Problem Definition
In the U.S., needy families use the Temporary Assistance (TA) program to facilitate cash benefits as financial support. New York’s TA, a state program, provides such benefits that amount close to $31.3 billion for children and family sustenance (Center on Budget and Policy Priorities [CBPP], 2020). In comparison to the general population, the number of individuals receiving such state support is drastically small, yet the program’s roll-out has been facilitated and funded by state agencies. This calls for the question of the program’s efficiency, efficacy, and effectiveness in mitigating poverty amongst the children and their families.
The Policy Goal
The primary goal of the implementation of The New York TA is to assist needy families with children so that they can live in their own homes or the homes of relatives. The program also aims to end dependence of needy parents on government benefits through work, job preparation, and marriage. Consequently, the program helps in reducing out-of-wedlock pregnancies and promoting the formation and maintenance of two-parent families
The Policy Proposals
To establish feasible policy proposals based on the problem of the New York’s TA poverty mitigation impacts, such evaluation of the effectiveness of New York’s TA program through assessing the percentage of successful interventions in comparison with benchmark standards is important. Additionally, it is imperative to assess the adherence to the goals set by the TANF and the sustainability of the achieved results. As such, the values obtained will help in establishing strategies that are both effective and sustainable.
Findings
Does the New York TA program provide adequate improvement of needy families’ employment status across New York?
Positive Outcome –. It is suggested that TANF benefits would help to improve a family’s economic state through cash benefits as well as earned income through employment. It is also suggested that with this income, the effects on the family may improve the quality of time and activities that a family may engage in, the quality of child care available, and decreased financial stress on parents who are now able to assist children in completing homework and attending school functions (Falk, 2017).
Does New York’s TA program provide effective interventions to improve enrollees’ quality of life?
Negative Outcome-Majority of enrollees experienced no improvement in their quality of life especially those with mental disabilities compared to the general population. It was found that both current and former welfare recipients have poorer health status as compared to the general population. TANF leaves families below the federal poverty line with a poverty ratio of below 20% (CBPP, 2021).
Are the effects of the interventions provided to enrollees of the TA program in New York sustainable?
Neutral Outcome – Though the cash benefits provide financial benefits as well as employment to most needy families, other families engaging in these activities would need the disposable income that is not typically available with TANF requirements. As such, neither TANF’s income nor employments display any significance to child-wellbeing and family poverty-line upsurge (Spencer & Komro, 2017). Such parents receiving TANF and complying with its policies for work may be required to spend more money on such work-related costs as fare, child-wellbeing, and clothing. The long-term effect is an increase in family revenue which decreases the cash benefits of TANF, hence such families are left in a fixed economic state.
Recommendation and Course of Action
The recommendation encompasses the policy gaps that result in incomplete TANF roll-out and complete mitigation and address of the child welfare and families poverty issues. For instance, such factors as job-related policy requirements and rules can be made flexible to enable many families that are locked out of the program to benefit. Therefore, I will advocate that the social workers, based on their moral duty, be aware of the rules that marginalize needy children and families go through. Moreover, I will advocate for a law to be effected which would relieve such social problems that promote social justice.
References
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. (2021). Chartbook: Temporary assistance for needy families. Web.
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. (2020). Policy basics: Temporary assistance for needy families. Web.
Spencer, R. A., & Komro, K. A. (2017). Family economic security policies and child and family health. Clinical child and family psychology review, 20(1), 45-63. Web.