This research-to-practice brief profiles a needs assessment of TANF child-only cases undertaken as part of the Office of Family Assistance’s Assisting Special Populations to Improve Readiness and Engagement (ASPIRE) project. Researchers first…

This issue brief from the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers guidance on how to implement virtual case management in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic guidelines for…

This brief notes key issues that state TANF agencies can consider when using TANF funds for families impacted by COVID-19. The brief also identifies five examples of program options these agencies might use to implement non-recurrent benefits drawn…

This issue brief from the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) defines virtual technical assistance (TA) and illustrates the types, use, and effectiveness of virtual…

This practice brief introduces three foundations for improving services for children and families in a human services environment that has become more complex and challenging. Investments in reducing complexity and bureaucracy, building skills of…

This practice brief shares strategies human services programs can use to improve customers’ experience and make their engagement in programming more meaningful. Drawing on Mathematica’s experience working with Philadelphia Works, Inc., the…

This National Skills Coalition brief offers guidance on how TANF and other public assistance programs could shift emphasis to skills and employment outcomes, like those used by WIOA common measures, rather than a procedural process that measures the…

This Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation practice brief examines the second phase of the Learn, Innovate, Improve process (LI²) model for systems change. The LI² model is an approach to implement systems change, to…

This Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation practice brief examines the first phase of the Learn, Innovate, Improve process (LI2) model for systems change. The LI2 model is an approach to implement systems change intentionally, to guide change…

This Urban Institute research brief offers a set of demographic data and definitions that addresses misconceptions about the reach of U.S. safety net programs. In particular, the analysis distinguishes between “means tested” and universally received…