This National Center on Leadership for the Employment and Economic Advancement of People with Disabilities (LEAD Center) resource helps TANF State administrators and front-line staff understand how the Good Jobs Principles empower employers to actively recruit, train, retain, and promote individuals with disabilities by utilizing inclusive practices that benefit all jobseekers. By understanding and utilizing these principles, TANF staff can better support participants in connecting with employers who are committed to building accessible and equitable workplaces and fostering sustainable employment opportunities.

For more information, please contact Yvonne Wright at ywright@ndi-inc.org. 

This National Center on Leadership for the Employment and Economic Advancement of People with Disabilities (LEAD Center) resource webpage provides TANF staff with an introduction to Customized Employment (CE), a universal design approach that supports people with disabilities in achieving employment success. Through these proven strategies, TANF front-line staff can learn methods to create career opportunities for participants facing multiple employment barriers. The webpage includes a link to “The Essential Elements of Customized Employment for Universal Application,” which outlines key strategies, techniques, and interventions to increase the capacity and sustainability of CE as a service to individuals in need of the service, and to ultimately increase the number of individuals with disabilities who obtain competitive integrated employment and long-term employment success.

For more information, please contact Yvonne Wright at ywright@ndi-inc.org. 

This National Center on Leadership for the Employment and Economic Advancement of People with Disabilities (LEAD Center) toolkit provides a blueprint to help build partnerships between workforce development boards/American Job Centers and banks. It provides practical guidance on creating linkages to financial literacy programming and career pathway opportunities for jobs within the banking sector, enhancing financial empowerment and career growth for participants. TANF front-line staff can utilize this resource to support participants in gaining financial empowerment and pursuing career pathways into bank jobs, that foster long-term personal growth and financial stability.

For more information, please contact Yvonne Wright at ywright@ndi-inc.org. 

This Department of Labor toolkit was developed in collaboration with the National Center on Leadership for the Employment and Economic Advancement of People with Disabilities (LEAD Center) provides TANF front-line staff with a range of tools and resources on topics like financial planning and goal setting, to support individuals with disabilities in building a secure financial future. Covering every stage of the employment journey, from preparing for a job to maintaining employment and planning for retirement, this resource empowers participants to achieve lasting financial stability and independence. 

For more information, please contact Yvonne Wright at ywright@ndi-inc.org.

On November 8, 2024, the Administration for Children and Families announced grant awards totaling approximately $44 million across two ACF program offices, the Office of Community Services and the Office of Child Support Services, to improve the financial well-being of children and families. This announcement details the winning grants and programs amongst the two offices.

Both college-going and college completion rates are far lower in rural areas than in other geographical settings. To better understand what works to help rural students enroll in and complete college, MDRC has launched the National Rural Higher Education Research Center. The center will work with college systems to conduct eight research studies in two regions: the South and the Mountain West. In this Evidence First podcast episode, MDRC discusses the research questions the Center will address in response to the needs of rural practitioners and policymakers.

This Office on Trafficking in Persons fact sheet provides an overview of community resources and highlights programs assisting with job training, food, energy bills, housing, childcare, and recovery services for those affected by trafficking. Support for disaster recovery and access to social services such as substance use treatment and mental health care are also included.

This 2024 National Fatherhood Summit workshop discussed the myth of “Build it and they will come." There were discussions around strategies and best practices on how to engage young black fathers. This innovative strategy and approach to working with black fathers helped beginning and experienced practitioners learn new ways to assess challenges and solutions when working with this population.

This 2024 National Fatherhood Summit session featured an update on the Office of Child Support Services (OCSS’s) priorities for the national child support program and its aim to help fathers successfully navigate child support services when needed to care for their children. Attendees learned how OCSS activities directly support the Administration for Children and Families' fatherhood initiatives and whole-family strategies.

As part of the 2024 National Fatherhood Summit, this engaging and insightful plenary session was specifically designed for young fathers. This session provided a dynamic platform for young dads to share their experiences, challenges, and triumphs as they navigated the journey of fatherhood. Drawing inspiration from the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse’s new “Driver’s Guide for Young Fathers,” this session aimed to equip young fathers and fatherhood practitioners with practical tools, advice, and support to drive their fatherhood journey with confidence and purpose.