This paper is from the Institute for Research on Poverty at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and authors use data from the Current Population Survey to summarize labor market trends in the U.S. over the past 30 years. The data show unevenness in labor market performance across demographic groups as inequality has increased. A specific finding from the current recession is that all groups suffered but young, less educated men were affected most significantly.

This summary is from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and provides 2011 data on employment in the United States. In 2011, 11.5 percent of families included an unemployed person, falling from 12.4 percent in 2010. The labor force participation rate for mothers with children under age 18 was 70.6 percent in 2011. Authors report on data related to employment, unemployment, and family relationships that are collected as part of the Current Population Survey, which includes 60,000 households.

In April 2012, the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse hosted a Technical Assistance Webinar, "Achieving Economic Stability: Strategies for Successfully Connecting Dads to Jobs." This Webinar presented information and strategies to help participants improve their knowledge and understanding of: Federal Department of Labor priorities and programs; employment partnering opportunities for Responsible Fatherhood programs; practical ideas from research to help fathers find and keep jobs; and, promising practices and lessons learned from programs that have successfully helped fathers achieve economic stability. Presenters included:

• Ben Seigel: Deputy Director of the Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships in the Office of the Secretary at the U.S. Department of Labor;
• Dr. Ronald Mincy: Columbia University School of Social Work, New York, New York; and
• Bob and Kathy Lambert: Co-Founders and Co-Executive Directors, Connections to Success, St. Louis, Missouri.

This Webinar highlighted the "Skills to Pay the Bills" curriculum, which was developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP). During this Webinar, presenters provided an explanation of why the curriculum was necessary, how it was developed, and additional companion resources that are forthcoming. Mr. Michael Huberman began the discussion by sharing that employers indicate that soft-skills are essential to success in both attaining and maintaining employment. Ms. Lisa Stern of Concepts, Inc. discussed how the curriculum was developed. Feedback was solicited from the field and led to the development of a curriculum that was flexible, but structured, and focused on interactive activities rather than reading. Ms. Mary Coody, Project Director, Madison County High School/High Tech shared her experience using the "Skills to Pay the Bills" curriculum during a 4-6 week pilot with high school students of various ages and disabilities.

From the Urban Institute, this issue brief is part of the Perspectives on Low-Income Working Families series. Author Sheila R. Zedlewski discusses lessons learned since the welfare reform of 1996, which changed welfare from an entitlement program to a time-limited, employment program. Drawing from a series of research briefs, this article is a synthesis of research on TANF that provides a background on the TANF program as well as recommendations for strengthening the TANF program.

This guidebook is designed by Advocates for Youth and is intended to help communities and organizations organize activities during National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month. It includes information on how to organize a local campaign and events to support it. Sections of the guide are dedicated to information on initial planning, how to involve youth in the planning process, and ways to work with the media to raise awareness of the initiative. Factsheets and sample forms are also included for local programs to use and adapt to their individual campaigns.

This publication, produced by the Division of Reproductive Health within the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, highlights programs that have been successful in preventing teen pregnancies. Profiles of programs in Massachusetts, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania are showcased and outcomes are provided.

The National Clearinghouse on Families & Youth (NCFY), a resource of the Family and Youth Services Bureau within the Administration for Children and Families, has recently highlighted its most relevant resources from 2011 relating to teen pregnancy prevention. Included in the listing are links to useful resources, existing Federal programs designed to prevent teen pregnancy, and new ways to reach youth with the message of pregnancy prevention. In addition, the NCFY features a podcast called "Voices from the Field," which features experts and practitioners, as well as former at-risk youth who share their stories about what worked in their situation.

The National Campaign is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization whose mission is to improve the lives and future prospects of children and families and, in particular, to help ensure that children are born into stable, two-parent families who are committed to and ready for the demanding task of raising the next generation. The Web site offers useful resources, such as Federal and State data on teen pregnancy rates, resources for use by professionals within communities, blog posts, and an assortment of Public Service Announcements (PSAs) targeted to assist teens in making responsible choices and preventing unplanned pregnancies.