The TANF Employment & Training Program - Job Placement with Retention Program is a grant opportunity offered by the Illinois Department of Human Services. This funding aims to support employment and job retention services for eligible individuals through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. The grant is structured to foster economic self-sufficiency by ensuring participants are placed in employment and supported in retaining those jobs.

The total available funding for this program is $5,120,583. The state anticipates issuing approximately 14 awards, with individual award sizes ranging from $115,000 to $310,000. The funding is sourced from both federal and state allocations and does not require cost-sharing or matching from applicants. Indirect costs are permitted, with no specified restrictions on the percentage.

The application period opens on March 31, 2025, and closes on April 30, 2025, at 11:59 PM. Interested applicants must attend a mandatory technical assistance session scheduled for April 16, 2025, at 1:00 PM, which is accessible via a WebEx registration link. This session is required to be eligible to apply.

Eligible organizations should provide services that align with the goals of job placement and retention for TANF participants. Specific eligibility requirements, allowable expenses, and other terms and conditions are expected to be outlined in the full grant application, accessible via the Illinois DHS intranet.

Applicants must submit proposals using the online application portal and follow all requirements and guidelines established by the Illinois Department of Human Services. The award announcements will be made after the application review process concludes.

Questions regarding the grant can be directed to Charles Hopkins at Charles.Hopkins@Illinois.gov.