andretainunsubsidizedemploymentinordertoultimatelyearnafamily-sustainingincome.TheTANFComprehensiveAssessment(TCA)determineseachcustomer’seducation,skills,andexperienceandtheextenttowhichhis/herpersonalhealthorotherbarriersmayimpedetheirabilitytoengageinworkactivities.UponcompletionoftheTCA,customerscompleteanInitialIndividualResponsibilityPlan(InitialIRP)withDHSstaff.TheresultsdeterminetheTEPserviceproviderthatismostappropriateforthecustomergivenhis/herpresentingcircumstances,abilities,strengths,needs,andgoals.

Work-eligiblecustomers,thatis,adultsthatreceiveTANFandarerequiredtoadheretoworkparticipationrequirements,mustparticipateinactivitiesthatwillassisttheminobtainingemployment.ThenumberofhoursinwhichaTANFcustomermustparticipatedependsontheageofhis/heryoungestchildandwhetherthecustomerisasingleparentorpartofatwo-parenthousehold.

DHScurrentlyhascontractswithtenTEPserviceprovidersasfollows:

1. SixTEPserviceprovidersprovideworkreadinessservicestocustomerswithlowpersonaland

healthbarriersandlowlevelsofeducationandskills.Servicesaregearedtowardsenhancingcustomers’skillsandeducationtopositionthemforemployment:− AmericaWorksofWashington,DC− CareerTeam,LLC− GrantAssociates

− KRA− MaximusHumanServices− OIC/DC

2. FourTEPserviceprovidersprovidejobplacementservicestocustomerswithlowpersonaland

healthbarriersandmoderatetohighlevelsofeducationandskillswithservicesthataregearedtowardsrapidemployment:

− AmericaWorksofWashington,DC− CareerTeam,LLC− KRA− MaximusHumanServices

DHSassignseachcustomertoanappropriateTEPserviceprovidertypebasedonthecustomer’sTCAoutcomes,accountingforallgoals,uniqueneeds,andchoicesinprovidertypes.TEPserviceproviderssupportcustomerswithintensivecasemanagementbyguidingandfacilitatingtheirconnectiontoemploymentservices,availabletrainingandeducationprograms,andanyotherbarriermitigatingservicestheymayneed.

CasemanagerswiththeTEPprovidersworkwitheachcustomertocreateaDetailedIndividualResponsibilityPlan(DetailedIRP)thatactsasthecustomer’sroadmaptosecuringemployment.The

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DetailedIRPoutlinesspecificstepsthatthecustomeragreestoandcommitstotakeinordertoaddressandremovebarriersandfindandretainemployment.Italsoprovidesthebasisbywhichanyfuturesanctionswouldbesupportedthroughnon-compliancewiththecustomer’sDetailedIRP.

TEPservicesincludebutarenotlimitedto:

1. Childcaresubsidyreferral2. Careerexplorationassistance3. Referralstoeducationandtrainingprograms4. Structuredjobsearch5. Jobdevelopmentandplacement6. Coordinationofservicestoremovebarriers:

a. Domesticviolenceb. Housinginstabilityc. Mentalhealthservices

7. Wrap-aroundcasemanagement8. Softskillsbuilding:

a. Resumewritingb. Jobcoaching/interviewpreparationc. Businessetiquetted. Professionalattiree. Conflictresolutionf. Timemanagementandschedulingg. Financialliteracy/counseling

AcustomerwhofailstocomplywithrequirementsoftheTANFprogrammayfaceafinancialsanctionthatremovesaportionoftheTANFgrant,therebyreducingthecustomer'scashassistance.

TANFSanctionsPolicyinDCAsanctionisareductionintheamountofacustomer’sTANFcashbenefit.Itisimposedforfailuretoengageinworkactivities.SanctioningisrequiredbyfederallawbutlikeothercomponentsoftheTANFprogram,stateshaveawidedegreeoflatitudeinhowsanctionsareimplemented.In2011,theDCCouncilapprovedlegislationandregulationswerepromulgatedtoimplementaprogressivesanctionpolicywiththreelevelsofsanctioning.ALevel1sanctionwouldleadtoa20%reductionincashassistance(roughly$70-$80dollarslessincashpermonth,onaverage),aLevel2sanctionwouldleadtoa50%reduction,andaLevel3sanctionwouldstopcashassistanceforafamilyaltogether.

Inregulation,ifacustomerdoesnotparticipatewiththeirTEPserviceproviderorotherprovidersatallforfourweeksinarow,oronlyparticipatesatalowlevelforeightweeksinarow,s/hewouldreceiveaLevel1sanction.Iftheycontinuetonotparticipateorconsistentlyparticipateatalowlevelafterthey

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receiveaLevel1Sanction,theywouldreceiveaLevel2Sanction.IftheycontinuetonotparticipateafteraLevel2sanction,theywouldreceiveaLevel3sanctionandallcashassistancewouldstopuntilthecustomerfullyparticipatesforfourweeksinarow,within12months.CustomersmustworkwiththeirTEPserviceproviderstoensuretheyareengagingwiththeprogramtoavoidsanctions.Thusfar,theDistricthasonlyimplementedLevel1sanctions.

TheDistrict’ssanctionspolicyisintendedtoencourageTANFcustomerstoparticipatewithserviceproviderssothattheyreceivetheservicestheyneedtoobtainemploymentandalleviatebarrierstoworkandwell-being.CustomerscanavoidasanctionbyparticipatingwiththeirTANFserviceproviderorvendor.Theycanalsoavoidasanctionbyshowingconsistentimprovementintheirparticipation.Itistheresponsibilityofthecustomertocommunicatewiththeircasemanagertodevelopaplanthatworksforthem.Customerscanalsore-negotiatetheirIndividualResponsibilityPlan(IRP)onetimetoavoidasanction.Inordertoliftasanction,customershavetore-engagewiththeirserviceprovideraccordingtotheirIRPforfourweeksinarow.Oncecustomersparticipateforfourweeks,theirbenefitswillberestoredtothefulllevel.Iftheycontinuetofullyparticipateforsixmonths,theirsanctionhistorywillberesetasiftheywereneversanctioned.

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DataonFamiliesReceivingTANFCashBenefits

DataaboutTANFcustomerswhohavebeenintheprogramforlongerthan48months(andthereforepotentiallysubjecttoanupcomingtimelimit)wassharedbyDHSduringtheWorkingGroupmeetings.ThesourceofthedataincludedbutwasnotlimitedtofindingsfromtheDHSFamilybyFamilySurvey(conductedinthespringof2016withcustomerswhohadbeenonTANFlongerthan48months),theCustomerAssessment,TrackingandCaseHistory(CATCH)Database(DHS’sTANFcustomerinformationmanagementsystem),andTANFComprehensiveAssessment(TCA)findings.

FamilybyFamilySurveyOverviewAcomprehensiveoutreacheffortwasundertakenbyDHS,providers,andhomevisitorgranteesinthespringof2016toadministersurveystoallofthe6,559TANFcustomerswhohadbeenintheprogramforlongerthan48months.Thesurveyobjectiveswereasfollows:

– OutreachtoasmanyfamiliesfacingapotentiallossofTANFbenefitsaspossible.

– Learnaboutcustomers’challengesandbarrierstoengagementinemploymentand

educationalactivitiesaswellastheirexperiencewiththeTANFprogram.

– IdentifyfamilieswhomaybeeligibleforPOWERandconnectthemtoservices.

– EncouragefamiliestoengagewithexistingTANFresources.

– IdentifyadditionalareasofneedandsupportforTANFcustomers.• Surveytargetpopulation:6,559adultswhowouldreachorexceed61months(morethan5years)

onTANFbyOctober2016.• Outreachactivity:Outreachwascompletedto96%ofthecustomers.

• Surveyparticipants:42%ofthetargetpopulation(2,787individuals)completedthesurvey.

• Surveymethod:Phoneinterviewsorface-to-faceinterviewsfollowingmailingandrobo-calls.

• Surveyadministrationtimeperiod:MarchtoMay2016.

• Surveyors:DHSOfficeofWorkOpportunity(OWO),TANFhomevisitorgrantees,TANFEmployment

Program(TEP)providers,andDHS’sCommunityOutreach,Response,andEngagementteam.

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CharacteristicsofFamiliesSubjecttoLossofTANFBenefitsduetoTimeLimit

FamiliesonTANFbyLengthofStay

• Approximately48%offamiliesonTANFinDC(nearly5,800)havebeenservedbytheTANFprogramformorethan60months.

Figure1.TANFCustomersbyLengthofStay

* ThisfiguredoesnotincludechildonlyhouseholdsandfamiliesservedinthePOWERprogram.ThedatawasextractedasofJuly2016.

AgeandGenderDistribution• Ninety-sixpercent(96%)ofheadsofhouseholdssubjecttolossofTANFbenefitsarewomen,

mostlysinglemothers,andtheirmedianageis33yearsold.• Morethan10,000childrenareestimatedtobeaffectedbythe60-monthtimelimitand61%of

thosechildrenareunderage10.

Number/PercentofNon-ExemptFamilies*byLengthonTANF n=11,982*

<=5Years:52% >5and<=10Years:29% >10and<=20Years:19%

15001200900

600

300

0

<=1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20YearonTANF

Num

berofFam

ilies

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Figure2.AgeandGenderDistribution Figure3.AgeDistributionofChildren

AgeandGenderDistributionofSurveyTargetPopulation

Ag

21-25

26-30

31-35

36-40

41-45

46-50

51-55

>=56

Female(n=6291)96% Male(n=268)4%

-30% -25% -20% -15% -10% -5% 0% 5%

Age10~13215221%

Age4~9475545%

Age14~18183918%

Age0~3169216%

AgedistributionofchildreninfamiliesonTANFfor>60months

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GeographicDistribution• AlmostthreeoutoffourfamilieswhoaresubjecttoalossofTANFbenefitsresideinWards6,7,

or8.

Figure4.GeographicDistributionofFamiliesbyWard

Engagement(EmploymentandEducation)

• NearlyfouroutoffivecustomerssubjecttoalossofTANFarenotengagedinemploymentoreducation.

• TwothirdsofsurveyrespondentsindicatedthattheyareNEITHERemployedNORenrolledinaneducationalprogram.

PercentofCustomersbyWard33%

N=6559 25%

14%11%

5% 6% 6%

0.1%

Ward1 Ward2 Ward3 Ward4 Ward5 Ward6 Ward7 Ward8

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Figure5.EngagementLevelofFamilies>60Months100%

80%

60%

40%

20%

0%

77% 69%

10% 13%13% 18%

NotParticipating

PartiallyParticipating

FullyParticipating

SurveyTarget(n=6053)

SurveyParticipants(n=2592)

*Eachcustomer’sengagementlevelisdeterminedbasedontheaveragehoursofparticipationinworkortrainingactivitiestowardtheirrequiredhours.Dataaboveisbasedonwhat’sbeenrecordedinthesystem(CATCH)regardingtheirengagementlevelasofMarch2016forthosecustomersselectedforthesurvey,NOTbasedonrespondents’surveyresults.

Figure6.EmploymentandEducationEnrollmentStatus(Self-reportedthroughSurvey)

n=2787

Employedand/orEnrolledinEducationalProgram:35%

Employed(22%)

Enrolledin

4% EducationalProgram(17%)

NeitherEmployedNorEnrolledinEducationalProgram:65%

* Fourpercent(4%)reportedthattheyarebothemployedandenrolledinaneducationalprogram.Theyareincludedinthegroupof22%thatareemployedandthegroupof17%thatareenrolledineducationalprogram.

EmploymentandEarnings

• Twooutoffivecustomerswhowereemployedworkedmorethan30hoursperweekbuthalfofthemmadelessthan$500everytwoweeks.

• TheoveralllevelandthemedianwageofTANFcustomersgraduallyincreasedinthelastthreeyears.However,theleveloftheincreaseintheirmedianwagehasbeenminimalandisnotcommensuratewiththeleveloftheincreaseintheDCminimumwage.

• ThemedianhourlywageofTANFcustomershasbeenconsistentlyabovetheDistrict’sminimumwagelevelbutfarbelowtheDClivingwagelevel.

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n=606

<$500 $501-$700 $701-$900 >$1000

100%80%

49%60%

10%10%

11%14%

13%

15%

29% 30% 65%38%

40%43%

20%39%

0% 8%

FY13

7%

FY14

31%

3%FY15

HourlyWage

$15.00orabove

$12.50-$14.99

$10.00-$12.49

$7.50~$9.99

$7.50orbelow

Figure7.HourlyWage Figure8.By-weeklySalary

Howmanyhdoyouusuallyw

ourspeorkife

rweekmployed

?

Howmuchdoyouearneverytwoweeksfromyouremployment?

49%

1-10hours 25%

11-20hours 12% n

(Em=619ployed)

23%

21-30hours 24% 14% 14%

31-40hours 39%

*TheDCminimumwageatthetimeofsurveywas$10.50perhourandthelivingwagewas$13.85.Theminimumwagehasincreasedto$11.50perhourasofJuly2016.

Figure9.TANFCustomersbyHourlyWageLevelatJobEntry(FY13~FY15)

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Figure10.TANFCustomerMedianWagevs.MinimumWageandLivingWage

$15$14$13$12$11

$13.40 $13.60 $13.85 D.C.LivingWage

TANF

$10$9$8$7

$9.50

$8.25

$9.50

$10.50$10.50 CustomerMedianWage

D.C.MinimumWage

* TheLivingWageActof2006,TitleI,DCLawNo.16-118,(DCOfficialCode§§2-220.01-.11)setalivingwageforthoseemployedbycontractorsorsubcontractorsoftheDCGovernmentanditissupposedtobereseteachyeartoreflectcost-of-livingestimates.

Education

Onethirdofcustomersenrolledin

Figure11.TypeofEducationalProgram

Whattypeofeducationalprogramareyouenrolledin?(n=470whowereenrolledineducational

educationprogramswerepursuingaGEDorhighschooldiplomaandanotherthirdwereenrolledincollege.

BarrierstoEngagement

• Morethanhalfofcustomersreportedthathealthissuespreventedthemfromworkingorattendingtraining.

GEDTrainingProgram

HighSchoolDiplomaProgram

CommunityCollege

College

VocationalProgram

10%

8%

21%30%

31%

• Lackofworkexperienceandeducationwereadditionalmajorbarrierstoengagementinemploymentortraining.

• Manycustomersdonotgetpropertreatmentfortheirphysicalandmentalhealthproblems.

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• NearlyhalfoffamiliesfacingalossofTANFbenefitscontinuetograpplewithchildcareandchildwell-being.

Didnothaveenough 35%

Other

9% n=27

careformychildren

Abusedby 6%

18% n=2787

Figure12.CustomerswithHealthIssuesThatPreventThemfromWorking

Figure13.OtherBarriersandIssuesthatpreventCustomersfromWorking

Inthelastyear,haveyouhadanyhealissueskeepingyoufromworking,look

forwork,orattendingatraining

thing

Inthelastyear,haveyoueverhadtroubleworking,lookingforworkorattendingatrainingprogramdueto

thefollowingissue? program?

Physicalhealthissue 39% workexperience Depressionoranxiety 32% Didnothaveenough 31%

education/training Drugoralcoholabuse 3% Experiencedhousing 20%

instability/homeless Atleastoneoftheabove

issues 53% Couldnotgetchild 87 partner/spouse

Figure14.SeekingTreatmenttoHandleHealthIssues

Lastyear,howoftenhaveyougonetoseeadoctororotherprofessionaltotreatyourhealthissues?

Never Lessthanonceamonth 1-3permonth Onceaweek Morethanonceaweek

Hadphysicalhealthissue(n=1078): 41% 24% 25% 4%6%visiteddoctor

Haddepressionoranxiety(n=881): 55% 15% 15% 10%5%soughtmentalhealthtreatment

Haddrugoralcoholabuseissue(n=84): 63% 10% 4%6% 18%

soughtdrug/alcoholtreatment

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Figure15.UnmetNeedsofFamiliesonTANFforMorethanFiveYears

UnmetNeedsofTANFFamiliesIdentifiedthroughTANFComprehensiveCaseReview45% (TCCR)*

N=3,847

18%14% 12% 11% 9% 9%

6% 3% 1%

ChildCare/ChildWellBeing

MentalHealthBarriers

EducationalBarriers

LegalBarriers

DomesticViolence

HealthBarriers

HousingBarriers

SubstanceAbuse

LearningDifficulties

AdultWellBeing

* BetweenMarch2015andMay2016,DHSOWOconductedin-depthcasereviewforatotalof3,847TANFcustomerswhohadbeenonTANFformorethan60months,andevaluatediftheirneedsidentifiedfromtheinitialassessmentshadbeenmet.

TANFExperienceandExpectation

CyclingOnandOffofTANF

• HalfofthecustomerssurveyedhadahistoryofleavingTANF,mostlyduetoearningsfromemployment.

• CustomerswhohadleftTANFpreviouslyreturnedduetolossofjoborlowwages.

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4

CurrentandExpectedSupportfromTANF

• TANFhelpswithpayingbills,housing,transportation,andchildcarebutnotsomuchwithemployment.

• Customerswantmorehelptogettrainingforcareerdevelopmentandpersonalizedcasemanagement.

Figure16.CustomersCyclingOnandOffTANF Figure17.ReasonforReturningtoTANF

HaveyoureceivedTANFpreviously, WhydidyoureturnafterleavingTANF?lefttheprogramandcomeback?

n=2787 Lostjoborcouldnotfindjobto 76%

supportfamily Indicatedahistoryof 1leavingTANFinthepast (5

070%)

Wantedtoincreaseincomeand/or 38%findahigherwagejob

Figure18.ReasonforLeavingTANFinthePast

WhydidyouleaveTANFprogrambefo

Gotajoband/ormadetoomuchmoney

Chosetostop 39%participatingvoluntarily

Hadfamily/personal 17%issues

Wassanctioned 14%

MovedoutoftheDCarea 10%

Haddifficultygetting 6%transportation n=140

re?75%7

Familysizeincreaseddueto 25%pregnancy

Neededhelpgettinganeducationor 25%

jobtraining

Neededhelpwithbudgetingand 19%finances

Losthousing 13%

ChildcarecostsincreasedfromleavingTANFandcouldn'taffordtopayfor 11%

childcare

Separatedfromspouseorpartnerwho 9%wassupportingthefamily

Wasescapinganunsaferelationship 7%

n=1407

Otherreason 10%

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Figure19.PerceivedBenefitsfromTANF Figure20.AreasinNeedofMoreSupport

HowdidTANFprogramhelpyou? WhatwouldmakeyourTANFexperiencebetter?

DidNOThelpmebecomemoresecure

Helpedmetopaymybills

Stablehousing

Stable

34%

57%

47%

Workshopsonnewcareers

Moreinformationabouttrainingprograms

Morehelppayingforschools

Morehelpgettingintoa

80%

78%

77%75%

transportation

Stablechildcare

Stablejob

20%

44%

44%

n=2787

trainingprogram

Morepersonalizedcasemanagement

ClosertowhereIlive

74%

64%

n=2787

UtilizationofGovernmentandCommunityServices

• MorethantwooutofthreeTANFcustomersreportedusingservicesprovidedbyothergovernmentagencies.

• TANFcustomersidentifiedfamilyasthestrongestsupportresourceandonlyafewreportedseekingsupportfromcommunityresources.

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Figure21.UtilizationofOtherGovernmentAgencies Figure22.AreasinNeedofMoreSupport

Doyouuseanyofthefollowinggovernmentservices?

Public/CharterSchools(DCPS)forfamilycounselingorIEPspecialedu.

32%

Doyoureceivesupportfromanyofthefollowing?

ChildSupportServices(CSS)

DepartmentofEmploymentServices(DOES)

DepartmentofHealth(DOH)

DepartmentofBehavioralHealth

(DBH)

ChildandFamilyServicesAgency(CFSA)

OfficeofStateSuperintendentofEducation(OSSE)

28%

22%

14%

12%

11%

9%

Myfamily

FamilySupportCollaboratives

Localchurchorcongregation

Othercommunityprogram

11%

8%

13%

43%

HousingAuthority 5% n=2787 n=2787

OutlookonPost-TANFHardship

MorethanhalfoffamiliesanticipatethatlosingTANFbenefitswouldmaketheirlivesmoredifficultand25%areuncertain.

Figure23.Customers’OutlookafterExitingTANF

*Numbersindicatedintheareasofintersectionsbetweencirclesareincludedinthenumberofeachrespectivecircle.

HowdoyouthinkyourabilitytomeettheneedsofyourfamilywillchangewhenyouexitTANF?

n=1926

Idon'tknow25%

Getmuchworse23%

Staythesame23%

Bealittlemoredifficult29%

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KeyThemesThissectionsummarizesthekeythemesabouttheTANFprogramandconsiderationsforthedevelopmentofaTANFhardshipextensionpolicythatemergedacrosstheListeningSessions,theCommunityDialogues,andthedeliberationsoftheWorkingGroup.Theintentionofthissectionistoprovidesomequalitativecontexttosupplementthedatathatwasprovidedinthepriorsection.

• TheDistrictshouldcontinuetheimprovementstotheTANFprogramofrecentyears,whichprovidemoreperson-centeredservicestofamilies.TheseimprovementsmeanthatmorefamiliesshouldbeabletoreceiveservicesmorerapidlyandtoexitTANFduetoemployment.

• TheDistrictshouldmovequicklytoestablishaTANFhardshipextensionpolicysothatthetimelimitdoesnottakeeffectonOctober1,2017.Theimplementationofstricttimelimitsforallhouseholdswhoexceedthe60-monthtimelimitwouldbedisastrous.

• TheDistrictshouldincreaseoutreachandengagementtoidentifyandassistfamilieswhomightqualifyforaPOWERexemptionandenhancePOWERtoprovideserviceswheneverfeasibletoassistadultsinthehouseholdtoeitherqualifyforfederaldisabilityassistanceorprepareforemploymentoncethefamilycircumstancesthatcreatedtheeligibilityforPOWERareresolved.

“Asasingleparentofthreechildren,TANFmeansalottoourfamily.IwasworkingandgettingunemploymentbuthadtoresorttoTANFbecausethejobmarketchangedandIneededadegreetogetabetterjob.Ithasbeenhelpfultomyfamily,tosupportmeandmykids.It’shardtoliveinDCsoifwecanuseitinawaytogetpeoplesituatedandgroundeditwillhelptogetthemtothenextlevel.”

TANFcustomerwhohasreceivedTANFformore

than60months

• TheDistrictneedstoincreasecommunicationwithTANFcustomerssothattheyunderstandtheservicesandprogramsavailablethroughTANF,toensureawarenessofthePOWERexemptionprocess,andtofacilitatemorefeedback.

• ManyWorkingGroupmembersdidnotknowthatTANFparticipationratesinDCaswellasTANFprogramsnationallyarelow.

• Theparticipationrequirementsaregenerallyviewedasfairandreasonablebutattimes

understandingandmeetingthoserequirementsisburdensome.ThereisconcernthatmostparentswhoreceiveTANFarenotcomplyingwithworkparticipationandotherrequirements.

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• TherewasawidespreadbeliefthatadditionaltimetoreceiveTANFcashassistanceandservicesshouldbeprovidedtoparentswho“playbytherules,”i.e.,parentswhoareengagedandparticipatingintheprogrambutdespitetheirbesteffortscannotfindemployment.

• FormanyparentswhoreceiveTANF,theybelievethattheirprimaryjobistoprovidefortheemotional,social,andphysicalwell-beingoftheirchildren.Asmostaresingleparents,thelogisticsofmanagingthefamilyarecomplicatedwithfewotherreliablesupports,makingitdifficulttoalsoimproveskillsandeducationandtheirfamily’ssituation.ToooftenfamilieswhoreceiveTANFliveinneighborhoodsthatrequireahighlevelofdiligencebyparentstokeeptheirchildrensafe.Themanagementofgettingchildrento/fromschools,especiallywhenthechild(ren)isnotenrolledinneighborhoodschools,istimeconsuming.

