Measuring what matters: Shifting Temporary Assistance for Needy Families to an outcome-based model

Abstract

In recent years, Congressional leaders have expressed interest in updating the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program to better capture information on how well the program supports employment outcomes for program participants. In May 2018, the House Ways and Means Committee approved legislation for an outcomes based performance measurement system that would evaluate states on how well they did in assisting TANF recipients in achieving employment, earnings, and credential attainment goals using metrics similar to those in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).