Page 11
11 | P a g e
to families who are the victims of domestic violence. This falls under TANF purpose #1 and is not considered assistance.
f. Family Emergency Services provide services to families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Funds may be used for program enhancements, including the provision of shelter and case management services for families in District shelters and/or in support of energy assistance to families to help avoid homelessness. This falls under TANF purpose #1 and may be considered assistance.
g. Fatherhood Initiative provides a continuum of supportive services to fathers of children in low-income families. Specifically, TANF funds support life skills education, group peer instruction, mediation services, counseling, and instruction on effective parenting. Services may include those to assist ex- offenders with their re-entry transition. The services and supports are geared to assist with increasing child support payments by non-custodial fathers. This falls under TANF purposes #1 and #4 and is not considered assistance.
h. DHS recognizes that the Digital Divide created challenges for customers abilities to engage in activities, prompting DHS to develop partnerships to increase access and reliability of technology in the homes of families receiving TANF benefits. Additionally, in an effort to meet customers where they are, and increase access, DHS expanded its service delivery model to include virtual services. DHS will continue to partner with community leaders and organizations to diminish the digital divide and provide ongoing assistance to customers to facilitate greater access to the Internet and computer equipment.