Texas Senate Bill SCR19

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Caption

Requesting the Texas Workforce Commission to seek a TANF waiver that would allow TWC to partner with charitable organizations and community colleges for child care, education, and job training.

Impact

The proposed changes could lead to increased access to education and training opportunities for single parents, thus potentially breaking the cycle of poverty in affected families. By collaborating with community colleges and charitable organizations, the TWC would be able to better support the educational ambitions of single parents, allowing them to gain skills necessary for stable employment. Additionally, this approach is modeled on existing programs, such as Buckner Family Pathways, which have demonstrated success in aiding disadvantaged families. By emulating these successful models, the state aims to create more effective pathways to self-sufficiency for single-parent households.

Summary

SCR19 is a concurrent resolution introduced in the Texas legislature that requests the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) to seek a waiver from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This waiver would allow TWC to utilize funds from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program to partner with charitable organizations and community colleges. The goal of this partnership is to provide essential services such as child care, education, and job training to struggling single-parent families in Texas. Supporters of this measure believe that enhancing the TWC’s flexibility in the use of TANF funds could significantly improve the resources available for these families.

Contention

While there is significant support for SCR19 stemming from those who advocate for the welfare of single-parent families and for education, there may also be concerns regarding the government's role in providing social services. Some opponents might argue that this initiative could lead to increased reliance on governmental aid among families instead of encouraging independent employment. Additionally, discussions could arise regarding the allocation of TANF funds, with some stakeholders questioning whether these funds would be used effectively in partnership with private and charitable organizations. Despite these potential points of contention, the overall emphasis of SCR19 remains on leveraging existing resources to improve the life circumstances of struggling families.