CALIFORNIA'S RESPONSE TO RECENT TANF CHANGES SHOULD PRESERVE THE STRENGTHS OF THE CALWORKS PROGRAM - C - Budget Brief JUNE 2005

Download or read book CALIFORNIA'S RESPONSE TO RECENT TANF CHANGES SHOULD PRESERVE THE STRENGTHS OF THE CALWORKS PROGRAM - C - Budget Brief JUNE 2005 written by and published by . This book was released on with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A fixed federal allocation of $3.7 billion and $2.7 billion in state and county maintenance of effort (MOE) funds, the minimum amount required by federal law, provide funding for CalWORKs and related programs.2 These policy changes shifted the focus of welfare from providing cash aid to needy families to helping participants overcome barriers to employment, find a job, and move toward self-suffici. [...] The DRA, for example, requires the DHHS to define both federal work activities and the circumstances under which an unaided adult who resides with a child receiving assistance (a "child-only" case) should be included in the federal work rate calculation.10 These new regulations could make it harder for states to meet the higher work participation requirements. [...] California Should Preserve the Strengths of the CalWORKs Program Policymakers may wish to modify certain CalWORKs policies in order to increase the state's work participation rate and thereby minimize or avoid federal penalties. [...] For example, the state could attempt to increase the participation of 4 individuals who are already working in federally-allowable activities, but for an insufficient number of hours to meet the federal requirement.11 Prior to modifying CalWORKs, however, policymakers should identify the program's key strengths and ensure that any proposed changes preserve or enhance those strengths. [...] 16 Counties may reduce the exemption period for a parent with a young child to the first 12 weeks, or increase it to the first 12 months, after the birth or adoption of the child.