Behavioral Health Risk among TANF Parents: Links to Homelessness, Child Abuse and Arrests

This report examines behavioral health risk factors and adverse outcomes for adults receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Behavioral health problems—especially substance abuse—were found to be key drivers of homelessness, child abuse, and arrests. Yet the chemical dependency treatment penetration rate for TANF adults declined in recent years. This report suggests that expanding behavioral health treatment to TANF adults has the potential to reduce adverse outcomes, prevent behavioral health problems among children, and achieve cost savings through both the avoidance of adverse outcomes and the prevention of disability.