TANF Employment & Training Program - Support Services Program Grant

Funder: Illinois Department of Human Services: Division of Bureau of Employment and Training

The TANF Employment & Training Program - Support Services Program aims to provide essential transportation services for low-income individuals in Illinois, facilitating their access to jobs at large employers. The program prioritizes equity and inclusivity, focusing on areas with limited transportation options and addressing systemic barriers faced by marginalized communities. By supporting Community Based Organizations, the initiative seeks to enhance economic stability for TANF recipients, ensuring that they can maintain employment and improve their livelihoods.

Executive Summary:
This program provides daily transportation for employed low-income customers to their jobs at large employers in and around Illinois (including neighboring states). Large employer is defined as a person or entity, other than the federal government, state government, or an agency of the federal or state government, that employs 500 or more employees on a full-time basis in Illinois or neighboring states.
Cost Sharing:

• Providers are not required to participate in cost sharing or provide match.
• The State agency's funding priorities or focus areas.

IDHS is working to counteract systemic racism and inequity, and to prioritize and maximize diversity throughout its service provision process. This work involves addressing existing institutionalized inequities, aiming to create transformation, and operationalizing equity and racial justice. It also focuses on the creation of a culture of inclusivity for all regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or ability.IDHS will prioritize applications from eligible applicants who provide services in geographic regions where other TANF E&T services are not offered and who are able to support employment, employment retention, or contribute to greater economic stability for TANF recipients.IDHS intends to prioritize applications from eligible applicants who provide services in geographic regions where other services are not offered and/or are in high need areas, having a disproportionate amount of economic hardship or food insecurity.IDHS is also focused on removing barriers that exist for Returning citizens/reentry programs that connect formerly incarcerated individuals with career pathways. IDHS will also prioritize funding programs that provide language access and cultural competence to meet the needs of all populations (ie. immigrant and refugee).
Goals and objectives of the Program
To fund Community Based Organizations (CBOs) that will provide supportive services focused on transportation in an effort to increase economic sustainability in geographic areas with a lack of affordable public transportation options consistent with the TANF state plan.