The End of a Crucial Support for Children and Families

Marking the end of a crucial support for children and families, the TANF Emergency Fund officially expired on September 30, 2010. Since December 2009, the Financing Community Change blog has documented the importance of the TANF Emergency Fund in creating jobs, fighting unemployment rates, and providing short term, non-recurrent aid to families in times of need. 

Led by Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Robert Casey (D-Penn) and John Kerry (D-Mass), a stop-gap measure was proposed on September 28^th to extend the program for three months. The bill would have also provided $500 million for the TANF opportunity. Unfortunately, the Senators were unable to garner “unanimous consent” as Republican leadership in the Senate refused to include the measure in the Continuing Resolution, which extends government operations until all FY2011 budget bills pass.

Some states, however, are still expected to continue their TANF efforts despite the recent setback. In Illinois, Governor Quinn will use state money to support subsidized jobs program until the end of November. The Governor is hopeful that the Senate will reconsider the TANF Emergency Fund extension after recess. 

Find out more about the TANF Emergency Fund from the Center for Law and Social Policy. 


Resources: 
Walking Away from a Win-Win-Win, The Center for Budget and Policy Priorities