• msdrakewest
• 1 Comment on Why Cutting TANF and SSBG Hurts Our Community—and Why I’m Speaking Out
• April 16, 2025

I’ve Been There — And That’s Why I’m Fighting to Protect These Programs in Our Community

Over the past several weeks, I’ve been working on an issue that’s not just political — it’s deeply personal. As a Senior Policy Associate at the Children’s Defense Fund, I’ve been helping lead a national coalition effort to protect two of the most important federal programs for families living on the margins: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and the Social Services Block Grant (SSBG).

These programs help people survive. And I know that because they helped me.

Years ago, early in my parenting journey, I relied on TANF to get by. At the time, I was doing everything I could to build a better future for my kids—working, going to school, and trying to make ends meet. That small amount of monthly assistance helped cover essentials like diapers, food, and rent. It gave me room to breathe, and the support I needed to keep going.

Now, I’m fighting to make sure those lifelines stay in place for other families like mine—especially right here in our community.

What Are TANF and SSBG?

TANF is the main source of cash assistance for families with children who are living in poverty. It also supports things like child care, job training, and transportation for parents who are trying to work. In Montgomery County and across Maryland, TANF helps families keep their lights on, pay rent, and avoid falling through the cracks.

SSBG is one of the only flexible funding streams states receive to meet local needs. It funds child welfare services, in-home care for older adults, support for people with disabilities, and community-based programs that keep families stable and safe. How the money is used varies by state — and that’s the point. Local leaders get to decide what’s needed most. That’s what makes it so effective.

These aren’t giveaways. They’re investments in people and in public good. And without them, local governments would be forced to make impossible choices about who gets help and who doesn’t.

Why These Programs Are Under Threat

Earlier this year, House Republicans proposed cutting TANF by 10% and eliminating SSBG altogether. They claimed it was about reducing “fraud, waste, and abuse.” But the Government Accountability Office (GAO) investigated and found no evidence to justify eliminating the programs. In fact, GAO testified that states were using the funding effectively, and simply recommended stronger transparency—not defunding.

So if the data doesn’t back the cuts, what’s really going on?

These programs are under attack because they help poor and working-class families—especially Black and Brown women, children, seniors, and disabled adults. And at the same time, lawmakers are pushing to extend Trump-era tax breaks that overwhelmingly benefit the wealthy and big corporations. Cuts to safety net programs are being used to help pay for tax cuts for the rich.

Let’s be clear: that is a choice. And it’s one our community can’t afford.

Why This Work Matters Locally

When these cuts are proposed in Washington, they aren’t abstract. They land in our neighborhoods—in Germantown, Gaithersburg, Rockville, and throughout Montgomery County. They show up in the lives of parents who are trying to raise kids in a high-cost area without enough support. They impact social workers, nonprofits, faith-based programs, and front-line providers who depend on this funding to deliver services.

If SSBG or TANF were slashed, local agencies would have fewer tools to respond to crises. Children would fall deeper into poverty. Caregivers would be stretched even thinner. And we would see more hunger, more housing instability, and more families forced into impossible choices.

We Won This Round—But the Fight Isn’t Over

Thanks to strong advocacy from our coalition—and many of you who spoke up—neither the TANF cut nor the SSBG elimination was included in the latest draft of the House’s fiscal plan. That’s a huge win. But these programs could still be cut later in the process, either during the House Rules Committee negotiations or in the Senate.

That’s why we have to stay engaged. I’m committed to staying in this fight—and to making sure our community is informed and ready.

What You Can Do

This isn’t just national policy — this is local survival. Whether you’re a voter, a donor, or someone who simply cares about your neighbors, here’s how you can help:

• Stay informed and spread the word. Help reframe the conversation. This is not about waste—it’s about justice.
• Support this work. Donations help me continue advocating, organizing, and equipping others to do the same.
• Vote for leaders who protect—not gut—our social safety net. Local voices matter more than ever.

I’ve experienced firsthand how meaningful a little help can be at a critical time. Now, I’m using my voice and my policy expertise to protect that help for others—because no family should be left behind.

Let’s keep pushing forward, together.

With deep gratitude,
Destiny Drake West