Supporting Mental Wellness for Program Staff and Participants: Strategies for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Leaders

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and other human services programs faced unprecedented challenges managing the COVID-19 global pandemic. They were tasked with serving America’s most vulnerable families as they navigated difficult economic circumstances and public health risks. Across the United States, researchers documented high rates of anxiety, depression, and psychological distress as a result of the pandemic, particularly during the early months (Aknin et al. in press; Jewell et al. 2020). The pandemic took its toll on state and local TANF program staff, in addition to families. Racial violence and unrest compounded the challenges of managing COVID-19. TANF program staff reported that they and the families they serve were showing signs of stress, including lack of focus, fatigue, agitation, and a sense of hopelessness. In response to these crises, TANF leaders adapted in new and innovative ways to support staff and families. In this brief, we capture how TANF programs adapted to promote staff and participant wellness and the innovative adaptations that leaders might consider adopting or sustaining moving forward.