Characteristics of TANF Participants

Families with children under age six participating in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) must participate in education and training or other work-related activities for 20 hours per week. However, with high rates of financial hardship, poor health, and exposure to violence and adversity, families may have difficulty reaching self-sufficiency. These hardships are closely linked to work-limiting conditions such as:

• Poor academic achievement
• Poor financial literacy
• Food, housing and energy insecurity
• Cardiovascular disease
• Absenteeism
• Depression and other mental health limitations
• Poor cognitive functions
• Child hospitalizations

Building Wealth and Health Network Design

We conducted a randomized controlled trial of an intervention intended to evaluate a new model of public benefits provision with 103 primary caregivers of children under 6 years old. The intervention aimed at increasing financial, human and social capital in order to improve financial security and maternal and child health. A trauma-informed approach to financial empowerment and asset-building activities would leverage participants’ own strengths to become self-suffiicent.

Control Group

• TANF as is
• Quarterly surveys for 15 months

Partial Intervention

• Financial empowerment classes - financial literacy curriculum for adults with low to no income (3 hours per week for 28 weeks)
• Matched savings accounts - 1:1 matches up to $20 per month for one year

Full Intervention

• Trauma-informed peer support - S.E.L.F. curriculum from Sanctuary Model (2.5 hours per week for 28 weeks)
• Financial empowerment classes - financial literacy curriculum for adults with low to no income - 3 hours per week for 28 weeks
• Matched savings accounts - 1:1 matches up to $20 per month for one year

Study Participants

Mean age of participants was 25 years, and youngest child was 30 months. The majority were women (94.2%), never married (83.5%), unemployed (94.2%) and without a bank account (66%). Measures include:

• Career Readiness
• Career Readiness
• Family Economic Hardship

Conclusions and Recommendations

1. Many families with young children participating in TANF demonstrate very high levels of adversity and economic hardship.
2. TANF programs meant to encourage participation in the workforce must utilize comprehensive approaches to support families who have experienced trauma and adversity.
3. Trauma-informed approaches to career readiness such as Building Wealth and Health Network, offer families opportunities for success in the workforce.
4. Programs must implement two-generation interventions that address mental health and economic stability of caregivers simultaneously with the health and development of children.