Title: The IRA: individual responsibility agreements and TANF family life obligations.

POPLINE Document Number: 276732

Author(s):

Levin-Epstein J

Source citation:

Washington, D.C., Center For Law and Social Policy [CLASP], 1998 Aug. 36 p.

Abstract:

The 1996 welfare law, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families [TANF], includes a specific provision entitled individual responsibility plans. One part of the provision requires that each state agency conduct an assessment of the recipient within a prescribed time frame; it is then a state option whether to develop an activities plan based upon the assessment. Most states developed, or already had in place, some type of activities plan for participants. These plans take a variety of shapes. Many states have employability plans that address the activities and timing associated with job search, job training, etc. Some states also focus on more personal activities, such as immunization of children. Some states have one document that is an employability plan and another that addresses personal obligations; other states combine these activities in a single plan. This document seeks to identify the family life obligations required in individual responsibility agreements used by welfare agencies. This analysis is based upon a review of state documents called personal responsibility plans or personal responsibility agreements or any similar name; since the focus is on family life obligations, this analysis does not include a review of employability plans4 that solely address work activities. In this text, we refer to the individual responsibility agreement, or IRA. (excerpt)

Keywords:

United States
Critique
Evaluation
Parents
Adolescents
Government
Family Policy
Responsible Parenthood
Social Security
Legislation
Questionnaires
Family Life
Developed Countries
North America
Americas
Family Relationships
Family Characteristics
Family and Household
Youth
Age Factors
Population Characteristics
Demographic Factors
Population
Political Factors
Social Policy
Policy
Financing, Government
Financial Activities
Economic Factors