This Office of Child Support Enforcement Information Memorandum notes that state and tribal child support agencies are eligible for a funding and regulatory waiver, in order to create employment services for noncustodial parents struggling to make child support payments if these parents are unemployed or underemployed. This waiver is allowed under Section 1115 of the Social Security Act which provides limited demonstration authority to use federal funds for employment services.

The Information Memorandum also notes that state and tribal child support agencies that seek waivers must also utilize new funds - rather than existing resources - to cover their share of the cost of the pilot activities. With this Information Memorandum in place, the Office of Child Support Enforcement will provide technical assistance on how to apply for waivers and will be creating a toolkit of resources for assessment, design, and development of employment service programs for noncustodial parents.

The Administration for Children and Families, is accepting nominations (including self-nominations) of state, territory, and county TANF agencies to become TANF agency pilots under the TANF Data Collaborative and receive support in becoming more data-driven in their program delivery. Up to eight pilot sites will be selected for a period of 30 months and will receive direct funding, targeted and hands-on technical assistance and training, individual support from TANF and data analytic experts, and peer learning opportunities on data use in program design and administration. Nominations are due by September 30, 2019.

This Brookings Institution report examines both unemployment and the underemployment rate and identifies racial disparities in the rates for both economic categorizations. The report also analyzes data trends that point to the different labor market outcomes by race and notes how unemployment rates have fallen since 2010 for all groups. Differences in underemployment exist between those who work part-time for economic reasons and those who would work full-time if they had available options.

This Annie E. Casey Foundation-recorded webinar, as part of its Leading with Evidence series, assesses the role of culture in providing programs to prevent child welfare involvement. It highlights how the Family First Prevention Services Act created opportunities to expand use of prevention programs that are culturally relevant to parents and children and utilizes an evidence-based approach for engaging Native American families.

This MDRC study examines the offerings of 39 adult basic skills programs and analyzes the need for these types of programs. The report identified 10 programs in high-need areas in California, where adult basic skills education is integrated with workforce and college preparation. There is also a set of findings on opportunities for expanded integrated adult basic skills programs in the state and the lessons that can be applied to other states across the country.

This brief from ASCEND, an Aspen Institute initiative, presents initial findings resulting from a partnership between LIFT and AppleTree. Both organizations have come together to develop and implement a two-generation approach that reflects the respective strengths and capacity of each organization: LIFT works with low-income parents to deliver coaching that helps them identify and reach career and financial goals, while AppleTree uses an evidence-based intervention to support early childhood education.

This Administration for Children and Families blogpost, authored by the Senior Advisor of the Office of Child Support Enforcement, presents key highlights of the Fatherhood Summit that occurred in June 2019. Many Summit presentations noted that unemployed or underemployed fathers are unable to make their child support payments, which might lead to debt and other challenges, which makes it difficult for fathers to become economically self-sufficient. The blogpost also notes that some presentations identified resources through responsible fatherhood programs to help noncustodial fathers become fully engaged in their children’s lives.

This Annie E. Casey Foundation brief is a financial literacy curriculum overview for older youth and young adults who are exiting foster care. Topics covered by the accompanying participant guides include building the foundation for your financial future, understanding credit history, getting credit, understanding income, paying bills and budgeting, savings activities, banking activities, and protection against identity theft.

This Urban Institute report examines youth employment 2013 data in-depth (the most recent data available). There is a particular focus on disparities in employment outcomes by race and ethnicity, sex, and age, for youth ages 16-24. The report also analyzes the industry sectors where youth are employed and rates of disconnection between school and work that could explain declining youth labor force participation rates.