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The Intersection of TANF and Child Care

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program is the second largest source of public funding for child care in our country, but is often overlooked in policy discussions about how to best support working parents with young children. As TANF celebrates its 25th anniversary, our new report is the first comprehensive review of 20 years of data on how—and to what extent—states spend their funds on child care assistance.

The report finds that many states may be increasingly sidestepping federal health and safety regulations when allocating TANF funds on child care, by transferring a smaller proportion of their TANF funds to the Child Care and Development Fund over time. The ability for states to transfer funds to CCDF is critical because these funds must adhere to minimum health and safety standards established on a bipartisan basis by Congress.

For more information on how each state allocates TANF funds on child care services, including a 5-year data comparison, please see the map below.

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  • Click to find state by state TANF spending
WA OR CA ID NV WY WV WI VT VA UT TX TN SD SC RI PA OK OH NM NY NJ NH NE ND NC MT MS MO MN MI ME MD MA LA KY KS IN IL IA HI GA FL DE CT CO AZ AR AL AK DC
Alabama

In fiscal year 2019, Alabama reported $5,523,997 – or 3% – of its total $176,926,478 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Alaska

In fiscal year 2019, Alaska reported $14,782,274 – or 17% – of its total $84,908,460 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Arkansas

In fiscal year 2019, Arkansas reported $2,659,737 – or 3% – of its total $80,124,816 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Arizona

In fiscal year 2019, Arizona reported $0 of its total $346,273,304 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

California

In fiscal year 2019, California reported $797,841,026 – or 12% – of its total $6,544,331,113 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Colorado

In fiscal year 2019, Colorado reported $12,422,458 – or 3% – of its total $382,869,808 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Connecticut

In fiscal year 2019, Connecticut reported $41,484,838 – or 8% – of its total $501,326,396 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Delaware

In fiscal year 2019, Delaware reported $79,081,463 – or 68% – of its total $115,667,288 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

District Of Columbia

In fiscal year 2019, the District of Columbia reported $59,117,060 – or 16% – of its total $368,253,344 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Florida

In fiscal year 2019, Florida reported $290,577,670 – or 32% – of its total $903,988,982 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Georgia

In fiscal year 2019, Georgia reported $0 of its total $492,731,148 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Hawaii

In fiscal year 2019, Hawaii reported $11,971,630 – or 6% – of its total $205,414,784 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Idaho

In fiscal year 2019, Idaho reported $13,293,078 – or 27% – of its total $48,450,247 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Illinois

In fiscal year 2019, Illinois reported $495,255,920 – or 46% – of its total $1,087,462,215 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Indiana

In fiscal year 2019, Indiana reported $123,164,337 – or 35% – of its total $351,898,385 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Iowa

In fiscal year 2019, Iowa reported $55,616,085 – or 28% – of its total $200,575,245 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Kansas

In fiscal year 2019, Kansas reported $6,673,024 – or 4% – of its total $169,371,053 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Kentucky

In fiscal year 2019, Kentucky reported $30,490,352 – or 11% – of its total $268,512,060 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Louisiana

In fiscal year 2019, Louisiana reported $10,741,970 – or 6% – of its total $186,664,347 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Maine

In fiscal year 2019, Maine reported $28,663,988 – or 22% – of its total $131,075,486 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Maryland

In fiscal year 2019, Maryland reported $6,467,599 – or 1% – of its total $510,963,315 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Massachusetts

In fiscal year 2019, Massachusetts reported $334,775,956 – or 30% – of its total $1,128,482,749 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Michigan

In fiscal year 2019, Michigan reported $27,829,091 – or 2% – of its total $1,234,919,717 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Minnesota

In fiscal year 2019, Minnesota reported $166,912,791 – or 31% – of its total $546,243,172 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Mississippi

In fiscal year 2019, Mississippi reported $1,715,430 – or 2% – of its total $101,062,094 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Missouri

In fiscal year 2019, Missouri reported $31,460,081 – or 9% – of its total $361,662,292 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Montana

In fiscal year 2019, Montana reported $9,277,135 – or 17% – of its total $53,309,514 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Nebraska

In fiscal year 2019, Nebraska reported $23,058,785 – or 23% – of its total $98,928,326 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Nevada

In fiscal year 2019, Nevada reported $21,966,035 – or 18% – of its total $123,878,742 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

