Federal Block Grant Award Summary

The Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS), doing business as MDHS Family and Children's Services, received a Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF, CFDA 93.558) block grant award of $64.3 million from the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families (Office of Family Assistance), effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. TANF block grant funding supports comprehensive assistance programs designed to help low-income families with children remain in their own homes or with relatives, promote employment and self-sufficiency, and encourage family formation and stability. Under this award, MDHS implements its state TANF plan through financial assistance programs, job preparation and work promotion services, child care support, and related social services targeted at reducing dependency on government benefits.

As the prime grantee, MDHS sub-awarded portions of TANF funding to implementing partners, including the MS Department of Child Protection Services (sub-award dated February 27, 2026), which delivers child welfare services and family support initiatives aligned with TANF objectives, and Hancock County Human Resource Agency (sub-award dated February 17, 2026), which provides child development and early childhood services in compliance with the 2025-2026 state plan. These collaborative arrangements enable MDHS to deliver TANF-funded services across multiple service areas and geographic locations throughout Mississippi, supporting vulnerable families and children consistent with federal program objectives.