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A Joint Project of the Maine
Association of Interdependent Neighborhoods |
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Volume 8 No. 2 |
June 2004 |
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MAIN
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A Joint Project of the Maine
Association of Interdependent Neighborhoods |
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Volume 8 No. 2 |
June 2004 |
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TANF Reauthorization: An Update!
Congress still cannot agree on changesAs of May 2004, when and how the TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) Program will be reauthorized by Congress is still uncertain. TANF, created by Congress in 1996 to replace the AFDC Program, was given a five-year life. After that, Congress was required to vote to re-enact it. Those five years were up in 2002, but Congress could not agree about what changes to make in the TANF program. Although both the House of Representatives and the Senate worked on the bill, the process was never finished. So instead of reauthorizing the whole law, since that time Congress has simply passed extensions of the original law. The most recent one of these extensions will end on June 30, 2004.
So what will happen between now and June 30th? There are a couple of options. Congress could again extend the law, without change, for a short period to give themselves more time to revamp the program. Alternatively, Congress could try to extend the law for a longer period, and could try to make changes in it. Many issues are at stake:
What should the TANF work requirements be?
How much access to education and training will be permitted under federal law?
How much child care funding will there be?
Will entire families (children as well as adults) be sanctioned when program rules are violated?
Will people be able to spend time on activities that would remove barriers in their lives-like getting a drivers license or obtaining substance abuse treatment?
More details on the Senate and House actions on TANF Reauthorization. Or give us a call, 1-866-626-7059 and will send you the details.