New Hampshire

In fiscal year 2019, New Hampshire reported $12,281,972 – or 13% – of its total $96,826,253 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

New Jersey

In fiscal year 2019, New Jersey reported $163,904,427 – or 12% – of its total $1,363,288,332 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

New Mexico

In fiscal year 2019, New Mexico reported $32,975,954 – or 14% – of its total $232,134,464 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

New York

In fiscal year 2019, New York reported $467,811,585 – or 9% – of its total $5,284,950,619 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

North Carolina

In fiscal year 2019, North Carolina reported $198,883,025 – or 35% – of its total $564,435,512 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

North Dakota

In fiscal year 2019, North Dakota reported $1,116,895 – or 3% – of its total $32,002,244 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Ohio

In fiscal year 2019, Ohio reported $410,532,389 – or 36% – of its total $1,153,119,411 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Oklahoma

In fiscal year 2019, Oklahoma reported $32,713,867 – or 25% – of its total $128,470,966 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Oregon

In fiscal year 2019, Oregon reported $11,950,669 – or 5% – of its total $237,840,785 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Pennsylvania

In fiscal year 2019, Pennsylvania reported $506,840,658 – or 41% – of its total $1,230,974,668 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Rhode Island

In fiscal year 2019, Rhode Island reported $45,351,622 – or 25% – of its total $182,638,039 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

South Carolina

In fiscal year 2019, South Carolina reported $4,085,269 – or 2% – of its total $165,481,938 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

South Dakota

In fiscal year 2019, South Dakota reported $802,914 – or 3% – of its total $27,368,691 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Tennessee

In fiscal year 2019, Tennessee reported $0 of its total $188,297,007 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Texas

In fiscal year 2019, Texas reported $0 of its total $992,750,930 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Utah

In fiscal year 2019, Utah reported $22,922,412 – or 22% – of its total $104,948,683 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Vermont

In fiscal year 2019, Vermont reported $32,255,245 – or 34% – of its total $96,147,136 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Virginia

In fiscal year 2019, Virginia reported $38,526,585 – or 13% – of its total $287,476,141 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Washington

In fiscal year 2019, Washington reported $144,488,448 – or 14% – of its total $1,008,066,241 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

West Virginia

In fiscal year 2019, West Virginia reported $10,021,392 – or 9% – of its total $117,040,606 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Wisconsin

In fiscal year 2019, Wisconsin reported $201,426,341 – or 35% – of its total $577,606,314 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Wyoming

In fiscal year 2019, Wyoming reported $2,882,598 – or 11% – of its total $25,550,761 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

  • Click to find state by state TANF spending
Alabama

In fiscal year 2019, Alabama reported $5,523,997 – or 3% – of its total $176,926,478 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Alaska

In fiscal year 2019, Alaska reported $14,782,274 – or 17% – of its total $84,908,460 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Arkansas

In fiscal year 2019, Arkansas reported $2,659,737 – or 3% – of its total $80,124,816 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Arizona

In fiscal year 2019, Arizona reported $0 of its total $346,273,304 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

California

In fiscal year 2019, California reported $797,841,026 – or 12% – of its total $6,544,331,113 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Colorado

In fiscal year 2019, Colorado reported $12,422,458 – or 3% – of its total $382,869,808 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Connecticut

In fiscal year 2019, Connecticut reported $41,484,838 – or 8% – of its total $501,326,396 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Delaware

In fiscal year 2019, Delaware reported $79,081,463 – or 68% – of its total $115,667,288 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

District Of Columbia

In fiscal year 2019, the District of Columbia reported $59,117,060 – or 16% – of its total $368,253,344 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Florida

In fiscal year 2019, Florida reported $290,577,670 – or 32% – of its total $903,988,982 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Georgia

In fiscal year 2019, Georgia reported $0 of its total $492,731,148 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Hawaii

In fiscal year 2019, Hawaii reported $11,971,630 – or 6% – of its total $205,414,784 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Idaho

In fiscal year 2019, Idaho reported $13,293,078 – or 27% – of its total $48,450,247 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Illinois

In fiscal year 2019, Illinois reported $495,255,920 – or 46% – of its total $1,087,462,215 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Indiana

In fiscal year 2019, Indiana reported $123,164,337 – or 35% – of its total $351,898,385 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Iowa

