With a struggling economy, there are students that need additional help in order to maintain school and family necessities. TANF is a state-run program and was created to help address the needs of students that are receiving public assistance.
By: Shane Rice
-Asst. News Editor-
Latreecia Wade, a former student at STLCC-Meramec, said she had limited direction and no certainties on the direction she wanted to take her life. Wade was a victim of domestic abuse and had little-to-no support from family in this pursuit. Not sure of where to turn or what to do, Wade found solace in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) advocacy program.
Student Advocate Doris Durgins-Johnson for TANF at Meramec said, “Something as big as your education is going to be difficult to do all by yourself. There are people here on campus that are eager to help and will do all they can to help you become a success.”
With a struggling economy, there are students that need additional help in order to maintain school and family necessities. TANF is a state-run program and was created to help address the needs of students that are receiving public assistance.
The goal of TANF on campus is to help students in need achieve their educational goals. Any STLCC students in need of TANF services are eligible to apply, regardless of receipt of public assistance.
Durgins-Johnson said the main thing with TANF at STLCC-Meramec is to help students remove barriers in their education or anything that may distract them from being successful in their goals and/or admirations.
TANF provides assistance and work opportunities to needy families by granting states, territories, and tribes the federal funds and wide flexibility to develop and implement their own welfare programs. The assistance is time-limited and promotes work, responsibility and self-sufficiency.
“Whatever the problem may be, we get involved. There’s nothing that makes me raise an eye brow anymore, and I’ve seen and heard it all,” said Durgins-Johnson.
Durgins-Johnson said another positive aspect of TANF, exclusively at Meramec, is a community educator. This educator works with the Parent as Educators program (PAE) throughout the high schools by assisting young women who may be expecting a child with parenting classes, preparation for birth, and anything else that may be relevant to their needs.
Though TANF is dominantly fitted for women, men/fathers may also benefit.
“My door is open to everyone; don’t feel embarrassed. We are here to help and there’s nothing wrong with asking for it,” said Durgins-Johnson.
According to the TANF Office, 80 percent of the students involved with TANF are victims of either domestic violence or some form of abuse. “All they need to do is step toward our Office and let us guide them back towards the road of success and healing,” said Durgins-Johnson.
TANF offers several opportunities for students. Among them are IDAs (Individual Development Accounts), where women who have been involved with some form of domestic violence can use their cash allowance to save money and not have it counted against their food stamps or other assistant benefits.
“I want them to have a second wind to keep going, to be an inspiration,” said Durgins-Johnson. Let the TANF Office help turn the opportunity for education into success.
