TANF Supplemental Grants: Reforming and Restoring Support for Children Who Need it MostFederal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funding helps states meet children’s basic needs, like child abuse and neglect prevention and intervention, child care, and even job training. But a flawed block grant formula has put some states at a disadvantage, and Congress’ failure to preserve TANF Supplemental Grants has made the gap wider.