TANF Priorities
TANF, short for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, is a federal program that offers states flexibility in serving families of low-income.
The purpose of TANF is to reduce intergenerational dependency on public benefits by increasing self-sufficiency, education, and economic mobility of families with children. The four federal goals of TANF are to:
- Provide assistance to needy families with children so that they can live in their own homes or the homes of relatives;
- End dependence of needy parents on government benefits through work, job preparation, and marriage;
- Reduce out of wedlock pregnancies; and
- Encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families.
![Get to Know TN TANF Priorities Graphic Get to Know TN TANF Priorities Graphic](/content/tn/humanservices/tanf-opportunity-act/tanf-priorities/jcr%3acontent/content/tn_image_356812071_c.img.png/1624978284333.png)
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Basic Assistance and Wraparound Supports
- Housing
- Transportation
- Cash Assistance, Transitional Services, and Case Management
- Financial Literacy & Counseling
- Fatherhood & Parenting
- Technology Access
- Mental, Physical & Behavioral Health (Including Substance- Abuse Treatment & Recovery)
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Education
- Early Childhood Education (Child Care, Head Start, Early Head Start, Pre-K and Home- Visiting)
- Educational Supports & Literacy
- Mentoring, After school, Summer & Other Youth Programs
- Post-secondary Access and Supports for Youth and Adults
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Employment
- Youth Employment Programs
- Career Awareness Initiatives
- Workforce Development, Job Training and Other Employment Services
- Apprenticeships &
Pre Apprenticeships - Re-entry Services