Integrated services for stronger families and thriving communities

State and local governments play a critical role in helping to shape the future of their communities.

In particular, a wide range of human services programs at the state and local levels are vital to ensuring the wellbeing of children, the embodiment of any community’s future. These programs include child support, financial support like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and food assistance like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The impact of each program is felt within families and across communities.

As state and local governments determine how best to address the needs of entire family units, they recognize the efficiencies of integrated services and the opportunities for blended funding. Some are integrating employment and training services to boost noncustodial parents' earnings potential; others are focusing on fathers specifically.

Providing greater support for noncustodial parents

In late 2024, a new rule expanded funding options for employment and training services for noncustodial parents. Once a state receives federal approval, federal IV-D funds can be used for job search assistance, job readiness training, job development, placement and retention services, skills assessments and training, work support, and occupational training. Some child support agencies may use this ability to braid federal and state funds to implement new employment and training services or expand the reach of existing offerings for noncustodial parents.

Addressing the economic and social needs of fathers

The latest estimate from the U.S. Census Bureau found that roughly 80 percent of one-parent families are led by mothers. Research shows that children growing up without an actively present father are significantly more likely to experience poverty. It also indicates that higher levels of family instability often lead to increased rates of health and behavioral problems. Financial instability can intensify children's challenges, making it more difficult for them to thrive.

That’s why integrated economic empowerment and fatherhood programs serve as a pathway to help fathers achieve greater self-sufficiency while contributing to their communities. These programs include employment and training services to address unemployment and underemployment, and services that address other key barriers fathers face, such as strained co-parenting relationships.

Investing in the future of families and communities 

Employment and training services have been integrated into TANF and SNAP programs for many years. For child support agencies replacing traditional enforcement actions with engagement strategies, employment and training services help increase noncustodial parents’ ability to meet their financial obligations. Likewise, economic empowerment and fatherhood programs foster long-term financial and emotional stability for families by addressing root causes and barriers, including employment-related ones so that participants can become better fathers and co-parents. By recognizing the comprehensive needs of parents, these integrated solutions promote resilience and stability within the entire family unit, ultimately benefiting our broader communities.