This discussion paper from the University of Kentucky’s Center for Poverty Research analyzes longitudinal administrative tax data to determine the correlation between Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) expansions in Washington, D.C. and income and wage inequality. This analysis, covering expansions of EITC between 2001 and 2009, are associated with pre-tax earnings growth between 3 and 4 percent. The authors conclude that this association complements other research that demonstrates EITC has a positive effect on labor market outcomes and household well-being.

Historically, low-income students have been identified in schools by receipt of the federal free or reduced lunch program, but this measure is becoming irrelevant and misleading as more districts offer “community eligible” free lunches to all students. As a result, some states have begun to identify low-income students by family participation in programs like TANF, SNAP, Medicaid, and foster care. The post’s authors at the Brookings Institution applaud these methodological changes because they will yield more accurate data on the achievements of disadvantaged students without including non low-income students who may be receiving free or reduced price lunch. This post highlights practices and data from states, such as Delaware, Massachusetts, New Mexico, and Tennessee, as well as the District of Columbia, as exemplary initiatives of linked data measure systems.

In 2009, Washington, D.C. began offering two years of full-day public preschool, citing literature on better school performance and higher parental work hours that come with preschool enrollment. This report from American Progress studies the effects of D.C.’s program on maternal labor force participation (LFP) and finds that the program caused a 10-percentage point increase in maternal LFP, as well as a large increase in employment. The effects come mainly from low- and high-income women, since LFP for middle-income families remained the same. Overall, the researchers conclude that universal full-day preschool positively affects maternal labor supply and suggests that the United States should consider expanding child care for all.

The National Center for Health Statistics presents a data visualization, drawn from the National Vital Statistics System, for drug overdose deaths for all 50 states and the District of Columbia. This data series compares the percentage changes in provisional drug overdose deaths in the current 12 month period with the previous 12 months. There is also data to indicate the reported and predicted provisional counts by month.

This report from the Urban Institute shares the experiences of women who have received TANF cash assistance for more than five years in the District of Columbia. Recently, the District changed their policy to do away with the five-year time limit for full benefits and as of April 1, 2018, those past the five- year limit will still receive full benefits. The report does not evaluate the DC TANF program but provides a picture in time of the participating women's experiences as DC embarks on services changes and improvements to their program.

This research brief from the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation provides a snapshot of the progress health and human service agencies are making to integrate their data systems across programs. The brief presents the results of a questionnaire completed by officials in 45 states and the District of Columbia and provides a synthesis of results that paint a picture of this issue nationally.

This Urban Institute report details an evaluation of a high school internship program at Urban Alliance in Washington, DC. The program provided training, an internship, and mentorship to high school seniors at risk of becoming disconnected from school and work. Using an experimental design, the researchers compared outcomes between the treatment and control groups two years after high school. Key findings include an increase in the probability of graduating from high school and enrolling and persisting in college for males in the treatment group, as well as a positive impact on hard and soft skills at the one year mark.

IMPACT 5000 is the District of Columbia Housing Authority’s (DCHA) initiative to increase support for the 5,000 children living in its properties. These children face several challenges, including food insecurity, economic uncertainty, and health issues. This resource includes materials from an event at Urban Institute at which a panel presented findings from a community needs assessment of residents of DCHA family properties.