Strategies for Addressing the Needs of Domestic Violence Victims within the TANF

STRATEGIES FOR ADDRESSINGTHE NEEDS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS WITHIN THE TANF PROGRAM:THE EXPERIENCE OF SEVEN COUNTIESFINAL REPORTJune 30, 2000Martha R. BurtJanine M. ZweigKathryn SchlichterThis report was prepared for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of theAssistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, under contract number HHS-100-95-0021,Delivery Orders 19 and 30. The authors thank our ASPE project officer, Jerry Silverman, otherfederal advisors, Jody Raphael of the Center for Impact Research, Ann Menard, consultant toDHHS on domestic violence issues, and the many representatives of state and local TANF anddomestic violence programs for their help in making this report possible.The nonpartisan Urban Institute publishes studies, reports, and books on timely topics worthy ofpublic consideration. The views expressed are those of the authors and should not be attributedto the Urban Institute, its trustees, or its funders, or to the U.S. Department of Health and HumanServices. iTABLE OF CONTENTSEXECUTIVE SUMMARY ......................................................vIntroduction (Chapter 1)...................................................vThis Project ............................................................vThe Sites (Chapters 2 through 7) ........................................... viAnne Arundel County (Annapolis), Maryland.......................... viiDouglas (Roseburg) and Multnomah (Portland) Counties, Oregon.......... viiShawnee County (Topeka), Kansas.................................. viiiOrange County (Orlando), Florida................................... viiiCity and County of Denver, Colorado................................ viiiEl Paso County (Colorado Springs), Colorado.......................... ixFindings and Implications (Chapter 8)....................................... ixOverall Program Philosophy........................................ ixTools for Identifying and Assessing Domestic Violence .................. xResources for Supporting Women with Domestic Violence Issues........... xMaking the Change to Focus on Domestic Violence as a Barrier ............ xImplications .......................................................... xiiThe FVO in the TANF Programs We Visited .......................... xiiThe FVO in Other TANF Programs ................................. xiiOther Functions of the FVO........................................ xiiiGood Cause Exemptions for Child Support........................... xiiiCHAPTER 1: STUDY PURPOSE AND METHODS............................... 1-1The Project ........................................................... 1-2Annotated Bibliography........................................... 1-31998 and 1999 State Surveys....................................... 1-31998 Conference................................................ 1-3The Site Visits .................................................. 1-4The Structure of This Report ............................................. 1-8CHAPTER 2: ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MARYLAND......................... 2-1Anne Arundel County.................................................. 2-1State TANF Program, and Anne Arundel County Variations.................... 2-1Work Activity, Exceptions, and Exemptions........................... 2-2Sanctions ...................................................... 2-3State-Only Plan ................................................. 2-3Customer Flow, Interaction of TCA Workers with Customers, and Pressure Points . . 2-3Attitude of TCA Staff Toward Welfare Reform........................ 2-4Preparation for Handling Situations Involving Domestic Violence......... 2-5Integration of Domestic Violence Issues into TCA Intake and Ongoing Processes . . . 2-6 iiCoordination of TANF and Child Support Enforcement around Domestic Violence............................................... 2-8Observations ................................................... 2-9Reasons for Nondisclosure........................................ 2-9TCA Approach Following Disclosure ..................................... 2-10Domestic Violence Services in the Community ............................. 2-12Relationship Between the Domestic Violence Community and the TANF Office . . . 2-12Concluding Thoughts.................................................. 2-13CHAPTER 3: DOUGLAS AND MULTNOMAH COUNTIES, OREGON............... 3-1Douglas County....................................................... 3-1Multnomah County.................................................... 3-1State TANF Program ................................................... 3-2State Administered............................................... 3-2Program Requirements............................................ 3-2Work Activity .................................................. 3-3Sanction Policies ................................................ 3-3State-Level Domestic Violence Activities............................. 3-4The Application and C