Overview

Mission: Protect the Vulnerable, Promote Strong and Economically Self-Sufficient Families, and Advance Personal and Family Recovery

Florida’s TANF state plan follows the requirements of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (opens in a new window) , the Administration for Children and Families (opens in a new window) , and Title IV-A, Section 402 of the Social Security Act (opens in a new window) .

Florida administers the TANF program through a network of Regional Workforce Boards and its one-stop workforce services delivery system. The TANF SAMH program believes that collaborative, community-based programs are in the best position to deliver services that are most useful and appropriate to the needs of local communities.

The purpose of TANF SAMH is to provide outreach, screening, assessment, case management, and treatment services to those individuals who are experiencing employment and family instability due to substance abuse and/or mental illnesses.

TANF SAMH Program Services

Eligible TANF SAMH program services include aftercare, assessment, case management, crisis management/emergency services, day care, in-home and on-site, incidental expenses, intensive case management, intervention, outpatient/individual and group, outreach, prevention, prevention/intervention day, residential levels 1-4, respite care, room and board with supervision, supported employment, supported housing/living, and treatment alternatives for safer communities.

How To Access

TANF services can be accessed via walk-ins/referrals to a community Substance Abuse and Mental Health (SAMH) provider or by contacting the SAMH headquarters office.

The process is initiated by the Community Substance Abuse and/or Mental Health provider who identifies that a person needs substance abuse and/or mental health services and may be eligible for those services to be paid for by TANF SAMH. Once determined eligible for SAMH TANF services, a confirmation is sent to the service provider.

For more information, please contact us at
Florida Department of Children and Families
Substance Abuse and Mental Health
2415 North Monroe Street, Suite 400
Tallahassee, FL 32303-4190
Phone: (850) 488-8304
Fax: (850) 413-6887

What We Believe

Goals

• Children can be cared for in their own homes or in the homes of relatives
• End the dependence of families on government assistance by emphasizing work, self-sufficiency and personal responsibility
• Prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies
• Encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families

Our Mission

• Promote healthy, substance free lifestyles that include economic and family stability. These services are targeted to children, adults, and their families who are experiencing the negative effects of substance abuse-related disorders
• Provide a system of care, in partnership with families and the community, that enables children and adults experiencing mental illnesses, emotional disturbances, or substance use disorders to successfully live in the community, to be self-sufficient, and to realize their full potential

Who We Serve

TANF SAMH programs are intended to serve two target populations:

• Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA): Individuals/families receiving cash payments; and
• TANF Diversion Families (TDF): Individuals/families who are at risk of needing TCA

Who is Eligible for Services?

Target populations that are served include:

• Children who are experiencing mental health and substance abuse difficulties, are incompetent to proceed in juvenile justice, or experiencing (or at risk for experiencing) serious emotional disturbance
• Parent(s) or relative caretaker with one or more minor children living in the home, a pregnant woman, families whose children have been removed from the home by the Family Safety Program (FSP) and non-custodial parent with a court order to pay child support