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1996 to 2006 Ten Years of TANF in Florida. Capitol Hill Briefing July 11, 2006 Don Winstead, Deputy Secretary Florida Department of Children and Families. Unprecedented TANF Caseload Decline. 1996 to 2006 has seen unprecedented caseload decline.
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1996 to 2006Ten Years of TANF in Florida Capitol Hill Briefing July 11, 2006 Don Winstead, Deputy Secretary Florida Department of Children and Families
Unprecedented TANF Caseload Decline • 1996 to 2006 has seen unprecedented caseload decline. • In September 2006, the month prior to TANF implementation in Florida, there were 200,292 families receiving AFDC. • In June 2006, 50,831 families received TANF temporary cash assistance. • In September 1996 about 25% of families were child only. • In June 2006, child only families account for about 75% of families. • Two factors account for this shift. The number of adults receiving TANF has declined by 92%, while child only families remained relatively stable. • In addition, Florida created a new TANF-funded Relative Caregiver program to better support relatives raising children who would otherwise likely go into foster care.
Florida Caseload ChangeSeptember 1996 to June 2006 • While the TANF caseload has decreased, caseloads in other public assistance programs have either increased or remained about the same. • Medicaid and food stamps provide supplemental transitional benefits for working families and safety net benefits for the elderly and disabled. +60% +30% +3% -75% -92%
Caseload reduction is a much more dynamic process than the beginning and ending numbers indicate. The reduction in TANF adults from 155,071 to 12,976 from Sept. 1996 to June 2006, is not simply the result of 142,000 adults leaving the rolls. The process is much more dynamic. As the information in the chart indicates, over 600,000 adults have left cash assistance over the past decade. Welfare Reform MathAdults Receiving TANF
Lifetime Months of TANFAdults Receiving TANF in April 2006 • Few TANF adults have come close to the time limit. • Most adult recipients have accrued less than 12 months of temporary cash assistance. • Only 4% of adults have more than 60 cumulative months of cash assistance under TANF. • Of the adults with more than 60 cumulative months of assistance, 83% have been medically verified to be caring for disabled family members.
The flexibility provided in 1996 enabled the state to restructure eligibility rules to reward work. The old AFDC rules were changed and new program options were created to better serve families that did not need ongoing cash assistance. Provisions were enacted that reinforced personal responsibility. Transitional benefits were enhanced and career advancement strategies have been implemented including Career Advancement and Retention Challenge grants to Regional Workforce Boards and the Passport to Economic Progress demonstration. New Policies Included: Increased earnings disregards Increased asset limits including vehicle needed for work Diversion programs Relocation assistance Strong sanction policy encourages compliance Requirement that teen parents live at home or under appropriate supervision. Transitional benefits and services including child care, transportation, and education and training New Policy FrameworkIncentives that Promote Work and Strengthen Personal Responsibility
Major Investment in Child Care • The savings from caseload decline has largely been invested in services that support work. • In state fiscal year 1995 – 1996, child care funding was less than $200 million. • In SFY 2005 – 2006 child care funding had more than tripled to $659.3 million. • In SFY 1995 – 1996 child care funding was 28 cents for each dollar of welfare payments. • By SFY 2005 – 2006 child care funding was $3.57 for each dollar of TANF cash assistance payments.
Fully Integrated TANF Work Activities and Workforce System Governor Bush Lt. Governor Jennings Workforce Florida, Inc. 45 Member Policy Board of Directors Department of Children and Families • First Jobs/ First Wages Council • Better Jobs/ Better Wages Council • High Skill/ High Wages Council Agency for Workforce Innovation 14 Districts and Regions 24 Regional Workforce Boards Performance Contract Over 2,400 Partner Service Sites Including Workforce One-Stop Centers Employ Florida 100+ One Stop Centers
2006 Sterling Showcase Winner for Document Scanning Project FNS Director Cup May 2006 85% E-Signed Web Apps 9
Reauthorization of the block grant and supplemental grant will provide stability in future federal funding. Initial analysis indicates Florida will meet the all-family work participation requirement. Intensive activity will be focused on meeting the two-parent work participation requirement. Florida is well-positioned to compete for new funding for healthy marriage and responsible fatherhood. Future priorities will continue to emphasize work and continue to use automation including web-based technology to enhance service and maximize efficiency. For information on programs and performance visit MyFlorida.com and click on Workforce Florida, Inc. Agency for Workforce Innovation Department of Children and Families Looking to the Future