• Thereareinsufficientjobsthatofferfull-timeworkintheDistrictthatalignswiththetimethatchildrenareinschooloraftercare.

• SomecustomersreportedthatTEPprovidersneed

tobeheldmoreaccountableforhelpingcustomersfindapathwayoffofTANF.Thepathwayshouldbe

“It’shardtobeasinglefatheroftwo.It’sdifficulttoworkaroundthat.Itisdifficultwithnosupportsystemtohelpwithchildren.Forexample,whenthekid’sschoolhadagasleak,therewasnooneto call to pick up the child. It is hard to trustpeoplewithyourkids.Theschoolonlyofferschildcare until 6 pm. Job hours do not line up withdaycare hours. There needs to be a supportsystem.”

TANFcustomerwhohasbeenreceivingTANFfor

lessthanthreeyears

designedtomeettheuniquestrengthsandneedsofeachparent,notbea“cookiecutter”programthatisfocusedonmeetingjobsearchrequirements.

• ThepotentialconsequencestoahouseholdthathasaninvoluntaryexitfromtheTANFprogramare

ofgreatconcern.Theseincludedfoodinsecurity,childmaltreatment,housinginstabilityandhomelessness,andnegativeoutcomesonphysicalandbehavioralhealthforchildrenandadults.Thepotentialforlapsesinotherpublicassistanceprogramswasalsocitedasaconcern.

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RecommendationsThissectiondescribesthefinalrecommendationsoftheTANFWorkingGroup.Thegrouptriedtoreachconsensussupportforeachrecommendation.Thespecificconsensusquestionaskedwas:“Doyouagreewithincludingthisinthereport?”Whenconsensuswasnotachievable,ahandvotewastakenandiftherewasamajorityinfavor,therecommendationwasacceptedwiththenumberofdissentingvotesnoted.

ThefollowingrepresentsasetofrecommendationstoconsiderforTANFhardshipextensionsandmodificationfortheentireTANFprogram.ThepolicyoptionsdescribedarenotcostneutralsotheAdministrationandCouncilwillneedtoconsiderthecost-benefitoftheserecommendationsduringtheannualbudgetprocess.Witheachoftheoptionsbelow,therearevariableswhichcanbeadjustedwhichwouldinfluencecost.

PreferredOptionChildEnrichmentGrantandParentTANFGrantwithIRP Compliance

Thisconceptualstructurewasuniversallyappealingtothegroup.Thisoptionwouldcreatetwoseparategrants,aChildEnrichmentGrantandaParentTANFGrant,whichthegroupfeltcreatedatwo-generationalpolicythatkeptresourcesinthehouseholdtoprotectandsupportchildrenandalsoincentivizedprogramparticipationonthepartoftheheadofhousehold.Asrecommendedwithmajorityapproval,theChildEnrichmentGrantwouldequatetothechildportionofthegrantandwouldcompriseapproximately80%oftheexistingTANFgrant.EligibilityrequirementsfortheChildEnrichmentGrantwouldbethesameasthecurrentTANFgrantbutwithoutworkrequirementsoratimelimit.ThepurposeoftheChildEnrichmentGrantwouldbetoensurethatthereareresourcesinthehometosupportthechildevenwhenthecaretakermaynotbeengaginginTANF-relatedactivities.Thesentimentbehindthisrecommendationwasthatthereisresearchwhichsuggeststhattakingmoneyoutofthehomebothcausesharmtothechildandoftenstrainsmoreexpensivepublicsystemssuchasthechildprotectionsystemandthehomelessresponsesystem.Whiletherecouldbehigh-levelrequirementsforreceivingtheChildEnrichmentGrant,suchasschoolregistrationorproofofvaccinations,thegroupwassplitastothemeritofsuchrequirements.

TheParentTANFGrantwouldrepresenttheother,approximately,20%oftoday’sTANFgrant.EligibilityrequirementsfortheParentTANFGrantwouldbethesameasthecurrentTANFgrant(residency,incomelimits,havingadependentchildinthehome,etc.)andwouldincludeworkrequirementsandcompliancewiththeIRP,withsanctionsforcustomerswhoarenotincompliance,butnotimelimit.ThegroupalsorecommendedthatthesanctionlevelsfortheTANFParentgrantbeadjustedfrom20%,50%and100%,respectively,to20%,40%,and60%.ThegrouprecommendedthatthereshouldbenotimelimitontheParentTANFgrant.

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Thereportshouldnotethatthosewhodissentedwiththisrecommendationagreedinprinciplewiththepolicyrecommendation,butdidnotagreewithhowthetwograntswereweighted,withtheChildEnrichmentGrantat80%andParentTANFGrantat20%.DissentinggroupmembersthoughtmoreincentiveshouldbeaddedtotheParentTANFGrantportionofthetotalgrant,witheachgrantweightedequallyat50%ofthetotalhouseholdTANFgrant.

OtherOptionswithConsensus

Thefollowingtwooptionsrepresentpoliciesthattheworkgroupvotedonseparately.Theyarebeingrecommendedassecondaryoptions.CompliancewithProgramRequirements

(Thetablebelowsummarizesthisscenario.)Compliance Child

EnrichmentGrant

(80%)

ParentGrant

(20%)

TotalPercentperFamily(All)

%ofBenefit

Compliant 80% 20% 100%

SanctionLevel1(20%) 80% 16% 96%



ThisoptionwouldcontinuetheTANFprogramasisbutwouldimplementanextensionbeyond60monthsforthosecustomerswhoarenotinasanctionstatusatthetimetheyareatthe60monthmark.Effectively,ifafamilyisengagedwiththeirTEPserviceproviderandNOTsanctioned,allcashbenefitswouldcontinue,regardlessofthetimeonTANF.Therewasunanimousagreementthatallhouseholdswhometthesecriteriashouldbeextendedandtherewasamajorityinsupportofthegrantbeingsetat

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thefullamount.ThisoptionalsocamewithsomeconcernamongtheTANFWorkingGroupbecauseitwouldcreateascenariowheretherewouldbenomoneyinthehometosupportchildrenforhouseholdsthatwerenotextended.

Therewerealsoasignificantnumberofimplementationquestionsthatwouldneedtobeaddressedtoexecutethispolicy.Specifically,ifafamilyexceededtheirTANFtimelimit,andwasnotonTANF,wouldtheybeeligibletoaccessTANFbenefitsinthefutureorenrolldirectlyintoPOWER?Althoughnotaddressedinthecontextofthisspecificpolicyoption,basedonthesenseoftheworkinggroupinothercontexts,theanswerislikelyyestobothquestions.Thetablebelowsummarizesthisscenario.

Compliance TANFGrant TotalAmountper

Family(All)

Compliant 100% 100%

SanctionLevel1(20%) 80% 80%



ChildOnlyGrant

ThisoptionwouldcontinuetosupportthefamilywithaChildOnlyGrant(80%ofthefullTANFGrant)after60monthsonTANF.Therewouldbenorequirementsassociatedwiththegrant.Resourceswouldremaininthehometosupportthechild.Somestateshaveelectedtoimplementavariationofthistypeofextension.ThisoptioncamewithconcernamongtheTANFWorkingGroupbecauseitwouldcreateonesetofrulesforfamilieswhohavereceivedTANFforlessthan60monthsandthenwouldrelaxthoserulesoncethefamilyeclipsed60months,albeitwithareducedbenefit,butnosanctioning.Thepolicyoption“ChildEnrichmentGrantandaParentTANFGrant”waspreferredtothisoptionbyamajorityofWorkingGroupmembers.Thetablebelowsummarizesthisscenario.

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Compliance TANFGrant(<60months)

ChildOnlyGrant(>60Months)

Compliant 100% 80%




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IndependentPolicyOptions:

Thefollowing“independentpolicyoptions”representpoliciesthattheworkgroupvotedonseparately.Theyarebeingrecommendedassecondaryoptionsandcanbecombined.Theyarenotnecessarilymutuallyexclusivebutratherrepresentuniversesofindividualswhothegroupfeelsshouldbeprotected.

Inadditiontotheextensionscenariosconsideredabove,theTANFWorkingGroupthoughtitwasimportanttoconsiderparticularsituationsthatshouldwarrantaTANFextension.Intheeventoflimitedresources,theWorkingGrouprecommendedconsideringthefollowingfactorsas“triggers”whichwouldmeritahardshipextensionorcontinuationofbenefitsbeyond60months.

MajorityApprovalwithFourDissensions:AtImminentRiskof Homelessness

Atthetimeafamilyiseclipsingtheir60thmonthonTANF,thegrouprecommendedthatextendingbenefitsforafamilywhoisatimminentriskofhomelessnesswasappropriate.Thepurposeofthisextensionwouldbetostave-offhomelessness.TherewereoutstandingquestionsofwhetherTANFbenefitsshouldcontinueifafamilyslippedintohomelessness.Supportersnotedthatitiscounterintuitivetoremovebenefitsforfamiliesnavigatinganalreadychallenginghousingsituation.Dissentersnotedthatcontinuingbenefitscouldpotentiallycreateaperversefinancialincentivetoenterthehomelesssystemtogainacashbenefitforwhichonewouldnototherwisebeeligible.TheWorkingGroupnotedthattherewasconsiderableadditionalworkneededbytheAdministrationtodefine“imminentriskofhomelessness”andtodeterminehowtohandleeligibilityforfamiliesexperiencinghomelessnessandreceivingDHSservicesaswellashouseholdsenrolledinpermanentsupportivehousingandrapidrehousingprograms.TheWorkingGroupwasalsodividedonwhetherthereshouldbeparticipationrequirementstoretainthisextension.

MajorityApprovalwith1dissension:Atriskofentryintochild protection

Atthetimeafamilyiseclipsingtheir60thmonthonTANF,thegrouprecommendedthatextendingbenefitsforafamilywhoisatriskofenteringthechildprotectionsystemwasappropriate.Liketheprovisionabove,aseriesofinterpretationorimplementationquestionswouldarise.Whileitisestablishedthatlackoffinancialresourcesalonedoesnotconstituteeitherabuseorneglect,researchdoessuggestthatalackofresourcescancontributetocircumstanceswhichleadtosubstantiatedneglect.IftheDistrictshouldelecttopursuethisasahardshipcategory,aspecificdefinitionof“at-risk”wouldneedtobeestablished.Complementingthat,adefinitionofhowtodeterminewhenthatriskwasmitigatedornolongerpresentandwhatwouldthenhappenregardingtheTANFgrant,wouldneedtobeestablished.

ConsensualApproval:Highunemployment

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Atthetimeafamilyiseclipsingtheir60thmonthonTANF,thegrouprecommendedthatextendingbenefitsundercertaineconomicconditionswasappropriate.Timesofeconomicchallengedisproportionallyaffectindividualsinentryleveljobswithinthebroadereconomy.TheWorkingGrouprecommendedthatthereshouldbea“hardship-trigger”basedontheunemploymentrateintheDistrictforadultswithoutacollegedegree.Whilethelevelwouldneedtobeestablished,theconceptisthat,ifunemploymentroseaboveacertainlevel,familieswhohadalreadyreceivedbenefitswouldagainbeeligible(andthoseonTANFwouldnothavebenefitsterminatedduetoatimelimit)toreceivebenefitsandservices,shouldtheymeettheothereligibilitycriteria.

ConsensualApproval:CreatehardshipextensionsthatmatchcurrentPOWERtimelimitexemptions.POWERservesTANFfamilieswhoseheadofhouseholdfacesspecialchallenges.WhenfamiliesareplacedinPOWER,themonthsofassistancetheyreceivedonotcounttowardthe60-monthtimelimitandfamiliesreceivethefullTANFbenefitamount,eveniftheyhavereceivedTANFformorethan60months.TheWorkingGrouprecommendedthatthecategoriescurrentlydefinedasPOWER-eligible,alsobecometimelimitextensions,meaningafamilywhohasreachedthe60monthtimelimitbutsubsequentlyfacesasituationthatwouldhavequalifiedthemforPOWERcangetbackontoTANFthroughanextension.Thosecategoriesincludecustomerswhoare:

• Sufferingfromtemporaryorpermanentincapacitiesthatareexpectedtolastlongerthan30days;

• Takingcareofahouseholdmemberwhoisphysicallyormentallyincapacitated;• 60yearsorolder;• Pregnantorparentingteenundertheageof19whomeetscertainconditions,suchasattending

school;or

• Experiencingdomesticviolenceandhavebeengrantedadomesticviolencewaiver.

Majorityapprovalwith3dissensions:AddparentswithanewborninfantasaneligiblecategoryforPOWERand/orhardshipextension.

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resources,improvedassessmenttoidentifycustomerbarrierstoemploymentandcreatemorepersonalizedserviceplans(IRPs),andadditionalsupportsweredescribedastheprimaryareasneededforprogramimprovement.MostimprovementsarelikelynotcostneutralsotheAdministrationandCouncilmayneedtoconsiderthecost-benefitoftheserecommendationsduringtheannualbudgetprocess.

TANFProgramServicesImprovementsThefollowingrepresentsasetofrecommendationstoconsiderforimprovingtheoverallTANFprogram.TherewasextensivefeedbackacrosstheListeningSessions,CommunityDialogues,andtheWorkingGroupdeliberationsthatfamiliesshouldbebetterservedbytheTANFprogramandthatiftheseimprovementsweremade,familieswouldachieveamorerapidexitfromTANFtogreatereconomicstability.ImprovedcommunicationwithcustomersaboutTANFprogramservicesandcommunity

FeedbackfromListeningSessionsandWorkingGroup

DHSComments

Assessments&OutreachWeneedtodoabetterjobassessingneedsandidentifyingbarriers

DHSacknowledgestheneedforasetofserviceoptionsforengagedandunengagedcustomersthatdiffersfromthecurrentTANFEmploymentProgram(TEP)model.Aspartofthatacknowledgement,thefollowingactionsstepswilloccurwithinFY17:1. EnhancetheTANFComprehensiveAssessment(TCA)

andcreateastrategytore-assesscustomerspriortoapotentialterminationofbenefitsduetotimelimits.

2. RecommendinnewTEPcontractsthatahomevisitisincludedaspartofaProvider’soutreachattemptstoengagecustomerspriortotakingactionfornoncompliance.

3. DHSwillpilotaprogramtoreachthosecustomerswhohavenotachievedsuccess(unengaged/sanctioned)throughthetraditionalTEPmodel.

Customersshouldbereassessed6–12monthspriortoTANFtermination

Increasedoutreach,engagement,andcasemanagementservicesforcustomers(families)approachingthetimelimitorduringthelast12monthsbeforereachingthelimit.Useevidence-basedassessmentsforhomevisits.DHS/OWOneedstorevisetheirassessmenttoolstoallowcustomersamorepersonalizedexperienceandimprovedservicecoordinationandreferrals.

Moremeaningfulengagementwithcustomerslongbeforereaching60monthstoavoidcustomersreaching60months

DHSbelievesthatthekeytoassistingcustomersachievesuccessisdependentuponmeaningfulandengaginginteractionsbetweenTEPProviderstaffandcustomers.Toaddressthisissue,newTEPcontracts(beginninginFY17)willhavesmallercaseloadsizes:1:50forWorkReadinessProvidersand1:75forJobPlacementProviders.Smallercaseloadsizeswillcreateaspacefor

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morein-depthengagementofcustomers.DHSisalsotighteningboththecasemanagementrequirementsandexpectationsforTEPProviderengagementwithcommunityprovidersandservicedeliverypartnersinthenewFY2017TEPcontracts.

SpecializedServicesforCustomersForsomecustomers,especiallythosewithmentalhealthorotherbarriers,20to30hoursofworkrequirementsistoohighabarandsetscustomersupforfailurefromthebeginning.

DHSagreesthatforsomecustomersexperiencingcrisissituations,inclusiveofmentalhealthandotherbarriers,the20,30,and35hourperweekworkrequirement(basedonhouseholdsizecomposition)istoohighofabartoset.CustomersexperiencingthesehardshipshavedetailedIRPsthataddressthebarrier(s)anddonotadheretoanhourrequirement.DHSwillcontinuetoenhanceitsorientationmaterialsandprocesstobetterexplaintocustomersfacingcrisissituationsthattheyhaveanoptiontoengagewithinternalLicensedClinicalSocialWorkerstoaddresstheirbarriersandnotanhourrequirement.

POWER&RehabilitationServicesAnintensiveoutreachandassessmentstrategytoincreasePOWERenrollmentisneeded.Culturechangeisneededtore-brandandde-stigmatizeservices,especiallyPOWER.POWERneedstobeevaluated.POWERneedstobeaddedtothecommonapplication.

TheresultsoftheFamilybyFamilyEngagementInterviewsconductedbyDHS/ESAstaffandpartnersrevealedthatDHSstillhasworktodotobetterpromotethebenefitsofenrollmentintothePOWERprogramforeligiblecustomers.Withinthenext180days,DHSwillreviewitscommunicationstrategyaroundthePOWERprogramincludingthewebsite,documentation,andorientationtoensurethateligibilityrequirementsandserviceofferingsareknowntoallcustomers.Additionally,inFY17,DHSwillimplementastafftrainingmoduletoensurethatstaffaremessagingthebenefitsofPOWERappropriatelyandareassistingcustomerswithnavigatingtheapplicationprocess.DHSwillalsoseektheassistanceofcommunitypartnerstoencouragecustomerstoseekPOWERassistancewhennecessary.

Mentalhealthandsubstanceabuseservices

DHSagreesthatservicesforcustomersexperiencingmentalhealthandsubstanceabuseissuesneedtobebetterpromotedduringorientationandperiodicallythroughmassmailings,communityengagement

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activities,andbyTEPProviders.DHSwillworktoreviseitsorientationmaterialandprocessduringthenext180daystode-stigmatizementalhealthandsubstanceabuseservicesandencouragecustomerstoseekhelpasneeded.

EnhancedEducationalOutcomesImprovedaccessandenrollmentintoGEDprogramsforcustomerswithlowliteracylevelsProvidemorerobustservicestoimproveliteracyImprovecollegereferrals

DHSisfocusedonincreasingeducationaloutcomesforTANFcustomersandagreesthatweneedtoimproveaccessandenrollmentintoGEDprogramsaswellasothereducationandtrainingprograms.NewTEPcontractsthatwillbeexecutedinFY17willincludeamorerobustincentivepackageforproviderstoencouragecustomerstoenrollinandcompleteeducationandtrainingprograms.DHSwillalsoexplorewaystoencouragetheuseofeCASAS,aliteracyandnumeracyassessmentforcustomers,tobetterscreenforeducationandtrainingneeds.

CommunicationStrategyBettercommunication,services,andstructuretoensurethatcustomerswhoaretryingcanactuallysucceed

DHSisworkingonafive-foldstrategyforFY17thatincludesthefollowingactivitiesaimedatengagingcustomerswheretheyareat:1. Enhanceddocumentationandmanagementofthe

DHSwebsite2. DevelopmentofaTEPCustomerHandbook3. ContinuousgrowthoftheDHSCustomerAdvisory

Board(CAB)4. DHSwillconductquarterlylisteningsessionswith

customersatTEPlocationsandotherlocationsinthecommunity.

5. Developasocialmediastrategicplan

TEPProviderEmploymentSupportEnhancementsTrainingforTEPProviderstaff DHSagreesthatTEPprovidersshouldconveneroutine

stafftrainingstoensureoptimalservicedeliverytocustomers.Tothatend,DHSisaddinglanguagetonewTEPcontracts(tobeexecutedinFY17)thatrequirespotentialTEPproviderstoarticulatehowtheywillconductongoingstafftrainingtoincludebutnotbelimitedto:1. CustomerService2. Coaching/CaseManagementstandards3. CulturalCompetency

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4.Workingwithcustomersexperiencingmentalhealth,substanceabuse,anddomesticviolenceissues

CollaborationwiththeDCDepartmentofEmploymentServices(DOES)andPaidOn-the-JobTrainingforhardtoplacecustomers

DHSwillworkcloselywithDOEStocollaborateontrainingandemploymentopportunitiesforcustomers;DHSiscurrentlyworkingwithDOEStoco-locateservicesforcustomersaspartoftheDistrict’simplementationoftheWorkforceInnovationandOpportunityAct.

OtherMoreintensiveservicesforimmigrantsandEnglishasaSecondLanguage(ESL)households

EnsurethatallmaterialsfortheentireTANFprogramaretranslatedinotherlanguagesandincludemethodsofcommunicatingwithhardofhearinganddeafcustomers.

Withinthenext180days,DHSwillworkcloselywithitsLanguageAccessCoordinatorstocreateanoutreachandengagementstrategytoinformmembersoftheLimitedEnglishProficient/Non-EnglishProficient(LEP/NEP)communityabouttheservicesofferedthroughtheTANFprogram.DHSwillworkwiththeappropriateMayoralOfficestocoordinatetheseactivities.

Housingandutilityassistance DHSwillfurtherdeveloprelationshipsandcoordinateserviceswithsisteragenciesandgovernmentpartnerstosupportafamily’shousingstability.DHSintendstoaddlanguagetoFY17housingcontractsrequiringthecoordinationandintegrationofservicesforcustomersaccessingbothTANFandhousingservices.

Strictdaycarebenefits(6monthsmaximum)Morechildcareoptions(non-traditionalhoursandmoreslotsandmorehours,abilitytoservechildrenwithspecialneeds)

DHSiscurrentlyexploringthefeasibilityofdecouplingeligibilityforchildcaresubsidiesfromparticipationrequirementstoensurethatchildrenhaveaccesstoearlylearningservices.AfinaldeterminationwillbemadeinFY17betweenDHSandtheOfficeoftheStateSuperintendentofEducation(OSSE).

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POWERProgramServicesImprovementsThefollowingrepresentsasetofrecommendationstoconsiderforimprovingPOWER.TherewasextensivefeedbackduringtheListeningSessionsandtheCommunityDialoguesindicatingthatPOWERwasnotwellunderstoodbymanyTANFcustomers.TherewasgeneralagreementthatDHSshouldincreaseoutreachandengagementtoidentifyandassistfamilieswhomightqualifyforthePOWERexemption.ItwasalsorecommendedthatPOWERneededtobeenhancedtoassisttheadultsinthehouseholdtoeitherqualifyforfederaldisabilityassistanceorprepareforemploymentoncethefamilycircumstancesthatcreatedtheeligibilityforPOWERareresolved.Parentswithachildlessthan12monthsofagearenotsubjecttoworkparticipationrequirements,however,thegroupsuggestedtheneedtoincludeparentsofinfantsaseligibleforPOWER.

Finally,therewasfeedbackacrosstheListeningSessions,CommunityDialogues,andtheWorkingGroupdeliberationsthathouseholdsthatwereeligibleforPOWERexemptionsshouldalsobeabletoentertheprogramoutsideofthecurrentTANFprocess.ThiswouldincludetheabilitytoapplydirectlyintothePOWERprogramifonehasexhaustedtheirTANFeligibilitybasedonmonthsofreceipt.ConsensualApproval Recommendations:

– AllowhouseholdstoapplydirectlytobeservedbyPOWERfromthecommonapplication

processinlieuofbeingfirstadmittedtoTANFandthenreferredforPOWER.

– Allowhouseholdswhohaveexceededthe60-monthtimelimittobeservedbyPOWERincludingthosewhohaveexitedoffTANF.

– Includeasix-monthtransitionalperiodfollowingPOWEReligibilityforhouseholdswhohaveexceeded60months.

– ConductanevaluationofPOWERincludingassessmentofwhetherPOWERshouldberenamedandrebrandedtoreducestigma.

– IncreasecommunicationaboutthePOWERprogramtoTANFcustomers:mailletters,disseminatebrochures,usewebsites,buildpartnershipswithcommunityorganizations,advocacygroups,andsisteragencies.

– IncorporateorientationaboutPOWERduringtheTANFOrientationandAssessmentprocess.

– StreamlineandcentralizeservicedeliveryforpotentiallyeligiblecustomerstoapplyforSSIorSocialSecurityDisabilityInsurance(SSDI).

