The Maternal Well-Being of Washington State’s TANF Population

This descriptive report provides information on the well-being of new mothers who receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and their newborns in order to identify potential service gaps and needs for this vulnerable population. Findings indicate that women who give birth and receive TANF have complex needs and face significant barriers to well-being including housing instability, behavioral health conditions, low education levels, and significant health problems. Given these needs, services to ensure well-being for new mothers on TANF are multifaceted and require coordination across service systems and agencies.