Despite the drop in federal TANF funds, Georgia policymakers continue to use federal TANF funds to replace state funds without regard to prioritizing state programs that directly promote family self-sufficiency. For FY 2013, lawmakers allocated 43 percent of the federal TANF to satisfy TANF’s direct purposes, while 57 percent of the funds were used to cover child-welfare related services. Programs that protect Georgia’s children from abuse and neglect are critical, and lawmakers should identify revenue solutions to renew state fund investment to adequately fund them, rather than relying heavily on TANF funds. Download the full report.