– ContinuetotrainDHSstafftousetheSSI/SSDIOutreach,Access,&Recovery(SOAR)modelwithTANFcustomersinordertoincreaseaccesstoSSIorSSDIbenefits.

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– ContinuetoimproveDHSservicedeliverytocustomerswhoareapprovedforPOWERincludingcasemanagement,counseling/supportgroups,assessments,personaldevelopment,careerdevelopment,andfinancialcoaching.

– FurtherdeveloptherelationshipbetweentheDCDepartmentonDisabilityServicesandDHStoenableTANFcustomerstoreceivevocationalrehabilitationservices.

– ImplementastafftrainingmoduletoensurethatDHSstaffandTEPProvidersaremessagingthebenefitsofPOWERappropriatelyandareassistingcustomerswithnavigatingtheapplicationprocess.

– RequiretheassistanceofcommunitypartnerstoencouragecustomerstoseekPOWERassistancewhennecessary.

PostTANFServices

ThefollowingrepresentsasetofrecommendationstoconsiderforhouseholdswhoareinvoluntarilyexitedfromtheTANFprogram.TherewasextensivefeedbackacrosstheListeningSessions,CommunityDialogues,andtheWorkingGroupdeliberationsthatthepotentialconsequencestoahouseholdthathasaninvoluntaryexitfromtheTANFprogramareofgreatconcern.Concernsincludedthepotentialforfoodinsecurity,childmaltreatment,housinginstabilityandhomelessness,andnegativeoutcomesonphysicalandbehavioralhealthforchildrenandadults.Thepotentialforlapsesinotherpublicassistanceprogramswerealsocited.Initially,thechargewastodeveloprecommendationsfora“warmhand-offtocommunityservices.”TherewasresoundingsentimentfromWorkingGroupparticipants,however,thatthiswasnotfeasibleascommunityorganizationswereill-equippedtoassistthesehouseholds.TheinputevolvedtorecommendingthatfamiliesbeofferedservicesprovidedbyDistrictGovernmentandalsobereferredtocommunityprogramsthatmightmeetthefamily’suniqueneeds.DependingonthepolicyoptionthattheCounciladopts,theneedforservicesatexitmaybealtered.MostservicesarelikelynotcostneutralsotheAdministrationandCouncilmayneedtoconsiderthecost-benefitoftheserecommendationsduringtheannualbudgetprocessbecausesomecouldbearsignificantcosts.

ConsensualApprovalRecommendations:ThefollowingservicesshouldbeofferedbyDHSanditssisteragenciestohouseholdswhoareinvoluntarilyexitedfromtheTANFprogram:

• Transportation/stipend• Childcare• Accesstocasemanagement• Jobreadinessandjobplacement

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• Paidjobtraining• Familymediation• Homelessprevention• Mentalhealthservices• Substanceabusetreatment• Basicneeds:housing,food,healthcare

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Appendices AbouttheTANFHardshipExtensionFacilitatorBarbaraPoppeFounderandprincipalBarbaraPoppeisthefounderofBarbaraPoppeandAssociatesandtheformerexecutivedirectoroftheUnitedStatesInteragencyCouncilonHomelessness.Duringhertenure,OpeningDoors,thefirstcomprehensivefederalstrategicplantopreventandendhomelessnesswaslaunchedinJune2010.Ms.Poppeisanationallyrecognizedexpertonhomelessnessandresults-drivenpublic-privatepartnerships.BarbaraPoppeandAssociates,establishedin2014,isanindependentconsultingfirmthatdevelopsthecapacityofcommunitiesandorganizationstotacklecomplexissuesusingacollaborativesystemsapproachtoachieveresultsandimpact.Ms.Poppeisafrequentnational,state,andlocalspeakeronhomelessnessandservesonthenationalboardsoftheEnterpriseCommunityPartnersandtheSiemerInstituteforFamilyStability.

Appendix1

ListeningSessions:

1. TANFCustomers:August9,2016;15participants2. Advocates:August9,2016;10participants3. TEPServiceProviders:August10,2016;12participants4. CityCouncilStaff:August10,2016;6participants

Themes

Improveservicesbefore60months

• Needtohavemeaningfulengagementwithcustomerslongbefore60monthstoavoidhittingtimelimits.

• Increasedoutreach,engagement,andcasemanagementisneededduringthelast12monthsbeforeacustomerreachesthetimelimit.

• IntensiveoutreachandassessmentforPOWERenrollmentisneeded.• IntensiveandspecializedworkpreparationforTANFcustomerswithseverechallengesis

neededincluding:o Vocationalrehabilitationforthosewithsignificantmentalhealthchallengesand/or

developmentaldisabilitiesthataredifficulttoidentifythroughtraditionalassessmentsandcasemanagement

o Improvedaccess/enrollmentinGEDprogramsforthosewithlowliteracyo MoreintensiveservicesforimmigrantsandESLhouseholds.

ImprovePOWER

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• IncreaseaccesstovoluntaryservicesforPOWERhouseholdstoprepareforworkwhileonPOWER

• BeawareofstigmaattachedtoPOWER• IncreaseoutreachandengagementtoidentifyandassistcustomersthatqualifyforPOWER

TANFcustomersthatshouldreceiveanextension(acrossmultiplelisteningsessions)

• HouseholdsthatmeetexistingPOWERcategories:

◦ Adultwithanincapacitatingordisablingmedicalcondition◦ Adultthatisneededinthehometocareforaphysicallyormentallyincapacitated

householdmember(e.g.caringforachildinthehome)◦ Householdheadedbysomeone60yearsorolder◦ PregnantorparentingteeninhighschoolorGEDprogram◦ Customersexperiencingdomesticviolence

• Parentswho“playbyalltherules,”i.e.,parentswhodespitetheirbesteffortscannotfindemployment

• Under-employedandpart-timeworkingparents• Familieswhoareatriskofbecominghomelessorwhohaveunstablehousing• Familieswhoareatriskoftheirchildenteringfostercare• Parentswithlowliteracylevels(definedas<8thgradeandnoGED)and/orESLandnotyetready

toworkwithoutlongerassistance• Allchildrenregardlessofparentparticipation

OtherCustomerstoExtend(singlelisteningsession)

• ParentsfacinghighunemploymentintheDistrict• Parentswithlowcognitiveability,lowachievement,oralearningdisability• Parentswhohavephysicalormentalimpairment(s)andnotabletoworkevenifnotqualified

forSSI/SSDI

• Parentswhoareveterans• Parentswhoarehousebound(can’tgetoutofbed)• Parentsinwitnessprotection• Parentswithsocial/mentaldisorderswhoareengagedintreatment/counseling

Whatshouldbetheconditions/requirementsofanextension?

• MustmeetallparticipationrequirementsandfollowIRP(notbesanctioned)• Mustbeenrolledineducationortrainingprogram;confirmedcareerpath• Norequirements-justhavechildren

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Whatshouldbethebenefitlevels?• Fullbenefits–increasetofullTANFbenefit• Fullbenefits–atlevelreceivingin60thmonth• 75%ofTANFbenefitin60thmonth• 20%ifcapableofworking;100%ifnotcapableofworking• Basedonnumberofchildreninhousehold• Increasewithcostofliving• Basedonbudgetforprogram

Howlongshouldbenefitsbeprovided?

• Aslongasneededwithperiodicreview/recertify• Dependentonreasonforexemptionorspecifictoindividualneeds

o OneyearafterreceivingGED/HighSchoolo Untiltheyareemployedinpermanentjobo Aftertheycompleteprobationaryperiodforjobo 6monthsafterlastcycleoftrainingo Aftercompletetrainingo Extensionsconnectedtoconditions/requirementnotonlyoffamilybutofTANF

providers(ex.ifservicesnotavailablethefamilynotpunished)o Untilfamilycatchesupwithfinancialissues

• Fixedtimeperiods:12monthsor6monthwithrecertification

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Appendix2

CommunityDialoguesCommunityDialogueswereoriginallyplannedtooccurinfourneighborhoodstoexploreideasforthehardshipextensionpolicyandwaystohelphouseholdsthatwillnotreceivea‘hardshipexemption’.Intentwastohosttheseeventsinpublicmeetingspacesandconduct2dialoguesinWard8;1inWard7;1inWard6.Theinvitationwasextendedtocommunityorganizations,keystakeholders,andTANFCustomers.Theverylowattendanceatthefirsttwodialogues,promptedchangesinthemeetinglocations.Thewidespreadconcernthattimelimitsmightincreasehomelessness,resultedindecisiontohostanadditionaldialogueatDCGeneralforparentswhowerecurrentlyexperiencinghomelessness.Overall39TANFcustomersparticipatedinthefivecommunitydialogues.ThedialogueswerefacilitatedbyBarbaraPoppewithtechnicalsupportfromDHS/ESAstaff.Thegeneralcontentforeachsessionisdescribedbelow.Theactualformatvarieddependingontheparticipantsbutthecontentandrequestedfeedbackwasconstantacrossallfivesessions.

GeneralAgenda

1) Welcome,framingandflow–BarbaraPoppe,facilitator

2) Checkin:WhydidIdecidetoparticipateintoday’sdialogueandwhatdoIhopetocontribute?

3) Projectoverview

4) SmallGroupDialogue#1onpolicyfor‘TANFhardshipexemption’totheTANFlimitof60monthsforrecipientfamilieswhohavecomplex,difficultproblemsthatarenoteasilyorquicklyresolved

a. WhoshouldbeeligibleforTANFcashassistancebeyond60months?

b. Whatconditions/requirementsdoyouthinkfamiliesshouldmeettoreceivecashassistance

beyond60months?

c. WhatdoyouthinkshouldbetheamountofcashbenefitforTANFhardshipexemptedhouseholdswhowillreceivecashassistancebeyond60months?

d. WhatdoyouthinkshouldbethelengthsofassistanceforTANFhardshipexemptedhouseholds

whowillreceivecashassistancebeyond60months?

5) SmallGroupDialogue#2onwaystohelpthosehouseholdswhowillnotreceivea‘TANFhardshipexemption’andthereforewillnotbeeligibleforcontinuingTANFcashassistance,includinghowtoconnectthemtootherpublicandcommunityservices.

a. Whatdoyouthinkarethekeyservicesthatneedtobeprovidedtohelpthosehouseholdswho

willnotreceiveaTANFhardshipexemption?

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b. WhatagenciesandcommunityorganizationsdoyouthinkneedtobeinvolvedtohelpthesefamilieswhowillnotreceiveaTANFhardshipexemption?

c. WhatdoyouthinkwouldbethebestwayforafamilywhowillnotreceiveaTANFhardship

exemptiontobeconnectedtotheseservices?

6) Reportout

7) Thankyou,checkoutandadjourn

TANFCommunityDialogue#1BenningNeighborhoodLibraryAugust18,20166:30-7:30PMCommunityParticipants:ThreeTANFcustomersFormat:AttendeesmetwithmembersoftheDHSTANFTeamandBarbaraPoppetodiscusstheirindividualexperienceswhileonTANF.Belowareafewofthethemesalongwithspecificexamplesthatemergedfromtheinformaldiscussion.

Theme1:TANFdoesnotconnectpeopletosustainablejobsTANFprogramwassupposedtochange5yearsagotogetpeopletobeself-sufficientandhavejobs.Shetookhergrandsontotheworkprogramoffice.Theydidnothaveanythingforajob.Theyonlyprovidedfoodstamps.Wenttothecommunitycollaborativeandtheydidn’thaveanythingforajob.TherewerenojobsattheNortonJobfair.It’sfrustratingwhenDHSdoesnothaveanythingforpeopletobeself-sufficient.TANFhelpsalotofpeople,buttheyneedjobs.

Theme2:TANFshouldbestrictlymonitoredandconnectpeopletojobsTANFshouldhavestrictsecurityanddocumentation.Everythingshouldbemonitoredontheinsideandoutside.Weshouldmakesuretheassistancegoeswheretheyaresupposedtogo.Thereneedstobejobtraining/jobs,buttheassistanceshouldnotcutoffimmediately.Allthejobdetailsshouldbedocumented.Thevouchercanbedownsizedaftersteadyemployment.Theyshouldbeeasedofftheassistancegradually.Alotofjobtrainingprogramsarenotproducing.Everythinghastobemonitored.SomeplaceslikeCCPrep(adultschool),needmoremonitoring.Theschoolsneedmonitoringtoensuretheyaredoingtheirjob.

Theme3:Step-DownAssistanceonceemploymentisachievedThereneedstobejobtraining/jobs,buttheassistanceshouldnotcutoffimmediately.Allthejobdetailsshouldbedocumented.Thevouchercanbedownsizedaftersteadyemployment.Theyshouldbeeasedofftheassistancegradually.

Theme4:Additionalgovernmentemploymentprogramsareneeded

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Youusedtobeabletogetadecentjobwiththegovernment.Youcan’tparticipateinprogramslikeProjectEmpowermentifyouarereceivingTANF.Thisprogramshouldn’tbelimitedtopeopleinjail.

Theme5:Women,especiallymothers,havedifferentneedsthanmen

Singlemalesdon’thaveasmanyneedsasmothers,forexample.Itiswrongwhenmoneyistakenawayfrommothersandchildrenforsinglemales.Somemalesselltheirfoodstamps.Thisisalotofmoneythatcouldbeputtowardmotherswhoneeditmore.

CustomerExperience:Iworked13yearsinmedicine,firstappliedtoTANFwhenIwas16.Iamusedtobeingintheworkingenvironment,andIquittotakecareofmymother.

Theme6:ItisdifficulttoexitTANFtoastablejobwithoutacollegedegree

Alotofthejobsneedcollegedegrees.Withoutadegree,it’sdifficulttogetthesejobs.Customerappliedtocollegetogetintothecareerfield.Therehastobeanextensionforthingslikethat.Alsotheeconomyisimportant.Manyjobsareonlypayingaround$25,000ayear.Thehousingisexpensive,howarepeoplesupposedtolive?Issomeonecandosomething,itshouldbedone.Peopleshouldn’tbedroppedandletgo,knowingsomethingthatcanbedone.

Theme7:Transportationisanissuetofindingajob

Transportationisanissuebecauseit’stooexpensive.Customercouldn’tlethergrandsontotakeajobinVirginiabecauseitwastoofar.

TANFCommunityDialogue#2BenningNeighborhoodLibraryAugust19,201610:30AM-12:00PMCommunityParticipants:TwoTANFcustomersFormat:AttendeesmetwithmembersoftheDHSTANFTeamandBarbaraPoppetodiscusstheirindividualexperienceswhileonTANF.Belowareafewofthethemesalongwithspecificexamplesthatemergedfromtheinformaldiscussion.

Theme1:PeopleneedservicesbeyondhelpwithgettingajobThereareissuesthatpeoplegrowupindifficultsituationsandthinkthatistheonlyway.Somepeoplehavebeen“beatenup.”Youhavetogetthesoulfixed.Weneedmentoringsessionsandclasses.The

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hoursneedtobesetuparoundtherapeuticservices.Thereneedstobesomethingotherthan,“gogetonacomputerandjobsearch”.

Theme2:ItisdifficulttobeasingleparentonTANFandtakecareofachildwhilegettinganeducationorworking

Whenyouareasingleparentitishardtolineupajobwithhourstotakecareofchildren.Ihadtoputmy10-year-oldonthemetro.Itishardtolinethingsup.Ittakestime,andIhavebeengettingcertificatesandschooling.ThereisnosupportandamabouttoloseTANF.Itisdifficultandtimeconsumingtogetchildrenintoprograms.Customerenrolledinschoolwhileherchildrenwereinschool.TANFwasabouttoexpire,butwasnotdonewithherprogram.Theprogramisongoingforcertificates.Customerhopescertificationswillgetheradecentjob,andhopestogobacktocollege.Sheneedstohelpherchildrenfirst.Itishardtogetastablejobwithoutacollegedegree.It’sdifficulttogetthecollegedegreewithoutanybenefitsleft.“Imadeadecision[togobacktoschool],butIhavechildrenthatIhavetomakesureareok.”It’shardtobeasinglefatheroftwo.It’sdifficulttoworkaroundthat.Itisdifficultwithnosupportsystemtohelpwithchildren.Forexample,whenthekid’sschoolhadagasleak,therewasnoonetocalltopickupthechild.Itishardtotrustpeoplewithyourkids.Theschoolonlyofferschildcareuntil6pm.Jobhoursdonotlineupwithdaycarehours.Thereneedstobeasupportsystem.Thereisarecreationcenternearhishousetohelptakecareofthechildren,butsomeonewasrecentlyshotthere.Therearefewresourcesintheneighborhoodtohelp.SurvivingonTANFforamonthisdifficult.Hewaspayingall$400amonthfromTANFforchildsupportpayments.

Theme3:ItisdifficulttofindworkwithoutreliabletransportationCustomerworkedallofhislife.HeplannedonusingTANFforafewmonths.Hehadlicensesuspendedandcartakenaway.Withoutavehicle,hecouldn’tgetbacktowork.

Theme4:HowTANFisusedWith$150,shepayscarinsurance,andthemosturgentbill,suchaskeepingelectricityfromturningoff.Nothingelseiscominginforresources.Shehastouseherchild’smoneytopayfornecessities.Shehashadtouse$450towardhousing,carinsurance,transportation,andcellphone.Hegetsthemoneyonthefirstofthemonth,anditisgonebythesecondorthird.Youhavetofindawaytogetbyandsurvive.

Theme5:TANFextensionswouldbeusefultohelpachieveeducationalgoalsCustomerwantstoworkparttimeandgobacktocollegefulltime.IfIgotanextensiontoachievethatgoal,itwouldtakethestressoffoffindingmoney.IwouldgobacktoschoolifIhadthetimeorincometodoit.Thecurrent$150isnothing,butitpayssomething.Itisworkingforsomething.

Theme6:Programsneedtobeheldaccountable,notjustcustomers

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Thereare300studentsatCCPrep.200studentsareonTANF.Thereshouldbemoreemphasisonplaceslikethat.Peoplebouncearoundprogramstoomuch.Thismakesarevolvingdoor.Placeswithalotofturnoverneedtobelookedatcloser.Thereneedstobeoutsideaccountability/monitoring.Customersneedtobeabletosaywhatisgoingoninsteadofbouncingaround.Rightnowitlookslikethecustomersarebouncingaroundfornoreason.Inrealitythereisareasonthisishappening.Customersaretheonlyoneslookedat.

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Shouldtherebeanextensionforaparentthatfollowstherules(playbytherules)?o Mostattendeesagreethatparentsshouldreceiveassistance.o Ifparentsaremeetingallrequirementstheyshouldreceivefullbenefitsuntiltheyfind

employment(i.e.,theyshouldnotbepunished).o Ifparentscannotfindemployment:Reevaluategoalsoftheparents,enrollineducation,

createprogramstosupportchildrenfrom0-15yearsofage,removethedaycarebarrierbyassistingparentswithchildcare,inquireastowhyparentscannotfindwork.

o Allsituationsandindividualsarenotthesame.Needtofigureoutbarrierstoemployment.o Afterfiguringoutbarrierstoemployment,give2-yearextension(after60months)withfull

benefits.

TANFCommunityDialogue#3AmericaWorksAugust31,201610:00–11:30AMAttendance:13TANFCustomerswhoalsoparticipatedinAmericaWorksprogram

•

WhatConditionsandRequirements?

AmountofCash? LengthofAssistance? Why?

Proofofactivity.Child(ren)mustbe0-15yearsofage

Dependsonageofchild

Dependsonsituationoftheindividual

Allsituationsarenotthesame

Stayonitaslongastheyaredoingwhattheyarerequiredtodo

Untiltheyfindemployment

Addressbarriersofwhytheycan’tgetemployment

Fullbenefits 2years

Fullamount Untiltheyfindemployment

Yes,mustbemeetingrequirements

Full Untiltheyfindemployment/2years

Shouldn’tpunish

Proofofactivity.Birthto15yearsofageiftheyhavechildren

Dependsonageofthechildandiftheyareactivelypursuingtobebetter

Dependsonthesituationof theindividual

Allsituationsarenotthesame

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Couldworkbutinneedofdaycare

Fullamount 6monthsorlonger Theyaredoingeverythingtheycanand

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Shouldtherebeanextensionforpeoplewhohavejobsbutareunderemployed?

o Voteisthatafewfeelit’sgoodforanextension§ Theyshouldreceive50%benefitsuntiltheysecurefulltimeandstableemployment.

o Peoplewhoagreewithextendingbenefitsdonotthinkthiswasagoodidea§ Thereductioninbenefitswouldbeamotivatortofindabettersituation§ Mustbelookingforfulltime,extensionisonlyfor2years.2yearswillhelpwith

individualswhoareincollege.§ Orsomesuggest6monthsto1yearextensionasmax,tobedoneonacasebycase

basisaddressingbarrierstofindingfulltimeemployment.o Generalconsensusisthatthegoalshouldbetofindfulltimeemployment,providingupto2

yearofextensionbutthisisacasebycasebasis.Barrierstofindingfulltimeemploymentmustbeaddressed.

itishardtofindemployment

Theyareaddressingreasonforunemployment

Fullamount 2years Theyfiguredoutwhy

IftheystayIcoulditcouldbe2to3years

Notsure

Iftheyaredoingeverything Notsure,nomorethan$500

Aslongasyouhaveprooforatleasttrying

BecauseIbelieveTANFwillneverbeerasedbutreduced

Donotrecommend None Donotrecommend Donotrecommend

Reevaluategoals.Maybeenrollineducation/WorkExperience(WEX)

Some 1year Therehastobesomethingholdingthemback

•



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Proof Dependsonfullparticipation,fullbenefits

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Shouldtherebeanextensionforfamiliesatriskofhomelessness?o Keepbenefitsifyoucanprovideproofofhomelessness.o Benefitsprovidedinacasebycasebasisuntilstablehousingisfound.o Peoplemustbeengagedwithhousingproviderstoshowtheyaretryingtofindhousing.

§ VirginiaWilliamsFamilyResourceCenterisnotawelcomingenvironmentandthereisalotofhassleassociatedwithgoingtousetheseservices.Peoplefeelbelittled.Availablehousingoptionsarenotalwaysclean,orrentalpaymentsarelimited.

o After60monthsshouldbefullbenefitsifyouareengagingwithTEPandhousingproviders(i.e.followingIRP).IfyouarenotengagingwithTEPandhousingprovider(i.e.notfollowingIRP)then60%benefits.

o Theclockshouldbestoppedifyouarehomelessbecausethisisaveryhardsituationandtakeslongertorecoverfrom.

Don’tcutthewholeTANFwhentheyonlyworkparttime

6months–1year,casebycasebasis

Casebycasebasis 50% 2years

No,becauseshouldbeabletomakeit

Proof Dependingonfullparticipation, fullbenefits

40% 6months

•



Proof

Don’tcutafter60months Toseekhousingandemployment,doallrequirements

Shouldbeengagedinaprogram

60% 1½years

Inshelter/transitionalbutneedtime

Full Untilinstablehousing/employed

Hardtobestablewithouthousing

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Proof

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Shouldtherebeanextensionforfamiliesatriskofhavingchildenterfostercare?

o Extensionshouldapplyifparentneedshelpandcanshowproofthatyouaretrying(i.e.playingbytherules)

§ Especiallyyouplayedbytherules,didwellwithyourolderchildrenpreviously,butnowyouhaveanotherchildandarebackatsquareone.

o Parentsneedtoplaybytherulesbutsupportshouldbeprovidedtothoseatriskoffostercareregardless

o Aconditionoftakingaparentingcourseandseekingparentingassistancetoensurefostercaredoesnothappen

o Extensionsshouldbeappliedtoindividualswithspecialneedschildren.

None Allparents

None Allbenefits Untiltheyimprovetheirlivingsituation(shelter)

Becausetheyarehomeless

Engagedwithahousingprovider

60% 1year Verylargepopulationandlimitedservices

Workingwithhousingcoordinator/enrolledinvender

Unchanged 2-3years Noadditionalincome

•



Proof

Don’tcut,mustseekparentingclasses

Yes,mustmeetacorrectingrisk

Full Untileverythingisfixed Withoutbenefits,won’tcareforkids

Proof

Sometimesparentsneedparentingclasses

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Sometypeofparentingclasses

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Mustengageinforatleasttwomonthsmeetingallrequirements

60% 1year Specialneeds

• Shouldtherebeanextensionforadultswhohavelowliteracy?o NoextensionbecausethereareliteracyandGEDprogramsprovided.Theyneedtoplayby

therules.WhatConditionsandRequirements?


