Poverty & Parenthood

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program provides grant funds to states and territories to provide families with financial assistance and related support services. State-administered programs may include childcare assistance, job preparation, and work assistance.

The TANF program provides states (which includes DC and territories for this purpose) with flexibility in operating programs designed to help low-income families with children achieve economic self-sufficiency. The federal government does not provide TANF cash assistance directly to the public. Instead, states use their TANF grants to fund monthly cash assistance payments to low-income families with children, as well as a wide range of services that are designed to address one or more of the program’s four broad purposes: provide assistance to needy families so that children can be cared for in their own homes or in the homes of relatives; end the dependence of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work, and marriage; prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies; encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families.

The Office of Child Care supports low-income working families through child care financial assistance and promotes children's learning by improving the quality of early care and education and after-school programs.

View Family and Children Services Benefits.

WIC is a food assistance program for Women, Infants, and Children. It helps pregnant women, new mothers and young children eat well and stay healthy.

Health Resources & Services Administration's Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program gives pregnant women and families, particularly those considered at-risk, necessary resources and skills to raise children who are physically, socially, and emotionally healthy and ready to learn.

Families are aided in raising healthy, happy children when an array of supports and services is available in their community to assist them in meeting basic needs. Families with limited resources, or those facing additional challenges, may need specialized services to help ensure positive outcomes. In particular, many families struggle with securing safe, affordable housing across the country.

Head Start and Early Head Start programs provide free learning and development services to children ages birth to 5 from low-income families. Early Head Start and Head Start welcome children with disabilities.

Find government information on education including primary, secondary, and higher education.

The Family Engagement Team is an interoffice group dedicated to strengthening the voice of families, by bringing focus to the needs of students so as to allow every student to reach full potential. Learn more about the Team, its inception, and role and activities at the Department.