Letter To Congress Supporting Expansion of Educational Opportunities in the TANF Reauthorization

Eye on Washington

Letter To Congress Supporting Expansion of Educational Opportunities in the TANF Reauthorization

April 12, 2002

Dear Representative:

On behalf of the American Council on Education and the undersigned organizations, I write regarding the upcoming reauthorization of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) legislation. We are grateful for the consideration and commitment many members have devoted toward a renewed measure that promotes self-sufficiency among the millions of welfare recipients across the country. The higher education community supports the efforts to create an integrated workforce development system. We believe that the surest way to economic security and self-sufficiency is through education.

The current TANF program includes several provisions which significantly limit the educational opportunities of welfare recipients. Examples of these limiting provisions include: the narrow approval of only vocational education and training; the cap imposed on the number of recipients who can engage in educational activities; the restriction on the time recipients are allowed to participate in education/training activities; and the enforcement of strict work requirements that place added burdens on recipients. We look forward to working with you to expand access to education for TANF participants.

While we have many suggestions for modifying this legislation to make it flexible for states and welfare recipients, our most significant interests are to:

Increase the amount of education/training that can be counted as approved "work" activity;
Encourage participation in all education programs, not just vocational training;
Eliminate the cap on the number of recipients able to participate in educational activities;
Eliminate the 12-month cap on participation in educational activities; and
Allow time spent on education and training to not count against participants' lifetime or consecutive benefit time limits.

Some of these features are found in other bills, but all of them come together in H.R. 3113, the "TANF Reauthorization Act of 2001." We strongly urge you to consider these important changes that will help welfare recipients gain the education they need to become economically independent, and thank you for your commitment to creating an integrated workforce development system through the TANF program.

Sincerely,
David Ward
President, American Council on Education

On behalf of:
American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers
American Association of Community Colleges
American Association of State Colleges and Universities
American Council on Education
Association of Community College Trustees
Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities
Council for Opportunity in Education
National Association of College and University Business Officers
National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges
State Public Interest Research Groups