Proof

Needtoenrollinaclasstoassistthem

Needsandplayrules 60% 1½years LengthofProgram

Yes,mustbeinschoolandparticipating

Full UntilGED/skillsacquired

Needextraskills

Proof

GED Some 2years Theycan’tunderemployed

HighschooldiplomaorGED Some 2years Theycan’tunderstand

EnrolledinTANFprogrammeetingliteracyrequirements

60% 1½years/2years Lengthofprogram

EnrolledinGES/diplomaprogram

Unchanged ?2years Duetothelackofeducation/lengthofGEDprogram

• Shouldtherebeanextensionforhouseholdswithchildrentoreceiveextensionregardlessofwhetherparentisparticipating?

o ResoundingNO!!o Thereisnotincentivetoaddressyourbarriers,seekemploymentandmoveforward

§ No,byprovidingextensionsyouareessentiallydoingworsebecauseparentsarenotforcedtoworkonthesebarriers,potentiallymakingaworseenvironment

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§ Beforepeoplearecutofahomeassessmentneedtobecompletedtomakeacasebycasedecisiononwhoreceivesextensions.

§ 2yearsofbenefitswithafocusonmakingimprovementso Doyouthinkcuttingcheckworkedasamotivator?

§ SomebutnotreallyWhatConditionsandRequirements?


Noagerequirementbuthowmanychildren?

Disagree

None 0% 0years Notrecommended

Fullamount Childrenshouldnothavetosufferbecauseofparents

No–mustparticipate

Noagerequirement,buthavemanychildren

Singleparentandchildshouldn’tsuffer

Fullamount 6monthsorlonger Takingcareof2childrenalone

No! 0% 0 Customerhasnoreasontoworkisassistanceisnotconditioned

None 0

• Arethereanyothersituationsthatshouldbeconsideredforextensions?

o Extensivecriminalbackgroundthatcreateabarrier§ Thesepeoplemayneedabitmoretimetogetontheirfeet§ Receivebenefitsaslongasmeetingrequirements

o Enrolledineducationprogramshouldbeextended

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§ Shouldreceivefullbenefits§ 48monthstogetmoreassistancesothattheyhavetimetofinishtheprogram

o Everyonereaching60monthlimitneedmoreintensivecasemanagement§ At48months,moreintensivecasemanagementshouldkickin.

o Singleparentsshouldreceiveextension§ Itisdifficulttomoveforward§ Mixedviewonthissomefeelsingleparentplayingbytherulesreceiveextension

somefeelallsingleparentsshouldbeextended.o VolunteertoWork(commentonattendeesworksheet)

• WhatservicesshouldbeprovidedtofamiliescutfromTANF?

o Accesstojobreadinessservices(TANFJobReadinessprogramandothercityjobreadinessprogram)

o Childcareserviceso Transportationserviceso Somecasemanagementshouldbeprovidedtopeoplewithbarriers

• WhatimprovementsareneededtotheTANFprogramtomakeitmoreeffective?o Jobpartnershipprograms(i.e.companiesbasedinDCthatwilltakeTANFcustomers)o MoretrainingandeducationprogramsprovidedwithTEPProviders(onsite)forcertification.

Thiswouldencouragepeopletocometoproviders.o Intakeprocessneedstobeadjusted.Barriertoworkproblemsarenotbeingaddressed(i.e.

GED,mentalhealth,literacy)o Whyisn’titworkingforsomefolk?

§ SomefeelitisbecausetheyaregiventheoptionNOTtoengagewithproviders.Peopleneedmoremotivation.

§ Ifindividualsareabouttobesanctionedthenhomeassessmentsneedtotakeplacepriortosanctions

• Therewasshockinthenumberoffamiliesthataresanctionedandthenthelowpercentageoffamiliesthatrespondedtocurethesesanctions.

§ Thereneedstoberestrictionsandmoreprogramstomovepeopleforwardtowardseconomicsecuritybecauseweneedtothinkaheadaboutthechildren.

TANFCommunityDialogue#4DCGeneralFamilyShelterAugust31,20161:00–2:30PM

Attendance:9TANFcustomerswhoarealsoresidentsofDCGeneralFamilyShelter

• Backgroundonwhywe’retalkingtoyouandthengetyourfeedback/ideaso FeedbackonPOWERexemptions

§ MostnotawareofPOWER§ Customermusttakecareofcounselingservices,feeltheyarenotyetreadyto

work§ DidnotrealizethePOWERprogramstoppedtheworkrequirement.

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o Feedbackonsanctions.§ Yes,somehaveexperiencedthatalready.§ Feelitisnotalwaysfair,becauseitwashardtoaccessservices.Providersare

notalwaysintheoffice.• GeneralfeedbackonExtensionPolicy

o Peoplewhoplaybytherulesorpeoplewhohaverealbarriers(i.e.POWERorcriminalbackgrounds)shouldreceiveanextensionorbeofferedapprenticeships.

o GrantAssociatesdoesagoodjob,butnotallvendorsarelikethem.TheotherProviderssheworkedwithbeforewerenotasproactive.

o Thebehaviordoesnotseemtochangebasedonthreats,sanctionsorcuts.o Theextensionsshoulddependonhowengagedtheyare.o Noteveryoneshouldreceiveandextension.o Ifplaybytherulesyoushouldreceiveextensions.o TherearesituationswherepeopleclaimDVanditisnottrue,thatisatrickyone.o Shelostherjobduetolosingchildcare,friendthatwatchedchildcouldnotdoso

anymore.o Childrenundertheageoffiveshouldreceivethechildonlybenefit,notbenefitsforfull

householdjustbecausethereisachild.o Documentationisimportant.o Conclusion:

§ iftheparentplaysbytherulesthenthefamilyshouldbeextendedbutgraduateddownservicesandreceivetransportationstipend

§ iftheydonotplaybytherules,thenshouldstillreceivebenefitbutreduced• Shouldhomelessnessorriskofhomelessbeareasonforexemptionorextension?

o No.Thisdoesnotmatterbecausetherearealotofservicesforhomelessfamiliesandsheltercoverscostofhousing/food/etc.Ifyoudon’tplaybytherules,thenyoushouldnotreceivebenefits

• Whydoyouthinksomanyparentsarenotcompliant?o Theyarelazy,ormayhavesomedisability.o ManypeopledonotwanttodojobsearchwiththeProviders

§ HategoingtotheProviders,doingthetimesheetsandpaperwork§ Wanttodothisontheirownterms§ ProvidersareextremelyoverwhelmedwithcustomersinDCwhohavehigher

barrierssoit’seasiertofocusandprovideservicesforcustomerswithlowerbarriers

§ Biggestbarriers–Somecustomersaresoyoung,thereissomemuchdramaandtheyarenotfocusedonemploymentbecauseofmentalhealthandotherstressors.

• DoyoufeelDHSisgoodatidentifyingneeds/barriers?o No,theydonotconnectyouwellwithotherservicesandhelpingyoutogetnecessary

ofdocumentationo TEPProvidersarealldifferent,alotofrunningaroundo PSIhasbeenverygoodathelpinggetdocumentation.o FormentaldisabilityitisveryhardgetSSI

• WhatcouldTANFdobetter?

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o Therearesomanysigninsheetsandsometimeyoumaymisssomethingresultinginamissingstipend.

o DCGeneralFamilySheltercansignoffonatimesheetwhichishelpfulbutnoteveryonehasthatsupport.

o TheTANFbenefithasbeenreducedafter60months;thereisafearmorefamilieswillbecomehomeless.DCisanexpensivecitytolivein;$150isnotalotbutitcanhelpwithbills.Maybeyouarestayingwithsomeoneandpickingupthepowerbill.

o DHSServiceCentersshouldhavebettercommunication,messageisnotconsistentandthingsgetlostbetweenthedepartments

§ Thingsarelostwhentheyareputinthedrop-box.Shewasnotabletoseeacaseworkerandthiswasfrustrating.ShereappliedinJunebutwastoldsheonlyneededtogiveabitmoreinformation.ShewasassuredsheONLYneededgiveafewmoreinfothenheardnothing…latershefindsoutsheneedtoreapply.Shereceivedahardtimeeverywhereshewent.Intotal3monthstogetthroughthesystem.

o POWERexemptiondoesnothavehomelessness.Shouldhomelessnessbeincludedandwhataretherequirementsexpectedofthem?

§ It’sgoodthattheyhaverequirements,mustparticipate.AtDCGeneralFamilyShelteritisgoodthattheyarerequiredtoparticipate.TheclockstopisabadideabecauseyoucouldliveinDCGeneralFamilyShelterandbeonTANFforthree(3)years.Thatisalotofsupport.

• IfafamilyisgettingcutfromTANF,whatservicesshouldbeavailable?o Servicestohelpthemgainemployment,seeaTEPProviderorgotoaDOESprogram.

Notsureoniftheyshouldstillreceivechildcare–thisshouldonlybereceivediftheyareinschoolorjob.

o Shouldnotreceivetransportationstipend.

TANFCommunityDialogue#5CCPrepAcademySeptember12,201610:30AM–12:00PM

Attendance:12TANFcustomerswhoarealsostudentsatCCPrepAcademy

FeedbackrequestedonpolicyforTANFHardshipextension(questionsbelow).CustomersworkedinsmallgroupswithDHSstaffavailabletoanswertechnicalquestions.

1. Whoshouldbeeligibleforcashassistancebeyond60months?2. Whatconditions/requirementsdoyouthinkfamiliesshouldmeettoreceivecaseassistance

beyond60months?3. WhatdoyouthinkshouldbetheamountofcashassistancebenefitforTANFhardshipexempted

householdswhoreceiveassistancebeyond60months?

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4. WhatdoyouthinkshouldbethelengthofassistanceforTANFhardshipexemptedhouseholdswhowillreceivecashassistancebeyond60months?

Compiledresponsesfromthereportout:

− Peoplewithdisabilitieswithanannualreview,withfullbenefitsor50%.− Peoplewithmentalillnesswhoareincompliancetoplanandcheckinannuallywithfull

benefits.− Peoplewhoarepursuingeducation–extendthemupto4or5yearswithfullbenefitsifin

compliance.− Peopleseekingemployment/educationwhoareparticipating–fullbenefitsuntilemployed.− Peoplewhoarehomelessuntiltheyarehousedandemployed.Theywillneedtoshowthat

theyarecompliantandseekingemploymentorparticipatingineducation,receivingfullbenefits.

− Everyoneshouldbeextendedwhoisseekingemploymentoreducationbecausenooneispreparedforleavingtheprogram.Thereshouldbeathree(3)monthassessmentthatincludesassistance.Afterthree(3)monthassessmentthereisnoprogress,allbenefitsshouldbestopped.

− Extendchildrenupto15yearsold.(discussionofabilityfor15,16,17yearoldtoworkandmanagemoney)

− Extendchildrenupto8yearsold.− Ifsomeonehasusedtheir60monthsandthenislaidofforterminated(andnoteligiblefor

unemployment)theyshouldbeabletoeligibleagain.

FeedbackrequestedonwhatservicesthosenolongereligibleforcashassistanceduetoinvoluntaryexitfromTANF.Compiledresponsesfromthereportout:

− Housing–acasemanagerreviewtoensurehousingstability− SNAP(FoodStamps)eligibility− Medicaid− Employment/educationassistance/training/jobreadiness/connectionstoemployers/internships− Childcare− Transportation

Additionalcomments:

− Homevisitstoassesschildrenandadultcircumstances.− TEPProvidersneedtoofferwhattherecipientswantandneed.− Somerecipientshaveothersourcesoffundsthataren’tbeingreported.− SomehavebeenonTANFformanyyearssobeingexitedduetotimelimitswillbemajorshift.

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WorkingGroup:ToInformaTemporaryAssistanceforNeedyFamilies(TANF)HardshipExtension

PolicyforDC(Meeting#1)Thursday,August18,2016

AnacostiaNeighborhoodLibrary–1800GoodHopeRd.SE2pmto5pm

CommitteeMembersPresent

Appendix3

WorkingGroupNotes

WorkingGroupMeeting#1notes:

Name Organizations

9individuals(5voting) Customers

CMYvetteAlexander/YulandaBarlow CouncilmemberYvetteAlexander

BrianCampbell DHS

CurtCampbell LegalAid

DarrellCason DHS

TamithaChristian DHS

AndreaGleaves DCCoalitionAgainstDomesticViolence

MonicaKamen DCFairBudgetCoalition

JeremyLares(non-voting) GrantAssociates

EdLazere DCFiscalPolicyInstitute

TaiMeah CouncilmemberNadeau

GingerMoored OCFO

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CommunityMembersPresent

Otherparticipants:LauraZeilinger,DHS;BarbaraPoppe,BarbaraPoppeandAssociates;ToddIves,BarbaraPoppeandAssociates

1. Welcome–DHSDirectorLauraZeilinger(2:21pm)

• Manydifferentvoicesarerepresentedintheroom–Council,DHS,advocates,serviceproviders,TANFcustomers–thankyouforparticipating.

• October1,2017lawgoesintoeffectthatdoesnotpermitextensionofTANFcashassistancepastthe60-monthlimit.

• ThegoalistodeveloparobustTANFpolicytodeveloprecommendationsforTANFhardshipextensions.

DavidRoss DHS

JudithSandalow Children’sLawCenter

AntheaSeymour DHS

CMElissaSilverman/KellyHunt CouncilmemberSilverman

LisaSimmons(non-voting) Maximus

JenniferTiller(non-voting) AmericaWorks

JohnCoombs EOM

ChristineWong BreadfortheCity

KateCoventry DCFiscalPolicyInstitute

ErinLarkin DCCoalitionAgainstDomesticViolence

TonyLopez NeighborhoodLegalServicesProgram

KathyHaines DMHHS

DamonKing Children’sLawCenter

• BarbaraPoppewashiredtofacilitateasaneutralthirdpartyinordertohearfromalldifferentperspectives.

2. Agendareviewandintroductions–BarbaraPoppe(facilitator)

Scope/ChargeofWorkingGroup

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• DeveloprecommendationstoDHSDirectorLauraZeilingerforTANFhardshipexemptionpolicybySeptember30,2016

o PrioritiesandsuggestionsforhardshipextensionpoliciestosupportvulnerableDistrictfamilieswhoshouldbeeligibletoreceiveTANFassistancebeyond60months.Budgetassumptions/options:a)Allextended;b)$25million;c)$17.5million,d)$10million

o DevelopingthebestapproachestoservefamilieswhoseTANFbenefitshaveended.

• Reviewofprocesstimeline(August2016–September2016formationofworkinggroup,listeningsessions,communitydialogues,dataanalysis).

• Meeting1(8/18/16):Stagesetting,listeningsessionreport,dataaboutfamilies,costexamples,preliminarypolicyideasforhardshipexemptionsfromtimelimits

• Meeting2(8/30/16):communitydialoguereport,nationalexpertpresentation,financialimpactoftimelimits,risks&benefitsifallfamiliesareexemptedfromtimelimits,prioritizepolicyideaswithinbudgetmarks

• Meeting3(9/13/16):communitydialoguereport,finetuneallrecommendations,voteonfinalrecommendations.

• Allworkingmemberswillhaveopportunitytocommentonfinalreportbeforesubmission.

• Thepurposeistogainconsensusattheendforpolicyrecommendations.Ifconsensusisnotpossible,avotingprocesswillbeused.

• Thefinalreportwillincludeeverythingthatcameoutofthemeetings.

Questions:

• EdLazere(DCFPI):Nervousabouttheprocess,especiallyhemmingintoa$10millionbudgetmark.Weshoulddecidewhatthebestpolicyisandthenpriceit.

• Barbara:Thebudgetquestionsgetatthecoreissueofpriorities.Wehavebeengiventhistaskandthebudgetwillhelpusbeclearonpriorities.Thereportwillalsohighlightwhataretherisksandbenefitsoftotalexemption.

• EdLazere:Canwefigureoutwhatisthebesttimelimitpolicyandgofromthere?Thiscouldbeallexemptionsornot.

• Barbara:Thenextmeetingwilldiscussbenefitsandrisksofnotimelimitsandpresentanimpactanalysisofcostsoftimelimits.Theremaybeoptionsbetweenthe$25millionbudgetmarkandprovidingexemptionsforall.

• EdLazere:Re:thirdmeetingvoting,wouldliketoreportouttheconsensusitemsandthenlistthenon-consensusitemsseparately(withoutvotingonthem).

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Barbara:Timetobeginourworktogether.Invitedextrovertstostepback,introvertstoopenup.Keepanopenmind,bepositive.Listenwithintenttounderstandothers’perspectives.Facilitatorcommitment:fair,open,inclusive,responsiveprocess.Capturetheconversationandrecommendationsasaccuratelyaspossible.Providemembersopportunitytoreviewreportbeforesubmission.

Activity:Turningtoyourneighbor:“WhydidIdecidetoparticipateandwhatdoIhopetocontributetotheWorkingGroup?”(2:43pm)

3. ProjectOverview–AntheaSeymour,EconomicSecurityAdministrationAdministrator

• DHSMission

• TANFoverview

o Providescashassistanceandsupportservicestofamilies

o DChasa60-monthtimelimitgoingintoeffectOctober2017

o DCdoesnotcurrentlyhaveahardshipextensionpolicy;allstateshavetheoptionofhavingone

o 2011Districtlawcreatedatimelimit,whichhasbeenpostponedtwice

o Morethan15,000familiescurrentlyparticipateinTANF(nearly5,800havereceivedbenefitsformorethan60months)

• POWERProgramOverview(ProgramonWorkEmploymentandResponsibility).Participantswithparticularcircumstancescanenterthisprogram;stopsyourTANFclockwhileyouareintheprogram

o 815inPOWER,527oftheseare60+monthstatus;(DHSbelievesthisisanundercountofwhomayqualifyforPOWER.)

• Displayedlistof16possibleexemptioncategoriesusedbyotherstates

• Graduatedsanctionsexistnow(3levels);Level1:20%,Level2:50%,Level3:100%(ButonlyLevel1hasbeenimplemented;Levels2&3willcomerightafterDCASupdates).

• Forhardshipextensionpolicy:Whoshouldbeeligible?Whatqualifications?Whatamountofcash?Lengthsofassistance?Howtohelpthosewhodon’tqualify?

4. Presentation:ThemesfromListeningSessions-BarbaraPoppe

• Heldlastweek(separatesessionsforTEPVendors,TANFrecipients,advocates,andCouncil).Thefollowingcommonthemesemergedacrossallsessions:

o Improvequalityofservicesbefore60months

o Increaseengagement,especiallyinlast12months

o Importanceofintensiveservices

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o ImprovePOWER(increaseoutreachforenrollment,accesstoworkpreparationservices,beawareofstigmaattachedtoPOWER)

• Familiestoexemptfromtimelimit:manyofthecategoriesthatlisteningsessionparticipantsnamedarealreadyqualifyingfactorsforPOWER,whichstopstheTANFclockanywayandsodonotneedanextension

• Recommendedfamiliestoexemptfromtimelimit(6themes,pervasiveinalllisteningsessions):

o Familieswhoplaybyalltherules(yetcan’tfindemployment)

o Under-employed/part-timeworkingparents

o Familiesatriskofhomelessness/haveunstablehousing

o Familiesatriskofchildenteringfostercare

o Parentswithlowliteracylevels(<8thgradeornoGED)and/orESLandnotyetreadytoworkwithoutlongerassistance

o Allchildrenregardlessofparentparticipation

o Question:isthisforexemptionsorextensions?

§ Thisreferstohardshipextensionafter60months

• Themesfromasinglesession(notacrossmultiplelisteningsessions):

o HighunemploymentinDC

o Parentswithlowcognitiveability,lowachievement,learningdisability

o Veterans

o Housebound

o Parentswhocannotworkbecauseofphysicalormentalimpairments

o Witnessprotection

o Engagedinsocial/mentalhealthtreatment/counseling

• Conditions/requirementssimilaracrossgroups

o MustmeetallparticipationrequirementswithTANF

o Mustbeenrolledineducation/trainingonacareerpath

o Norequirements–exemptallchildrenfromtimelimitsregardlessofparentalparticipation

• BenefitsLevel.Recommendationsvariedwidely:

o Customersshouldreceivefullbenefits

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o Customersshouldreceivepartialbenefits

o Benefitsshouldbedeterminedbyannualbudget

o Benefitsshouldbedeterminedbynumberofchildren

• Howlong?3themes:1)extensionaslongasneeded(withperiodicreview),2)dependentonaspecificreason,3)fixedtimeperiodextension(e.g.6or12months)

5. TANFFamilyData(3:08pm)–AntheaSeymour

• Lengthofstay:roughly½offamilieshavebeenonTANFforlessthan60months,½over

• Averageage:32years

• Metricschart:inFY13,about25%ofcustomerswerewaitingforreferralstoserviceproviders,nowthatnumberisdowntonearlyzero

• Customersleavingduetowagehasincreasedoverthepasttwoyears

• ThereisstillaDHSconcernthatTANFfamiliesarenotearningasmuchastheywouldlike

o Question:whyaresomepeoplemakinglessthanminimumwageonTANF?

§ Anthea-SomepeoplemayworkoutsideoftheDistrictorworkjobsthatrelyontips

• Educationalbackground(self-reported):76%reportHSdegree/GED;22%reportpost-highschooleducation(Antheanotesthatthesenumbersmaybeelevated,basedonreportsofexperiencesfromTANFEmploymentProgramorTEPvendors).

o Comment:OneparticipantnotedthatDCPublicSchools(DCPS)doesnotretaineducationrecordsverylong,sosomemayhavehighschoolcredentials,butnotbeabletoprovethis.

§ BrianCampbell:POWERisanopt-inprogram;someparticipantsmightopt-outbecausenostipendsareavailable(astheyareforTEPvendorparticipationintraditionalTANF)

• MorefamiliesshouldbeusingPOWERthencurrentlydo.Thereisanunderlyingstigmawithbeingaprogramforpeoplewithdisabilitiesthatmaydrivesomepeopleawayfromusingit.

• About1,900customersonTANFliveinpublichousingandhavebeenreceivingTANFbenefitsfor60+months

• 1,08660-monthfamilieshaveenteredshelterannuallyoverpastthreeyears

• 60+monthoutreachplan:diddirectmail,HomeVisitorsProgram,outreachthroughCommunityBasedOrganizations,customerfeedback(throughAdvisoryBoard,roundtables,surveys)

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• CharacteristicsoffamiliesonTANFformorethan60months

o Benefitisabout$150(variesbasedonhouseholdsize).Thisisdownfrom$428amonthin2011.

o 96%ofheadsofhouseholdssubjecttolossofTANFbenefitsarefemales,mostlysinglemothers.

o Morethan10,000childrenareexpectedtobeimpactedbythe60monthtimelimit.61%areundertheageof10.

o 75%liveinWards6,7,and8

• InSpring2016,DHSadministeredasurveytoover6,000familieswhowouldbesubjecttothelossofTANFbenefitsduetothefiveyearlimit.Thesurveywasbasedonself-reporting.Therewasa42%responserate.

o About77%ofthetargetpopulation(n=6,053)werenotparticipatinginTANFprogramrequirements/TEPvendor;forsurveyparticipants(n=2,592),engagementlevelsweresimilarwith69%ofrespondentsnotparticipatinginTANFprogramrequirements

o 65%wereneitheremployednorineducationprograms

o Twooutoffiveofthoseemployedworkedmorethan30hoursbutbringhomelessthan$500everytwoweeks

o Ofthoseenrolledinaneducationprogram,roughly1/3college,1/3vocationaltraining,1/3workingonhighschooldiploma/GED

o Manycustomersreportedhealthissuesbuthavenotaccessedtreatment

o Question:CMAlexander:hastherebeenanycoordinationwithhealthcare/ManagedCareOrganizationsaboutparticularcustomers?Concernedaboutnon-compliancewithMCOs;thisneedstobeaddressed

§ AntheaSeymour:in-depthfollow-upvisitsareongoingwithcustomersbasedontheresponsesofthesurvey.

o About66%hadproblemslookingforworkbecausetheydidn’thaveenougheducationorworkexperience;18%couldnotgetchildcare

o DetailedreviewofCATCHsystem(TANFcasenotes)foundthatabout45%ofallTANFcustomersarehavingdifficultieswithchildcare/childwell-being;18%ofcustomershavementalhealthissues

o 50%goonandoffTANF,mostoftenduetoincome

o CustomerswholeftTANFandreturned,mostlywasduetoalossofjoborwage

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o 34%said,“TANFdidnothelpmebecomemoresecure,”57%statedthatTANF“helpedmetopaymybills”(multi-selectanswer)

§ Comment:participantnote:theserespondentsareonlygettingabout$150/monthnow;theiranswermighthavebeendifferentwhentheyhadhigherTANFamounts

o AskedcustomershowwecanimproveTANF.80%saidworkshopsonnewcareers(amongstotherresponsesthateachreceived70+%approval;thisquestionwasmulti-select)

o Useofothergovernmentservices:32%reportedDCPSIndividualEducationPlans(IEPs)/DCPScounseling

o Supportfromothersources?43%family

o Morethan50%saidthatlosingTANFwouldmaketheirlivesmoredifficult

o Question:howmuchdofamiliesreceivebefore60months?

