This is the page where OFA posts all TANF-related Policy Announcements.

This is the page where OFA posts all TANF-related Information Memoranda.

This is the page where OFA posts all TANF-related Program Instructions.

A substantial skills gap exists between the education and training of the labor force and the needs of employers in many high growth industries, including healthcare and manufacturing. This gap results in unemployment while good paying jobs go unfilled. At the same time, many low-skilled adults persist in low wage work with little opportunity for advancement.

Career pathways programs, like the Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training (I-BEST) Program, are an approach to fill a vital need for skilled workers in the economy and offer low-wage workers the opportunity to obtain occupational and other skills and advance into the middle class.

This brief was produced by Abt Associates as part of the Innovative Strategies to Increase Self-Sufficiency (ISIS) project, a random assignment evaluation of nine promising career pathways programs that aim to improve employment and self-sufficiency outcomes for low-income, low-skilled individuals. (author abstract)

A substantial skills gap exists between the education and training of the labor force and the needs of employers in many high growth industries, including healthcare and manufacturing. This gap results in unemployment while good paying jobs go unfilled. At the same time, many low-skilled adults persist in low wage work with little opportunity for advancement.

Career pathways programs, like the Workforce Training Academy Connect (WTA Connect) Program, are an approach to fill a vital need for skilled workers in the economy and offer low-wage workers the opportunity to obtain occupational and other skills and advance into the middle class.

This brief was produced by Abt Associates as part of the Innovative Strategies to Increase Self-Sufficiency (ISIS) project, a random assignment evaluation of nine promising career pathways programs that aim to improve employment and self-sufficiency outcomes for low-income, low-skilled individuals. (author abstract)

The Colorado Department of Human Services released a resource book that shares information about many of the programs that have been supported through Colorado's TANF program. Resources range from prenatal care facilities, juvenile assessment centers, and refugee assistance programs, to mental health resources and fatherhood organizations.

The Center on Children and Families released a paper that outlines the ways in which the parenting gap and the opportunity gap are related. The authors argue that children who do not live in a supporting and stimulating home environment are least likely to succeed in critical life stages. The paper includes guidelines for policies to invest in opportunity and equality programs to cultivate healthier parenting skills that will positively impact children within the home.

The Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation released a report that summarizes interview data collected from 51 unmarried mothers in Southeast Michigan and Los Angeles, California. Interviews were conducted to learn about participant experiences with work, benefit receipt, overall wellbeing, material hardship, and economic coping strategies that are utilized.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released a report that summarizes a study conducted to equip policymakers with recommendations and improvements for policy pertaining to former foster youth looking for housing options. The study included a literature review, a web-based environmental scan, agency surveys, housing site visits, and a research brief. The authors also convened a forum with policymakers, practitioners, and researchers to disseminate study findings. Results from the study indicated that policies and programs offer few housing opportunities for former foster youth, and included implications for future policy and research.

The National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse (NRFC) released a series of public service announcement (PSA) video clips that are meant to inspire dads throughout the country to get more involved in their children's lives. The NRFC partnered with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) superstars to be featured in these clips.