Content created by Office of Budget (OB)
Fiscal Year 2020
Released March, 2019
Topics on this page: Goal 3. Objective 1 | Objective 3.1 Table of Related Performance Measures
Goal 3. Objective 1: Encourage self-sufficiency and personal responsibility, and eliminate barriers to economic opportunity
Strong, economically stable individuals, families, and communities are integral components of a strong America. Many Americans currently experience or are at risk for economic and social instability. The social and health impacts of poverty can include reduced access to nutritious food; fewer educational opportunities, and poor educational outcomes; a lack of access to safe and stable housing; increased risk of poor health outcomes including obesity and heart disease; and difficulty obtaining work opportunities. The Department coordinates safety-net programs across the Federal Government; state, local, tribal, and territorial governments; and faith-based and community organizations.
The Office of the Secretary leads this objective. The following divisions are responsible for implementing programs under this strategic objective: ACF, ACL, and CMS.
Objective 3.1 Table of Related Performance Measures
Increase the percentage of adult TANF recipients and former recipients who are newly employed (Lead Agency - ACF; Measure ID - 22B)31 32
| FY 2013 | FY 2014 | FY 2015 | FY 2016 | FY 2017 | FY 2018 | FY 2019 | FY 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Target | 30.7% | 32.5% | N/A | N/A | Prior Result +0.1PP | Prior Result +0.1PP | Prior Result +0.1PP | Prior Result +0.1PP |
| Result | 32.4% | 31.4% | N/A | N/A | 3/31/19 | 11/30/19 | 11/30/20 | 11/30/21 |
| Status | Target Exceeded | Target Not Met | N/A | N/A | Pending | Pending | Pending | Pending |
TANF provides states with block grants to design and operate programs that help needy families reach self-sufficiency, with a focus on preparing parents for work. This program measure assesses how effectively recipients transition from cash assistance to employment. Full success requires not only that recipients be employed, but also that they remain employed, increase their earnings, and demonstrate a reduction in dependency on cash assistance.
ACF is committed to providing innovative and effective employment information and strategies to the states and offering a range of targeted technical assistance efforts. In FY 2019 and 2020, ACF will continue to support state, tribal, and community partners’ efforts to design and implement programs that focus simultaneously on adult employment and family well-being.
Increase the percentage of refugees who are self-sufficient (not dependent on any cash assistance) within the first six months of the service period (Lead Agency - ACF; Measure ID - 16.1LT and 16C)33
| FY 2013 | FY 2014 | FY 2015 | FY 2016 | FY 2017 | FY 2018 | FY 2019 | FY 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Target | 71.77% | 69.76% | 76.84% | 83.01% | 85.26% | 84.84% | 82.88% | Prior Result +1% |
| Result | 69.07% | 76.08% | 82.19% | 84.42% | 84% | 82.06% | 11/1/19 | 11/1/20 |
| Status | Target Not Met | Target Exceeded | Target Exceeded | Target Exceeded | Target Not Met | Pending | Pending | Pending |
In FY 2018, 236 locations offered ACF Matching Grant Program services. This is a decrease from 250 locations in FY 2017, and ACF expects additional site consolidations in FY 2019. The program provides $2,500 in funds for each individual served and grantees must match those funds by at least 50 percent while providing services. ACF encourages grantees to experiment in the delivery of services at one or more sites to further improve efficiencies and outcomes. The number of refugees and other eligible individuals served is directly linked to the amount of money ACF awards grantees.
ACF expects to complete on-site monitoring of each grantee’s local service provider site at least once every three years. ACF continues to enforce the Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) requirement that affects each site expecting to serve at least 50 clients in the fiscal year, performing 10 percentage-points or more below the network’s self-sufficiency average, and performing at least 5 percentage-points below the annual national program average. Each PIP must include concrete measures such as enhanced monitoring, professional development training, reassignment of personnel, and reductions in funding. Grantees report on the progress of their PIPs every six months.
31These data exclude territories, but includes the District of Columbia.
32 The actual results for fiscal years 2015 and 2016 cannot be reported due to technological constraints.
33 In spite of generally robust economic conditions, grantees continue to note the difficulties inherent with decreasing and uneven arrival numbers and the corresponding adjustments in funding. Nonetheless, outcomes remain commendable and ACF expects positive growth to resume as the agency works towards achieving FY 2020 goals.