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Texas Families First Task Force Meeting Presentation by Diane Rath, Chair & Commissioner

Explore the impact of the Family Support Act of 1988 on Texas welfare reform, work requirements, and TANF population. Learn about exemptions, penalties, and the success of federal welfare reform. Discover strategies to promote strong families and engagement in work activities.

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Texas Families First Task Force Meeting Presentation by Diane Rath, Chair & Commissioner

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  1. Texas Families First Task Force Meeting Presentation by Diane Rath Chair & Commissioner Representing the Public Texas Workforce Commission October 9, 2003

  2. Family Support Act of 1988 1

  3. Texas’ Welfare Population • Mid-1990s before welfare reform • 263,455 cases • 721,705 recipients • 212,788 adults 2

  4. 1995 State Welfare Law • Personal Responsibility Agreement • Cooperate with child support • Make sure children attend school • Ensure children are immunized & get regular health screens & check-ups • Do not abuse drugs or alcohol • Obtain parenting skills training • Participate in work or work activities 3

  5. 1995 State Welfare Law (continued) • Mandated work for all adults • Placed time limits on receipt of benefits – 1, 2, or 3 years based on person’s education & work history *implemented through waiver of existing federal law 4

  6. 1995 State Welfare Law (continued) • Weak Penalties • Not complying with work requirements - $78 • Not cooperating with child support - $78 • Not abusing drugs, alcohol - $25 • Children not immunized or getting health screens - $25 5

  7. 1995 State Welfare Law (continued) • Welfare Reform • DHS – eligibility only • Workforce Reform • TWC created by merging 28 programs from 10 agencies • All employment programs • Enforce welfare work requirements 6

  8. 1996 Federal Welfare Law • Created Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant and a new welfare system • Temporary assistance, not an entitlement • Lifetime limit of 5 years • All adults required to work unless caring for child under age 1 • States must meet increasing work participation rates or lose 5% of federal block grant 7

  9. Success of Federal Welfare Reform • Dramatic Caseload Decline • National 52% • Texas 51% • New York 50% • Wisconsin 64% • Florida 70% 8

  10. TANF Population 9

  11. Texas’ success might have been greater if we did not have waiver • Waiver isolated Texas and allowed welfare recipients to delay taking responsibility to support their families 10

  12. Age of Child Exemption • Phased down to meet federal law requirements • 12 states have 3-month exemption after birth of child • 6 states have no exemption • Texas is only large state with 1 full year exemption 11

  13. DHS Exemptions from Work 1. Caretaker of child under age one — 4,165 2. Caretaker needed in the home to care for disabled adult—1,830 3. Single grandparent age 50 or over and caretaker of child under age three — 14 4. Caretaker disabled for more than 180 days — 7,476 12

  14. DHS Exemptions from Work (continued) 5. Caretaker who is unable to work as result of pregnancy — 1,091 6. Caretaker age 60 or older — 234 *State law also exempts caretakers of disabled children —2,387 (August 2003 data) 13

  15. Total Adults on TANF —86,090 Total Exempted —17,197 (20%) (August 2003 data) 14

  16. Two-Parent Family Issue — another blow to family formation 15

  17. TANF Reauthorization Issues • Maintain current federal block grant • Strengthen work requirements • Full engagement – 40 hours/week • Promote strong families • Give states flexibility • Show compassion to truly needy 16

  18. Impact on Texas of TANF Reauthorization TANF Adults—82,540 TANF Adults Working—44,840 Exempt or NotEngaged in Work—37,700 (based on House-passed version) 17

  19. TWC’s Success in Welfare Reform • Won total of $70 million over 4 consecutive years in TANF High Performance Bonuses for excellence in job placement of TANF adults • New award of $19 million for Family Formation & Stability • Legislature appropriates bonus funds 18

  20. H.B. 2292 – Welfare Reform • Strengthens state welfare law • Pay for performance model • Like real work environment • Paid for work performed 19

  21. TWC’s TANF Choices Employment Services Rule • State & federal law direct TWC to define “engaged in work” • Work First design • Taking personal responsibility in order to obtain & retain work • Child attending school • Children getting immunized & health check-ups • Adults not abusing drugs or alcohol • Penalty for refusal to engage in work is loss of TANF & adult Medicaid benefits 20

  22. Litigation CPPP vs. TWC 21

  23. Medicaid Connection • Federal welfare law allows states to terminate — • TANF benefits for the entire family • Medicaid for the adult • When parents refuse to — • Cooperate with child support • Engage in work 22

  24. Parents not taking Responsibility • Refused to cooperate with child support – 6,834 adults • Refused to meet work requirements – 23,550 adults • (DHS Mgmt. Focus 7/03) 23

  25. 24

  26. Child Care Issues • Child care is vital work support • Parent responsibility agreement • Parent choice is basic tenet • What is quality child care? • Safe, healthy nurturing environment? • Or culturally appropriate pictures on the wall? 25

  27. Diane Rath, Chair Texas Workforce Commission 463-2800 diane.rath@twc.state.tx.us 26

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