TANF to Work

Jackson County Community Partnership

 

Core Result: Adults Working
Benchmark: Persons moving from TANF to work

 

February 2002

Objectives
To reduce TANF caseload by moving people into employment—maintain level below 7,000 through 2003.

To reduce the number of TANF participants that receive assistance for 30+ months by 10% each year.

Strategies

What Worked?

• Community Collaboration--LINC provides a forum where volunteers, community members, community-based organizations, businesses and government solve problems, share ideas, and present innovative services. Through collaboration with emphasis on coordination, not duplication of efforts, LINC looks for methods that will best utilize a wide range of funding streams to build and maintain stable neighborhoods.
• Two-Track Approach: LINC stresses a two-track approach to welfare reform. The first works to move existing recipients to employment through intensive case management. The second works from the outset to provide new applicants with supportive services and access to employment resources to keep them from developing a dependence on public assistance.
• Removing Barriers to Employment: LINC recognizes that most TANF recipients want to work but face serious obstacles to maintaining employment. LINC has been instrumental in shaping a system emphasizing supportive services to ensure the success of those transitioning off welfare and keeping them from returning to the rolls.

LINC utilizes many strategies to guarantee that families are making the decisions about what they need in order to succeed:

1. Coordination of services – collaboration among the state agencies and communities to address client needs and reduce duplication of services.
2. Mentoring – assisting clients to develop strategies to overcome their specific barriers to employment.
3. Expanding support services – developing services to meet specific needs such as access to transportation, childcare, GED testing, and housing.

Results
Jackson County’s average monthly TANF rolls have decreased at a faster rate than the state average, while the county’s recidivism rate is lower than the state rate.

Jackson County has significantly reduced the time-on-welfare for TANF participants. The number of TANF participants on for 30+ months has been reduced by 50%.

Funding
Funding for welfare-to-work is used to meet gaps in existing services rather than duplicate them. LINC receives direct funding from the Missouri Department of Social Services and uses this to leverage funds and services with community partners.