Making a noise about the need campaign on TANF reauthorization

Salt shakers
September 2002

"Making a noise about the need" campaign on TANF reauthorization
"Making a Noise About the Need" is a nationwide campaign to educate, organize and motivate people of concern to lobby their Members of Congress as they reauthorize federal funding for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) in 2002.

Since 1997, NETWORK, a Catholic lobby, has studied the effects of the 1996 welfare reform law on families living in poverty. It reports that millions of people are still struggling to find and keep stable, full-time, living wage jobs, and to provide the basic necessities for their families.

The welfare reform law (the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996), which established Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), contains strict provisions designed to get people off welfare but does little to actually get people out of poverty, charges Network's advoactes.

The 1996 law authorized the funding of TANF through September 30, 2002. For TANF to continue after September 30, Congress must reauthorize its funding no later than that date. Although TANF reauthorization could simply involve extending the funding period, it is more likely that Congress and the President will consider several key policy changes.

This Congressional reauthorization process presents an opportunity to call attention to the fact that over 32 million people are still living in poverty and to advocate for changes in national policy that will address the injustice of poverty. We believe it is time to join with others .

NETWORK has teamed up with our partner organization, NETWORK Education Program, to provide concerned people with the information and tools they need to make a difference in this reauthorization process by educating others and by lobbying their Members of Congress and to "make a noise about the need for effective laws that will help to reduce poverty."

How does the campaign work?

1. Campaign Workshops
NETWORK Education Program will conduct 21 regional workshops across the country to educate, organize and motivate activists to "make a noise about the need" for reform of TANF legislation.

2. Campaign Actions
At the same time, NETWORK-working with our coalition partners where possible- will coordinate campaign actions through our web site, phone, fax and mail. We will provide the information you need to take action. These actions will continue until Congress completes the reauthorization process (by October 2002 but possibly earlier).

3. May 16 Lobby Day in Washington, DC
On May 16, 2002, NETWORK brought together concerned people from across the country to lobby Members of Congress on TANF reauthorization.

4. You and Your Commitment to Action
Central to the success of this campaign are people like you who will join with NETWORK and thousands of others to communicate with Members of Congress about TANF reauthorization and to lead others in this work.

Click here to become part of the Campaign!

Back to page top