In fiscal year 2019, Iowa reported $55,616,085 – or 28% – of its total $200,575,245 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Kansas

In fiscal year 2019, Kansas reported $6,673,024 – or 4% – of its total $169,371,053 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Kentucky

In fiscal year 2019, Kentucky reported $30,490,352 – or 11% – of its total $268,512,060 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Louisiana

In fiscal year 2019, Louisiana reported $10,741,970 – or 6% – of its total $186,664,347 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Maine

In fiscal year 2019, Maine reported $28,663,988 – or 22% – of its total $131,075,486 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Maryland

In fiscal year 2019, Maryland reported $6,467,599 – or 1% – of its total $510,963,315 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Massachusetts

In fiscal year 2019, Massachusetts reported $334,775,956 – or 30% – of its total $1,128,482,749 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Michigan

In fiscal year 2019, Michigan reported $27,829,091 – or 2% – of its total $1,234,919,717 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Minnesota

In fiscal year 2019, Minnesota reported $166,912,791 – or 31% – of its total $546,243,172 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Mississippi

In fiscal year 2019, Mississippi reported $1,715,430 – or 2% – of its total $101,062,094 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Missouri

In fiscal year 2019, Missouri reported $31,460,081 – or 9% – of its total $361,662,292 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Montana

In fiscal year 2019, Montana reported $9,277,135 – or 17% – of its total $53,309,514 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Nebraska

In fiscal year 2019, Nebraska reported $23,058,785 – or 23% – of its total $98,928,326 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Nevada

In fiscal year 2019, Nevada reported $21,966,035 – or 18% – of its total $123,878,742 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

New Hampshire

In fiscal year 2019, New Hampshire reported $12,281,972 – or 13% – of its total $96,826,253 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

New Jersey

In fiscal year 2019, New Jersey reported $163,904,427 – or 12% – of its total $1,363,288,332 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

New Mexico

In fiscal year 2019, New Mexico reported $32,975,954 – or 14% – of its total $232,134,464 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

New York

In fiscal year 2019, New York reported $467,811,585 – or 9% – of its total $5,284,950,619 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

North Carolina

In fiscal year 2019, North Carolina reported $198,883,025 – or 35% – of its total $564,435,512 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

North Dakota

In fiscal year 2019, North Dakota reported $1,116,895 – or 3% – of its total $32,002,244 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Ohio

In fiscal year 2019, Ohio reported $410,532,389 – or 36% – of its total $1,153,119,411 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Oklahoma

In fiscal year 2019, Oklahoma reported $32,713,867 – or 25% – of its total $128,470,966 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Oregon

In fiscal year 2019, Oregon reported $11,950,669 – or 5% – of its total $237,840,785 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Pennsylvania

In fiscal year 2019, Pennsylvania reported $506,840,658 – or 41% – of its total $1,230,974,668 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Rhode Island

In fiscal year 2019, Rhode Island reported $45,351,622 – or 25% – of its total $182,638,039 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

South Carolina

In fiscal year 2019, South Carolina reported $4,085,269 – or 2% – of its total $165,481,938 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

South Dakota

In fiscal year 2019, South Dakota reported $802,914 – or 3% – of its total $27,368,691 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Tennessee

In fiscal year 2019, Tennessee reported $0 of its total $188,297,007 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Texas

In fiscal year 2019, Texas reported $0 of its total $992,750,930 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Utah

In fiscal year 2019, Utah reported $22,922,412 – or 22% – of its total $104,948,683 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Vermont

In fiscal year 2019, Vermont reported $32,255,245 – or 34% – of its total $96,147,136 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Virginia

In fiscal year 2019, Virginia reported $38,526,585 – or 13% – of its total $287,476,141 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Washington

In fiscal year 2019, Washington reported $144,488,448 – or 14% – of its total $1,008,066,241 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

West Virginia

In fiscal year 2019, West Virginia reported $10,021,392 – or 9% – of its total $117,040,606 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Wisconsin

In fiscal year 2019, Wisconsin reported $201,426,341 – or 35% – of its total $577,606,314 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

Wyoming

In fiscal year 2019, Wyoming reported $2,882,598 – or 11% – of its total $25,550,761 in TANF funding was allocated to child care services.

More information here.

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