According to the Census Bureau, 7.8 million children lived with at least one grandparent in 2009, a 64 percent increase since 1991. The data was collected in 2009 as part of the household relationship module of the Survey of Income and Program Participation. The Survey of Income and Program Participation is a longitudinal panel survey of demographic information, income, labor force characteristics, and program participation in the United States with supplemental topics on child well-being, child care, and household relationships. Census demographers note that the living arrangements of children in the United States is an important indicator of child well-being.

Work supports such as the Earned Income Tax Credit, child care subsidies, and public health insurance can often help low-income working families reach self-sufficiency. Using the National Center for Children in Poverty’s Family Resource Simulator and Basic Needs Budget Calculator, authors provide an overview of the cost of living in North Dakota, which demonstrates the importance of work supports in helping low-income working families. Authors provide an assessment of how the current work support policies help families and the impact that slight increases in eligibility could have for working families.

The enactment of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act in 1996 signaled a dramatic shift in the nation’s approach to providing assistance to those among the country’s neediest populations. The concept of welfare in the United States shifted from cash assistance to economic self-sufficiency. Rural welfare populations possess unique characteristics and face unique circumstances that will affect their ability to achieve the requirements and intent of welfare reform. To build knowledge and research about effective approaches in working with rural populations, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) awarded planning grants to ten states to help develop and study strategies to move rural families from welfare to work. Although there are extensive bodies of literature both on rural matters and on welfare-related matters, there is relatively little information about rural welfare issues. This report synthesizes available knowledge and, where appropriate, draws inferences from studies about the ways that welfare reform is likely to affect rural welfare to work strategies. (author abstract)

This paper is from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, and shows why collaboration and coordination across programs is critical in terms of policy, procedure, and data utilization. Designed for practitioners, authors discuss the challenges to implement this process and how to overcome them. Authors focus on Medicaid and SNAP, but also provide examples of how to include TANF, child care, and other programs in such an effort to better support working families.

From the National Center for Children in Poverty, this report analyzes the effectiveness of America's work supports, such as earned income tax credits, public health insurance, child care assistance, and food stamps. For families, work supports can close the gap between low earnings and basic expenses, as working more does not always pay as families lose eligibility for critical supports.

This paper is from the Annie E. Casey Foundation and includes profiles of ten states that have recently invested in improving early care and education (ECE) programs. ECE programs can be crucial for child development in cognitive, social, and emotional growth. Authors outline the lessons learned for implementing such programs to improve outcomes for young children.

These profiles were completed through the National Center for Children in Poverty, and provide information on a variety of State policies that promote health and education for families with young children. Authors offer an overview of policy choices in comparison to State-level data on child well-being.

This is a series of reports from Chapin Hall, which provide evaluation information on the Prime Time Initiative. The Initiative is an effort to strengthen the quality of after-school programs in Palm Beach County, Florida through networks of providers. The goal of the Initiative is to create an integrated and sustainable system of standards, supports, and resources for all after-school programs. Reports include the evaluations from Year 2 and Year 3 of the Initiative.

This newsletter is from the What Works Clearinghouse and provides an overview of the New Chance program. The program supports TANF recipients who have dropped out of school through GED preparation, life skill training, parenting programs, childcare assistance, and case management. New Chance was found to be successful in helping participants complete education.

This policy brief is from the National Human Services Assembly and provides information on effective home visiting program models. Home visiting is a family-strengthening strategy that can support not only parents and caregivers, but also can influence the lives of young children. Studies have shown that home visits can increase positive outcomes for children in at-risk families.