This report by the Institute for Family Studies explores how different family structures are associated with child well-being outcomes, highlighting patterns that link stability in the home with stronger developmental outcomes for children. The Family Structure Index helps clarify why family composition is often connected to long-term opportunity and stability. For Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs, it can inform broader conversations about prevention and support strategies that aim to strengthen home environments and emphasize the importance of families.

This implementation guide outlines practical steps for designing, delivering, or partnering on sexual risk avoidance education programs. It emphasizes structure, consistency, and alignment with broader youth development goals. In Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) settings, it can be used to support program design decisions or partnerships with schools and community organizations, strengthening prevention efforts that contribute to long-term family and economic stability.

This report presents evidence and perspectives on how sexual risk avoidance approaches have proven to influence youth behavior and support healthier outcomes over time. It focuses on long-term patterns rather than short-term interventions. For Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs, it can help build the case for and inform prevention-oriented youth programming that complements family support services and reduces future demand for intensive assistance.

This resource explains the foundations of sexual risk avoidance education and how it is designed to support youth in making intentional, long-term healthy choices. It helps clarify how prevention-based approaches fit into broader adolescent development strategies. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs can use it to inform staff, partners, and youth-focused initiatives that aim to reduce early unplanned parenthood and strengthen pathways to stable adulthood.

This curriculum by Making a Difference focuses on helping young people build decision-making skills, understand consequences, and reduce behaviors that increase risk of unintended pregnancy. The resource addresses a key prevention gap by reaching youth before patterns of instability begin. In Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) contexts, it can support broader family well-being strategies by strengthening youth development efforts that reduce future need for crisis-driven services and support healthier transitions into adulthood. There is a fee for access to the curriculum.

This One Key Question® tool introduces a simple but structured way for individuals to reflect on whether they want to become parents and when. The resource creates space for intentional decision-making at moments when family planning conversations are often overlooked or rushed. For Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs, it can be used as a conversation starter in coaching or health-focused services, helping participants connect reproductive goals with financial readiness, life planning, and long-term stability. There is a fee for access to the training.

This webpage offers a comprehensive approach to empowering parents and serves as an example of how Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs can think more intentionally about family formation as part of their services. It shows how strengthening relationships, supporting responsible fatherhood, and building parenting skills can contribute to greater financial stability and better outcomes for children. For TANF practitioners, this helps fill a gap where programming may focus on employment alone without addressing the family dynamics that influence long-term success.

The model provides ideas TANF programs can adapt, such as incorporating relationship education, co-parenting support, and father engagement into existing services. These approaches can improve participant engagement by meeting families where they are and recognizing the role both parents can play in stability and self-sufficiency.

For practitioners in the St. Louis area, this program also serves as a direct referral option. Eligible participants can access services at no cost, giving TANF staff a concrete way to connect clients to additional support that strengthens their family structure while they work toward employment and economic goals.

This Child Care Aware of America webpage provides clear, national data on what families are actually paying for childcare and how those costs affect the ability to work and stay employed. The resource offers resources to help pay and budget for childcare, as well as a state-by-state resource map for childcare, financial assistance, and health and social services. For Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs, it can strengthen case planning and employment supports by grounding conversations in real childcare costs and reinforcing the importance of childcare access in sustaining work and family stability.