SECTION 3 - ADDITIONAL USES OF TANF BLOCK GRANT FUNDS AND STATE MAINTENANCE OF EFFORT FUNDS

In addition to the program described in this Plan which provides cash assistance and supportive services to needy families meeting the financial criteria contained in Sections III.H & I of this Plan, the State of Illinois also intends to use TANF Block Grant funds and State Maintenance of Effort (MOE) funds to provide other services which are reasonably calculated to accomplish the purposes outlined in Section 401 of the Social Security Act (42 USC 601 et seq.) or which were in Illinois' approved Title IV-A State Plan on August 21, 1996. For some programs, Illinois will claim qualified third-party expenditures toward its MOE requirement via a Memorandum of Understanding with the third party.

Back to Top I. Programs Funded by TANF Block Grant Funds The following programs were in Illinois' approved State Plan under Title IV-A on August 21, 1996. The use of TANF Block Grant funds is authorized under Section 604(a)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 USC 604(a)(2)). Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Child Welfare Services: Training, emergency assistance, case management, pre-placement, counseling and other services provided to families and children in the child welfare network. Emergency Repatriation Planning: Developing and planning activities for emergency repatriation, as needed. Back to Top II. Programs Funded by TANF Block Grant Funds or MOE Funds to Families with Income Below 200% The following programs are provided to eligible families whose income is below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level using TANF Block Grant funds or MOE funds (or TANF Emergency Contingency funds). Child Care: Child care provided to families to enable the caretaker relative to work. Transportation: Payments for transportation for job search and other activities designed to promote self-sufficiency. Employment and Training Contracts: Payments to contractors who provide employment and training services, case management, job placement and other job-related services. Illinois Student Assistance Commission (including the Monetary Award Program): Payment of tuition and other fees for low-income college students. Other Supportive Services: Other supportive services (e.g. work and training expenses, uniforms, car repairs) designed to help clients or applicants obtain or retain employment and for training. Teen Parent Services: Services which help parents under age 19 stay in school, develop parenting skills, become more self-sufficient and increase self-esteem. Crisis Assistance: Payments to families that have emergent needs due to fire, flood, eviction, loss of cash, covering such items as food, clothing and furniture. DCFS Teen Parent and Family Preservation Services: Services provided by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services to help keep intact families together and help teen parents learn to properly care for their children. Youth Programs through the Public Schools: Before and after school, weekend and summer programs designed to help keep children in school, stay away from drug and gang activity, reduce teenage pregnancies and other related activities. May include transporting homeless students in Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 6 to their school of origin and picking up homeless youth at their temporary residence. Outreach programs designed to ensure that all homeless youth and their families are served are included. Substitute Parental Care: Care provided to a family when the caretaker must be out of the home on an emergency basis, e.g., the caretaker is hospitalized. The Children's Place Contract: A program that allows children infected with HIV to remain in the home by the provision of necessary services to the family. Early Childhood Programs: Services to young children and their parents that help learning with long-range outcome of better jobs and reduced teen pregnancies. Illinois Community College Board Adult Education Program Funds for educational expenses and supportive services. Illinois Free and Reduced Lunch Program: Illinois State Board of Education expenditures for the free and reduced lunch program which are in excess of the Federal program and match requirement. Food Banks: Payments to food banks to purchase food for distribution to TANF-eligible clients receiving food at food pantries that participate in the Emergency Food Program. Community Based Tax Counseling and Preparation: Payments to providers to provide tax counseling and tax form preparation and filing. The following is provided to families with a dependent child under age 18 who qualify for the Federal Earned Income Tax Credit: State Earned Income Tax Credit: This refundable credit supplements the earned income of lower income workers who have children living with them. Persons are eligible if they have at least one qualifying child living with them and are qualified for the Federal Earned Income Tax Credit. Back to Top