§ Anthea-theaverageis$450amonth.After60months,itis$150.

6. SmallGroupDialogues:Developpolicyconcepts(3:42pm)

• Format:smalltablegroupdiscussions

• Thepurposeistodevelop“policyideas”byfamilysituation/characteristics.ThesmallgroupshadtheoptionofworkinguptheListeningSessionideasthathademergedacrossmultiplesessions(below)and/ordevelopadditionalideas.

o Parentswho“playbyalltherules,”i.e.,parentswhodespitetheirbesteffortscannotfindemployment

o Under-employedandpart-timeworkingparents

o Familieswhoareatriskofbecominghomelessorhaveunstablehousing

o Familieswhoareatriskofchildenteringfostercare

o Parentswithlowliteracylevels(definedas<8thgradeornoGED)and/orESLandnotyetreadytoworkwithoutlongerassistance

o Allchildrenregardlessofparentparticipation

• Read-out:Theoptionswereplacedontheboard,lettersA-J.

o ListeningSessionideasthatwerefurtherdevelopedwereposted

o Additionalideasweredevelopedandposted

§ WantstomakesurePOWERparticipantsareincluded.

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costingthedata.

• Votingwilltakeplacebyvotingmembersusingstickervotes.Placeastickerontheideasthatareimportanttoyou.DHScancreatecostestimatesfortheprioritizedideas.

Presentation:Examplesoffinancialscenarios–AntheaSeymour

• Antheapresentedasamplecostanalysis;thiswasdoneasasample,withcertainbaselineassumptions.Forexample,$450/monthfor<=60months;$150/month>60months,incorporatedCostofLivingAdjustment,focusedoncashbenefitsonly.Nostaffcosts,systemrebuildsorothertechnicaladjustmentstothesystem.

• AntheapresentedOCFOestimatesofacostextensionfordifferenttypesofcustomergroupsunderCMNadeau’sBill(items1-7)andtwoadditionalscenarios.

§ Education–thosethatdon’thaveaGED/highschooldiploma.

§ Childcare–nothavingstablechildcare.

§ Two-generationalapproachtoworkingwiththechildrenaswelltoaddressintergenerationalpoverty.

• DHSwillneedtocostouttheideasthatareprioritized.BarbarahadaskedDHStoworkon

7.

No Criteria FY18 FY19 FY20 Projected#ofFamilies

1CustomersinJobTrainingorPost-SecondaryEducation $11,435,152 $12,751,553 $13,076,931 1,800

2 SingleParentsw/Childrenunder6Months $ 2,602,993 $ 2,898,001 $ 2,972,880 288

3 SingleParentsw/Childrenunder4Months $ 1,787,233 $ 1,985,981 $ 2,038,059 192

4 AdultLearners $ 2,873,874 $ 3,206,918 $ 3,288,306 457

5 ExtensionatFullBenefitifComplyw/IRP $33,796,937 $37,784,975 $38,729,600 5,524

6 Complyw/IRP+FullorPartialParticipation

$20,483,734 $22,900,814 $23,473,335 3,348

7 Complyw/IRP+FullParticipation

$11,379,852 $12,722,675 $13,040,741 1,860

8

ContinueatCurrentBenefitLevel:65%ReductionfromFullBenefitsafter60Months

$11,383,115

$12,726,323

$13,044,481

6,200

9 20%ReductionfromFullBenefitsafter60Months

$36,491,392 $40,797,376 $41,817,311 6,200

• Question:o JudithSandalow:Isthecalculationoffsetbycostofcoveringfamilieswhofallintoother

services?o Anthea-No,thatanalysiswillcomeforthesecondmeeting.

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8. Prioritizepolicyideasfordevelopmentofcostestimates

• Basedontheinputfromthesmallgroups,memberswereaskedtovotewithdotsonpoliciesfromtheideasheetsforDHStocostandbringbacktothenextmeeting.Eachvotingmemberoftheworkinggroupwasgivenfivedots.

IdeaA:Parentswhoplaybyalltherules,i.e.parentswhodespitetheirbesteffortscannotfindemployment

IdeaA1:Parentswho“playbyalltherules”shouldreceivefullbenefitswithrecertification.IRPshouldbeindividualandbethedeterminateandintentionofplayingbytherules.Besteffortslookdifferent.Theconcernwiththiscategoryisthatitcreatesanotionthatsomefamiliesare“moreworthy”ofservices.Butitalsofailstoacknowledgethatfamilieswhocan’t“playbytherules”havegreaterbarriers.

IdeaA2:Parentswho“playbyalltherules”shouldreceivethefullbenefitamountfor6monthswithreview.Uponreviewadditionaltimemaybegranted.

IdeaA3:Parentswho“playbyalltherules”shouldbeinfullcomplianceinconsistentassessmentsorfacesanctions.Theyshouldreceivefullbenefitsuntilsanctionedonaninterimbasisbasedonassessment.

IdeaA4:Parentswho“playbyalltherules”mustshowparticipationandreceivefullbenefitsbecauseofincomeandeconomicrationale.

IdeaA5:Parentswho“playbyalltherules”mustshowproofofyourbestefforts(needtodeterminehowtoshowproof)andproofofparticipationandmoremandatorytrainingormockclasseswithfeedbackfromprospectiveemployers.Theyshouldreceivefullbenefitswith6monthreviewbecausetheyareplayingbytherules.

IdeaA6:Parentswho“playbyalltherules”mustshowfullcompliancewiththeIRPandreceivefullbenefits.Isthereanotheralternativetotimelimitssothatthechildrenaren’timpacted?

IdeaB:Under-employedandpart-timeworkingparents

IdeaB1:Under-employedandpart-timeworkingparents-Ifsomeoneisworkingthereshouldbenoextension,orjusta6monthextensionwithfullbenefitspendingreview.Itshouldbethesameasplaybytherules.Somefeltthatlowworkhoursisareflectionofpoorperformance.Thegroupwassplitonthis.

IdeaB2:Under-employedandpart-timeworkingparentsshouldbeinfullcompliance(almostlikeIdeaA)withaslidingscaleofbenefitspendinginterimassessments.

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IdeaB3:Under-employedandpart-timeworkingparentsmustdemonstrateactiveparticipationinfindingbetteremploymentwiththeproviderandreceivepartialbenefitswithrecertificationupto12months.CostoflivingwithinDC.Improvementofeconomicstabilityisgreatlyneeded.

IdeaC:Familieswhoareatriskofbecominghomelessorhaveunstablehousing

IdeaC1:Familieswhoareatriskofbecominghomelessorhaveunstablehousingshouldhavelowbarrierstoparticipationandreceivethemaxamountofassistance.Lengthofassistanceiscase-by-case.TherationaleforthebenefitisDC’scurrenthousingmarket(toounaffordable),lackofhousingopportunitiesforlargefamilies,thepotentialburdenonthesheltersystem,andresearchshowsthatifyoucanputpeopleinhousingitleadstobetteroutcomes.

IdeaC2:Familieswhoareatriskofbecominghomelessorhaveunstablehousingmustbeinamulti-familyhousehold,inarentburdenedsituation(30%+ofincometowardrent),andreceivingnohousingsubsidytoqualifyforfullbenefitsforthehousehold.Thisassistanceshouldlastuntiloneofthethreeconditionsisnotmetorthechildagesoutbecausehousingstabilityisatcoreofhouseholdstabilityandhealth.

IdeaC3:Familieswhoareatriskofbecominghomelessorhaveunstablehousingshouldreceivefullbenefitsbasedonhousingriskonlyforaslongasneededbecausehomelesscostsleadtoadownwardcycle.

IdeaD:Familieswhoareatriskofchildenteringfostercare

IdeaD1:Familieswhoareatriskofchildenteringfostercareshouldreceivefullbenefitsaslongasthechildiswithincustodyandtheriskcontinueswithnootherrequirements.Benefitsshouldcontinueaslongastheriskcontinueswithattentionpaidtohowthefamilyusesthebenefitsbecauseitisveryimportanttokeepthefamilytogether.Someparentsarenotspendingthemoneyonthewell-beingofthechild.

IdeaE:Parentswithlowliteracylevelsand/orESLandnotyetreadytoworkwithoutlongerassistance

IdeaE1:Parentswithlowliteracylevelsand/orESLandnotyetreadytoworkwithoutlongerassistanceshouldreceivethe$150dollaramountofbenefitsbasedoncompliancewithconditionsandrequirementsalong“IdeaA(playbytherules).”Thebenefitsshouldcontinuewith6monthreview.

IdeaE2:Parentswithlowliteracylevelsand/orESLandnotyetreadytoworkwithoutlongerassistancemustbeinaneducationprogramandbeinfullparticipationatalltimes.Parentsreceivefullbenefitswithnolimitbutmustrecertify.ThereisacompetitivejobmarketinDCwithoutcollegeeducation.

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IdeaE3:Parentswithlowliteracylevelsand/orESLandnotyetreadytoworkwithoutlongerassistancemustfollow“playbytherules”(IRP)conditionsandrequirementsandbeinaneducationprogramtoreceivebenefits.Benefitsshouldgoupiftheyhavespecialneeds.ThebenefitshavenolimitsiftheyfollowIRPbecausetheparentsarenotabletoearn.

IdeaF:Allminorchildrenregardlessofparentparticipation

IdeaF1:Allminorchildrenregardlessofparentparticipationshouldremoveparentheadofhouseholdfamilyfromthebenefitbasis.Theyshouldreceivethefullbenefitamountwithanaverage20%reductionbasedonfamilysizeuntilthechildis18/19(CAmodel).Weshouldnevercutchildrenofffromassistance–weknowfromresearchchildrenwillfallintofurtherpovertywithoutassistance.

IdeaF2:Allminorchildrenregardlessofparentparticipationshouldreceivetheoriginalbenefitamountforhouseholdsizewiththerequirementofhavingaminorinthehousehold.Benefitsshouldextendyearlywithrecertificationtoensure(1)residencyand(2)parenthoodofminorchild.TherehastobeasafetynetforminorandthisaddressesamultigenerationalapproachtoTANF.

IdeaF3:Allminorchildrenregardlessofparentparticipationshouldreceive$250untiltheoldestchildreaches15yearswiththerequirementsthatsafeguardsareinplacetoprovemoneyisbenefitingthechildrenandthereisprogrammoneyforcertainitems.

IdeaG:POWERfamilies

IdeaG1:POWERfamilies–theprogramshouldkeepexistingconditionswithintentionofbetterimplementation/screening/application.Theyshouldreceivefullassistanceasneededwithrecertificationbecausethesearethemostvulnerablefamilies

IdeaG2:POWERfamilies–theprogramshouldmakenewcategoriestoqualifyforPOWERifyouareatriskofhomelessnessorfostercareandmoveallextensioncategoriesintoPOWER.

IdeaH:Nothavingchildcare

IdeaH1:Thosewithkids6weeks–3yearscannotaffordchildcareandshouldreceivefullbenefits.Theymayhavenon9-5workhours.

IdeaI:Unemploymentwithouthighschooleducation

IdeaI1:UnemploymentwithouthighschooleducationshouldreceivemaxbenefitsuntiltheprogramendsconditionalonmeetingtheIRP.

IdeaJ:Twogenerationalapproach

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IdeaJ1:Twogenerationalapproach-acknowledgementofeffortstooutcomesaswellasacknowledgementofoutcomesandgoals.Assistanceshouldbechildonly.

• Question:o JudithSandalow:CanweaddCMNadeau’sBillasanoptionontheboard?(OptionK?).

§ Barbara:Yes.§ IdeaK:Nadeaubillwasadded

o EdLazere:Canwehavemoredots?Expressedconcernsabouthavingtovalueonepolicyovertheother.

§ Barbara:No.Thisismeanttobeaprioritizationprocess.Manyarenotcomfortablewithprioritizing.Onestrategywouldbetowaituntiltheendoftheprocesstoplacedots,sothatundercoveredareascanbecoveredwithyourdots.Wearetryingtobringbackthemostimportantpieceswithcostanalysisthroughthisprocess.

o JudithSandalow:Wouldliketoknowthenumberofpersonsineachgroupbecausethatwouldbepriority.Wedon’thaveaccurate/enoughinformationtoprioritize.

§ Barbara:Thisisnotthefinalvote.Basedonwhatyouknow,whatareyourpriorities?Youcanoptnottoparticipate.

o TEPProvider:howwillnon-votingmembersbeheard?(E.g.non-votingTEPvendors)§ Barbara:Herunderstanding–ifyouhaveafinancialinterestinthisprocess,you

cannotvote.TheTEPprovidershavehadthechancetovoicetheirideasinsmallgroups.Thereisanevenmixofvotingmembersamongadvocates,customers,CityCouncil,andcitystaff.Theideasinputwillshowupinthereport,notjustthepriorities.Theprocessisopentosuggestionsaswell.

§ Laura–Thisisoneofmanypiecesbeforeanypolicybecomeslaw.ThereareotherprocessesthroughcitycounciltogivepublicinputontheNadeauBill.

§ Barbara–Wewillcomebackintwoweeks;pleasegiveusfeedback.Wewantthistobeinclusive.

o JudithSandalow:howdowepickprioritiesamongchoices,whenanoptionshouldbeextendingittoeveryfamilywhoneedsit?

§ Barbara-thisisjustaprocesstodeterminewhichoptionsDHScostsandbringsbacktotheWorkingGroup.Thenextmeetingwewillbeworkingtowardrecommendations.Noneoftheoptionsgoawaybasedontoday’svoting.

• [Votingbeganat4:50pm]

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9.

Themeetingadjournedat5:12PM.

o Strongestinterest:Parentswho“playbyalltherules”(19votes);theNadeaubill(19votes);minorchildrenregardlessofparentparticipation(18votes);.

Closingandnextsteps-Barbara

• Thenextmeetingwillinclude

o Reportfromcommunitydialogueso Nationalexpertpresentationo Developrecommendationsforhouseholdswhowillnotreceivea“TANFhardship

exemption”andwillnotreceivecontinuingTANFcashassistance§ ReviewListeningSessionthemes§ Reviewfinancialanalysisofcoststootherservicesforexitedhouseholds;

clarifyingquestions§ DiscusswaystohelpCostanalysisofpolicyideas

o Evolvepolicy§ Reviewandevolvebenefitsandrisksofnotimelimits§ Reviewfinancialanalysisofpolicyoptions§ Organizeoptionswithinbudgetbreaks

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WorkingGroup:ToInformaTemporaryAssistanceforNeedyFamilies(TANF)HardshipExtension

PolicyforDC(Meeting#2)Wednesday,August30@11amto2pm

DHSHeadquarters–64NewYorkAve,SixthFloor

CommitteeMembersPresent(votingandnon-voting)


Names Organizations

6individuals Customers

BrianCampbell DHS

CurtCampbell LegalAid

JenniferTiller(non-voting) AmericaWorks

SharraGreer Children’sLawCenter

SusanneGroves DCCouncil

AntheaSeymour DHS

TaiMeah CouncilmemberNadeau

KellySweenyMcshane CommunityofHope

JenBudoff DCCouncil

JeremyLares(non-voting) GrantAssociates

EdLazere DCFiscalPolicyInstitute

YulondaBarlow CouncilmemberYvetteAlexander

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CommunityMembersPresent

DavidRoss DHS

ChristinaOkonkrus DHS

MoniqueGraham FSFSC

AndreaGleaves DCCoalitionAgainstDomesticViolence

Won-okKim DHS

GingerMoored OCFO

LisaSimmons Maximus

MelissaMcClure LegalAidSocietyofDC

KathyHaines DMHHS

ChrisVera DHS

AnnPierre DHS

KateCoventry DCFiscalPolicyInstitute

ReneeMurphy Children’sLawCenter

JenniferMezey DCLegalAid

RuthRich DHS/OWO

LinneaLassiter DCFiscalPolicyInstitute

KellyHunt CouncilmemberSilverman

MonicaKaman FBC

DebbieFox DCCoalitionAgainstDomesticViolence

DamonKing Children’sLawCenter

Otherparticipants:DonnaPavetti,CBPP;BarbaraPoppe,BarbaraPoppeandAssociates;KelseyWeber,BarbaraPoppeandAssociates.

Welcome–AntheaSeymour,ESAAdministratorDHS

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• Manydifferentvoicesarerepresentedintheroom–Council,DHS,advocates,serviceproviders,TANFcustomers–thankyouforparticipating.

Agendareviewandintroductions–BarbaraPoppe(facilitator)

• ReminderoftheScope/ChargeofWorkingGroup:DeveloprecommendationstoDHSDirectorLauraZeilingerforTANFhardshipexemptionpolicybySeptember30,2016

o WorkinggroupheldMeeting1on8/18,andafewrequestsweremadewhichhavebeentakenintoconsideration.Theserequestswere

§ Aninterimmarktosupportpolicyobjectivebeincludedintothebudgetassumptions.

§ Anadditionalmeetingbeheldtofurtherdiscussanddeveloprecommendations.Thiswillbeputtoavoteattheendofthismeeting.

• Reviewofprocesstimeline(August2016–September2016formationofworkinggroup,listeningsessions,communitydialogues,dataanalysis).

o August,2016,listeningsessionswereconductedwithTANFparticipants,advocates,serviceprovidersandcitycouncilinadvanceofthefirstWorkingGroupmeeting.

o August–September,2016:CommunityDialoguesarebeingheld.

o August–September,2016:DataAnalysistounderstandTANFparticipationcharacteristics,needs,barrierstoemploymentandprogramparticipation.

o September30,2016:FinalReporttoDHSDirectorwithrecommendationsforTANFhardshippolicies.

• Reviewofworkinggroupmeeting

o Meeting#1(8/18/16):Completed.Wesetthestage,listenedtosessionreports,revieweddataaboutfamiliesandcostexamples,andstartedpreliminarypolicyideaforhardshipexemptionsfromtimelimits.

o Meeting#2(8/30/16):communitydialoguereport,nationalexpertpresentation,financialimpactoftimelimits,risks&benefitsifallfamiliesareexemptedfromtimelimits,organizepolicyideaswithinbudgetmarks,

§ BasedonrecommendationsfromMeeting1,wewillNOTdeveloprecommendationsforserviceforfamiliesexitingduetotimelimitsduringtoday’smeeting.ThiswillbecompletedduringMeeting3toallowforthepolicydiscussiontobecompletedtoday.

o Meeting#3(9/13/16):communitydialoguereport,developrecommendationsforservicesforfamiliesexitingduetotimelimits,finetuneallrecommendations,voteonfinalrecommendationsandpriorities.

o Allworkingmemberswillhaveopportunitytocommentonfinalreportbeforesubmission.

• Timetobeginourworktogether.EveryoneisanexpertonTANFinsomeway,thereforewewouldlikeeveryonetoshare.Lastsessionmanypeopledidnotfeelrespectedbyothermembersoftheworkinggroup.Wewanttoensureeveryoneisabletoexpresstheirviewsand

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feelsrespectedindoingso.Thereareawiderangeofviews,whichweencourageandwanttoremindeveryonetoexploreallideaswithanopenmind.Pleaselistenandunderstandothers,donottrytoconvinceothersofyourperspective.

• BarbaraPoppe,asfacilitator,commitstolistenandberesponsivetoeveryoneduringthisprocess.QuiteafewchangesbasedonsuggestionsfromMeeting#1.Shewillcontinuetoupdateandadjusttheprocessaswemoveforward.Aswithmeeting1ameetingrecordwillbeshared.PleaseletBarbaraknowifyouwanttoproposeanyadjustmentstotheMeeting1record.

• Today’sAgenda:o SettingthestagewithpaneldiscussionandanationalexpertonTANF,o Keydrivers:reviewofcostanalysisforpotentialunintendedconsequencesandpolicy

optionso Rollingupoursleevestodiscussrisksandbenefitsofpolicyoptionsandevaluatingcost

scenariosofallpolicyoptions.ThisistheimportantworkweneedtocompletesowecanhavedeliverablestomoveforwardintoMeeting#3.BasedonfeedbackfollowingMeeting1thisactivitywillbeorganizedbyconstituentgrouptoensureallgroupsfeelcomfortableandheard.Wewillcompletewithashareouttoensureallperspectivesareheard.

Questions:

• NoquestionsontheAgenda

Activity:Introductionsandcheck-in:Turningtoyourneighbor,“WhoamI?WhatdidIlearnsofarfromthisprocessthatIambriningforwardtothismeetingdeliberations?

UpdateonCommunityDialogues–BarbaraPoppe

• Twocommunitydialoguesarecompleted.Theywerenotwellattendedbuttheyweredeeplyattendedwhichcausedashiftinthefocusofthesedialogues.Theywillbeshiftedawayfrompubliclocations,infavoroflocationswhereTANFcustomersaremorelikelytobeengaged.

o Therearetwocommunitydialoguestomorrow,oneatAmericaWorks(10:00–11:30am)opentothepublic,oneatDCGeneralFamilyShelter(1:00-2:30pm)notopentogeneralpublicduetotheshelterrules.

o DCGeneralcommunitydialoguewasaddedbasedontheextensiveconversationregardinghomelessindividualsthatwasexpressedduringpriordialogues.

o ThefinaldialoguewasmovedtoCommunityCollegePrepAcademy(9/1210:30-11:30am)becausemanyTANFcustomersparticipateinthisprogram.

4. PanelDiscussiononthe“ValueofTANF”customerandadvocateperspectives.

• Thispanelwasincludedintothemeetinginresponsetoworkinggroupfeedback.MembersfeltthatiswasimportantnottolosesightofthevalueofTANF,understandthecommunitywideperspectiveandthecustomerperspective.

• Panelists:MatthewandMona,TANFCustomers;CurtandMonica,Advocaterepresentatives.

• QuestionstoMonaandMatthew:WhathasTANFmeanttoyouandyourfamily?

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o Matthew:TANFhasmeantasupplementalincome.Withoutworkandbeingunabletoreceiveunemploymentbenefits,thisistheonlythingtofallbackon.SowithTANFIcanuseittohelpprovideformyfamily;withoutTANF,IamnotsurewhatIwouldhavedoneorhowIwouldhavemadeitthisfar.

o Mona:Asasingleparentofthreechildrenitmeansalot.IwasworkingandgettingunemploymentbuthadtoresorttoTANFbecausethejobmarketchangedandIneededadegreetogetabetterjob.Ithasbeenhelpfultomyfamily,tosupportmeandmykids.It’shardtoliveinDCsoifwecanuseitinawaytogetpeoplesituatedandgroundeditwillhelptothemgettothenextlevel.

