The Office of Planning, Research, & Evaluation (OPRE) released the report, "The Supporting Healthy Marriage Evaluation: Final Implementation Findings." This is the final report documenting the implementation by eight organizations of the yearlong, multi-component Supporting Healthy Marriage (SHM) program model of marriage and relationship education services. An earlier report, "The Supporting Healthy Marriage Evaluation: Early Impacts on Low-Income Families" presented findings on the impacts of SHM programs about 12 months after couples enrolled. This report presents information about implementation of the programs, the characteristics of couples who enrolled, and their participation in the programs. The project is being conducted by MDRC in collaboration with Abt Associates and other partners.

Joblinks is a program of the Community Transportation Association of America that connects workforce development agencies, transportation providers and other stakeholders with transportation-to-work solutions that are affordable, reliable and accessible. Joblinks focuses on the mobility needs of low-wage job seekers and earners, as well as workers with disabilities, youth, veterans, and older workers. Joblinks activities are supported with funding through the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children and Families (ACF) developed a Guide to Resources and Funding for Community and Faith-based Organizations as an effort to inform the public about the wide range of programs and resources provided by them. This Guide contains an overview of the agency, basic information about finding and applying for federal funds, specific information about ACF's grant opportunities, and numerous resources and toolkits available for community or faith-based organizations.

In light of the recent recession, this paper examines the effect that financial strain can have on the occurrence of domestic violence and in turn, how domestic violence impacts an individual or family's financial situation. Though being low income does not correlate directly to victimization, research shows a strong relationship between economic hardship and the risk for domestic violence. Financial status can also be affected by the type of abuse a victim suffers, economic abuse being a common tool employed by batterers. The article also addresses how social services, particularly TANF can play a part in helping survivors move towards safety and self-sufficiency. The report concludes by highlighting research which shows that victims feel that housing and financial assistance are the most helpful, over and above counseling and other non-tangible forms of help.

This National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse (NRFC) hosted a Webinar that presented strategies and approaches you can use in your program to raise awareness and change behavior, and had an emphasis on working with men in a fatherhood context and empowering them to take these conversations to family, friends and community. Topics included: ways to raise fatherhood program participants' awareness of the realities of violent and controlling behavior and the negative impacts for children; emphasize communication, mutual understanding, and healing; and, ways to use fatherhood groups to reinforce the message and build mutual support systems to change behavior.

One in five women experience domestic violence at some time in their lives, and over 15 million children witness domestic violence each year. Given these statistics, fatherhood programs may be serving families where violence has been an issue. It is imperative that fatherhood programs establish protocols to address domestic violence and protect the safety of all family members, including children. Health and Human Services' funded State domestic violence coalitions are an important resource in building partnerships with domestic violence providers and developing protocols. The National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse (NRFC) has resources, training webinars, and more tools to help fatherhood programs address and combat the issue of domestic violence.

The National Network to End Domestic Violence recently launched a new toolkit which provides comprehensive information about ensuring confidentiality and safety for victims of domestic and sexual violence. Included in the toolkit are templates, tip sheets, charts, sample policies and procedures and frequently asked questions relating to ensuring confidentiality. The toolkit can be a valuable resource for TANF programs who are seeking to enhance their services to domestic violence survivors. Additionally, the toolkit includes specific resources for programs that are co-located with domestic violence providers, a practice that has become increasingly more common among TANF agencies.

The Assets for Independence (AFI) Resource Center had developed a collection of resources relating to assisting domestic violence survivors build assets, use Individual Development Accounts, and gain financial independence. Resources are provided to help AFI programs better understand domestic violence, ways to partner with domestic violence programs, and information to share with domestic violence service providers about ways AFI can help survivors. A section also exists, especially for domestic violence service providers, that explains what AFI is and how the program can help. These resources would be helpful for TANF agencies and AFI programs to share with domestic violence service providers in their area to help build collaboration.

The Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation (OPRE) released a research brief from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being (NSCAW) entitled "Instability and Early Life Changes among Children in the Child Welfare System." This is one in a series of briefs based on data from NSCAW, a nationally representative, longitudinal survey focusing on children who come to the attention of the child welfare system through investigation by child protective services. The survey is being conducted through a contract to RTI. The brief describes the placement histories and changes in living situations of infants who come to the attention of Child Protective Services.

From the John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development and the Kessler Foundation, this research brief outlines innovative practices by employers who operate warehouse distribution centers. Such strategies can be applied to increasing the quality of employment for people with disabilities. Authors highlight a paradigm shift in this area, which focuses on the importance of employer partnerships to meet the needs of both employers and potential employees with disabilities. Companies, such as Walgreens, Lowe's, Toys R Us, and Proctor and Gamble, have been successful in creating local partnerships to recruit people with disabilities.