Building Better Programs

Washington State’s TANF Redesign Process

In 2010, Washington’s Governor signed legislation to re-examine the state’s WorkFirst program. Among other efforts, Washington commissioned a Best Practices Research Group to complete a comprehensive review of evidence-based best and promising practices that are in alignment with the redesign’s core assumptions: Achieving stable and successful employment; family-centered case planning; emphasizing parents’ role in their children’s development; the transitional, not long-term, nature of WorkFirst; and leveraging non-TANF resource.  Furthermore, the state also undertook an analysis of their caseload to develop a predictive modeling tool which would improve the assessment of clients.

Resetting Washington’s WorkFirst for the 21st Century

Washington State’s WorkFirst Best and Promising Practices Research