Executive Order 2020-13D Directing Expenditure of Fiscal Year 2020 TANF Funds by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services

Executive Order

WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a dramatic increase in the demand for assistance to families in this State for essential and basic needs; and

WHEREAS, on March 9, 2020, I declared a State of Emergency in Executive Order 2020-01D; and

WHEREAS, the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families ("TANF") program is a State program of family assistance, which is provided with State and federal funds, authorized under Title IV-A of the Social Security Act; and

WHEREAS, the first purpose of the TANF program is to "provide assistance to needy families so that children may be cared for in their own homes or in the homes of relatives"; and

WHEREAS, the second purpose of the TANF program is to "end the dependencies of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work, and marriage"; and

WHEREAS, the third purpose of the TANF program is to "prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies and establish annual numerical goals for preventing and reducing the incidence of these pregnancies"; and

WHEREAS, the fourth purpose of the TANF program is to "encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families"; and

WHEREAS, the Governor's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives ("GOFBCI") works to reduce poverty in Ohio by serving as a catalyst for effective public-private partnerships aimed at reducing poverty.

NOW THEREFORE, I, Mike DeWine, Governor of the State of Ohio, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution, the laws of this State and in accordance with Sections 5101.80 and 5101.801 of the Ohio Revised Code do hereby order and direct that:

1. The Fiscal Year ("FY") 2020 and 2021 Budget (H.B. 166, 133rd General Assembly, section 307.70) authorizes GOFBCI to expend up to $13,285,000 during each Fiscal Year 2020 and 2021 on TANF-allowable expenses.

2. The FY 2020 Budget shall be allocated in the following manner for Governor's Grant awards:

Up to an additional Four Million, Nine Hundred and Seventy Thousand Dollars ($4,970,000) to Ohio Association of Food Banks to provide COVID-19 supplies to ensure safety, food and personal hygiene necessities during the COVID-19 pandemic. One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) of this allocation will be dedicated to the Agricultural Clearance Program to work with Ohio Farmers to buy surplus commodities, such as dairy, so it can be produced by Ohio Producers to fulfill foodbank needs for items such as milk, cheese, etc.
Up to an additional One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) to Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio (COHHIO) to support the COHHIO Pandemic Emergency Fund to ensure homeless shelters have cleaning supplies, gloves, extra staffing and space they need during this crisis and to support and assist in securing shelter for homeless individuals and families through services like rapid rehousing and homeless prevention services.
3. The State, county, and private agencies receiving funds as a result of this Executive Order shall comply with all TANF requirements, including reporting requirements, and timelines as specified in State and federal statutes, federal regulations, State rules, interagency agreements, and any relevant directives from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

I signed this Executive Order on April 10, 2020 in Columbus, Ohio and it will expire on June 30, 2020.

____________________

Mike DeWine, Governor

ATTEST:

____________________

Frank LaRose, Secretary of State

Source