A representative from the Alaska Division of Public Assistance would like to know what are states’ knowledge, skills, education, and abilities standards for work services staff (including internal or contracted). Additionally, do states have annual professional development or continuing education standards and how are they monitored?

A representative from the Oklahoma Department of Human Services would like to know if there are any states that have completely discontinued serving 2-parent TANF households. If so, has the state received any pushback from the federal government, state legislature, or the media?

A representative from the Connecticut Department of Social Services would like to know if any TANF lead agencies use “housing search” as an approved work activity for homeless or transitional housing TANF participants.

A representative from the South Dakota Department of Social Services would like to know of any best practices that States are using to reduce the unplanned pregnancy rate among TANF customers.

A representative from the Utah Department of Workforce Services is interested in whether other states have effective models for individualized, strengths-based TANF employment planning – particularly plans that focus on individual goals along with performance measures and outcomes, and that separate out work activities so they can be flexible, and adjusted based on a client’s progress. Utah is also interested if any states have examples or templates of a strengths-based plan that they would be willing to share, or are any states in the process of developing this? If so, contact information would be helpful. Utah is also interested in information about how states define “strengths-based” in the context of employment planning, and what elements states see as important to include in a comprehensive plan.

A representative from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services would like to know if any state uses an online learning system to help clients learn new skills.

A representative from the National League of Cities is searching for youth employment programs that are currently providing intensive financial literacy training for participating youth and helping them access banking products like savings or checking accounts.

A representative from COPES, Inc. would like to know if anyone is aware of any comprehensive screening tool or related information management tool that they are willing to share?