http://www.clasp.org/issues/topic_in_focus.xml?type=temporary_assistance&id=0002 In Focus articles from the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) en-us Sat, 18 May 2013 08:50:29 -0500 info@clasp.org webmaster@clasp.org 40 Wed, 03 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0063 This week, committees in the Tennessee legislature approved a bill that would cut parents' TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) cash assistance benefits if their children failed to be promoted to the next grade at school. This proposal is based on an inaccurate and stereotyped belief that poor parents need to be coerced into caring about their children's school achievement. If enacted, it will create new paperwork burdens for schools and welfare agencies, already straining under budget cuts. Most importantly, it risks pushing the most vulnerable children even deeper into poverty. http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0063 Fri, 02 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0058 Recent news stories highlight the problems with the current work participation rates and the reasons that HHS is on the right path in inviting states to propose thoughtful alternatives that would more accurately reflect the statesaEUR(TM) performance in helping clients achieve self-sufficiency through work. http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0058 Thu, 08 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0046 Record budget gaps and deficit reduction debates have continuously threatened the existence of vital domestic programs on both the state and national level despite increased need and program success. The economic situation also has boosted states' efforts to collect overpayments and fines. In California these debt collectors are even going after poor children. http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0046 Tue, 25 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0042 Florida's law mandating drug tests for all adult applicants for TANF cash assistance is on hold. Federal Judge Mary Scriven issued a temporary injunction Monday afternoon, saying the law is likely in violation of the Constitution's Fourth Amendment. http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0042 Mon, 03 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0041 A conservative organization's recent report claiming Florida's recently enacted law mandating drug testing for TANF applicants will save the state money is based on questionable data and assumptions, makes sweeping generalizations about poor people, and ignores broader social issues. http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0041 Mon, 16 May 2011 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0036 A bill passed last week by the Florida legislature takes baseless drug testing of applicants for cash assistance to an even more punitive, outrageous level by requiring needy families to pay for their own drug testing before receiving benefits. If Gov. Rick Scott signs the bill into law, all parents or caretakers will be required to take a drug test when applying for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits. http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0036 Wed, 16 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0033 What if, instead of giving people who want to work a little bit of money, and making them jump through all sorts of hoops to prove that they're really looking for work, you just gave them a job? http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0033 Thu, 03 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0032 Public discourse over welfare policy in the United States has long been shaped by perceptions about "deserving" and "undeserving" recipients. Recent proposals to randomly drug test parents applying for or receiving assistance from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program are just one of the latest manifestations. http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0032 Wed, 26 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0031 During tough economic times when jobs are scarce, increasing access to education and training for TANF recipients makes sense. Three states are making important strides to increase access to such training. Over the years, CLASP has continually advocated for improving access and success in education and training for low-income individuals, including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients. http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0031 Thu, 21 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0025 Today, we are facing generational unemployment highs in addition to rising poverty. Some families affected by the economic crisis will recover, but even short-term increases in poverty can have negative long-term effects on children. Unplanned moves due to eviction or foreclosure disrupt child care arrangements and schooling. Parents are more likely to be stressed, depressed or just plain overwhelmed. A number of studies show that young adults who are unemployed or out of the labor force due to a recession when they should be gaining formative work experience have permanently reduced earnings prospects. So, for all these reasons, the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program matters for children, families, and to society as a whole, which pays the price for poverty in the form of worse health, reduced educational attainment, and lower economic growth. http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0025 Wed, 20 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0024 Despite a slow start the entire $5 billion allocated for the TANF Emergency Fund was drawn down as of September 30, 2010, the day it expired. Over a quarter was spent on subsidized employment programs with nearly 250,000 youth and adult jobs being created. Over 30,000 of those jobs were in Illinois alone. While some of the usual suspects served more total people, IllinoisaEUR(TM) Put Illinois to Work (PITW) program was the largest source of adult subsidized jobs and the Social IMPACT Research Center has produced a preliminary analysis of the program. http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0024 Wed, 29 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0022 TANF Emergency Fund to expire on September 30th. http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0022 Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0021 With less than a month to go before it expires, learn about the value of the TANF Emergency Fund from individuals and organizations across the country. http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0021 Tue, 31 Aug 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0020 Learn about the value of the TANF Emergency Fund from some of the workers in subsidized jobs at the Internet Archive in San Francisco. http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0020 Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0019 http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0019 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0018 http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0018 Wed, 05 May 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0013 http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0013 Mon, 19 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0011 http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0011 Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0600 http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0005 Of families leaving cash assistance in Maryland between April 2008 and March 2009, 45.3 percent were employed during the first quarter after exit, and 41.3 percent during the second quarter after exit, http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0005 Fri, 09 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0004 Kentucky has increased work-study funds for TANF recipients to help recipients pay their bills and stay in school, while simultaneously boosting the stateaEUR(TM)s work participation rate. http://www.clasp.org/issues/in_focus?type=temporary_assistance&id=0004