Today, the Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Income Maintenance Administration released an online survey to gather information from organizations that provide services to recipients of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefit. The information gathered will be used to assist the agency in determining necessary program redesigns of TANF programs and services to better meet the needs of District residents.
Organizations that provide TANF recipients with any of the following services are strongly encouraged to complete the survey:
- Outreach and client engagement
- Life skills and goal setting
- Job search and placement
- Education and training in preparation for employment
- Work experience
- Subsidized employment
- Program and job retention supports.
Approximately 16,400 District families receive TANF benefits each month with 74 percent of families being required to engage in work, training, or education activities. DHS aims to become a national model for an accountable, compassionate and person-centric approach that helps welfare recipients build capacity, increase earnings, and transition towards self-sufficiency.
“DHS provides an economic safety net for recipients of TANF benefits while placing an equal emphasis on growing their capacity. Welfare benefits are not intended to be the end of the line, but a mile marker in the journey to self-sufficiency,” said DHS Director Clarence H. Carter.
The survey is available for completion until Wednesday June, 30, 2010 at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DHSMarketSurvey. A copy of the survey* is also available.
For additional information or questions, please contact Inessa Lurye by email at [email protected] or telephone at (202) 340-6439.