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DHS - Serving Children and Families


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Families First/TANF

Families First, Tennessee’s welfare reform program, began in September 1996, under a federal waiver and replaced the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program. The federal waiver expired June 30, 2007. We currently operate our program in compliance with the Federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.

Families First provides temporary cash benefits to families who have children, and are experiencing financial difficulties. These benefits are time-limited to 60 months in a participant’s lifetime.

The Families First program emphasizes work, training, and personal responsibility. To be eligible for the program, participants must agree to follow a Personal Responsibility Plan (PRP). As part of the PRP, the participant agrees to keep immunizations and health checks up to date for their children, keep their children in school, co-operate with Child Support Services to establish paternity, and participate in a work/training program for at least 30 hours per week.

Unless a participant is exempt from the 30-hour work requirement, he/she will develop, with the assistance of a work activity contractor, an individualized career plan (ICP). This plan is based on the participant’s needs and skills. The ultimate goal of the ICP is to provide a work and training guide that will result in financial independence for the family.

Videos:

Families First Video (English)

Memo - Families First Video (Spanish)

 

Learn more about:

Applying for Services

Child Care Certificate Program

Families First Highlights and Services

Personal Responsibility

Support Services

 

Reports and Information:

2008 TANF State Plan (Draft)
Public Notice of Comment Period

Families First Handbook

Research

Statistical Information

TANF State Plan

TANF CASELOAD REDUCTION REPORT

PART 2 – Estimate of Caseload Reduction Credit

Calculation Methodology for Additional CRC due to Excess MOE Spending, Examples of FY 2008 Credits

Elimination of 18 Month Interim Time Limit

Contact Family Assistance Service Center

Toll-Free Customer Service Line: 1-866-311-4287
Locate Your Local DHS Office

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