Wednesday, April 25, 2018
OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin today signed legislation that links Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients with career and technology education and training programs.
House Bill (HB) 2825 by Representative Scott McEachin and Senate Majority Whip Nathan Dahm, is a measure requested by the governor. It is part of a suite of bills related to employment, training, and education client engagement for recipients of public assistance programs.
HB 2825 directs the Department of Human Services to explore opportunities to enhance community partnerships for the purpose of linking TANF recipients with career and technology education and training programs. This will expand opportunities for TANF recipients to participate in and complete employment and training activities.
“Technology centers, community colleges, and community resources have valuable education and training programs to offer, and TANF recipients will be well served by having this greater variety of options for completing their employment and training engagement requirements,” said Fallin. “We are committed to empowering Oklahomans through education, training and employment.”
HB 2825 takes effect Nov. 1.
TANF is a federal program designed to help needy families achieve self-sufficiency. States receive block grants to design and operate programs that accomplish one of the purposes of the TANF program: provide assistance to needy families so that children can be cared for in their own homes; reduce the dependency of needy parents by promoting job preparation, work and marriage; prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies; and encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families.