A few days ago, Maine’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) held a public listening session on new rules to improve service delivery for TANF participants–as required by a law that passed last year (LD 1748). Current and former TANF participants, and people who have worked with those on the program, weighed in on DHHS's plans to make TANF more trauma-informed and accessible.

In person in Augusta and over Zoom, Mainers shared from the heart about turning to TANF in some of the hardest moments in their lives, looking for support to get into college or good jobs to pave the way to bright futures for their kids. While some shared success stories, many participants experienced frustration trying to access supports they were eligible for. In order to access the program and reach financial stability, they often face stigma and a system that doesn't recognize or address the individual needs of their families.

Do these issues sound familiar to you or someone you know? Do you want to help all Mainers get the support they need and qualify for? We welcome your help and advocacy to improve TANF (alongside some amazing leaders across Maine communities!). 

Here are some of the main ideas and themes TANF participants and stakeholders raised:

Parents need to feel safe and welcome. For Maine families to make the most of help that’s available, they need to feel like their confidentiality will be respected. They also need consistent messages from caseworkers and to know that they can expect the same rules and the same service from whichever person they speak to at DHHS or Fedcap. Too often, parents feel like they have to beg for help from DHHS instead of simply receiving benefits they're eligible for. 

“I remember coming into the [DHHS] office with my two kids…and the lady because they were running around…she looked at me and said, when you find a sitter you can come back and I left and just cried…it shouldn’t be a battle…We don’t even know if we have tomorrow, we’re trying to stabilize and give our kids the best future possible.” -Michele 

“The reason I dropped off TANF…is not because I was breaking any rules…I didn’t know I could ask for “good cause” to drop a class because of the sickness I was going through…sometimes [workers] don’t treat you like you’re human. If we just knew what to expect when we’re walking through those doors it would feel a lot better, we would feel a lot more able to deal with the hardship you’re going through and asking someone to help you meet your basic needs. Workers need consistent training.” Moriah Geer, MEJ Moxie Case Coach and Policy Advocate

Maine families needed clear, consistent information about help they’re eligible for. It’s important for families to get better information about support services and programs they can access. People know what is best for their family, and knowing all of the information helps them make important decisions about their career or education. Pathways to attain these benefits and to disagree with Fedcap decisions on who is and is not eligible for support services helps families take control of their success and future.

“At Fedcap…getting help depends on who you meet and their mood. Sometimes it would seem like I was not eligible for anything…Especially people who are new in this country, they should have a list of things they can help with, especially for single parents and with mental health programs…they should take this as an investment. I remember when I got my work authorization, I didn’t know how to search for a job. I wish DHHS or Fedcap would have that understanding that nobody likes begging...you feel so helpless.” -Jeanette

Systems are too complex and have too many requirements. Paperwork and reporting requirements can add to the stress parents are already feeling, especially when they have to explain the same story over and over again to different DHHS staff - this can and should be much simpler.

“We are trying to lift ourselves out of poverty and we feel like we are jumping through hoops, we feel like we are repeating our stories over and over and over again and having to get information to Mainecare, and TANF, and SNAP, why can't they just streamline the process for us? [We want] one application. We are already struggling with enough." -Rebekah 

“Though I did rise out of poverty…my son was not exempt from the trauma…he saw me surviving, heating the apartment with the oven and getting food boxes to make ends meet…the services are all there and yet the barriers prevent people from accessing them.” -Lacey 

Staff need training to stop harm. DHHS staff should receive training to understand the toxic stress that poverty can create, to express empathy for people and trust them when they express their needs - that way parents can feel support from case managers instead of like they're a burden on the system. 

“There is a dominance culture rather than a compassion and caring culture which is backwards to the intention of the program because it's there designed to help and I think [what’s needed] is more transparency about what is available, more proactivity, telling people what they are eligible for, assistance navigating things, and having a positive view on people living in poverty. They are doing the best they can with what they have. I was lucky I had the skills to navigate a difficult system, living on my own with my son as a single parent. –Lacey 

At Maine Equal Justice, we've worked with parents with low income for over 40 years, and they have related countless stories like those of the Mainers who joined in the DHHS listening session last week. Our economic support systems, like those at DHHS, need to change to best serve Maine communities! These systems are here for all of us, and they should work for all of us! 

Work alongside leaders and MEJ this coming year to move more families beyond survival and into long term economic security! Contact Allina Diaz at adiaz@mejp.org or sign up on our website.