RICHMOND, VA (September 25, 2025) - Following a highly competitive federal review process, the Commonwealth of Virginia has been selected by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through its Administration for Children and Families (ACF) as one of just five states in the nation to lead the new Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Pilot Program under the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) of 2023. 

The Virginia Department of Social Services' (VDSS) six-year pilot is designed to transform TANF service delivery by restructuring existing case management processes into a coordinated “one team, one plan, one door” approach, directly aligning with federal priorities of integrated, participant-centered solutions that break down silos, streamline access, and drive measurable outcomes in family economic mobility and self-sufficiency.

Virginia’s TANF FRA Pilot will build on the VDSS’s ongoing Career Pathways Pilot, an initiative launched in 2024 with local departments of social services. The new effort will demonstrate how coordinated regional sector hubs, family-driven Personal Responsibility Plans, and industry-aligned, tuition-free training can accelerate families’ economic mobility and self-sufficiency — bringing together workforce boards, community colleges, local agencies and community partners to provide coordinated support.

“The Trump Administration is proud to partner with Governor Glenn Youngkin to pilot innovations that best serve families and lead to economic prosperity,” said Acting Assistant Secretary for ACF Andrew Gradison. “By blending career pathways, skills-based training and strong employer partnerships, Virginia is giving TANF participants real opportunities to achieve lasting independence. Outcomes from this ambitious pilot will be invaluable for other states hoping to replicate Virginia’s success.”

Virginia’s pilot will address persistent barriers to family advancement — integrating mentorship, coaching, childcare and transportation support designed to ensure all families have a fair shot at economic mobility and self-sufficiency.

“This initiative underscores our Commonwealth’s commitment to innovation in human services,” said Virginia Secretary of Health and Human Resources Janet Kelly. “By strengthening partnerships and addressing systemic barriers, Virginia is helping families thrive through meaningful work, stability and independence.”

Virginia will leverage its Benefits Cliff Tool, already in use through the Career Pathways Pilot, to provide families with clear, data-driven projections of how employment changes may affect their benefits. Caseworkers will collaborate closely with TANF participants to create real-life scenarios that empower families to plan confidently and make informed decisions as they advance in their careers. 

“Virginia is excited to be at the forefront of this national effort to reimagine how we can support families on their journey to self-sufficiency,” said VDSS Commissioner Kevin Erskine. “By aligning our Career Pathways Pilot with the TANF FRA Pilot’s ambitious design, we are building a program that helps families move beyond temporary assistance into stable, well-paying jobs and towards lasting economic independence. This is about more than casework — it’s about empowering families with tools and confidence to shape their future,” Erskine added.

The TANF FRA Pilot begins October 1, 2025, with the first year devoted to program design finalization, establishing baseline performance measures, and negotiating targets. The program allows for up to five years for participating states to measure progress against these targets, with the goal of delivering stronger outcomes for TANF participants and their families. 

For more information about Virginia’s TANF program, visit dss.virginia.gov/benefit/tanf.

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About the Virginia Department of Social Services

The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS), one of the Commonwealth’s largest government agencies, is comprised of approximately 2,000 state staff who proudly serve alongside more than

10,000 employees of 120 local departments of social services and community action agencies to deliver critical social services to Virginia’s most vulnerable citizens. VDSS is committed to ensuring Virginians have access to the high-quality human services and resources needed to enhance their individual and collective well-being, and shape strong futures for themselves, their families and communities. The agency provides a wide range of services and resources in the areas of food and energy assistance, foster care and adoption, child support, and abuse and neglect prevention, among others. For more information, visit dss.virginia.gov.