This report from the Center of Law and Social Policy (CLASP) proposes several strategies to help turn the table for the thousands of young black men who are under- and unemployed. The report reflects on the current labor market situation of young black men and on policies and practices that can be leveraged to dramatically improve their labor market status.

The National Resource Center for Healthy Marriage and Families released a brief on healthy relationships, employment, and reentry. This brief provides an overview of the evidence supporting the interrelatedness of employment, healthy relationships, family well-being, and recidivism. It also gives the perspectives of expert program practitioners who are successfully integrating programming related to employment, prison reentry, healthy relationships, and responsible fatherhood. Finally, this brief offers program and policy recommendations for leveraging the positive impacts of healthy relationships on employment and reentry and vice versa.

This publication provides an in-depth, systematic description of program implementation, operations, outputs, and outcomes of four Tribal TANF programs (the Navajo Nation Program for Self Reliance, Tanana Chiefs Conference, Athabascan Self-Sufficiency Assistance Project, and South Puget Intertribal Planning Agency).  The publication also identifies promising practices and other areas for further study.

Overall, the study found that tribes use the flexibility of Tribal TANF to create diverse programs that reflect their unique circumstances, opportunities, and cultures.  Elements of tribal culture were evident in the program design, in the way program staff and clients interacted, and in the types of activities in which clients were engaged.  The Tribal TANF programs in the study generally focus on the broad goal of self-sufficiency, beyond the narrower goal of employment.(author abstract)

This paper provides a review of formal research reports and published literature on implementation analysis. It defines implementation analysis, summarizing methodological issues and topics addressed by this type of analysis, and describes systems change analysis and its relationship to implementation analysis. The paper concludes with a summary of implications for the Health Profession Opportunity Grants (HPOG) National Implementation Evaluation design. The paper was developed as part of the HPOG Implementation, Systems and Outcome Project, which is being led by Abt Associates in partnership with the Urban Institute. (author abstract)

With over 95 percent of people in the nation's State prisons expected to be released at some point, officials at all levels of government recognize the need for initiatives to support the successful reentry of these individuals to their communities. The program snapshots released in this publication by the Council of State Governments illustrate the positive impact reentry initiatives can have by focusing on areas vital to successful reintegration back into the community, including employment, education, mentoring, and substance abuse and mental health treatment. Also highlighted are programs that address the needs of a particular population, such as women, youth and their families, and Tribal communities. Representing a wide range of populations served, these programs also demonstrate the diversity of approaches that can address recidivism and increase public safety.

The Center for Economic and Policy Research released the book, Getting Back to Full Employment, a follow-up to a book written in 2003 titled, The Benefits of Full Employment. This new book builds on the evidence presented in The Benefits of Full Employment, showing that real wage growth for workers in the bottom half of the income scale is highly dependent on the overall rate of unemployment. The book also presents a broad set of policies designed to boost growth and get the unemployment rate down to a level where far more workers have a fighting chance of getting ahead.

The Annie E. Casey Foundation released a working paper on the Federal child welfare financing system and its need to be supported by best practices in order to ensure that all children have the opportunity to grow up in strong families. This paper outlines a policy framework and recommendations to encourage best practices in four areas: permanence and well-being; quality family foster care; a capable, supported child welfare workforce; and better access to services.

The National Council on Disability (NCD) released their Annual Survey of Federal Disability Policy – "Strength in Our Differences." The NCD is an independent Federal agency that recommends disability policy to the President, Congress, and other Federal agencies. It released its yearly report on the nation's progress in achieving equality of opportunity, independent living, full participation, and economic self-sufficiency for an estimated 57 million Americans with disabilities.

The Assets for Independence (AFI) Resource Center released an article introducing and explaining the 529 plan. The State of Kansas is promoting savings for postsecondary education by offering this unique 529 plan for noncustodial parents. The 529 plans are investment accounts for postsecondary education expenses that may increase in value over time. Contributions to 529 plans may be deducted from income taxes. In the State of Kansas, under the Child Support Savings Incentive (CSSI) Program, eligible noncustodial parents can now open and contribute to 529 savings accounts for their children and receive a reduction in State child support arrears of double the amount deposited. For every one dollar saved towards their education, they receive a reduction in arrears of two dollars.

The Office of Financial Empowerment within the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) recently released a white paper titled "Financial Empowerment Training for Social Service Programs: A Scan of Community-Based Initiatives." The paper presents the results of a field scan conducted by the CFPB to learn more about the tools and information social service providers across the country need to help their clients increase their financial capabilities. This information was fundamental to the design and development of "Your Money, Your Goals," the financial empowerment toolkit developed by CFPB and scheduled to be released in 2014.