U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Administration for Children and Families
370 L'Enfant Promenade, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20447
September 1996
"Today, we are ending welfare as we know it. But I hope this day will be remembered not for what it ended, but for what it began -- a new day that offers hope, honors responsibility, rewards work, and changes the terms of the debate...."
States must submit their TANF plans no later than July 1, 1997, but can submit them earlier if they choose. States should consider several factors in deciding whether to implement the TANF program prior to July 1, 1997. In States with reduced caseloads, funding for the AFDC, EA and JOBS programs may be less than the amounts the States would receive under the new block grant. Thus, it may be financially advantageous for some States to accelerate their effective date.
In addition
to the financial implications, States should also weigh other
considerations in determining when to implement the new program.
Given the complexity of the new legislation and the tremendous
range of options available, designing and implementing a new program
will require a significant effort on the part of States. They
must consult and coordinate with numerous parties, undertake staff
training and modify computer systems. Inadequate attention to
these activities could undermine the long-term effectiveness of
the State's program. Further, once States submit their plans,
the work requirements and the 5-year time limit begin. Penalty
and data collection requirements begin July 1, 1997, or 6 months
after the plan has been submitted, whichever is later.
We recommend that States use the State plan process to consider and address a set of important questions, and to outline to the citizens of the State, other interested parties, and the Federal government how those questions will be addressed in the operation of the State's program. Toward that end, we suggest that a State plan include discussion of the issues outlined below as well as addressing all other requirements specified in the law. Attachment A provides a copy of the statutory text.
A possible format is a 15-20 page document that describes the State's program goals, approach, and program features. Some States may emphasize some areas more than others depending on the circumstances in the State. States must submit plans every two years. They may submit amendments to keep the plan current whenever they wish to make changes in the administration or operation of the program. A State plan will be considered complete as long as it includes the information required by the Act.
GOALS, RESULTS AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT
What are the overarching goals for your program? How were local governments and private sector organizations involved in designing the TANF plan? How has the public been involved in program design and has the public had the opportunity to provide input? How will you judge and measure progress toward goals? What results will be measured and how will accountability be ensured?
NEEDY FAMILIES
Who will be assisted under this program? How will "needy families" be defined? Will all families in the State have access to the same program or will it vary? Will the same services be offered to families who have moved from another State? How will eligible non-citizens be treated within the program? How will the privacy of families be protected? What rights will applicants and beneficiaries have to challenge decisions?
WORK AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY
What are your overall goals for work and self-sufficiency? How will the program move families to work and ultimately to self-sufficiency? What services will be available to move clients to work? How will you identify and provide additional, targeted support to victims of domestic violence and others who may have particular difficulty successfully making the transition from welfare to work? How will current workers be protected from displacement? How will various community, education, business, religious, local governments, and non-profit organizations be involved in the effort to provide work for clients? How will the delivery of services vary across the State?
BENEFITS
What benefits will be given to needy families? Will benefits be delivered through cash, in-kind, vouchers, or electronic benefits transfer (EBT)? How will time limits and sanctions be incorporated into the program? What supportive services will be available to clients? How will child care be provided to allow parents to go to work?
CULTURE CHANGE
What measures will be taken to change the culture of the welfare office to support work and self-sufficiency? What kind of training will take place for staff who will be involved in administering the program?
PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY
How will parental responsibility be encouraged? How will child support enforcement interact with the TANF program? Will non-custodial parent be involved in any work programs? What efforts will be made to reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock births? How will problems of domestic violence and statutory rape be addressed?
TRIBES
How will you ensure equitable access to your program for members of Indian tribes who are not eligible for assistance under a tribal family assistance plan? How will you assist tribes in implementing their programs? What kind of assistance will be available to tribes in implementing their programs?
ADMINISTRATION
What is the structure of the agency administering the program? What will be the role of public or private contractors in the delivery of services? How will elements of the program be phased-in? Will the implementation date differ from the plan submittal date?
WAIVERS
Do you intend to continue one or more individual waivers as provided under section 415? If so, please identify each waiver provision and each provision of new law that you believe are inconsistent, and provide the basis for your assessment of inconsistency. (You may wish to consult with the chief law officer of your State in making this assessment.) What is the name of the 1115 demonstration which contains the waiver? What are the beginning and ending dates of the demonstration? Is the waiver incorporated into your TANF plan applicable statewide? If not, how will TANF operate in those areas of the State not covered by the continuing waivers? Note: Future legislative or regulatory action may limit which provisions of the TANF may be considered inconsistent with waivers for purposes of determining penalties. If this happens, States will have an opportunity to submit a new plan in order to come into compliance with the requirements.
Description of Attachments
In additions to this guidance, we are providing three attachments that State policy makers may wish to use in developing their State TANF plans. Attachment A is a copy of the statutory requirements regarding the state plan. Attachment B contains suggested formats for the required certifications that must be submitted with a state plan. Attachment C provides technical information for financial officers of the program regarding funding and a mechanism for States torequest TANF funds.
