Oklahoma Human Services announces new TANF investments into youth support programs
Oklahoma Human Services announced today the investment of nearly $38 million of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funding to nonprofits providing youth support to serve low-income families across the state, including both urban and rural areas. These contract awards are the result of a competitive bid (RFP) process launched with the second round of the agency’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) investment strategy aimed at aligning the work of the state and private partners to more deeply serve local communities.
“I am so proud of this meaningful partnership between state and local levels to invest in young Oklahomans,” said Governor Kevin Stitt. “I’m grateful for Secretary Brown and Dr. Deborah Shropshire for your leadership in Human Services and your support to our most vulnerable populations.”
The 13 nonprofits who were awarded funding will have three years to infuse the dollars into their youth support programs, and will receive technical assistance and support from Oklahoma Human Services:
- Amplify
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Oklahoma County – After School and Summer programs
- Boys & Girls Clubs – Rural Oklahoma Expansion programs
- Fields and Futures Foundation – OKC Partners Linking Arms for Youth (OKC PLAY) program
- Growing Together – Communities in Schools program
- It’s My Community Initiative (IMCI) – TRUE Dads (TD) and Love Notes programs
- Lilyfield Oklahoma City – EmpowerYouth program
- Lilyfield Tulsa – Empower Prevention Programs
- Palomar – Camp Hope and Children’s Sanctuary programs
- Pivot – Multiple programs
- Union Public Schools – Reach Program
- YMCA of Oklahoma City – Y Clubhouse program
- Youth Services of Tulsa – Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program (TPP) and Leadership Building Programming
“Deep, collaborative partnerships at the local level create meaningful opportunities for our neighbors and remove barriers to their success,” said Secretary of Human Services, Justin Brown. “While the agency is responsible for the effective distribution of statewide resources, our partners know their communities and how to use these resources to best meet local needs. We are incredibly proud of the partnerships and investments we’re making into youth supports. This work will create opportunities for our youth - the future of our state - and positively change the trajectory of their lives for generations to come. ”
Each of the awardee programs vary in the specific youth services offered and delivery methodologies. However, all programs align in offering mentorship, resources and educational opportunities for young people, along with evidence-based programming in social-emotional development and wellness, cultivating healthy relationships and life skill learning.
“Oklahoma’s future will be determined by the investments we make into our young people today,” said Deb Smith, Oklahoma Human Services Director of Adult and Family Services. “Our nonprofit partners make incredible impacts into their communities and our shared work creates momentum toward positive outcomes for all of Oklahoma. We are proud of this innovative strategy to deepen the availability of needed services for our young people across the state.”
Oklahoma Human Services’ TANF Investment Strategy is focused on deepening the availability of community resources to improve outcomes for Oklahoma families. Strategic priorities include supporting basic needs of families, prevention through upstream services, economic independence, pregnancy prevention and youth supports.
TANF is a federally-funded block grant that provides states with flexibility in operating programs designed to help low-income families with children achieve economic self-sufficiency. Oklahoma Human Services has created an Advisory Committee with representatives from across the state, to gather feedback and thoughtfully create a strategy that utilizes some of Oklahoma’s best resources, our nonprofit partners.
For more information on the TANF program, please visit the Administration for Children and Families’ website at https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ofa/programs/temporary-assistance-needy-families-tanf.
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