TANF Spending on Child Welfare Non-assistance

This figure shows trends in TANF spending on Child Welfare Non-assistance from FY 2015-2022 by region.

For more information on state TANF spending, visit our report landing page.

TANF Spending on Child Welfare Non-assistance, FYs 2015-2022

Note: Total state TANF spending includes both expenditures and transfers for federal TANF funds and expenditures of state maintenance of effort funds, as reported by states in Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Form ACF-196R. While TANF’s authorizing legislation provides states $16.5 billion in fixed federal TANF funding, state spending may vary from year to year as states spend different amounts of maintenance of effort funds, receive and spend federal Contingency Funds, and spend unspent federal funds carried over from previous years or retain these funds for future use.

Definitions

Child Welfare Non-assistance: This is the sum of two Form ACF-196R categories:

Child Welfare or Foster Care Services Authorized Solely Under Prior Law: Services provided to children and their families involved in the state's child welfare system, authorized solely under section 404(a)(2) of the Social Security Act and referenced in a state's former Aid to Families with Dependent Children or Emergency Assistance plan.

Child Welfare Services: Services designed to strengthen families so that children can be cared for in their own homes, including family counseling, parenting skills classes, and case management. Services and activities designed to promote and support successful adoptions. Other services provided to children and families involved in or at risk of being involved in the child welfare system.