• QuestionstoCurtandMonica:WhyisTANFaresourcetotheDCarea?

o Curt:Iwillcomeatthisfromtwoanglessojusttogiveyousomebackground.Iworkinlegalaid,butwasonTANFasachildinHoboken,NJ.LikeDC,Hobokenwasrapidlygentrifyingandbecomingadifficultplacetolive.DCisoneofthemostexpensiveplacestoraiseachild.Heandhiswife,whoarebothwellemployed,areabouttohavetheirfirstchild.Theyarealreadyfeelingoverwhelmedwiththeprospectofprovidingwellfortheirchild.Iftheyhavetheseconcernsandanxieties,thenhowdoothersfeel?Otherswhocannotfindstableemployment,fearleavingtheirhomeduetodomesticviolence,orarejustscrapingbytofeedandclothetheirfamily.MyfamilyhadbeenthroughTANFanditprovidedasenseofstability,allowedhimandhissiblingsnottomissschoolandparticipateinafterschoolprogramsbecausetherewastransportationsupport.Thisallowedhimandhissiblingtosucceed,getdegreesandgotocollege.TherewasrecentaRadioprogramtalkingabouttriage,i.e.theneedtoprioritizemedicalresourcesinwarzones.Thedoctorsintheseareasweremakingincreasinglyquestionabledecisionsaboutwhotohelpandwhotoleavebehindbasedonthebestuseoflimitedresources.Thisrealizationledtocreatingworkinggroupsfordevelopingguidelinesonwhotohelpwhenresourcesaretight.Theydevelopedasystemwhichwouldhelppeoplewiththebestchancesofhavingahighqualityoflifeandleavingothersbehindeg,thosewhousuallyhavechronicillnessesandwouldnothaveahighqualityoflife.ThedoctorspeakingsaidshesawthissystemactedoutinHaitiaftertheearthquakewhereachronicallyillpatientwastriagedintoanareathatwastargetedtobehelpedlast.Thepatientslowlyreceivedlessandlessresources(thiscasebeingoxygen)untilshewouldeventuallypass.Thankfullythedoctorintercededandthepatientwastransferredtoadifferenthospital.However,ourapproachtoTANFismuchlikethisviewoftriageinlowresourceareas.Whenwearetalkingabouttheexemptionsanddecidingonwhowouldqualify,itisimportanttothinkaboutthepeoplewhowouldbeleftout.Whatifyourfamilywasonthevergeofhomelessness,needtransportationtoajobintervieworhadchildrenwhomayendupgoingtoschoolhungry?DCisNOTawarzone,wedoNOTneedtotriageTANF.Wecanfindcreativesolutionstohelpasmanypeopleaspossible.

o Monica:IworkfortheFairBudgetCoalition,whereweaddressavarietyofhumanneeds.Runningthefullgamutfromhealthcare,toemployment,etc.Inthisworkweseehowallsystemsareworkingtogethertoleavepeopleout.Theeconomyisnotcreatingadequatejobs;thereareonlylowincomejobsavailablewherepeoplecannotsurviveonthewages.Thehousingmarketisshovingpeopleout.PeopleareonlyabletoaccessreactivehealthcaresuchasERservices.Peopleliveinareaswithlimitedaccesstogroceriesstoresandadequatehealthfoodoptions.Allofthesedifferentissuesare

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keepingpeopleatthebottom.TANFshouldbeanettocatchfamilieswiththesystemsfail.Werecognizethatallhumansdeserveacertainqualityoflife,whichincludeeducation,healthcare,ahome,etc.Ifsystemsdon’tprovidethis,thenTANFisasafetynettoprovideit.Whileitisimportanttocontinuetolookatthebigpicturesystemreform,asafetynetisneededasaninterimtoensurepeoplehavebasicdignities.Especiallytoensureallchildreninthecityareprotected,haveaqualityoflifeandallpipelineofopportunities.

• QuestionstoMonaandMatthew:Whatdoyouwanttheworkinggrouptothinkaboutwhenmakingdecisionsonthe60monthTANFtimelineandsettingprioritiesofwhoshouldbeexemptandextended.

o Mona:youshouldbethinking“whatwouldIwantifthiswereme,mychild,mygrandchild,whatwillmyfuturehold?”Thinkofthefutureandbecomeproblemsolvers.Weneedtostartputtingourselvesinpeople’sshoes.Thishappenedtome.IusedtogivemycousinsahardtimeforbeingonTANF,neverdidIthinkIwouldbehere.Asaparentyoudon’tknowwhatisinfrontofyou.Youwanttomakesureyougetbackontrackandgohigher.It’simportanttomakesureyouhavemoralsandvalueswhenyouthinkaboutTANFandeveryone,becausethisisnotjustaboutmeoryou,itisabouteveryone.

o Matt:WhatMonasaidisexactlycorrect.Thiscouldbeanyofyou.Manypeopleareonlyonepaycheckaway.Youneverknowwhatcouldhappentoyouinyourlife.

PresentationbynationalTANFexpert.-DonnaPavetti,CBPP

BrianintroducedDonna:Shehasbeenaleadingnationalvoiceforover20years.WhenstatesandcitieswanttoadjusttheirprogramstheygotoLaDonnafirst.ShehelpedDC12yearsago,thenagain6yearsagainandisheretodaytohelpusturnthepageandlookatthingscritical.

• WanttoensureeveryoneisclearontherulesandregulationofTANF.

o Federallawseta60monthtimelimitonfederallyfundedTANFbenefitsbutdoesnotstatethatpeoplecannotbeservedafterthisperiod.DCcanusefederalfundstoserve20%ofpeopleafter60monthsandcanuselocalfundstosupportallfamiliesandstillbeincompliancewithfederalregulations.DChasbeenprovidingextensionsfor20yearsandhasnotgoneagainstfederalpolicyindoingso.

• Understandingthehistoryofthetimelimits.

o Timelimitsoncash,whenoriginallyproposed,camewiththeguaranteeofajobattheendofthetimeline,howeverthisjobguaranteedidnotremaininthelegislation.Itwasnevertheintendofthefederallawtotakeawaysafetynets,butrathertoprovidethemwithasenseofurgencyforTANFagenciesandparticipantstosecureemployment.Additionally,whenthislawwasdraftedweknewfarlessaboutthecharacteristicsandneedsoffamiliesonTANF.Wenowknowmuchmoreandcanusethisknowledgetoourbenefit.

• Thingstoconsider

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o ThinkaboutwhatitmeanstobeonTANFfor60months.PeopletendtogoonandoffTANFovertheyearsresultinginacombinedtimeof60months.ThereisalsoabroadrangeofcircumstancesthatcauseindividualstogoonandoffofTANF.

o Whatwe’velearnedfromotherprogramsthatimplementedtimelimitsisthatthelikelihoodofemploymentisabout30%atthebest.Ifpeoplearecutoffofbenefitstheyarenotlikelytofindjobsontheirown,andtheseresultswerefoundduringamuchbetterjobmarket.Ifextensionsarenotputinplacetherewillbeagroupoffamiliesthatcontinuetobeunemployedafterlosingtheirbenefits.

o Thereisaverylowlikelihoodofindividualswhowillreceiveotherbenefits(i.e.SSI).WeknowthatenrollinginSSIisverydifficult.MostfamiliesonTANFlongtermhavemultiplebarriersintheirlivesbutnotonebarrierlargeenoughtoqualifythemforSSI.Atbest10%ofparticipantswillreceiveSSIbenefits.

o Ethnographicresearchhasshownthatwhenfamilieshavenoavailablecashtheyresorttodesperatemeasuretomeettheirbasicneeds.Thiscanmeananythingfrommovingintosituationsorhomesthatindividualsknowareunhealthytoengagingriskywork.Manyfamiliesmayscrapetogethermoneytomeettheirneedsbuttheseopportunitiesareneversteady,creatingdailyuncertaintyandstress.Cashisanecessityforallfamiliesbecauseotheroptionsarenotenoughtomeetneedswithconsistency.

o TANFisaservicethatcatchesmanypeopleandprovidesopportunityandoptions.Itprovidesservicesthatmostpeopledonothaveaccesstootherwise,suchaschildcare.

o AstudywasdoneinWashingtonStateontighteningextensionsfortimelimits.Asaresult,theysawanincreaseinpercentageofpeoplewhowerehomeless,anincreaseinchildmaltreatmentresultinginanincreaseinfostercareandchildreninthechildwelfaresystems.Additionally,ifchildrenareinunstablesituationsandexposedtoharmtherearelifetimehealthconsequenceswhichresultinhugecostsinthehealthcaresystem.

o Itisimportanttoconsiderwhatwillhappenwhenthenextrecessionhits.AlotoffamilieshavebeenonTANFformorethan60months.Ifthereisarecessionthisnumberwillincreasebutbudgetswillalreadybelimited.

• KeyElementsofthePathForward

o Mostinitialassessmentsdonotaccuratelyidentifytheexistenceofsignificantemploymentbarriers.IncomingTANFcustomersareaskedtodivulgealargeamountofpersonalinformation.Thisisuncomfortable,evenintimidating,thereforefirstassessmentisusuallynotreflectiveoftheactualsituation.Howdowedoabetterjobassessingneedsandidentifyingbarriersinitiallyandovertime?

o Exemptions-Viewthisaspeoplewhocannotbeexpectedtofindworkduetosignificationbarriers(mentalhealth,physical,acombinationofissues,etc.)

o Extension-Viewthisaspeoplewhohavethepotentialofgainingemploymentandmovingforwardbutitwilltakethemabitmoretime.Therecanbemanyreasonsforthisandweneedtoconsiderallfactors,suchasthecurrentjobmarket,personalcircumstancesandwhatwillhappentothechildrenifbenefitsarestopped.

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o Itisveryimportanttothinkofalternativepathwaystoemployment.DChasmadeincredibleprogressinemploymentservices,butitisnotgearedtowardspeoplewhoarenotquicktogainwork.Someindividualsneedmoretimetoworkonmentalhealthorotherbarriersandtheseareindividualsarenotwellservedbycurrentprograms.Realisticallysomeadultsmayonlybeabletoparticipateinservicesat1or2daysaweek;20-30hoursofworkistoohighofabartosetformanyindividualsatthebeginning,thereforewearesettingpeopleuptofail.

§ Forexample,thereisacommunitybasedprogramcalledMOMSpartnership.ThisprogrammetwithwomenonTANF,intheircommunity,toassesstheirneeds.Basedontheirrequestsan8-weekstressreductionprogramwascreated.Itwassosuccessful,with80%completionrate,thatajobcomponenthasrecentlybeenadded.Thisdemonstratesthatforsomegroupsotherissuesneedtobeaddressedandworkcompletedpriortoenteringtheworkforce.

o Itisveryimportanttounderstandthatdatadoesnotshowthatremovingbenefitsleadspeopletoworkifthereisnotagoodjobmarket.Peopleoftendonothavejobsduetothelackofskillsandresources,thelackofajobmaybetherearen’tsufficientjobopeningsthatfitthescheduleasparents.TANFisanimportantsafetynetthatwillcatchpeoplewhenthelabormarketandeconomicsystemsdonotwork.

o Questions

§ ThankyouforclearingupthelawregardingthetimelineofTANF.Iunderstandwhatyousaidaboutexemptionsversusextensionbutwhatistheactualdefinitionoftheseterms?

• Donna-ExemptionsstoptheclockandsayanindividualisnotexpectedtoparticipateintherequiredactivitiesbutwillstillreceiveTANF.AnextensionprovidesadditionaltimeonTANFtosomeonewhohasalreadyreachedthetimelimitandcontinuestoworkwiththemonmovingforwardandcompletingrequiredactivities.

§ Intermsoflocalframework,isthegoalthatwemeetthebudgetarymarkersindicated?Whatarewetryingtoalignthepolicyrecommendationswith?

• Barbara-ConsiderthatDChasahardstopforallhouseholdsreceivingTANFformorethan60months.Whichofthesehouseholdsorindividualsshouldbeextendedandtrytoofferthoserecommendationswithinthenotedfiscalmarks.

§ TheTANFgranthasnotincreasedsince1996.Sohowmuchadditionallocalfundingdoweexpectedtobeincluded?

• Donna-DCisinlinewiththenationalaverageforthefundingamountallocatedtocashassistance.However,ithasalsoputalargeamountofTANFfundingtowardschildcareservices.Incomparisontootherstates,DChasstayedwithinprettynarrowrangeofhowTANFfundingisused.

6. StandUpExercise:BarbaraPoppe

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• Wewanttotalkabitaboutvalues.Inthistopictherecanbeconstantconflictbetweenmoralsandvalues,thereforeithelpstoknowwherethegroupandourindividualvaluesaregrounded.

o Activity:Inthistopictherearetwoconflictingvalues“Servicingmorefamiliestoassureagreaternumberofpeoplereceivesomeassistance”and“Helpingthosewhohelpthemselvesorthosewhocannothelpthemselvesasmuchasothers.”Theworkinggroupmemberswillputthemselvesonacontinuumbetweenthetwojuxtaposingvaluestoindicatewhattheyvaluethemost,onetheotherorsomewhereinbetween.

§ CommentbyEd–Pleaserememberduringthisexercisethatthetwovaluesonlyindicatetheactionsofneedsoftheparents,itdoesnottakeintoaccountthechildren.

o Results:Membersweregroupedclosertothe“Servicingmorefamilies”value.However,membersarelookingforsolutionsthatprovidebalancebetweenthetwovalues.

§ CommentbyRita-Whenlookingatrecommendationsweneedtoprepareforthefuture.PrepareDHSbetterforthecustomersthattheyreceiveandensurecustomersarepreparingfortheirfuture.

§ Ed–Itismyexperiencethatmostpeoplewanttohelpthemselvesanddonotliketheimplication,bythiswording,thatsomepeopledonotwanttohelpthemselves.Itisbettertothinkaboutthebarrierspeoplefacethatwillexplainwhyitisperceivedthattheyarenothelpingthemselves.

• Barbara–Thereareallkindsofvaluesheldonthistopicandthe“helpingthemselves”valueisheldpeopleinthecommunity.Iagreewithyourreservations,butthishasbeenincludedtomakesureweareallthinkingabouttheconflictingandvariedpublicvaluesthatareheldregardingTANF.

7. Presentation:CostAnalysis:PolicyOptions.–AntheaSeymour

• Presentationontheadditionalcostanalysiswascompletedsincetheworkinggroupmeeting1.

• AnalysisofDotExercise:

o Inmeeting1MemberswereaskedtovotewithdotsonpoliciesfromtheideasheetsforDHStocostandbringbacktothenextmeeting.Eachvotingmemberoftheworkinggroupwasgivenfivedots.

o Parentswho“playbyalltherules”andNadeauBillreceivedthemostvotesat19each.WithAdvocatesheavilysupportingtheNadeauBillandcustomersandcitystaffsupportingparentswho“playbyalltherules.”

o Allminorchildrenregardlessofparentparticipationreceived18voteswithanevenmixofsupportfromcustomersandcitycouncil/staff.

o Wecanseethatunemploymentwithouthighschooleducationandfamilieswhoareatriskofchildenteringfostercarereceivednovotes

o Thisshowswherewhichpoliciespeoplemostsupportedbutthisdoesnotmeanwearealigningourpolicywiththisexerciseoutcome.

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• FeedbackontheNadeauBill:AntheaexplainedthegenesisoftheNadeaubillandwhatpoliciesitproposes.

o ThiswasacollaborationbetweensomeCouncilmembersandadvocates,andproposesto:

§ Continuebenefitsforchildreninhouseholdsthathavereachedthetimelimit,

§ FundthePOWERcategoriestoincludeindividualsinaneducationprogramandindividualwithachildunder6monthsofage.

§ Extendbenefitsfortheentirefamilybeyond60monthsunderthefollowingcircumstances

• ThosecomplyingwiththeirIndividualResponsibilityPlan;

• AlackofemploymentopportunitieswithintheDistrictforindividualswithoutahighschooldiploma;

• Thoseaffectedbysignificantbarrierstoemployment(lowliteracy,learningdisabilities,orphysicalormentalimpairment);

• Individualsthatarehomelessoratriskofhomelessness;and

• Childrenareatriskofenteringfostercare.

• Assumptionsforcostprojections

o ProjectionsweredonebyDHSalonewithmanyassumptionsbuiltintotheprojections.Rememberthesearenotbottomlinenumbers,aswestillneedtospeakwiththeOCFO,andDHScannotprovidefinalcostswithoutworkinginpartnershipwiththeOCFO.

§ AverageofTANFcashbenefitperfamilyinFY17isanaverageof$450permonthatfullbenefits(lessthan60months)andanaverageof$150permonthatreducedbenefits(morethan60months).Theseamountsfluctuateperhouseholdbutareaveragesacrosstheprogram.

§ FY17startinOctoberandprojectionsarebasedonFY18,withtheinclusionofthe3COLAincreasedtobeexpectedoverthenext3years.

§ TheTANFextensionwillincludeotherbenefitinadditiontocashassistancebuttodayweareonlydiscussingthecashassistanceportion.Thesearetheamountprojectedandtheotherbenefitswillbeincludedbackintotheextensionproposal.

§ CostProjectionfor“NoTimeLimitGroup”focusesonfamiliesprojectedtoexceed60months.Theassumptionsforeachcriteriaarelisted.

• CHILDonlycoverage–forsanctionprocesstheheadofhouseholdisremoved.Weassumeremove20%andkeep80%coverage

• Fullbenefitstoallfamilies–100%benefitforall• ReducedbenefitswithCOLAforallfamilies–recalculationreduced

benefitbutwithCOLAincrease.Wealsoreducedthenumberoffamiliesto5,800.

• ReducedbenefitswithoutCOLAforfamilies–thisiscurrentlyextended

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• Question:

toallfamilies§ Playbytherulesgroup–Theseincludeconservativeestimatesoftheprojected

families.• NotSanctioned–conservativeestimateof75%of5,800• Fullandpartialcompliance-againconservativeestimateofprojected

families• EnrolledinEducation/Trainingprograms-conservativeestimateof

projectedfamilies• Employed(includingpart-time)-Thisincludesalltypesofemployment.

§ OtherCriteria• Homelessoratriskofbecominghomeless–about25%isprojected,but

thisnumberislikelytochange.• Householdheadswithlowliteracy–originalprojectednumberoffamilies

waslow;therefore,itwasincreasedto45%basedonarticlebyAmericanUniversity

• Nadeaubill§ Thecomparativeslideshowstheprojectednumberoffamiliesthatcanbe

servedwithinbudgetlimits.Thisdoesnotmeanweneedtofitwithinthesebudgetlimitstheyarejusthypotheticalsituationsthatallowsustovisualizethenumbersandfiscalimplications.

§ Somecategorieswerenotcostedduetotimeconstraintsandlackofworkinggrouppriority,thesewerefamilieswhoareatriskofchildenteringfostercare,unemploymentwithouthighschooleducation,POWERfamilies,familieswhodonothavechildcareandtwogenerationalapproach.

o Onthenotimelimitgroup,5,800istheprojectednumberoffamiliesthatwillexceed60months.Doesthisnumberfluctuate?

§ Anthea–Yes,itdoesfluctuate.Itwaspreviously6,200butthisprojectionisnotmuchlowerandwewillcontinuetomonitortheprojection.Thefinalnumberwillbeupdatedbeforethefinalreport

o Wouldliketoclarifywhyunemploymentwithouthighschooleducationnotcosted.§ ItwasnotcostedbecausewedonotwanttoredefineunemploymentforDCas

awhole,whichcurrentlyincludedindividualswithcollegedegrees.IntheNadeaubillitisonlyrepresentingindividualswithhighschooldiplomasorlowerbecausetheyaremostadverselyaffectedbyarecession.

o InregardstothecostofextendingTANFservicesbeyondcashassistance,willthisbealargefiscalcostaswell?Iammeaningservicessuchascasemanagementandtransportationservices.

§ Wedoneedtospendtimetoanalyzethecostoftheseadditionalservicesandincludethemintoanyfuturebudgetproposal.Wewouldalsoliketolookatotherservicesfamiliesshouldreceiveoutsideofcashassistanceoriftheynolongerreceivecashassistance.

o WheredidtheassumptionscomefromfortheprojectnumberoffamiliesonthePlaybytheRulesgroup?

§ Thesepercentagesoftheprojectednumberoffamilieswasanestimatecorrelatedtothedataweprovidedinmeeting1.However,thoseprojections

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werequiteconservativeandwefeltitwasbeneficialtoincreasetheprojectionstoensurewearefullycoveredinourbudgetprojections.

§ Inouranalysiswedonothavefulldataon60%ofparticipantsbecausetheywerenotengagedintheservices.Byincreasingtheprojectedthenumberoffamiliescomparedtothedata,weareensuringthatweaccountforindividualsforwhomwedonothavefulldata.Forthefinaldataandprojections,wewillbeworkingwiththeOCFO.

o Howdowemeasureordealwithfamiliesthatfallundertwoormorecategories?Whatdoesthatdofortheseprojections?

§ Barbara-Thisisactuallyagoodthingtothinkaboutduringthesmallgroupsexercise.Soreservethatquestionsforabitlater.

• Inprojectingthenegativeimpact,societalcostandnegativeoutcomesonfamiliesifTANFisstoppedafter60monthswedrewfromexperienceinotherstates.FromthisweknowthatthereisanincreasedriskforfamiliesiftheylostTANF,whichincludefoodinsecurity,childmaltreatment,housingissuesandhomelessness,accesstomedicalcareandothersupportservices.

• WealsoneedtodoabetterjobofensuringfamiliesthatqualifyforSSIaremovedontothisprogram.

• Bottomlineoncostanalysisisthatwewerenotabletoanalyzeandprojectunintendedcostsoftheprogram,butDHSisopentoanysuggestionstoincludeadditionalcostintotheanalysis.

SmallGroupDialogues–BarbaraPoppe

Activity:Theworkinggroupmembersarebrokeninto4smallgroupsbasedonconstituency,(customers,providers,citycouncil/staff,andadvocates).Eachgroupwilldiscussthebenefitsandriskofpolicyoptionsincludingnotimelimitsandthendevelopscenariosofpolicyoptionswithinthesuggestedbudgetmarkers.Pleasenotethattheadvocacygroupwillnotbedoingthebudgetactivitybecausetheyfeelitismoreimportanttodecideonthenecessarypolicyandwouldnotwantbudgetmarkerstoinfluencetheirpolicydecisions.Othergroupsarewelcometodothisaswell,iftheydonotwanttofollowthebudgetmarkerssetoutonthesheets.

Reportoutfromsmallgroups:

Providers:Decidednottogobythebudgetmarksbecausefurtherclarificationisneededtomakebudgetandpolicyoptionsdecisionsandhadafewquestions/concerns.

• RiskandBenefitso Forallscenariosexempt/extendedfamiliesshouldreceivefullbenefits.Advocates

alsosupportextensionsforperiodsofhighunemploymentinDC,familieswithchildrenunder6monthsandfamiliesatriskoffostercareplacement.

o Notimelimit§ Addedthebenefitthatdomesticviolencevictimsdonothavetorisksafety

andprivacybyhavingtodisclosestatusasavictim§ DisagreedwiththeriskoffinancialstabilitybecauseDCcanaffordthe

proposedextension.Theyalsowouldliketoknowifthereisevidenceoftaxpayerfrustrationandin-migrationoffamilies.

§ Studiesshow(perLaDonna)thatmostfamiliesdonotfindworkafterTANFbenefitsarecut,whichsuggestthattimelimitsarenotanincentive.

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Furthermore,mostfamiliesgoonandoffofTANFshowingthatthetimelimitisnotanincentive.

o Childonly§ Allriskswereremovedexcepttheriskofincreaseinhomelessnessand

associatedcostalongwithfamiliesmayfacefoodinsecuritiesandgreaterhousinginstability(includingrighttoshelterinthisjurisdiction).

