Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
Mission Statement
EMPOWER Oklahoma TANF by CareerTech equips individuals and families with the education, training and support needed to achieve employment, self-sufficiency and long-term economic stability. Through statewide CareerTech training, adult education and strategic workforce partnerships, the program delivers demand-driven, regionally aligned services that strengthen Oklahoma’s workforce and support a competitive, skilled economy.
Vision Statement
EMPOWER Oklahoma TANF by CareerTech envisions an Oklahoma where individuals facing economic challenges have equitable access to education, career pathways and workforce opportunities that lead to sustainable employment and personal responsibility. By fostering regional collaboration, streamlining services and aligning training with local labor market needs, the program seeks to build a resilient workforce, reduce dependency and drive economic prosperity across all Oklahoma communities.
ODCTE is a key partner in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and plays a central role in Adult Education and Family Literacy initiatives. Through these partnerships and their statewide infrastructure, ODCTE is uniquely positioned to offer TANF as well as SNAP Employment & Training services tailored to meet the specific needs of each community. The agency’s overarching goal is to strengthen Oklahoma’s economy by equipping individuals with the skills needed for workplace success and by supporting businesses with a qualified, competitive workforce.
The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 was a pivotal federal initiative aimed at increasing employment and training opportunities for unemployed adults. A key outcome of the legislation was the creation of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, which marked a significant shift in the nation’s welfare system — from entitlement-based cash assistance to a model emphasizing employment, personal responsibility and self-sufficiency.
The EMPOWER Oklahoma TANF by CareerTech program reflects a forward-looking approach that aligns with the evolving workforce landscape and includes the following priorities:
• Collaboration with Work Ready Oklahoma sites
• Delivery of statewide CareerTech training for TANF participants over a five-year period
• Strategic partnerships with WRO and local workforce systems to develop demand-driven training aligned with regional employment opportunities
• Increased integration of WRO and employment preparation services
• Expansion of High School Equivalency access through Oklahoma’s 30 Adult Education and Family Literacy programs
• Development and implementation of the Oklahoma Jobs for America’s Graduates program
• Streamlining of services statewide to reduce redundancy and increase access
• Emphasis on meeting local and regional workforce needs
• Provision of both short-term and full-time CareerTech training programs for TANF and, where available, WRO participants via regional career pathways
Under this model, ODCTE will designate regional areas based on the interest and willingness of local technology centers to collaborate. Within each region, one technology center will be selected to serve as the fiscal host site. It will also receive supplemental funding to hire more than one full-time training navigator or support staff, ensuring adequate coverage for the entire region. Through regional collaboration, training centers will be able to offer a broader range of programs to both TANF and nonTANF participants. This scalable and sustainable model is designed to reduce duplication of services, foster regional specialization and strengthen the long-term success of the EMPOWER Oklahoma TANF by CareerTech program.
Evaluation Instruments
Each program will undergo an Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education accreditation every five years.
Documentation Forms
Note: If you click the three links below and get this popup message, "The document you are trying to load requires Adobe Reader 8 or higher ...," go ahead and choose the download icon and open the file from your downloads folder to fill out the form.
- TANF Work/Personal Responsibility Agreement (To obtain fillable PDF, use Firefox or Form #08TW002E on OKDHS Forms -pg. 35)
- Interagency Referral and Information (To obtain fillable PDF use Firefox)
- Time and Progress Report (To obtain fillable PDF use Firefox or Form #08TW013E on OKDHS Forms -pg. 35)
- CareerTech Career Pathway Approval
Training Navigator Important Documents
For more information or questions, please contact:
