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Category: Project

Description: The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program is a key component in supporting self-sufficiency among families, including those currently experiencing or at-risk of homelessness. In 2013, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Administration for Children and Families (ACF), in recognition of the integral role TANF can play in family stability, released an Information Memorandum, “Use of TANF Funds to Serve Homeless Families and Families at Risk of Experiencing Homelessness” to encourage TANF agencies to identify and implement approaches to better assist these families. As a block grant program, TANF gives wide latitude for state and local innovation in serving eligible populations. Abt Associates, in partnership with MEF Associates, is conducting the "How TANF Agencies Support Families Experiencing Homelessness" project for ACF’s Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation. This project will assist HHS in understanding the extent to which TANF agencies across the country are using TANF funds to serve and support families experiencing or at-risk of homelessness. It also will document the approaches and strategies used by TANF agencies to serve these families. The project will produce three research briefs and a final report between mid-2019 and early 2020. For more information on the project, please contact Ms. Lauren Dunton at lauren_dunton@abatassoc.com.