Efficient, Effective Services: Career Pathways and Lasting Economic Stability for Families

Higher family incomes are associated with a variety of positive effects on child well-being, and by connecting parents to career pathways in high-demand industries, states can foster more family stability. In this brief from Ascend at the Aspen Institute, the ways in which TANF funding can be used to support career pathway programs are discussed. The brief provides recommendations to help states increase access to career pathways (e.g., state and local service coordination), as well as a discussion of some benefits of gradually phasing out critical supports as parents start on the path to stable careers.