The purpose of this study was to conduct a policy analysis of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), created under the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) of 1996, and its impact on families with children. TANF is the largest safety net and cash assistance program available to provide assistance to children living in poverty. The implementation of TANF signified a fundamental shift in federal welfare policy for the first time since its creation under the Social Security Act of 1935.

After reviewing policies, congressional hearings, government reports, federal statistics, peer-reviewed journal articles, and data from child welfare agencies, a modified version of David Gil's framework was used to conduct this analysis. The major finding of this study are that the policy's approach to reducing childhood poverty through an emphasis on work and marriage have been unsuccessful in assisting families with achieving financial self-sufficiency and upward economic mobility.