Thread by @profmasala

Sooo. Let's talk about how Brett Favre, the Mississippi Dpmt of Human Services and the nonprofit that funneled 1.1 (77m misspent TANF funds) million to him are a case study for abolitionist social work. Cause, phew chile.

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There is alot to this story tying the governor, DHS, other elected officials and the university that Favres daughter attends together. Check out @MSTODAYnews and there coverage since 2020.

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This year Mississippi DHS sued "Favre, three former pro wrestlers and several other people and businesses to try to recover millions of misspent welfare dollars that were intended to help some of the poorest people in the United States."

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Funds were received through nonprofit, MS Community Education Center for services like speaking engagements, etc. that were never provided. The ED (and her sons) is expected to pay back $19.4M in block grant funds from TANF.

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A few highlights that had me like🤯
👉🏾there are so many officials (political, academia) involved 👉🏾 MS has a 98% rejection rate and TX has a 89% rejection rate for TANF applications 👉🏾MS has strict rules to qualify for and keep benefits

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Reasons for a TANF denial in MS include "failing to meet eligibility criteria, unresolved noncompliance issues, an ongoing mandatory work sanction period, unverified compliance with upfront requirements..."

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The requirements to maintain your benefits are even longer😤 and punitive like benefit caps, time limits, drug testing+while most states require folxs work/job search/train, "MS makes residents look for work/attend orientation programs before their applications can be approved "

They are expected to do this without any of the supports TANF can provide, like childcare and transportation subsidies, before their application is approved and with a 98% rejection rate😒 it feels hopeless

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So how does abolition fit into this? We see the hoops that folxs in need are expected to jump through, and how, celebrity culture and ytness were playing in the background related to access.

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MS DHS TANF support hasn't helped folxs in the state for years. The requirements to receive cash were supposed to what? Deter those who might misuse it, while making it even more difficult, demeaning, and statistically unlikely to receive it.

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I have some questions. Has the rejection rate gotten better? Has there been a review of the requirements for eligibility? Since there is no correlation to policy change and approval rate decrease, what procedures will shift? Other audits conducted?

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Families, communities of opportunity, Black folxs are resourceful. With a 98% rejection rate for TANF, how were their needs met? What other community supports were utilized to support them? Folxs dont care about money recoup unless accessibility is assessed

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@threadreaderapp unroll thank you