Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Brad Wenstrup (OH-02) introduced the Workforce Opportunity Realignment Kickstart (WORK) Act to support Ohioans’ transition from federal assistance into the workforce.

The WORK Act would make important changes to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program to improve alignment with existing workforce development programs under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). This coordination will break down program silos, facilitate stronger local partnerships, and promote engagement in the workforce – changes that will help families move beyond welfare and into work:

“I never want anyone to say they weren’t given the opportunity to work or get ahead. Government assistance should be designed for that purpose: to get people off the sidelines and into the workforce whenever possible. That’s what the WORK Act will do by integrating our welfare and workforce programs to ensure they are streamlined and optimized to help individuals find reliable jobs to provide for their families,” said Congressman Brad Wenstrup.

Support from Ohio Leaders:

The Ohio Workforce Association:

"The Ohio Workforce Association is excited to support Rep. Wenstrup’s WORK Act. By allowing TANF dollars to directly support workforce programming, and aligning the focus of these programs, we will be better equipped to serve the TANF population. Here in Ohio, it has been difficult to fully integrate welfare and workforce programming because the federal government requires different measures and stipulates different goals. We believe streamlining WIOA and TANF, as provided in this bill, will foster local flexibility and facilitate strong local partnerships that can put Ohioans on the path to self-sufficiency.”

Southwest Ohio Region Workforce Investment Board (Hamilton County):

“For too long, programs designed to help the struggling members of our community have operated in silos, making it more difficult for individuals to get the help they need. By aligning WIOA and TANF, and focusing on real outcomes, not “activities”, this bill will help our TANF recipients in Hamilton County move beyond welfare and into meaningful work – for themselves and for the observation and learning of their children,” said Sherry Kelley Marshall, President & CEO, Southwest Ohio Region Workforce Investment Board.

Workforce Development Board #1 (Brown, Adams, Pike, Scioto Counties):

“As a Workforce Director, I see firsthand the impact the divide between our workforce and federal assistance programs has on struggling families,” said Rosie Picklesimer, Director of Workforce Development Board #1. “We need flexibility at the local level to better serve the TANF-eligible population and ensure struggling families are not left behind. That’s precisely what Representative Wenstrup’s WORK Act would do; it would give us the necessary flexibility to help families rise out of poverty.”

Background on the WORK Act:

Aligns TANF and WIOA metrics by holding state TANF agencies accountable for work outcomes similar to those used in WIOA, including employment, retention, median earnings, and education attainment.

•   Changes the focus from process to people by eliminating the work participation rate and gradually phasing in a new system of outcome-based performance accountability.

•   Promotes self-sufficiency by aligning the goals of TANF agencies with the goals of workforce agencies: helping individuals get and keep a job.

Allows state agencies to transfer up to 50 percent of their TANF grant to local workforce development boards.

•   Allows dollars to follow the person from welfare to workforce preparation.

•   Allows state TANF agencies to leverage the existing workforce system to improve employment outcomes for TANF-eligible individuals.

Promotes integration of state plans and program coordination.

•   Allows state TANF agencies to submit a combined plan to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Labor that meets requirements for programs and activities under WIOA.
  

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