Survey found 22.3 percent of children in families investigated for maltreatment were placed out of home at least once in the 18 months following the close of investigation.

This brief describes several program evaluations that demonstrate 1) parents can be taught how to effectively read with their children, and 2) children benefit academically from reading with their parents. Also provided are important program adaptations to consider when implementing father-focused literacy programs.

Fathers' involvement in their children's lives has been shown to produce both economic and social benefits. This paper by MDRC examines two different approaches to strengthen fathers' involvement and their family relationships, fatherhood programs for low-income noncustodial fathers and relationship education for parents who are together. Both approaches have shown positive effects on the quality of family relationships.

This fact sheet from the National Resource Center for Healthy Marriage and Families offers suggestions for ways that safety-net service providers can help non-custodial parents explore non-financial mechanisms for participating in their children's lives. This would be a helpful resource for TANF case managers to share with participants wishing to be more involved in their children's lives.

This report displays and discusses some of the data related to the poverty of children and their living arrangements and data on male employment and earnings, educational attainment, and incarceration. It then provides information on federal programs that could play a greater role in addressing poverty of children through the fathers of these children (nearly all noncustodial parents are fathers). These programs provide economic assistance, family support, and job training and employment to eligible participants. The report also examines federal programs that have the purposes of preventing teen pregnancy and helping disadvantaged youth obtain the skills and support they need to make the transition to adulthood. The underlying premise of these programs generally is that the aid or services received from these programs by low-income noncustodial fathers can help them in meeting their financial commitments to their children (or future children) and providing emotional support to their children. The report concludes by presenting several public policy approaches proposed by the policy community that might improve the lives of low-income noncustodial fathers and their children. For example, social policy could play a role by expanding economic assistance programs to noncustodial fathers, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); and implementing strategies to prevent the build-up of unpaid child support through early intervention. (author abstract)

The National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse hosted a webinar titled "Working with Child Support: Effective Strategies from Model State and Local Partnerships." This webinar provided ideas and resources to help responsible fatherhood practitioners understand and meet the needs of non-custodial fathers and their families. It featured an overview of Federal, State and local policies, partnerships and initiatives; explained how fatherhood practitioners can partner with local child support offices; and generally explored strategies to help non-custodial fathers and their families.

Department of Labor's Workforce3One recently posted 20 Innovation in Action write-ups that were gathered from successful reemployment practices shared by States with the Employment and Training Administration. They include processes, procedures or systems implemented by States that have resulted in process improvements and/or resource or cost savings. The successful practices were identified either through objective measures or subjective methods such as expert opinions, and include a detailed description, contact information and related attachments.

Mathematica released a report evaluating the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP). This study analyzed quantitative and qualitative data to learn about local-project performance, program outcomes, and participants' views of this employment and training program for low-income, older adults. The study, conducted with Social Policy Research Associates, found SCSEP projects provide needed services to older workers, offer necessary staffing for host agencies, and place nearly half of program exiters who are available for work into unsubsidized employment.

The Urban Institute released a commentary discussing a two-generation policy agenda that can help promote young children's development and low-wage workers' economic stability, which should start with a national focus on the first year of life.

The Office of Family Assistance provides guidance to states and is working in partnership with other agencies to combat family homelessness.