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Policy Priority
ADDITIONAL CHILD AND FAMILY INITIATIVES

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families

Overview

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program is the second largest source of public funding for child care in the United States.

TANF provides grants to states to help design and operate programs that support low-income families, including through increased access to child care and early education opportunities, which helps parents to enter or return to the workforce.

For decades, federal regulations and guidance have allowed TANF funds to support or expand a broad range of child care and early learning initiatives in states.

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Resources

Resource

Total Federal TANF & State MOE Expenditures for Child Care & Early Learning in FY2022

February 8, 2024

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program provides federal grants to states to design and operate programs that help low-income families achieve self-sufficiency. TANF plays a crucial role in …

Resource

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program Overview

April 16, 2019

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program provides grants to states to design and operate programs that support low-income families, including through increased access to child care and early …

Resource

TANF: Breaking the Cycle of Poverty with Quality Child Care

April 16, 2019

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program provides federal grants to states to design and operate programs that help low income families achieve self-sufficiency. TANF plays a crucial role …

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update

News

FFYF Submits Comments on 2023 Temporary Assistance for Needy Families NPRM

December 4, 2023

On October 2, 2023, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that would strengthen the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. …

News

ACF releases New Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five Funding Opportunity Focused on Supporting the Workforce

September 14, 2022

On September 13, the Administration of Children and Families (ACF) announced $266 million Preschool Development Grants Birth through Five (PDG B-5) renewal and planning grants. The Notices of Funding Opportunity, …


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