This Executive Order (EO) by the Trump-Vance Administration announces that they will consolidate and streamline fragmented Federal workforce development programs that are too disconnected from propelling workers into secure, well-paying, and high-need American jobs. This EO will expand Registered Apprenticeships (RA) to new industries and occupations, including high-growth and emerging sectors, as well as improve RA’s efficiency and provide consistent support to program participants.

WorkforceGPS will host a webinar on April 22, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. ET to highlight how apprenticeship models can connect youth to career pathways. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs can use this information to increase their knowledge of registered apprenticeship opportunities for young people. They will also learn how to expand career options for young participants, especially those who may not be engaged in traditional education or employment, by connecting them to these hands-on training opportunities that build skills, support long-term employment, and reduce reliance on government assistance.

The Heritage Foundation will host a webinar on April 30, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. ET to explore how family stability connects to broader economic and social outcomes. This presentation will help Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs to better understand how strengthening family relationships and supports can complement employment and income-focused services, producing stable families that achieve more sustainable outcomes.

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Office of Family Assistance released Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 state work participation rate data, providing updated insight into how states are engaging Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients in work and work-related activities. These data reflect state performance in meeting federal participation requirements and highlight variation in engagement across states and family types.

Work participation rates remain a key accountability measure for TANF programs, capturing the extent to which work-eligible individuals are involved in activities such as employment, job search, education, and training. The FY2024 data builds on prior years’ trends and continues to underscore the role of caseload reduction credits and program design choices in shaping state outcomes.

CareerOneStop’s Skills Matcher is an online tool that helps individuals identify their skills and connect them to potential career pathways. TANF programs can use this resource to support participants in identifying strengths and exploring employment opportunities that lead to self-sufficiency.

Credential Finder is a tool that helps individuals explore certifications and training programs that align with career goals and labor market needs. TANF programs can use this resource to support participants in advancing their education and improving long-term employment outcomes.

The Administration for Children and Families published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on April 6, 2026, outlining changes to TANF work participation rate calculations, including recalibration of the caseload reduction credit and updates to how certain benefit payments are counted. These proposed updates may significantly affect how states measure performance and structure work activities. During the public comment period, stakeholders should review the proposed rule to understand potential impacts on program operations, reporting, and participant engagement, and are encouraged to submit feedback by May 6, 2026, to help inform the final rulemaking.

The Sutherland Institute offers this framework which outlines state policy options to address benefit cliffs that can discourage career advancement. For TANF programs, it provides actionable approaches to smooth transitions off assistance, ensuring participants can pursue higher earnings without risking sudden loss of critical supports.

This brief explores strategies to help young adults successfully connect to education and employment pathways. Effective career pathway models emphasize coordinated services, work-based learning, and strong partnerships across systems. For TANF programs, these approaches reinforce the importance of aligning employment services with education and training opportunities, especially for young parents and youth transitioning to independence, to support long-term economic mobility.