TSMF was one of the demonstration projects made possible by Section 1115 waivers to the rules in effect at the time for the AFDC program. These Section 1115 waivers allowed states to test new approaches to advance the objectives of the AFDC program. TSMF consisted of 21 policy changes, enacted in two parts. The first set of policy changes included a social contract that participants were required to sign agreeing they would engage in employment, education, training, or other self-improvement activities for at least 20 hours per week.

Participants of LA:RISE were co-enrolled in programs funded by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and received a minimum of 300 hours of subsidized, transitional employment at a social enterprise or workforce development system partner. These programs also provided on-the-job training, specialized training, or both. Other provided services varied by placement and included soft-skills training, work-readiness training and assessments, supportive services, case management, education, and permanent job search and placement services.

CareerAdvance participants enrolled in one of three programs linked to a health care career (nursing, health information technology, or medical assisting). Participants also received funding for tuition, books and supplies, additional child care assistance (if child care needs could not be met through the Head Start program alone), coaching, and financial incentives for meeting program milestones. Peer support groups were also available.

Individuals receiving housing assistance interested in the FSS program attended an orientation, signed a contract of participation, and completed an individualized plan at enrollment. FSS program participants worked with case managers to set goals related to self-sufficiency to include in their plan. Case managers also provided referrals to services, such as education and training opportunities and low-cost child care. Most sites expected case managers to contact participants on a quarterly basis, although some sites ranged from monthly to annual contact.

The Compass FSS program provided one-on-one financial coaching to help HCV recipients make progress toward their self-identified financial goals, which could include paying down debt, increasing savings, or improving credit scores. The program also created an incentive for participants to meet their goals. When families with HCVs received an increase in earnings, they were required to pay 30 percent of that increase toward rent. The FSS program credited these additional rent payments toward an escrow account that the participant could receive in full after meeting certain conditions.