TANF: An Opportunity for States to Improve Substance Abuse Services?
Passage of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 was one of the most significant changes to U.S. social welfare policy since the inception of AFDC in the 1930's. The new legislation restricted the provision of cash benefits to low-income families to a lifetime maximum of five years and gave states the authority to include work requirements, time limits and sanctions. Much apprehension by policy makers, service providers and recipients accompanied the passage of this legislation, with experts expressing a range of predictions about how the new policies could affect current and future welfare recipients Specifically, concerns have been raised regarding the effect of the legislation on vulnerable populations with significant barriers to employment, in particular those with substance abuse addictions. Despite these concerns, much has been written about the opportunities for states to use TANF funds to improve services for recipients with substance abuse problems. This paper will review the funding and programmatic opportunities and challenges facing states as a result of the TANF program. Opportunities include: investing TANF funds in screening, assessment, pre-treatment and treatment, transferring TANF funds to the Social Services Block Grant, and using State Maintenance of Effort (MOE) funds for treatment and other supportive services. Challenges include: identifying TANF recipients with alcohol and drug problems, increasing treatment capacity to keep up with case finding, and coordinating treatment and work (and for some, parole and probation) requirements for recipients and families.
Learning Objectives: After attending this session
Keywords: Substance Abuse Treatment, Funding
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.