§ Addedtheriskofincreasedtraumaandstressforparents,increaseinfostercareandwilltakeawayanimportantprotectivefactorforchildrenrecoveringfromcomplextrauma.ThereisalsoariskofincreasehealthcarecostsinthelongtermduetoACEsandinmothersthatreturntoabusersforfinancialreasons.

§ Thisoptionshouldincludetheoptionforparentstoreengagetoreceivefullbenefits.

• Policyoptionswithininbudgetlimitso IsthereareducedamountoptionfortheNadeaubill? Noo Nobudgetoptioncanbechosenuntilassessmentareaddressed

§ Familyassessment,whichmakesurethefullfamilyisincluded,couldleadtolessthan5,000projectedfamilies.Thisassessmentmayrequireadifferenttoolthanthatcurrentlybeingused.

§ Serviceplan/assessmentinclusiveofallservicesisneedinordertomakedecisionsaboutthefiscalimplications.

o Thepolicyoptionsarepresentedassingularbuttheyarenot.Manyhouseholds/individualsmayfallundermultipleoptions.

§ Alotmorediscussionneedstobehadandfeelsthatdiscussioncannotbelimitedtotheseworkinggroups.Thereisconcernaboutthetimelimitsandunintendedconsequences,suchasunstablehousing/homelessness.AdiscussionshouldalsobeheldonexpandingthePOWERcategories.

CityCouncilandCityStaff:Didnotgobythebudgetmarksbutratherspenttimediscussingthepolicyoptionspresentedespeciallynotimelimits,playbytherulesnosanction,playbytherulesIRPandfocuson2generationalapproach.ThegroupstruggledwithprioritizingplayingbytherulesIRPwhichpromotestheworkandthechildonlyoptionbecauseprotectingchildrenanimportantvalue.ThesearetwojuxtaposingissuessowhatisthecorevalueofTANF,havingresourcesinthehomeoraprogramforparentstoavailthemselves?

• Riskandbenefits

o Nadeaubill§ Addedthebenefitthatitischeaperthanhotels§ Addedtheriskthatitwouldbedifficulttoimplement

o Notimelimit§ Addedthebenefitthatitislessexpensivetoextendbenefitsbecauseother

servicesystems(housing)aremoreexpensive.§ Addedtherisksthatitremovespressuretoimproveservicedeliveryand

sanctionsfamilieswithhighriskfactors.o ChildOnly

§ Stronglyagreedthatfamiliesmayfacefoodinsecurityandgreaterhousinginstability/homelessness.

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§ Addedtherisksthatnoservicesforworkforcedevelopment,cannotsanctionhouseholdheadsandindividualarenoteligibleforstipendsandincentives.

o PlaybytherulesfollowingIRP§ AddedthebenefitofcompliancebasedoncustomerneedsandHCAmodel=

capacity§ Addedtheriskofwhowilldecidecompliance?

Advocates:Didnotfollowthebudgetmarksbutratherdiscussedtheprosandconsofeachpossibility.Whowouldthishelp?Whatarethecost/benefitstothecity?Whatarethevaluesonthebill?Whatdowethinkisimportantforthecitizenofthecity?Isthisprotectingchildrenandpreventhomelessness?Lookedatalloutcomestofindthebestsolution.Didnotcometoaconclusionastothebestoptionsandwantadditionalconversationswitheveryoneabouttheprograms.• RiskandBenefits

o Householdheadswithlowliteracy§ Costshouldnotbeafactorinmakingdecisionsonoptions.§ Theriskthatparentsarenotincentivizedtoparticipatefullyin

education/trainingisnottrueastheycanstillbeexpectedtofullyparticipate.

§ Addedtheriskthatifpeoplearenotprotectedthentheywillfacecloseddoorsandsignificantbarrierstoemployment

o Playbytherulesenrolledineducation/training§ Againcostshouldnotbeafactor§ Addedtheriskthatparentswhoarenotplayingbytherulesmaybe

sufferingfromPTSDcausedbydomesticviolence.o Unstablehousing/homeless

§ Inriskswemushthingaboutthefamilies.Withthisoptionwedonotagreethatparentsarenotincentivized,thatthereistaxpayerfrustrationandin-migrationoffamilies.

• Finalthought:Arewefocusingonincentivizingpeopletoworkordowewanttoprotectchildren?

Customers:Discussedwhatwouldbestbenefitthehomeandfeelthebestoptiontoensureeveryonehasassistancebecauseeachhouseholdorindividualhastheirownsetofbarriers.However,prioritizingparentswhoplaybytherulesandchildonlycoveragewerethemostimportantofthespecificpolicyoptions.However,TANFalsoneedstobemanagedbetterwiththebettercommunication,servicesandstructuretoensurepeopletryingcanactuallysucceed.

• RisksandBenefitsIdentifiedwereassuch:o Nadeaubill

§ Benefitofcostsavingsinotherservices.§ Deletedallrisksprovidedandhadquestionsregardingthefinancial

sustainabilityforDCo Notimelimit

§ Agreedwiththebenefitsoffamiliesfacingtimelimitsmayhavemultiple

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barriers(physical,educationetc.),recognizesthatapermanentexitformTANFisdifficultforsomefamiliesevenwork-focused,andbelievethatstuffhappensineveryone’slife.

§ Agreedwithallprovidedrisks.TheyknowoffamiliesmigratingintoDCtoutilizeTANFandonepersonhasexperienceddiscriminationbecausesheisonTANF.

o PlaybytherulesfollowingIRP§ Agreedwithallprovidedbenefitsandincludedthatisgivespeoplethe

chancetobeeconomicallysuccessful§ Nocommentsonrisk

• PolicyOptionswithinbudgetlimitswereassucho <$10M–providingeitherreducedbenefitforallwithnotimelimits(optionA)or

providingfullbenefitstoparentswhoplaybytherulesandareenrolledineducation/trainingprograms

o <$17.5M–afewscenariosweregiven.§ Fullbenefitsforplaybyruleswhoareenrolledineducation/training

programsandUnstablehousing/homeless§ ChildonlyandUnstablehousing/homeless§ Childonlyandplaybytherulesworkingpart-time§ Familiesofhouseholdheadswithlowliteracy

o <$25M–afewscenariosweregiven§ Playbytherulesnotsanctioned§ ReducedbenefitsforchildonlyandplaybytherulesfollowingIRP§ Reducedbenefitsforchildonlyandfamiliesofhouseholdheadswithlow

literacyo <$35M–acombinationofprovidingfullbenefitsforplaybytherulesnotsanctioned

andreducedchildonlyisthemostimportant.WeshouldprioritizecoveringeveryonebutalsoprovidingbetterTANFservicesandstructuredIRPstoensurethose“playingbytherules”areactuallyabletosucceed.

o Allcovered–providingcoveragetoeveryoneisthebestoptionsbecauseeachfamilyhastheirownbarriershoweveronly80%ofbenefitsshouldbeprovided.

• FinalThought:Ifallcoverageisgiventhentheprogramneedstobemanagedbetter.Currentlypeoplegetshuffledarounduntiltheyareover60months.ItisimportanttoensurethealltheservicesintheTANFprogramarebettercommunicatedandcustomersprovidedwithalloftheavailableresources.

Questionsandfinalcomments:• Doyoufeelifwechosechildonlyoptionthatthemoneywouldgettothechild?

o Latoya-inmostcasesprobablynotbutthatisnotallhouseholds.Perhapswithabetterstructuredprogramthiswouldnotbethecase.Sometimethehouseholdheadisnottheonerunningthehousehold.Manytimesthereisa2ndpersonthatneedstobebroughtintotheprogram.Benefitsneedtobeprovidedtothefullhouseholdtoensurechildren’sneedsaremet.

o Mona-SomecustomershavenotseenpeopleinTANFthataredoingallofthenecessarysteps.Iliketohaveresourcesandresearchoptions,andevenstillitishardtounderstand/knowalloftheservicesavailable.Iamworkingtowardsmydegreeandtrytoencourageotherstodothesame.Sometimesaseedjustneedstobe

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planted.• Participant–WedofeelclearandconcisecoordinationofTANFneedstohappen.Wearea

groupofsmartpeopleheresoIknowthiscanhappen.• Ed–Todayweheardalotofpeoplewithreallygoodwilltomakesurechildrenaregetting

protectedandhelppeoplemoveforward.Weneedtohaveapolicyconversationwhichaskswhatoptionsshouldbeconsideredratherthantryingtomeetthearbitrarybudgetnumbers.

Closingandnextsteps–BarbaraPoppe

• Aspeopleareleavingpleaseassessifthereisaneedforanadditionalmeeting/time.o 11peoplevoted-allindicatingtheneedforanadditionalmeeting.

• Thenextmeetingwillinclude:o Reportoutfromcommunitydialoguessessionso Reviewresultsfromsmallgroupexercise

§ Benefitsandrisksofoptions§ Organizeoptions/scenarioswithinbudgetbreaks

o Discussrecommendationsforhouseholdswhowillnotreceivea“TANFhardshipexemption”andwillnotreceivecontinuingTANFcashassistance


WorkingGroup:ToInformaTemporaryAssistanceforNeedyFamilies(TANF)HardshipExtensionPolicyforDC(Meeting#3)

Tuesday,September13,2016@9amto3:30pmDHSHeadquarters–64NewYorkAve,SixthFloor

CommitteeMembersPresent(votingandnon-voting)

Names Organizations5individuals Customers

JenniferTiller(non-voting) AmericaWorksJeremyLares(non-voting) GrantAssociatesLisaSimmons(non-voting) MaximusKellySweenyMcshane CommunityofHope

MoniqueGraham FarSoutheastFamilyStrengtheningCollaborativeCurtCampbell LegalAidEdLazere DCFiscalPolicyInstitute

SharraGreer Children’sLawCenter

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ReneeMurphy Children’sLawCenterAndreaGleaves DCCoalitionAgainstDomesticViolence

CouncilmemberBrianneNadeau DCCouncilTaiMeah CouncilmemberNadeau

YulondaBarlow CouncilmemberYvetteAlexanderJenBudoff DCCouncil

SusanneGroves DCCouncilAntheaSeymour DHSBrianCampbell DHSDavidRoss DHSWon-okKim DHS

TamithaChristian DHSGingerMoored OCFO

CommunityMembersPresentKathyHaines DMHHSKateCoventry DCFPI

ChristineOkoker DHSJenniferMezey LegalAidLinneaLassiter DCFPI

Facilitator:BarbaraPoppe,BarbaraPoppeandAssociates

Welcome:LauraZeilinger,DepartmentofHumanServicesDirector

UpdatedChargefortheWorkingGroup• Charge:DeveloprecommendationstotheDHSDirectorLauraZeilingerforTANFhardship

exemptionpolicybySeptember301) Developprioritiesandsuggestionsforhardshipextensionpoliciestosupportvulnerable

DistrictfamilieswhoshouldbeeligibletoreceiveTANFassistancebeyond60months.Consider“hybrid”optionsthatcanbeadjustedduringbudgetprocess.Basedonfeedbackfromearlierworkgroups,budgetconsiderationsarenolongerapartoftoday’sconversationandprioritizationprocess.

2) MakerecommendationsonbestapproachestoservefamiliesaftertheirTANFassistanceends.

• Subsequentmeetings:1)September13,2016at9:00AM–3:30PM–thisisanextensionoftheoriginally

scheduledworkgroupwhichwasscheduled9amtonoon.Becauseoffeedbackfromthegroup,themeetingwasextendedto3:30,allowingmoretimewhilekeepingtothe9/30deadline.

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Agendaoverviewandreviewofprocess:BarbPoppe,BarbaraPoppe&Associates• Meeting#18/28/16

– Settingthestage– Listeningsessionreport– Dataaboutfamilies– Costexamples– Preliminarypolicyideasforhardshipexemptionsfromtimelimits

• Meeting#28/30/16– Communitydialoguereport– Nationalexpertpresentation– Financialimpactoftimelimits– Developrisksandbenefitsifallfamiliesexemptedfromtimelimits– Developrecommendationsforservicesforfamiliesexitingduetotimelimits– OrganizePrioritizepolicyideaswithinbudgetmarks

• Meeting#39/13/16– Communitydialoguereport– Developrecommendationsforservicesforfamiliesexitingduetotimelimits– Finetuneallrecommendations– Voteonfinalrecommendationsandpriorities

• Opportunitytocommentonfinalreport

Today’smeetingagenda:

ü SettingthestageAgendaReviewandIntroductionsFinalReportProcessReport:CommunityDialogues

ü RollingupoursleevesDiscussionandRecommendations:

– PolicyOptionsforExtensions– ProgramImprovements– ServicesforHouseholdsnotExtended

Barbreviewedofdefinitionofconsensusandthegoalofthismeeting:Definition:Ageneralagreement.Amiddlegroundindecisionmaking,betweentotalassentandtotaldisagreement.Consensusimpliesthateveryoneacceptsandsupportsthedecision,andunderstandthereasonformakingit.Generalconsensusquestion:Doyouagreewithincludingthisinthereport?Whenconsensusisnotachievable,avoteandreportoutcountwillbeused.

Barbpresentedtheprocessstepsfortheday.

− StrawPoll(takenasattendeescheckedin)

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− Policywithoutbudgetconsiderations-Whattypesofhardshipextensions;Timelimits/conditions/requirements

− Riskandbenefitsofoptions–capturedfrompreviousmeetings/voteontheupdateddocument− DHShybridapproaches,basedoninputfromthegroupinprevioussessions.

Question:Whyarethefouroptionsselected?ResponsefromBarb:ifthereistimewecandiscussfurtherhowever,the4arebasedonwhatbubbledupinthecommunityconversationsANDmanyoftheotheroptionsmentionedbyEdarecoveredinPOWER(exampleDomesticViolence).Otheroptionsforextensionsthatmaybediscussedwillberecession,fostercare,newborninhouseholdcanbediscussedastimepermitsbutnotethattheseitemsdidnotgetraisedatthesamerateasthefourselectedfortoday’sbroaddiscussion.QuestionraisedregardingtheNadeaubillintroducedtocitycouncil.AclarificationwasprovidedbyBarbthatthisisaprocesstogettheperspectiveofcustomers,advocates,providersetc.Thisprocessisnotintendedtobeareviewofthebill.DiscussionofPOWERisasmallgroupdiscussionontheagendaforlatertoday.

STRAWPOLLresultswerepresented:

1>20agree,0disagree“IbelievethatDCshouldextendTANFhouseholdsiftheparentparticipates

and“playsbytherules”.2>15agree,4disagree“IbelievethatDCshouldensureallchildrenreceiveTANFcaseassistance

regardlessofwhethertheparentparticipates.3>14agree,6disagree”IbelievethatDCshouldextendTANFhouseholdswhoare“atriskof

homelessness”regardlessofwhethertheparentparticipates.4>12agree,9disagree“IbelievethatDCshouldextendTANFhouseholdsatfullTANFcash

assistanceregardlessofwhethertheparentparticipates.“

Rankedresponses:(sumofscores4=mostimportant;1=leastimportant)50:ShouldallHHthat“playbytherules”receiveanextension?“PlaybytheRules”definedas:1.adultisenrolledineducation/trainingorworkingP/TOR2.adultisparticipatingandincompliance--IRPsarenotthesolemeasureofcompliance,oftenlookingatitasparticipationatsomelevelineducation/training/employmentOR3.notsanctioned38:ShouldTANFbeextendedforallHHwhoare“riskofhomelessness”regardlessofwhethertheparentparticipates?38:ShouldTANFbeextendedforallHHregardlessofwhethertheparentparticipates?33:ShouldTANFbeextendedforchildonlygrantstocoverallchildrentoreceiveTANFcaseassistanceregardlessofwhethertheparentparticipates?

Comment:70%TANFcustomersarecurrentlynotincompliancebutonly10%havebeensanctioned

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ConsiderationofPlaybyRulesoption

− Shouldthisberecommended?Handvote:ifplayberules#1:unanimousyes–Consensusapproval

− Ifplaytherulesreenrolled:unanimousyes-Consensusapproval− Compliancerequirements:unanimousyes-Consensusapproval− Notsanctioned:no-1butcanlivewithgroupdecision–Consensusapproval− Nottimelimited–unanimousyes-Consensusapproval− Dotvotingfortheamountfortheextensionpayment:100%:18votes;75%1vote;50%0

votes;25%0votes

ConsiderationofChildEnrichmentpolicyoption–intentistoservethechild,nottheadult(changeinlanguageformearliermeetingsduetodefinitionissues)Conditionalrequirementsandagelimitswerediscussedinearliermeetingsandcanbediscussedinsmallgroupsifdesired.

− Shouldtherebeachildonlyextension,regardlessofparticipationofparents?Allyesexcept2no,bothcanyieldtothegroup–Councilmemberstafferholdsthecontinuingconcernandwouldliketohaveconcernreflectedandalsoagreedtoyieldtogroup.–Consensusapproval

− Shouldtherebeconditionsorrequirementstoreceivethis?-Initialvotedividedsothosewhosaidyes,shouldexplainwhy

o Yes:theparentactuallygetsthebenefit,wanttoseethatthebenefitsactuallygoestothechildandthatthechildisenrolledinschoolandreceivinghealthchecks.

o Iffamilyisnotincompliancetheyshouldbemoreengagedinordertofindoutwhyaretheynotparticipating,includingadditionalinterventions.

§ IncreasedDHSengagementtoparenttogettoknowaboutenrollment/healthchecks.Concern:Costandabilitytotrack–administrativeburden;trackingattendancemaynottakeintoaccountthesituationofthefamilyandlegitimatereasonstomissschool

§ Suggestion:voucherinlieuofcash.Concern:voucherinlieuofcashwouldbetheburdentothefamilyinhowitisused,

§ Newvote:noconsensussohandvote• ShouldtherebeVoucherinlieuofcash?0Yes• Shouldparentberequiredtoenrollchildinschoolandgethealthchecks

toreceiveTANFassistance?–6No(afterdiscussion–movedto2peoplewhosupportthisoption)

• IncreaseDHSandsisteragencyengagementtoparenttogetatadditionalsupporttoaddressbarrierstowhychildnotinschool/nohealthchecks–6 Yes

• Shouldtherebenorestrictions?10Yes

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o SharraGreer:Whenahouseholdisreceivingchildonly,aparentwhoisnotincomplianceshouldtriggerincreasedDHSengagement.

− Shouldtherebetimelimitforexemptionforchildenrichment(leavinginplaceTANFeligibilityrulesre:age,income)?Notimelimits.Allchildreneligibleregardlessofage.Consensusapproval

− Dotvotingfortheamountfortheextensionpayment:100%14votes;75%5votes;50%0votes25%0votes

Considerationof“Imminentriskofhomelessness”policyoptionBarbreviewedbackgroundonthistopicsofar:AreviewofDHSrecordsshowedthat25%ofTANFHHarecurrentlyexperiencinghomelessnessorat“imminentriskofhomelessness”.Homelessfamiliesinfocusgroupsdidnotagreethat“homelessness”shouldbeanexemptionorextension.Itwasstatedthatbecauseofthebenefitsavailabletothosewhoareinthehomelesssystem,includingmealsandlodgingTANFextensionshouldnotapplytothisgroup.

− ShouldTANFbeextendedifat60monthsifafamilyisassessedtobeatimminentriskofhomelessness:4voterswereopposed.

Opinionssharedbythoseopposed:

o IfHHisassessedtobeatriskofhomelessness,theIRPshouldreflectthatandtherefore

thereisanotherintervention.o Cashbenefitmaypayfor“couchsurfing”,keepingfamilyfrombecominghomeless.

− Ifassessedtobeatimminentriskofhomelessness–shouldtherebeconditions?Yes.Consensusapproval

Concern:impactofpossiblycreatingdisincentiveforfamiliestoleaverapidrehousingorPSHiftiedtobenefits.

QuestionraisedastohowoftenandhowquicklydoIRPschange-responsefromcustomerswasthatthishappensquickly.IRPmodificationcanbeeveryfewdaysifneeded.IRPandfamilyhousingstabilizationplanisthesamething.

− Reframingofquestion:shouldtherebeanextensionifyouarenotincomplianceandyouareatimminentriskofhomelessness?Senseofgroup:ifatimminentriskofhomelessness,shouldhaveanextensionBUTtherearedefinitionstobeclarifiedandaneedtomakethiswork.Cityneedstofigureoutawaytocapturethisgroupandprovideanextension.–Consensusapproval

Movingon,runningoutoftime.

Considerationof“Notimelimitsregardlessofparentparticipation”policyoption

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− ShouldTANFbeextendedwithnotimelimitsregardlessofparentparticipation?Dividedregardingnotimelimits–consensusdoesnotseempossiblesowilldoasacount

o Opinionsharedregardingthe5yearlimitthatistooshortifhavechildren,runintoemploymentproblems,andofferedthat10yearwouldbebetter.

o Suggestedthatifrecipienthasaworkhistory(example3years)thatwouldallowthepersontorestarttheclockintheeventfoundthattheyneededthebenefitagain.

• Everyonegetsupto10years–noconsensus• F/Temploymentreducestimelimitsandrestart–noconsensus

− Vote:novoteduetolackofconsensus.“Notimelimit/norestriction”–7votes;“Someformorrestriction/timelimits”–10votes.

− Vote:ShouldTANFbeextendedwithsanctionsmanagingrestrictions/timelimits?:senseofthegroup(onepersonagainst)

− Dotvotingfortheamountfortheextensionpaymentfor“nolimitswithsanctionsmanagingrestrictions”options:–100%12votes;75%5votes;50%0votes;25%0votes

Update/ApprovetheBenefits/Riskdocument(availableinallfolders)–Barbreviewedthedocumentwiththegroupwhichwasgeneratedthroughlisteningsessionsthenmodifiedinworkgroup1,workgroup2andbroughtforward.Todayisachancetocorrectisneeded.Requestanyglaringissuesthatneedmodified.Documentwillappearinthefinalreport.

Questionraised:dotaxpayersreallyhaveobjectionstolifetimebenefits?Howwereitemspickedtobeincluded?Barbrepliedthatthemeswereraisedmultipletimes/morethanonegroup.Themaybeconflictingfeedbackasthisisbroadfeedbackfrommultipleaudiences.Questionraised:Someoftherisksarelistedinoneareaonlybutwouldapplytoall–suchasriskofharmtochildisariskinall,notjustthechild-onlyassistance?BarbrequestedthatgivecorrectionstoBethifthereislanguagethatneedscorrections.Comment:Needtoclarifythatthisdocumentshouldreflectthatthisisaflectionofopinions,notfacts.Groupconsensusthattheycanlivewiththedocument.Consensusapprovalforupdateddocument.

HybridPolicyOptionsBarbnotedthatfollowingpresentationwewillbemovingtosmallgroupprocess.Basedonfeedbackfromthefirstworkgroupthatwhenthereweremixedgroupsmanypeoplefeltshutoutandunheard.Asaresultwewillbebreakingintoconstituentgroups.Fourhybridpolicyscenariosarebeingpresentedtodebate/discuss.Willbreakat½pointtodiscussandthenareportoutattheend.Hopeistodecidewhich,ifany,ofthescenariostobringforwardand/orotherscenariostoconsider.Groupisfreetobringforwardallthescenarios,noneofthemoranycombination.

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AntheaSeymourDHS/ESApresentedthehybridpolicyoptions/scenarios.Thesearebasedonthefeedbackreceivedthroughouttheprocess.TANFisn’tpermanent.TANFisforchildren,ifparentsarenotcompliant,dowereallywanttoremovechildrenfromtheprogram.Invitefeedbackwithinthesmallgroups.Therearehypotheticalbudgetfiguresinthesheetslistingthescenarios.Budgetmarkisarbitrarybutintendedtogroundthediscussion.

Valuesandbeliefs:4themes

o RecognizethatTANFparticipantsshouldbesuccessful,andsuccessshouldbedefinedbythemo Providingresourcesinthehomeforchild,regardlessoftheengagementoftheparents,

recognizingtwogenerational issueso PromoteandencourageTANFparticipantstobuildtheircapacity

ScenariosarefordiscussionpurposesonlynotintendedtorepresentDHSpolicypositions.

