Implementation of improvements to Colorado’s TANF program moves forward
The Children’s Campaign testified at the State Board of Human Services on March 3 to support a set of rules that would streamline key processes for families enrolled in Colorado’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program and reduce the cliff effect that can lead families to lose benefits just as they connect to employment and begin to get their feet under them.
The rules support the implementation of HB22-1259, which advanced these significant improvements to Colorado’s TANF program, known as Colorado Works. The Colorado Department of Human Services facilitated an intentional, inclusive process to develop the proposed rules and we commend the Department for their work and leadership. You can read the testimony prepared by our Director of Family Economic Prosperity Initiatives, Sarah Barnes, on our website.
The Children’s Campaign is proud to convene the TANF Coalition, a group of over 30 organizations, direct service providers, and directly impacted people working to improve the Colorado Works program. The TANF Coalition supported HB22-1259, and members of the coalition have worked with the Colorado Department of Human Services and other stakeholders to implement the bill since its passage. Many incredible members of this coalition also testified on the rule changes this week.
The proposed rules will come back before the State Board of Human Services for second reading and adoption at the April meeting. To learn more about this implementation process, contact Sarah Barnes at sarahb@coloradokids.org.
