This Research Brief analyzes quarterly data from the Current Population Survey, the nation's primary data collection instrument for labor force activity. Analyses of the employment patterns of persons with children under age 18 show that they have largely mirrored the employment patterns of the rest of the labor force since the beginning of the most recent recession, including a decrease in employment. Findings show an increase in the percent of couples with neither parent employed and an increase in the percent of single mothers who were neither employed nor living with an employed cohabiting partner.

Cornell University's School of Employment and Disability Institute collaborated to conduct a survey on the practices and policies related to accessibility and accommodation for people with disabilities. On May 17, 2012, these findings were published and are currently the second in a three-part series on organizational practices and policies related to the employment of people with disabilities. Results show that three out of four (75%) organizations designate an office or person to address accommodation questions, and more than one-half of organizations (56%) indicate that having a centralized accommodation fund (i.e., companywide fund to provide accommodations for people with disabilities) was a very effective practice.

The U.S. Government Accountability Office found that the number of States that reported counting third party non-governmental expenditures toward their State MOE spending increased over the past five years, from three States in fiscal year 2007 to 13 States in fiscal year 2011. Food assistance was the most commonly cited service provided by third party non-governmental organizations that States counted towards MOE requirements. Other services included medical or dental services, employment assistance, and family stabilization services. This report was compiled to address previous concerns raised that counting third party non-governmental expenditures towards a State's MOE may not keep with the intent of MOE requirements directed toward State and local governments.

From the Pew Research Center for Social and Demographic Trends, a report was released describing the trends over time in the household income composition of America's neighborhoods or census tracts. The report focused on the characteristics of lower, middle, and upper-income households. Across the United States, residential segregation by income has increased during the past three decades. Increases are due to long-term rise in income inequality. This analysis report covers the significant differences among the nation's 10 most populous metropolitan areas in the patterns and degree of residential segregation by income.

The Social Security Administration's Disability Blog has introduced The Ticket to Work "Find Help" Tool. The Ticket to Work Program can be utilized by Social Security disability beneficiaries aged 18 through 64. Those individuals that fall within this requisite and are looking to work can use this service to help prepare for, find, and maintain work. The Ticket to Work "Find Help" Tool helps find service providers unique to participants' locations, and connects participants to organizations that can help them achieve their work goals. The web page provides further information on EN Report Cards, eligibility criteria, and services provided.

From the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, this Chartbook provides data on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). SNAP provides approximately 46 million people across the country with nutrition assistance and is especially relied upon during economic recessions, since after unemployment insurance, SNAP has been the most responsive Federal program to assist families. Authors provide information on the demographics of the population accessing this program, as well as information on program administration, take-up, and use.

From the Washington University Center for Social Development and the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare, this report provides a summary of articles on savings accounts for youth. By encouraging youth to open savings accounts, their parents may also be motivated to save money as well. This approach can help youth learn to save money at an early age for saving throughout adulthood. The author provides information on policy and program implications and future research.

The Center on Law and Social Policy's Center for Postsecondary and Economic Success launched the Alliance for Quality Career Pathways (AQCP). The goal of the AQCP is to identify benchmarks for measuring high-quality career pathways programs. Currently, at least 10 States are conducting Statewide career pathways programs. Successful career pathways programs are tailored to the local context, so there is no one-size-fits-all model, but the goal of the AQCP is to identify a broad range of benchmarks that can be applicable to multiple industries, target populations, and program designs.

The Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation within the Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Mathematica Policy Research conducted the Strengthening Families Evidence Review (SFER) to identify family-strengthening programs serving low-income couples with couple-based programming designed to enhance relationship or co-parenting skills. Compiling information from 54 studies of 39 programs, this catalog includes information on the program components, such as operations, and research conducted on the programs, such as study design. Each study is given a rating category based on the study's design, execution, and analysis.

As part of the Aspen Institute's Workforce Strategies Initiative (AspenWSI) funded by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, this report provides an overview of programs developed as part of the Courses to Employment (C2E) demonstration. The three-year demonstration was designed to help build programs through partnerships between community colleges and nonprofits and learn how these partnerships support low-income adults in post-secondary education and beyond in employment opportunities.