Beginning with an overview of the measures and state of economic mobility in America, this session, moderated by Sarah Sattelmeyer (The Pew Charitable Trusts), will address three key questions related to mobility, specifically: Do all Americans enjoy equal opportunity at birth, regardless of the financial and economic status of their parents? What factors help propel someone up the economic ladder or push them down? What role should public policy play in promoting economic mobility?

• Mobility and the Metropolis: How Communities Factor into Economic Mobility

Diana Elliott (The Pew Charitable Trusts)

• Hard Choices: Navigating the Economic Shock of Unemployment

Hannah Thomas (Brandeis University)

• Why Do Some Americans Leave the Bottom of the Economic Ladder, But Not Others?

Denise Wilson (Independent Contractor) (conference program description)

These presentations were given at the 2014 Welfare Research and Evaluation Conference (WREC).

Welfare is often touted as the area where rigorous social science research has been most sustained and has had the clearest impact on policy. Roundtable panelists will reflect on the history of this research, discussing questions including: Why were randomized experiments sustained over 40 years? What questions did this research answer well? How did the research inform and influence legislation, policy, and practice at the national and state levels? To what extent are lessons relevant to social policy research today and to other fields? What can be done to promote such rigorous research? Rebecca Maynard (University of Pennsylvania) will moderate this session, and Mark Greenberg (Administration for Children and Families) will serve as a discussant. Panelists are:

• Howard Rolston (Abt Associates)

• Judith Gueron (Independent Scholar)

• Ron Haskins (The Brookings Institution)

• Don Winstead (Don Winstead Consulting, LLC) (conference program description)

This presentation was given at the 2014 Welfare Research and Evaluation Conference (WREC).

Studies show that low-income families are more likely to be unbanked and “underbanked” than families with higher earnings. Lacking a bank account or depending on alternative financial services leads to significant financial barriers for low-income families that hinder economic growth and social mobility. This session will evaluate strategies that local and state human services agencies are testing to equip TANF recipients with the financial knowledge and resources they need to overcome barriers to financial security, including ACF’s Asset Initiative Partnership. Gretchen Lehman (Administration for Children and Families) will moderate this session.

• Financial Counseling and Financial Access for the Financially Vulnerable

Kasey Wiedrich (Corporation for Enterprise Development)

The presentation examines financial management strategies among low-income families.  Two research studies are described: Children's HealthWatch and Witnesses to Hunger.

• Building Economic Self-Sufficiency of TANF Clients Through Financial Education and Matched Savings

Kate Griffin (Corporation for Enterprise Development)

The presentation describes data from a financial education program for TANF recipients that provides training in budgeting and credit management.  The pilot was started in July 2013 with the Utah Department of Workforce Services.

• Financial Management Strategies of TANF and SNAP Recipients: Lessons for Policy Makers and Administrators

Mariana Chilton (Drexel University)

The presentation describes a completed research project that looks at the impact of the AFCO financial counseling program for families leaving TANF and entering into a work-ready context.

These presentations were given at the 2014 Welfare Research and Evaluation Conference (WREC).

There can be a tension between the time needed to implement rigorous policy evaluations and the immediate needs of policy makers for information. This session will explore methods to help policy makers generate and use evidence for decision making, even on short timelines. Michelle Derr (Mathematica Policy Research) will moderate this session. (conference program description)

• Using Rapid Cycle Evaluation Techniques to Test Regulatory Changes

Scott Cody (Mathematica Policy Research)

The presentation defines and explains the concept of rapid cycle evaluation, and how to utilize it to examine how programs such as SNAP and TANF respond to regulatory changes.

• Recognizing and Conducting Opportunistic Experiments

Alexandra Resch (Mathematica Policy Research)

The presentation describes opportunistic experiments and the benefits of this style of research, with an example from work done with school districts to create a culture of learning.

• Responding to Rapidly Changing Environments: The Benefits of Internal Evaluation Capacity

Angela Rachidi (New York City Human Resources Administration)

The presentation explains on rapid cycle evaluation is implemented in NYC by the Human Resources Administration, with an example from a pilot program involving SNAP centers.

These presentations were given at the 2014 Welfare Research and Evaluation Conference (WREC).

This session will explore the emerging research on an expanded Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for single adults. The EITC, a refundable tax credit for low- to moderate-income working individuals and couples, is an effective way to make work pay for low-wage workers. However, many childless adults are ineligible for benefits. This session will explore emerging evidence on how expanding the EITC may improve self-sufficiency for low-income, single adults, including non-custodial parents. Carson Hicks (New York City Center for Economic Opportunity) will moderate this session, and Vicki Turetsky (Administration for Children and Families) will serve as a discussant.

• Paycheck Plus: Testing an Expanded EITC for Single Adults in New York City

Cynthia Miller (MDRC)

• Effects of an Expanded EITC on Labor Market Participation for Black and Latino Young Men

Ronald Mincy (Columbia University)

• Strengthening Families with Non-Custodial Parents: Effects of an Expanded EITC on Child Support

Elaine Sorensen (Administration for Children and Families) (conference program description)

These presentations were given at the 2014 Welfare Research and Evaluation Conference (WREC).

Strong skills are critical for success in the labor market and overall self-sufficiency. Yet, many low-income Americans lack the skills needed to obtain employment in the U.S. labor market. Moreover, as the skills needed for today’s jobs change, it is especially important to consider opportunities to promote skill-building among low-income individuals. This panel discussion, moderated by Paige Shevlin (Executive Office of the President), will aim to answer the question of how to increase skills for low-income Americans and move them into better jobs. Beginning with findings from the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development’s Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies Survey of Adult Skills, the panelists will discuss the implications of these findings for the American workforce, emerging approaches to address the earnings and skills gaps, and the potential use of apprenticeships as a tool to improve skills. Panelists are:

• Johan Uvin (U.S. Department of Education)

• Harry Holzer (Georgetown University and American Institutes for Research)

• Robert Lerman (American University and The Urban Institute) (conference program description)

This presentation was given at the 2014 Welfare Research and Evaluation Conference (WREC).

In recent decades, policymakers have invested in responsible fatherhood programs in light of emerging research that strengthening parenting among fathers promotes positive child outcomes. This session will focus on how fatherhood programs and policies can better serve fathers, children, and their families. The panelists will discuss recent research on the changing dynamics of fatherhood in relationships and families, and opportunities for promoting father-child bonds among low-income men and boys of color. Ben O’Dell (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) will moderate this panel. Panelists are:

• Kathryn Edin (Johns Hopkins University)

• Timothy Nelson (Johns Hopkins University)

• David Pate (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee) (conference program description)

This presentation was given at the 2014 Welfare Research and Evaluation Conference (WREC).

The Maryland Network against Domestic Violence (MNADV) site provides an overview of the Lethality Assessment Program—Maryland Model (LAP). It also includes information about implementation of the model nationally. Created by MNADV in 2005, LAP is based on the Danger Assessment, a protocol created by Dr. Jacquelyn Campbell. Together with LAP, service providers use a tool called the Lethality Screen for First Responders -- an evidence-based series of questions -- used to assess an individual suspected of being in danger. Jurisdictions in at least 31 States have implemented LAP.

Authored by faculty at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, this series of reports focuses on poverty and food security. The report provides detailed analysis of statewide trends in poverty and food security by county in comparison with the State. In addition, it includes a discussion of possible implications for policies and programs.

This research study identifies different municipal financing tools which have been and might be implemented throughout the city of Seattle for workforce development programming. The report includes examples illustrating the process in which Seattle generates revenues to meet program expenditures, as well as current tools that the city utilizes in funding social benefit programs for its residents.