This blog post from the National Skills Coalition highlights a letter from the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Labor to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) State Workforce Administrators and Workforce Development Boards and American Jobs Centers. The letter encourages these entities to coordinate efforts to better connect SNAP participants, especially able-bodied adults without dependents, with employment and training opportunities provided through the workforce development system.

This report presents findings from two components of the National Implementation Evaluation of the Health Profession Opportunity Grants (HPOG): the Descriptive Implementation Study and the Outcome Study. These two studies address the following two major research questions:

1. How are health profession training programs being implemented across the grantee sites?
2. What individual-level outputs and outcomes occur?

Overall, the two studies found that HPOG programs generally reached their target enrollment levels, and that the majority of participants completed their course(s) of study and found healthcare jobs. However, many of those first jobs after leaving the program were entry-level positions at relatively low-wages. (author abstract)

This guide from the Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation (OPRE) provides an introduction to labor market information (LMI) for TANF administrators. It includes uses for LMI data, distinctions among types of data, and explains how TANF practitioners can work with staff in state departments of labor to help their clients find good jobs.

This report describes the results of a comprehensive review of self-regulation interventions spanning birth to young adulthood and a range of outcomes. It also summarizes the level of evidence for the different interventions. Additionally, the report provides details on the methodological approach and data findings, including figures with detailed descriptions for the reader who is interested in the evidence base supporting the conclusions. (author abstract)

In Utah, all financial assistance applicants are required to take the Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory (SASSI) prior to issuance of benefits. It is a condition of eligibility to take the SASSI, but the results are not taken into consideration until after the financial benefits are issued. All customers who score a "high probability for a substance abuse disorder" on the SASSI are required to participate in a random drug screen after issuance of their first benefit. If a customer is positive, the results are confirmed by a laboratory. If confirmed positive, the customer must participate in mandatory weekly drug treatment for a minimum of 60 days in order to continue to be eligible for financial assistance. If a customer is on a prescription medication and provides proof of this, they can be exempt as a "false positive."

This resource from the Utah Department of Workforce Services includes an FAQ, business process documents, and the legislation on drug testing policies for TANF benefits.