Many learners face financial and other barriers to accessing and completing occupational training courses. The cost of education has also increased across different types of institutions, while financial aid has declined. In 2019, Social Finance, Inc. launched the UP Fund, a $50 million fund that aims to improve economic mobility by expanding access to job training programs to underserved learners and learners from low-income backgrounds. MDRC conducted a study of UP Fund and its Career Impact Bond (CIB) model with four main goals:

• Build knowledge on whether the CIB model can increase affordability and access to short-term training courses;
• Document the experiences of learners in these programs;
• Examine learners’ short- and long-term outcomes; and
• Assess whether the CIB model is a sustainable and scalable financial model.

This brief provides an overview of the study, details of the UP Fund’s CIB model, and early implementation findings.

In 2020, the Urban Institute (UI) published a framework comprising 26 mobility metrics that can help communities understand and track the factors that most influence mobility from poverty. These metrics span three distinct but interconnected dimensions:

1. economic success,
2. power and autonomy, and
3. dignity and belonging.

To gain a nuanced understanding of local conditions, however, communities should supplement these metrics with local data, as well as the knowledge and lived experiences of community members. This UI resource offers insights into how two communities – Fresno, California and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - can effectively monitor progress toward their upward mobility goals.

More on the Mobility Metrics Framework!

The Office of Family Assistance podcast series, “Incorporating Lived Experiences into Decision Making,” provides insights into how TANF agencies can include and involve individuals with lived experience in receiving TANF into agency programming and policy development. The series discusses why including individuals with lived experience is important and highlights various strategies and resources agencies can use to incorporate these perspectives. This first episode explores various strategies agencies have taken to gather and use input from individuals with lived experience to benefit agencies’ understanding, decision-making, and programming. Podcast speakers discuss varying approaches, including gathering survey feedback on program operations, forming participant advisory committees, incorporating participant-led case management practices, and hiring individuals with lived experience into permanent positions. This episode also explores how to engage in lived experiences equitably, including discussions of compensating individuals appropriately for their time and expertise.

January was National Mentoring Month, which highlighted the critical role that mentors play in the lives of youth and the extent to which young people have access to mentors in America. Unfortunately, new data indicate that decades of mentoring progress may be eroding at a time when youth mental health needs are soaring. This Annie E. Casey Foundation blogpost emphasizes trends, impacts, and recommendations for youth mentoring.

Access to basic needs is key to a successful transition to adulthood, but gaps in the safety net leave many young people without the supports they need. To address these gaps, human services agencies are increasingly recognizing the importance of engaging young people with lived experience navigating safety net programs. This Urban Institute fact sheet highlights strategies human services agencies can use to develop strategic partnerships. It draws on insights from a series of workgroups with staff at human services agencies and youth-serving nonprofits, as well as young leaders.

This Administration for Children and Families report provides data for fiscal year (FY) 2016 through FY 2021 and presents information regarding TANF expenditures and caseloads, work participation and earnings, the characteristics and financial circumstances of TANF recipients, TANF performance measures, interactions between TANF and child support, as well as specific provisions of state TANF programs. In addition, this report documents current family self-sufficiency and stability-related research, provides national data on non-marital births, and presents child poverty statistics.

This National Sexual Violence Resource Center and Just Detention International recording is accompanied by presentations and transcripts from the July 20, 2023 webinar. The resource offers suggestions on how to communicate about sexual violence as something that men experience and about what services are available for men who are survivors.

Romantic relationships are a common part of adolescence. However, not all relationships are healthy. This Office of Justice Programs special feature resource highlights an overview of teen dating violence, such as a definition as well as signs, statistics, and prevention methods. Additional publications and resources are available.

Helping young people understand the characteristics of healthy and unhealthy relationships is a key part of preventing all forms of violence, including dating violence and human trafficking. By providing opportunities for youth to observe healthy interactions and practicing safe relationship skills, everyone can work to prevent human trafficking. This Administration for Children and Families blogpost offers healthy behaviors to practice with children as well as additional resources that can help build healthy relationships and prevent violence.

The Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) hosted a Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month Event in February 2023 and featured a panel of youth engaged in violence prevention efforts in their communities. This recording includes the remarks from Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta and OVW Acting Director Allison Randall. The recording is accompanied by a transcript of the Associate Attorney General’s speech.