The National Association of Workforce Boards will hold its annual conference in Washington, D.C. from March 23 to March 26, 2019. The conference features issue sessions, industry roundtables, workshops and intensive technical assistance sessions with representatives from the U.S. Department of Labor and other partner Federal agencies. A unique feature of this year’s event is the inauguration of a Leadership Academy, where new or experienced Directors and Board Members will group together to identify and discuss best practices and strategies they learned during the conference.

On February 4, 2019, educators, policymakers, public administrators, and program officials will present research at the Aspen Institute in Washington, D.C. on bipartisan opportunities to improve economic conditions for low- and middle-income workers. They will highlight challenges to accessing opportunity, discuss solutions such as education, and explore the role of state and local government in alleviating economic hardship for more Americans. A series of policy proposals focusing on across-the-aisle discussions and resolutions will concurrently be released at this event.

Considering the volume of important public policy decisions made at state and local levels, there can be a dearth of data to create evidence-informed policies. The Brookings Institution will host a forum on January 31, 2019 at its Washington, D.C. office from 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon ET to address this topic and explore how to increase evidence-based practice and push for improved state public policies. In particular, the forum will draw on three new papers about making better use of data in policy implementation and housing and transportation services.

On January 30, 2019, the Urban Institute will host a discussion seminar at its Washington, D.C. office from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. ET that highlights findings from its new report on obstacles that low-income, minority, and millennial citizens face when trying to buy a home. The stability and asset-building that buying a home can provide may be challenging to reach for these segments of the population, but the report will illuminate solutions such as down payment assistance. Also highlighted will be current issues in the home ownership landscape and implications for homebuyers.

The National Skills Coalition has opened registration for the 2019 Skills Summit, to be held in Washington, D.C., on February 5 - 7, 2019. This conference includes sessions on apprenticeships, strengthening the “safety net” through workforce development, and common performance measures.

This Mathematica presentation on January 24, 2019 in Washington, D.C. will discuss the relevance of cultural responsiveness in policy research. The event will identify how research can be done with, rather than to, communities and will provide examples of culturally responsive research where culture and context are included in the methodology for evaluation.

For those interested in economic mobility, this three-day conference in National Harbor, Maryland at the beginning of September represents an opportunity to hear expert speakers, participate in breakout sessions dedicated to knowledge and skill development, and be introduced to other stakeholders in the community. Attracting participants including economic justice advocates, social workers, and city planners, the summit will be a nexus for innovative thought and action. More information about the agenda, dates and time, and tickets can be found on the organization’s website. Note: fee associated with Summit attendance.

From September 19-21, 2018, the National Association of State Workforce Agencies will host a conference in Birmingham, Alabama for workforce agency staff and field stakeholders. Topics will include workforce development, state and federal legal issues, labor market information, information technology, and unemployment insurance. For more information on committee meetings, travel information, registration, or specific agenda items, please visit the conference website.

On October 3, the Urban Institute will host a symposium in Plano, Texas on the benefits and drawbacks of technology and technological innovation on wealth and income inequality. On one hand, the increasing reliance on technology can create disadvantages for underskilled groups that may not have access to learning materials or exposure to new forms of technology that are becoming increasingly important for employment and job performance. On the other hand, new technologies can be harnessed to expand opportunities for underrepresented groups and increase service provision to people and communities. Speakers from public and private institutions will address these topics and more.

Much research points to the impact that physical location has on people’s childhood experiences, development, opportunities, earning potential, incarceration rates, and adult well-being. Underserved communities, then, need to receive investment to break the cycles of poverty that their residents can fall into. On September 28, the Brookings Institution will host a conversation about place-based strategies that create economic growth for such underserved communities and their residents. With speakers from government bureaus, academia, and economic agencies, along with experts in the field, new research, lessons, and policies for development and mobility will be discussed.