NEW FFYF RESOURCE: Child Care and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program
The TANF program is designed to help families living in poverty achieve self-sufficiency. States receive funding to develop programs and opportunities that accomplish one of the purposes of the TANF program, including a broad range of child care and early education initiatives.
On March 6th, the Education and the Workforce Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education (ECESE) convened a hearing entitled ‘Strengthening Welfare to Work with Child Care’ that explored the importance of elevating programs like TANF to meet the needs of both children and parents through high-quality child care in coordination with public assistance. ECESE Chairman Todd Rokita (R-IN) made opening remarks highlighting the importance of coordinating high-quality child care and public assistance programs in order to effectively help families find sustainable, good paying jobs: “No parent should have to make a choice between showing up for work and caring for their child.”
As Congress considers reauthorization of TANF, there is a significant opportunity to recognize the unmistakable role quality early childhood experiences play in helping to break the cycle of poverty.