This NAACFRC research brief examines the social characteristics of African American fathers connected to families who receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). The findings highlight that many fathers demonstrate strong paternal engagement and positive coparenting relationships, and underscores the need for policies and programs that address both social and economic factors shaping family well-being.
This webinar explores how current shifts impact language associated with human services and community initiatives.
Presenters discuss:
• Why language matters for trust, funding, and community engagement
• Alternative language and framing strategies (e.g., community priorities, shared benefit)
• Strategies for engaging communities using asset-based and strengths-focused language
• Tips for writing grants, program descriptions, and outreach materials
• Maintaining integrity and a community-focused mission while adapting to external constraints
The Black Families & Legislative History Leading Up to TANF infographic details the evolution of cash assistance programs that have led to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program as we know it today. The timeline begins with the establishment of the Aid to Dependent Children (ADC) grant program in the early 1930s and moves through legislative milestones to help us better understand the current state of the TANF program.
This NAACFRC research brief highlights the critical need for more detailed, population-specific reporting on employment and earnings outcomes for Black participants in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, revealing that most studies fail to disaggregate results by demographic group. Improved data collection and targeted policy interventions are essential to ensure TANF effectively promotes economic advancement for all families transitioning off assistance.
This infographic illustrates how the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program could increase chances for successful employment outcomes by facilitating early access to mental health assessments, ensuring that TANF program participants are connected to resources.
This webinar examines how research can provide support to policy development and improvement, to better serve children and families. Presenters describe the process of translating research findings into key takeaways for policy officials and how to build meaningful relationships between the community and decision-makers with research evidence.
This webinar discusses research that demonstrates how artificial intelligence (AI) can be implemented to enhance programs in human services. Speakers address challenges that come with utilizing this technology and share specific AI tools that the community, practitioners, and researchers may find useful.
This webinar explores innovative, participatory research methods used in a study on home-based child care practices and experiences. Furthermore, this webinar sheds light on often-overlooked aspects of quality in home-based child care and examines its impact on children’s long-term academic outcomes. #capacitybuilding #CBPR #publichealth #childcare
Families experiencing poverty need access to cash assistance to help them afford their basic needs and maintain stability. Families use assistance provided by the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program to pay for rent, utilities, diapers, food, transportation, and other necessities. Many families in need may not have access to the program, particularly in states where Black children are more likely to live. This infographic outlines six recommendations to strengthen the effectiveness of the TANF program.
This webinar focuses the importance of new research to address historical inequalities and systematic racism. There is focus on efforts of the National African American Children and Family Research Center (NAACFRC), as well as the challenges of utilizing secondary data. Furthermore, this webinar emphasized the need to leverage existing data sets to increase understanding of African American children and families’ experiences with programs overseen by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF).