What is HHS doing to understand child-only cases?
HHS routinely tabulates and analyzes the administrative data reported by states on the characteristics of their caseloads. At present, under the Emergency TANF Data Report, States are only required to report a limited set of data, which does not include information about household members who are not part of the assistance unit. Starting in FY 2000, when the data reporting requirements under the Final Rule take effect, much more detailed information will be available. In order to understand trends in child-only cases in more detail than is possible using administrative data, ASPE has funded a study this caseload in three states. Researchers will conduct case file reviews and discussions with officials and staff in order to understand the current makeup, the trends of growth in this caseload and changes in policy or demographics which may have precipitated the growth. While this project will give us information only relevant to three states, we believe that this in-depth on-site review