Scenario1:Childenrichment+programcompliance(notimelimit)

• ThisscenariowouldcreateaChildEnrichmentGrant(X%)andaParentTANFGrant(X%)=100%Grant.

• EligibilitywouldbethesameasthecurrentTANFeligibility.• Notimelimitwouldapply.• Allrules,includingworkrequirement,sanctionsandstipends,wouldapplytotheParentTANF

Grant(estX%oftheexistinggrant)• ToreceivetheChildEnrichmentGrant,somerequirementswouldbeapplied.• TheParentTANFGrantissubjecttocompliancewithprogramrequirements.

Laurasharedthatthe$200usedasbudgetplaceholderfordiscussionpurposesratherthanactualgrantdollarstofamilies.Inordertomakethesechanges,wouldneedtorevisittheprogramoverallsothatthereisnotarelaxingtherules,andinherentlyinconflict,forthosewhoareover60months.

Question:iffamilywasterminatedinthepastbecauseofbeingaTANFrecipientfor60monthsinthepast,howwouldtheybetreatedundertheextensionscenarios?Barbthatwillbeconsideredbysmallgroups.

Scenario2:CompliancewithprogramrequirementswithmodifiedsanctionstepdownandXX%reductionafter60months

• Thisscenariowouldrequirecompliancewithprogramrequirementsasaconditionofeligibility,butwouldmodifythesanctionamountstoanestimateof80%,60%and40%,respectfully.

• TherewouldbenotimelimitbutthemaximumgrantwouldbereducedbyXX%after60monthsofreceivingTANFbenefits.

• Underthisscenario,resourcesremaininthehome.• Sanctionrules(includingrulestocure)wouldapply.

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Scenario3:ChildEnrichmentwithNoTimeLimit+ParentGrantwithFiveYearTimeLimit• ThisscenariowouldcreateaChildEnrichmentGrant(X%)andaParentTANFGrant(X%).• EligibilitywouldbethesameasthecurrentTANFeligibility.• NotimelimitwouldapplyfortheChildEnrichmentGrant.• EligibilityfortheParentTANFGrantwouldbelimitedto60months.• Allrules,includingworkrequirement,sanctionsandstipends,wouldapplytotheParentTANF

Grant(X%oftheexistinggrant)upto60months.• ToreceivetheChildEnrichmentGrant,somerequirementswouldbeapplied.• NoParentTANFGrantresourceswouldbeavailableafter60monthsperiod.

Scenario4:ProgramCompliance(NoTimeLimit)

• ThisscenariowouldcontinuetheTANFprogramasis.• ImplementaTANFextensionbeyond60monthsforTANFparticipantswhoareincompliance

withprogramrequirements.• Familiesareeligibleforcashservicesifnotunderanylevelofsanction(participation

requirementsvarybyprogramcompliance)

Question:whathasresearchshownaboutsanctioningpoliciesandtheirimpact?Barbnotedthatduringworkgroup2–adiscussionwasheldaboutsanctions.Thescopeoftheworkheredoesnotincludesanctions,however,wehaveendeduptalkingaboutthisandotherissuesthatimpactanextensionpolicy.Thisisimperfectprocessbecausetheseissuesdoimpacttheissueathandbutarenotonthetablenow.Question:Doeseveryoneknowthesanctionpolicycurrentlyworks?Barbnotedthatitwascoveredinothermeetingsbutsomehavemissedthat.LauraofferedaDHSstafftousethelunchhourtoholdadiscussionregardingsanctionsforthosewhoareinterested.

Otherconsiderations:POWER–availablewithouttimelimitconsiderationShouldtherebeatransitionaltimeperiodforthesetimingoffofPOWER?Servicesonly/transportationstipendasanon-goingoption?

Clarification:ifsomeonehastimedoffofTANF(60monthtimelimit)andnoteligibleforPOWERatthattime,considerationofeligibilityoftheirabilitytoaccessPOWERatsomepointinthefutureifasituationarisesinwhichtheyarenoteligible(suchasDomesticViolence).

TheWorkingGroupbrokeupintofourconstituentgroups(Customer,Advocates,Providers,andCity)andweregiven30minutestoconsiderthe4scenariosbeforelunch.Reconvenedaslargegroupfollowinglunchbreak.

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Barbreportedthattheagendawasmodifiedduetotimeoverageinthemorning.Hardstopat3:30,recognizingthatthereareparentswhoneedtodochildpickup.

POWERImprovementsBarbdirectedthegrouptoconsiderthesummaryofPOWERimprovementssuggestedontheslide.

Question:AreparentsofnewbornsexemptedbyPOWER?DHSclarifiedthatfamilieswithnewbornscurrentlygetaoneyearexemptionfromparticipationrequirementsbuttheclockdoesn’tstopandthatthereareamaximumof2kidspermittedtoreceivethisexemption.

ThegroupwasaskedtovoteoneachstatementforareastoimprovePOWER:

− Increasecommunication:yes-Consensusapproval− ParticipatinginPOWERispersonaldecision:yes-Consensusapproval− DHSwillstreamlineandcentralizeservices:yes-Consensusapproval− DHSwillcontinuetotrainstafftouseSOARmotelorotherwaystoaccessSSI–yes-Consensus

approval− DHSwillcontinuetoimproveservicedeliverytocustomerswhoareapprovedforPOWER:yes-

Consensusapproval− POWERparticipantsshouldhaveaccesstosametypeofserviceswithouttheparticipation

requirementofTANF.Yes-Consensusapprovalo Question:WhatisthepurposeofPOWER?DHSrespondedthatPOWERwasintended

tomeetneedsforthosewithadditional,significantbarriers.− ShouldNewbornbeaddedtoPOWER:No-3.No:didnotyieldtothegroup–Approvalwith3

dissenting.

Thegroupthenconsideredothersuggestionsposedbyworkinggroupmembers

− ShouldPOWERbeavailableregardlessofnumberofmonthsonTANF?–yes-Consensusapproval

− CanenrollinPOWERiftimedoffTANF?–yes-Consensusapproval− Shouldtherebea6monthtransitionalperiodwhennolongeronPOWER?–yes-Consensus

approval− ShouldmonitoringrequirementforPOWERproviderscomparabletothoseforTEPprovider

(quarterlybasis,5benchmarks)measurethelevelofservicesprovided?o Comment:DHSneedsabetterwaytomeasureaccountabilityforPOWERproviders,

informedbycustomers.o Handvote:noonevotedinfavor.

HybridPolicyOptionsFeedbackScenario#1Childenrichment+programcompliance(notimelimit)

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Generalsupportbygroup:Thisscenariohadthestrongestappealacrossallgroups—bringtoreportw/improvements

− Advocates:yes− City:yes

− Providers:yes− Customers:yes

#2Compliancewithprogramrequirementswithmodifiedsanctionstepdown

− Advocates: no− Customers: no

− Providers:no− City:no

#3ChildEnrichmentwithNoTimeLimit+ParentGrantwithFiveYearTimeLimit

− Customers;no− Advocates:no

#4ProgramCompliance(NoTimeLimit)

− Advocates:no− Customers:no

− Providers:maybe− City:no

− City:split− Providers:no

FinalDecisionsonHybridPolicyOptions:

Scenario#1–improvements

• Proportionaltokidsorgreater• Change%ofsanctionlevelofbenefits:100,80,60,40(from100,80,50,0)

o Questionraised–whereisevidencethatsanctionswork?Response:incustomercommunitydialoguesalotoffeedbackthatinsomehouseholdsitdoeschangesbehavior–inothersisdoesnot.Federallawrequiressomesanctionlawbutdoesn’tsaywhatitmustbe.Themovetothisnew%willresultinlessdramaticsanctions.

• Handvotewithchanges:4No.Approvalwith4dissenting.

Scenario#2includeinreport?NO,inappendixonly(byconsensus)Scenario#3includeinreport?No(byconsensus)Scenario#4includeinreport?No(onevotetokeepinreport)

DiscussionofadditionaloptionsPolicyoption:IfHHatriskofchildgoingintofostercareasaresultoflosingassistance,shouldtheybeeligibleforextension?Yes(allbutonevoter).

Policyoption:Shouldtherebeanextensionacrosstheboardifhighrateofunemployment(ratepredetermined)forthosewithoutcollegedegree(ex.DCrateofunemployment)fortypesofpositionstypicallysoughtbyTANFrecipient.?Yesunanimous.–Consensusapproval

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ServicesafterTANFendsYes/novotetoincludeinreport.Theseweregatheredfromlisteningsessions.Questiontogroup:Areanymissing?Nonemissing,alltobeincludedinreport.Consensusvoteofslate–Consensusapproval

• Transportation/stipend• Childcare• Accesstocasemanagement• Jobreadiness/jobplacement• Paidjobtraining• Familymediation• Homelessprevention• Mentalhealth• Substanceabuse• Basicneeds–housing,food,healthcare

TANFEmploymentServicesImprovementsFeedbackfromListeningSessionsandWorkingGroupandDHSrecommendedimprovementsbasedonthefeedbackwaspresentedbyDavidRoss(DHS/ESA)

Assessments&Outreachslides.Acceptedwithadditions:

− Add:Enhancededucationaloutcomes

SpecializedServicesAccepted

POWERandrehabilitationservicesAcceptedwithadditions:

− EvaluationofPOWERthenconsiderrebrandingofPOWERtobelessstigmatizing− CommonapplicationthatincludesPOWER(makingiteasiertoapply)

EnhancedEducationalOutcomesAcceptedwithadditions:

− providemorerobustservicesforthosewithlowliteracy− improvecollegereferrals

CommunicationstrategyAcceptedwithadditions:

− addsocialmediastrategicplan

TEPprovideremploymentsupportenhancementsAcceptedwithadditions:

− addtraumatrainingonself-careandtraumaforstaff(willleadtodecreasedturnover)− addDHSstafftrainedre:wage/laborlaws

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HousingandutilityassistanceAcceptedwithadditions:

− addDHSworkwithsisteragenciestoimproveservicesforTANFcustomersforassistanceinpaymentofbill.

Childcare–recommendationbyWG.ConsensusApproval.

− Daycarebenefits:decouplefromifparentisparticipating.Intentisthatchildneedsaccesstothis

service,don’tconnectittotheparentdoingwork/training.Otherassistance–recommendationbyWG.ConsensusApproval.

− TrainingforDHSstaffregardingtherequirementsofsisteragencies.Intent–betterreferrals

ESL/ImmigrantHH.Acceptedwithadditions:

− Add:entireTANFprogramistranslated/includehardofhearinganddeafcustomers.− Changetoslidefrom“TEP”programto“TANF”program

OtherrecommendationsbyWG.

− PrioritizeTANFcustomerstofillpositionsatDHSandproviders.Vote:allinfavor.ConsensusApproval.− Insurethatdefinitionof“highwage”and“minimumwage”areupdated.Vote:allinfavor.Consensus

Approval.− CreateresourceguideforTEPprovidersofwhatisavailablethroughTANFcommunity.vote:allin

favor.ConsensusApproval.− Morechildcareoptions(non-traditionalhoursandmoreslotsandmorehours,childrenwithspecial

needs)vote;allinfavor.ConsensusApproval.Additionalsuggestionsworkinggroup(novotetaken):

− Customizedoptionsforunengaged− Assessmentshouldnotdisconnectedfromeligibility− Homevisitingprogramneedsevidencebasedtoolforassessment

FinalVotingEachworkinggroupmemberwasaskedtovoteonthepolicyoptionsthatwillbeincludedinthereport.Therewasdiscussionofdifferentwaystostructurethevote.BarbaskedthattheHybrid#1,Playbytherules,andchildonlyberanked:1lowestto3bestoption(0isdon’tlikeatall).Thenvoteyes/nofortheseextensions:Homeless,FosterCare,Highunemployment.

Thevoteswerecollectedandcountedfollowingadjournment.Theresultsarebelow.

Rankingofpolicy:

− Hybrid#1:41;

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− PlayBytheRules:30;− ChildOnly:27.

Extensioncategories:

− Homeless:Yes:11;No:2− Fostercare:yes:10;No:3− Unemployment:Yes:11;No2

ClosingCircle:WhatdoIhopeistheimpactofmycontributionstotheworkinggrouponthelivesofchildrenandparentswhoparticipateinTANF?

− Morecommunicationbetweenandamong–notjustwhenneeded− Morecommunicationwithcustomers− Workleadstomorefamiliesliftedoutofpoverty− Apolicyemerges,notanother1yearextensionandnotknowing− IncreasestabilityoffamiliesandchildrenintheDC− Itallcomesdowntotheindividual− Stabilitytofamiliesandchildren− Beabetterresourcetocouncil− Hopethatyouallarethinkingofthosewhoaretryingtogetontheirfeetandbecomemoreself-

sufficient–morebeingdoneandnotlookatcustomersinabadwayashasbeendone− Beapartofcreatingpolicythathelps− BegintofightthestigmaofTANFandtheracialinjusticeitreflects− Morerecipientswillbeaskedtoparticipateinandbeheardinthefuture.

Adjourned:3:35PM

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Appendix4TANFHardshipExtensionPolicyOptions:RisksandBenefitsThefollowingsummaryrepresentsopinionsthatwereexpressedbymembersoftheWorkingGrouporbyparticipantsinListeningSessionsandCommunityDialogues.Onlyopinionsthatwereexpressedbymultipleindividualswereincluded.Theseopinionswereorganizedamongthebroadrangeofpolicyoptionsthatemergedfromthesesameprocesses.ThissummaryincludespolicyoptionsthatwererecommendedbytheWorkingGroupaswellasoptionsthatultimatelywerenotincluded.TheentiretyofoptionsisincludedtorepresentthebodyofworkbytheWorkingGroup.

PolicyOption:Notimelimitsregardlessofparentparticipation

Benefits• Familieswithchildrenprotectedfromadditionalhardships.4• Familiesfacingtimelimitsmayhavemultiplebarrierstoemploymentsoreceivingcontinuouscash

assistanceandservicesmayhelpthemremovethesebarriersovertimeandachieveemployment.• RecognizesthatpermanentexitfromTANFisdifficultforsomefamilies,eveninawork-focused,time-

limitedsystem.• Customersexperiencingdomesticviolenceshouldnothavetorisksafetyandprivacybyhavingto

disclosestatusasavictiminordertoreceivebenefits.

Risks• Somebelievethatparentsmaynotfeelincentivizedtoparticipateasitcreatesaprogramwherethere

arerequirementsforthefirstfiveyearsafamilyisreceivingbenefitsbutthennorequirements(andpossiblynoservices).

• Somebelievethatthereistaxpayerfrustrationwith“welfareforlife.”• Somebelievethatin-migrationoffamiliesfromotherstatesthathavetimelimitsmayoccur.

PolicyOption:Nadeaubill

Benefits• Familieswithchildrenprotectedfromadditionalhardships.• Familiesfacingtimelimitsmayhavemultiplebarrierstoemploymentsoreceivingcontinuouscash

assistanceandservicesmayhelpthemremovethesebarriersovertimeandachieveemployment.• MaybelesscostlytotheDistrictthanpayingforhotelsforfamiliesthatmaybecomehomelessunder

otheroptions.• DCmayavoidadditionalcostsassociatedwithprovidingotherservicesforfamiliesthatwouldbe

impactedbyimpositionoftimelimits.

4 Children are negatively impacted by extreme poverty and have poorer educational, health, and lifetime earnings than children who do not live in extreme poverty.

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arerequirementsforthefirstfiveyearsafamilyisreceivingbenefits,butthennorequirements(andpossiblynoservices).


PolicyOption:Childonlyassistanceregardlessofparentparticipation

Benefits• Childrenareprotectedfromadditionalhardships.• RecognizesthatpermanentexitfromTANFisdifficultforsomefamilieseveninawork-focused,time-

limitedsystem.• Reducesthepotentialforanincreaseinhomelessnessandassociatedcostsifgrantreduction

increaseshousinginstability.• Reducestheriskthatfamiliesmayfacefoodinsecurityandgreaterhousinginstabilityand

homelessness.• Decreasedtraumaandstressforparentsthaniftheentirehouseholdisexitedfromtheprogram.• Reducespotentialriskofincreaseinfostercareduetofamilyinstabilityresultingfromreductionin

grantamount.• Doesnotremoveofimportantprotectivefactorforchildrenrecoveringfromcomplextrauma.• ReducesriskofincreasedhealthcarecostsinthelongtermduetoACEs(AdverseChildhood

Experience)andinmothersthatreturntoabusersforfinancialreasons.

Risks• Parentsloseaccesstoservicesforworkforcedevelopmentandtransportationstipendswhichreduces

potentialforimprovedeconomiccircumstancesforthefamily.• Reducesimpactofsanctiononhouseholdheads.• FamiliesmayincreaseuseofSNAPandotherpublicbenefitstocoverlossofparentportionofgrant.• Somebelievethatparentsmaynotfeelincentivizedtoparticipateasitcreatesaprogramwherethere



PolicyOption:AttimeofHardshipExtension,familyisatimminentriskofhomelessnessandextensiongrantedregardlessofparentparticipation

Benefits• Housinginsecurefamilieswithchildrenareprotectedfromadditionalhardships.• Familiesthatarenottime-limitedfacelessfoodinsecurity,housinginstability,andhomelessness.• Fewerfamiliesmayenterthehomelesssystem.• ReducesassociatedcoststotheDistrictofprovidinghomelessnessservicesforthesefamilies.• Childreninfamiliesthatarenottime-limitedareprotectedfromadditionalhardships.

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• Perceptionthatthismayincentivize“homelessness.”• Somebelievethatthereistaxpayerfrustrationwith“welfareforlife.”• Somebelievethatin-migrationoffamiliesfromotherstatesthathavetimelimitsmayoccur.

PolicyOption:“PlaybyRules”withparticipationrequirements–householdnotsanctionedattimeofHardshipExtension

Benefits• Providesopportunitytoallcustomerswhoareparticipatingandprotectshousingstabilityforthose

households.• Parentsareincentivizedtoparticipateorfacesanction/lossofcashassistance.• Childreninfamiliesthatarenottime-limitedareprotectedfromadditionalhardships(e.g.lessfood

insecurity,housinginstability,andhomelessness).

Risks• Familiesthataretime-limitedmayincreaseuseofSNAPandotherpublicbenefits.• Somebelievethatparentsmaynotfeelincentivizedtoparticipateasitcreatesaprogramwherethere


• Somebelievethatfamiliesinthisextensioncategorymaydominimumtoavoidsanctionbutnotfullyparticipate.

• Familiesthataretime-limitedmayfacefoodinsecurityandgreaterhousinginstabilityandhomelessness.

PolicyOption:PlaybyRuleswithparticipationrequirements–parentismeetingprogramrequirements(followingIRP)attimeofHardshipExtension

Benefits• Providesopportunitytoallcustomerswhoareparticipatingandprotectshousingstabilityforthose

households.• Parentsareincentivizedtofullyparticipate.• Complianceisbasedoncustomerneeds.• Childreninfamiliesthatarenottime-limitedareprotectedfromadditionalhardships(e.g.,lessfood

insecurity,housinginstability,andhomelessness).

Risks• Familiesthataretime-limitedmayfacefoodinsecurityandgreaterhousinginstabilityand

homelessness.• Childreninfamiliesthataretime-limitedarenotprotectedfromadditionalhardships.• Familiesthataretime-limitedmayincreaseuseofSNAPandotherpublicbenefits.• PotentialforincreasedcoststotheDistrictofprovidinghomelessnessservicesforfamiliesthatare

time-limited.

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• Doesnotprotectchildrenwhoseparentsarenot“playingbytherules”duetosufferingfromPTSDcausedbydomesticviolence.

PolicyOption:“PlaybyRules”withparticipationrequirements–parentisenrolledineducation/trainingattimeofHardshipExtension

Benefits• Providesopportunitytocustomerswhoareparticipatingandprotectshousingstabilityforthose

households.• Parentsareincentivizedtofullyparticipateineducationandtrainingwhichcanleadtogreaterfuture

earningsandimprovedfamilyeconomicstability.• Improvedtaxpayeracceptancesincetime-limitedbenefitwithclearrationale.



time-limited.• Doesnotprotectchildrenwhoseparentsarenot“playingbytherules”duetosufferingfromPTSD

causedbydomesticviolence.PolicyOption:“PlaybyRules”withparticipationrequirements–parentisworkingpart-timeattimeofHardshipExtension

Benefits• Parentsareincentivizedtofullyparticipateineducationandtrainingwhichcanleadtogreaterfuture

earningsandimprovedfamilyeconomicstability.• Improvedtaxpayeracceptancesincetime-limitedbenefitwithclearrationale.• Encourageswork.• Childreninfamiliesthatarenottime-limitedareprotectedfromadditionalhardships.• Familiesthataretime-limitedmayincreaseuseofSNAPandotherpublicbenefits.




causedbydomesticviolence.

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PolicyOption:FamiliesofHouseholdHeadswithlowliteracyregardlessofparentparticipation

Benefits• Recognizeschallengesfamiliesfacewhentheheadofhouseholdhaslowliteracylevelandcannotfind

employment.• Familiesthatarenottime-limitedwillnotfacefoodinsecurityandgreaterhousinginstabilityand

homelessness.• Childreninfamiliesthatthatarenottime-limitedareprotectedfromadditionalhardships.

Risks• Parentswithlowliteracymaynotbeincentivizedtofullyparticipateineducationandtrainingwhich

canleadtogreaterfutureearningsandimprovedfamilyeconomicstability.• Familiesthataretime-limitedmayfacefoodinsecurityandgreaterhousinginstabilityand



causedbydomesticviolence.

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Appendix5CommentsondraftreportfromWorkingGroupmembers

rrrr �cWb.JJ§.9sj!2!Y

MAKING JUSTICE REAL

Roberta Downing Economic Security Administration DC Department of Human Services 64 New York Ave. NE Washington, DC 20002

Via Email: [email protected]

Feedback from Legal Aid Society

October 6, 2016

RE: TANF HARDSHIP EXTENSION POLICY WORKING GROUP DRAFT REPORT

Dear Ms. Downing:

We write on behalf of the Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia.1 The Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia was formed in 1932 to "provide legal aid and counsel to Indigent persons In civil law matters and to encourage measures by which the law may better protect and serve their needs." Over the years, legal Aid attorneys and volunteers have served tens of thousands of the District's most vulnerable residents, many of whom have received Temporary Assistance for Needy Families ("TANF"} benefits at some point in their lives.

Through this representation, we have learned that famllies need TANF for a variety of reasons, many of which make it impossible for them to exit the TANF program completely. Our work with these families brought us to the conclusion that District parents and children are not well served by arbitrary deadlines or "one-size fits all" job training programs. This conclusion was echoed throughout the TANF Working Group process.

Over the course of several community listening sessions and three Intensive strategy sessions, we heard from people with a broad array of backgrounds and experiences. Their stories highlighted the barriers to employment TANF parents face, and the dire need for cash assistance to promote successful outcomes for their children In times of economic hardship. We heard, both anecdotally and from local and national policy e,cperts, about the potential consequences of terminating TANF benefits before parents can support themselves through employment Including: food Insecurity, housing Instability and homelessness, child endangerment, and poor school performance. We heard from TANF parents and advocates that Job training programs should be tailored to meet the needs of Individual families, and the desire of the Department of Human Services ("DHS") to undertake the work to make this aspiration a reality.

For these reasons, Legal Aid fully supports the Working Group's recommendation to eliminate the arbitrary 60-month lifetime limit on TANF benefits, and replace It with a program that makes sense for District families. The plan would divide the traditional TANF grant Into two separate grants: a Child Enrichment Grant, and a Parent TANF Grant. The Child Enrichment Grant would ensure at least a base level of cash assistance to children, ensuring that we protect our most vulnerable residents. The Parent TANF Grant lncentivizes parents to engage with OHS by providing more cash assistance to those families who comply with their Individual Responsibility Plans ("IRPs"), while promoting accountability by reducing

1 Legal Aid also endorses the collective comments of the advocacy groups that participated In the Working Group -provided to DHS through the DC Fiscal Policy Institute.

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