Fiscal Year 2019
Released April 2018
Topics on this page: Goal 3. Objective 1 | Objective 3.1 Table of Related Performance Measures
Goal 3. Objective 1: Encourage self-sufficiency and personal responsibility, and eliminate barriers to economic opportunity
Strong, economically stable individuals, families, and communities are integral components of a strong America. Many Americans currently experience or are at risk for economic and social instability. The social and health impacts of poverty can include reduced access to nutritious food; fewer educational opportunities and poor educational outcomes; a lack of access to safe and stable housing; increased risk of poor health outcomes including obesity and heart disease; and difficulty obtaining work opportunities.
In 2016, a family of three was considered to be living in poverty if they earn less than $19,105 per year. According to the Census Bureau, the poverty rate in 2016 was 12.7 percent, with 40.6 million people living in poverty; this number was down 0.8 percentage points from 2015. For most demographic groups, the number of people in poverty decreased from 2015, with adults older than 65 the only population group experiencing an increase in the number of people living in poverty. By providing opportunities for work and work supports, the Department is dedicated to improving the education, skills, health, and resources of low-income individuals and families to help them expand their productivity, achieve economic independence, and enhance their economic and health outcomes.
To reach this goal, the Department coordinates safety-net programs across the Federal Government; State, local, Tribal, and territorial governments; and faith-based and community organizations. One of the Department’s primary programs for families in need is the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. TANF provides States with block grants to design and operate programs that help needy families reach self-sufficiency, with a focus on preparing parents for work. The Department coordinates with the U.S. Departments of Labor and Education to implement the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, which is designed to help young job seekers and people with disabilities access employment education, training, and support services and match employers with skilled workers.
The Office of the Secretary leads this objective. The following divisions are responsible for implementing programs under this strategic objective: ACF, ACL, and CMS.
Objective 3.1 Table of Related Performance Measures
| Measure | FY 2012 | FY 2013 | FY 2014 | FY 2015 | FY 2016 | FY 2017 | FY 2018 | FY 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Target | 30.6 % | 30.7 % | 32.5 % | 31.5 % | Prior Result +0.1PP | Prior Result +0.1PP | Prior Result +0.1PP | Prior Result +0.1PP |
| Result | 30.4 % | 32.4 % | 31.4 % | Jan 31, 2018 | Jan 31, 2019 | Jan 31, 2020 | Jan 31, 2021 | Jan 31, 2022 |
| Status | Target Not Met but Improved | Target Exceeded | Target Not Met | Pending | Pending | Pending | Pending | Pending |
TANF measures assess how effectively recipients transition from cash assistance to employment. Full success requires not only that recipients be employed, but also that they remain and increase their earnings, demonstrating a reduction in dependency on cash assistance.
ACF is committed to finding innovative and effective employment strategies through research, identifying and disseminating information on promising employment and skill-building strategies, and providing a range of targeted technical assistance efforts to states. Through these efforts, ACF supports state, tribal, and community partners’ efforts to design and implement programs that focus simultaneously on adult employment and family well-being.
| Measure | FY 2012 | FY 2013 | FY 2014 | FY 2015 | FY 2016 | FY 2017 | FY 2018 | FY 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Target | 71.75 % | 71.77 % | 69.76 % | 76.84 % | 83.01 % | 85.26 % | Prior Result +1% | Prior Result +1% |
| Result | 71.06 % | 69.07 % | 76.08 % | 82.19 % | 84.42 % | 84% | Nov 1, 2018 | Nov 1, 2019 |
| Status | Target Not Met but Improved | Target Not Met | Target Exceeded | Target Exceeded | Target Exceeded | Target Not Met | Pending | Pending |
In FY 2017, performance decreased slightly by 0.38 percentage points, with an actual result of 84 percent. Decreasing and uneven arrival numbers created unusual challenges for grantees. ACF expects to see an increase in FY 2018 and expects that goals will be met or exceeded through FY 2019 as arrival patterns and funding levels become more predictable.
18 This data excludes territories, but includes the District of Columbia.
