The earlier families attain stability, the better overall outcomes are for communities and individual families, and that is why investing in parents under the age of 24 and their children is key to building thriving communities. This American Public Human Services Association paper highlights key takeaways from their work with young families, providing an overview of the young families work and its early years, key takeaways along with highlights, and ending with opportunities for future work in the young families’ space.

Skills are emerging as a valuable new currency in the labor market, challenging traditional degree-based hiring practices. This Jobs for the Future resource delves into catalytic opportunities to drive the adoption of skills-based models and unlock the full potential of workers, including:

1. Connecting data systems
2. Improving data tools
3. Addressing trust issues
4. Accelerating narrative change
5. Aligning siloed skill movements

Without adequate skills training, many individuals, particularly those from marginalized communities, can get stuck in a “low pay, no pay” cycle. Research has shown that sector-based training programs — which train people for high-quality jobs that align with the labor force needs of employers in targeted industry sectors — can raise individuals’ employment rates and earnings. But sector-based training programs are small and expanding them to a level that meets the economic need of workers has been challenging. This MDRC brief presents results from interviews with stakeholders in the workforce development field as well as lessons learned from earlier studies of sector-based training programs.

The purpose of the Next Steps for Rigorous Research on Two-Generation Approaches (NS2G) project was to build the evidence base for two-generation approaches. Two-generation initiatives combine economic security services for parents with accessible, high quality early care and education for children, and hold promise for improving family well-being. In this recording, co-hosted by the Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation and Ascend at the Aspen Institute, NS2G team members describe the work that two-generation initiatives conducted to strengthen approaches to intentionally coordinating services for caregivers and their children. Presenters shared tools and techniques that can be used by other two-generation initiatives to strengthen their approaches.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the HHS Task Force to Prevent Human Trafficking, released the National Human Trafficking Prevention Framework. Building on decades of work to prevent violence, this framework is a resource for organizations, communities and governments seeking to strengthen efforts to prevent human trafficking. It reflects research and best practices in violence prevention and health promotion, as well as the expertise of people who have experienced human trafficking and allied professionals.

A video announcing this framework is available, where co-chairs of the HHS Task Force to Prevent Human Trafficking, Acting Assistant Secretary Jeff Hild and Assistant Secretary Admiral Rachel Levine, discuss key elements of the Framework.

Interested in learning more about upcoming opportunities to #Partner2Prevent human trafficking? Sign up for updates from the Office on Trafficking in Persons.

The National Youth Employment Coalition is hosting a virtual workshop on April 11, 2024 at 2:30 ET to provide an innovative approach to mentoring that combines technical skills and emotional intelligence, focusing on adaptability and resilience. Attendees will receive a toolkit to engage youth effectively in mentorship programs, including critical thinking, problem-solving, effective communication, and resilience skills.

Financial strain, schedule overload, and psychological stress are just some of the struggles single parents can face when returning to school, but they can be exacerbated when the single-parent student is also a veteran. RAND partnered with the Student Veterans of America to conduct semi-structured interviews with ten veteran single parents who are enrolled in higher education and one nonveteran school administrator who is dedicated to supporting student veterans. The interviews were designed to help inform the research team investigate barriers and facilitators to veteran single parents' pursuit of higher education; the research team also examined how such policies as the G.I. Bill supported the educational goals of veteran single parents while they parented young children. This RAND resource presents the study’s findings and can help veteran and education policy decisionmakers develop or refine education and training programs in ways that attune with the unique circumstances of veteran single parents.

College and career pathways are a critical strategy for supporting economic development in rural communities and creating economic advancement opportunities for youth. However, implementing pathways requires recognizing rural communities’ unique needs and opportunities. This Jobs for the Future resource includes a report and a brief which outlines three promising strategies for implementing rural pathways: build on local strengths and context, prioritize economic development, and embed remote opportunities.

Government agencies collect administrative data in their day-to-day activities, primarily to support program operations. This information is used less often as a research tool or fully harnessed for its evidence-building potential. ACF’s TANF Data Innovation (TDI) project supported innovation and efficiency within the TANF program by expanding its use of its administrative data. This Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation brief describes TDI’s efforts to transform federal TANF and employment data into an integrated resource for program management and evidence building.

When TANF and related programs gather and use input from the families they serve, they are better able to understand challenges and identify opportunities for change to improve how they serve families. This video series was developed by Project IMPROVE and the Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation’s (OPRE) Moving Forward: Family Input Study and consists of three short videos on why and how to use family input to improve programs. The videos feature interviews with five TANF and other human services experts, ranging from program directors to individuals with lived experience in human services programs. They explore the importance of engaging families in program improvement, how to build and maintain trust with families, and tips on establishing a family advisory council. These resources accompany this video series:

• OPRE brief: Gathering and Using Family Input to Improve Child Support and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Services: Approaches from the Human Services Field
• OPRE toolkit: Elevating Family Input in TANF and Child Support Programs: Resources for Program Staff, Leaders and Families
• PeerTA Podcast: Incorporating Lived Experiences into Decision Making