Paperwork Reduction Act
The information in the State TANF plan is collected in accordance with section 402 of the Social Security Act, as amended. Information received in the State plans sets forth how the TANF program will be administered and operated in the States.
The response burden for this collection of information is estimated to be 60 hours per response, including the time for reviewing the statute, this guidance gathering and preparing the information, and reviewing the information.
The information collected is mandatory in accordance with the above-mentioned citations.This information is not considered confidential; therefore, no additional safeguards are considered necessary beyond that customarily applied to routine government information.
Inquiries
Inquiries should be addressed to the appropriate Regional Administrator, Administration for Children and Families. Information about all State plans will be posted on the ACF home page.
STATUTORY TEXT
The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-193) was signed by the President August 22. The following is the statutory language relative to the State TANF plan.
SECTION 402 -- STATE PLAN REQUIREMENTS
(a)(1) OUTLINE OF FAMILY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. (A) General Provisions -- A written document that outlines how the State intends to:
(B) Special Provisions.
(3) CERTIFICATION THAT THE STATE WILL OPERATE A FOSTER CARE AND ADOPTION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. A certification by the chief executive officer of the State that, during the fiscal year, the State will operate a foster care and adoption assistance program under the State plan approved under part E, and that the State will take such actions as are necessary to ensure that children receiving assistance under such part are eligible for medical assistance under the State plan under title XIX.
(4) CERTIFICATION OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE PROGRAM. A certification by the chief executive officer of the State specifying which State agency or agencies will administer and supervise the program referred to in paragraph (1) for the fiscal year, which shall include assurances that local governments and private sector organizations-
(6) CERTIFICATION OF STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES TO ENSURE AGAINST PROGRAM FRAUD AND ABUSE.A certification by the chief executive officer of the State that the State has established and is enforcing standards and procedures to ensure against program fraud and abuse, including standards and procedures concerning nepotism, conflicts of interest among individuals responsible for the administration and supervision of the State program, kickbacks, and the use of political patronage.
(7) OPTIONAL CERTIFICATION OF STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES TO ENSURE THAT THE STATE WILL SCREEN FOR AND IDENTIFY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. (A) In General. -- At the option of the State, a certification by the chief executive officer of the State that the State has established and is enforcing standards and procedures to
This has been designed to enable the Chief Executive Officer of a State to certify that the State will operate its Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program in accordance with the statutory requirements in section 402(a)(2) through (7).
The State will operate a program to provide Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) so that the children may be cared for in their own homes or in the homes of relatives; to end dependence of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work, and marriage; to prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies and establish annual numerical goals for preventing and reducing the incidence of these pregnancies; and encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families.
This program is known as: ________________________________________
Executive Officer of the State (Name):_______________________________
In administering and operating a program which provides Temporary Assistance for Needy Families with minor children under title IV-A of the Social Security Act, the State will:
1. Specify which State agency or agencies will administer and supervise the program under part A in all political subdivisions of the State:
____________________is (are) the agency(ies) responsible for administering the program;
____________________is (are) the agency(ies) responsible for supervising the program;
2. Assure that local governments and private sector organizations:
4. Operate a Foster Care and Adoption Assistance program in accordance with part E, and certify that the State will take all necessary actions to ensure that children receiving assistance are eligible for medical assistance;
5. Provide each member of an Indian tribe, who is domiciled in the State and is not eligible for assistance under a Tribal Family Assistance plan approved under Section 412, with equitable access to assistance under the State program funded under this part attributable to funds provided by the Federal Government.
6. Establish and enforce standards and procedures to ensure against program fraud and abuse, including standards and procedures concerning nepotism, conflicts of interest among individuals responsible for the administration and supervision of the State program, kickbacks, and the use of political patronage.
7. Make available to the public a summary of the State plan; and
OPTIONAL CERTIFICATION
[ ] The State has established and is enforcing standards and procedures to:
| _________________ | _____________________________________ |
| Date | Signature and Title |
I. Payments to Agency Administering the TANF Program
II. State Payments for TANF Program
| 1st Quarter | 2nd Quarter | 3rd Quarter | 4th Quater |
|---|---|---|---|
| _______ | _______ | _______ | _______ |
| 1st Quarter | 2nd Quarter | 3rd Quarter | 4th Quater |
|---|---|---|---|
| _______ | _______ | _______ | _______ |
III. Changes and Inquiries
If a State determines that these estimates require changes, a letter indicating the change in percentages should be sent to your ACF Regional Office and to ACF's Central Office. The Central Office address is:
The Administration for Children and Families
The Office of Program Support The Division of Grants Management
6th Floor, Aerospace Building
370 L'Enfant Promenade
Washington, D.C. 20447