The Administration for Children and Families will host the Research and Evaluation Conference on Self-Sufficiency (RECS) with the option to join in-person in Washington, D.C. or virtually on May 20 to 22, 2026. This conference will bring together researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to explore strategies that support family economic stability and long-term self-sufficiency. For Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) professionals, this conference will connect research directly to practice, helping agencies understand what approaches are producing results across the country. Topics such as workforce development, youth well-being, family strengthening, and poverty reduction closely align with the goals of TANF programs.

For staff who are not researchers, RECS offers practical insights that can inform program design, partnerships, and service delivery. It will also provide an opportunity to stay informed about emerging ideas, innovative strategies, and evidence-based practices that can improve outcomes for children and families. This free summit will be open to the public.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs often depend on strong partnerships with child welfare, education, and other family-serving systems, but those connections can be difficult to build and sustain. UC Davis will host an event on June 10-12, 2026 in Garden Grove, California to offer a practical opportunity to strengthen coordination. This event will bring together professionals across sectors to focus on how services can work together more effectively.

The sessions are designed to share strategies for improving collaboration, engaging families more meaningfully, and aligning services so participants experience a more connected system. This can help reduce gaps that families often face when navigating multiple programs, making it easier for them to access consistent support. Whether you are working on program design, case management, or partnerships, this event will offer both ideas and relationships that can strengthen how TANF services are delivered.

There is a registration fee for participation.

The American Public Human Services Association will host a national convening on June 14 to June 17, 2026. This summit will bring together human services leaders to share new ideas, policy updates, and practical strategies. For Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) practitioners interested in attending, this convening will offer exposure to emerging practices and peer learning opportunities that can strengthen program design and implementation. It can help bridge the gap between policy and practice by showcasing real-world examples and innovations, giving staff actionable insights they can bring back to their own agencies. There is a registration fee for participation.

The Office of Family Assistance will host the National Fatherhood Summit from August 3 to August 5, 2026, bringing together practitioners and leaders to focus on strengthening father engagement and improving outcomes for children and families. TANF programs can draw on strategies highlighted at the summit to enhance responsible fatherhood initiatives, support healthy co-parenting relationships, and promote long-term economic and emotional stability for families. This summit will be open to the public and is free.

The American Enterprise Institute will host an in-person event on March 30, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. ET in Washington D.C. to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping workforce training and skill development. The discussion will highlight emerging trends and implications for workforce systems. TANF programs may find this valuable for understanding how to prepare participants for evolving labor market demands and align training strategies with future job opportunities.