Abstract
The paper describes a range of evidence-informed strategies that a Historically Black, Colleges and University (HBCU) work readiness program adopted to increase the engagement of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program participants during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program successfully engaged half of the program participants through two-generational (2Gen) approach. The 2Gen approaches target low-income children and parents from the same household and combine parent and child interventions to interrupt the cycle of poverty. These approaches emphasize early childhood education, economic supports, postsecondary education, social capital and health and well-being to create a legacy of economic security. The paper highlights the human services delivery strategies utilized to engage individuals into work readiness training activities during the pandemic. The paper presents data where certain 2Gen activities engaged TANF participants more than other 2Gen activities. The data reveals that half of the participants completed online digital literacy courses and earned training certifications. The intent of the paper is to offer state and local human service agency policymakers’ guidance on strategies to increase TANF participant engagement.
Highlights
The paper describes a range of evidence-informed strategies that a Historically Black, Colleges and University (HBCU) work readiness program adopted to increase the engagement of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program participants during the COVID-19 pandemic
The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant provides grants to states, territories and American Indian tribes to finance a wide range of benefits and services for needy families with children
At the onset of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic, Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) modified the work participation requirements in order that participants could focus on the health and safety of their families (Carter, 2020)
Summary
The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant provides grants to states, territories and American Indian tribes to finance a wide range of benefits and services for needy families with children. At the onset of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic, DHHS modified the work participation requirements in order that participants could focus on the health and safety of their families (Carter, 2020). As the United States of America faced a national public health and economic emergency, the federal agency granted reasonable cause exceptions to participants that would have faced a penalty for failing to meet the work participation rates due to the COVID-19 emergency. TANF programs could provide online and/or virtual/remote approaches for participants to engage in work activities virtually. This included online trainings, job search and work readiness programs to encourage and sustain participant engagement; and. Case Managers were able to perform case management by telephone and other virtual platforms
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
