Research shows that families living in poverty have a significantly higher likelihood of experiencing crises, and that poverty is the greatest threat to child well-being and the best predictor of abuse and neglect. Further, research suggests poverty is a key driver of child welfare system involvement and preliminary evidence suggests even modest economic supports can stabilize families and alleviate the need for more intensive intervention. Although the relationship between poverty and child neglect is supported by research, there is not yet a clear national policy and systems approach to intervening on behalf of families in ways that preserve the family unit while resolving safety issues compromised by poverty. Scattered across the country, however, are innovative policies, system reform efforts, program models, and practice strategies for bridging this gap.

The Office of Family Assistance (OFA), in partnership with the Children’s Bureau, hosted a webinar on April 18, 2023, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET which examined research conducted and presented by researchers from Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago.

The webinar

• Highlighted research findings contributing to the current knowledge base on the interrelationships among family economic insecurity and stability, income and concrete material supports, family well-being, and preventing child welfare system involvement.
• Described innovations introduced by states to bolster family economic security and protect children.
• Identified pain points and key challenges to collaboration and coordination derived from research and practice.

OFA Director Ann Flagg gave opening remarks. Webinar participants were able to ask questions and explore topics of interest in additional detail with the Chapin Hall researchers.

The Maine Department of Health and Human Services, in partnership with a statewide community outreach program called New Ventures Maine, is providing entrepreneurship training to TANF participants. Eligible and interested TANF participants enroll in a self-employment program that offers financial coaching, guidance for developing a viable business plan, and ongoing support as they take steps toward a career and economic stability.

This brief is part of the Emerging Practice Series of the Office of Family Assistance’s Integrating Innovative Employment and Economic Stability Strategies (IIEESS) initiative, which highlights the strategies of TANF agencies and their partners to help low-income individuals gain and sustain meaningful employment. Each brief describes an emerging practice that has been implemented in one site, an overview of the program model, and the results that have been achieved. Compelling stories of participants’ success and suggestions from TANF agency staff to their peers provide actionable insights and on-the-ground perspectives.

TANF participants in Utah are moving from poverty to earning incomes at or above 200% of the federal poverty level (FPL) through a social capital-building strategy. Implemented by the Utah Department of Workforce Services through partnerships with community action agencies, the Circles program matches TANF participants with community volunteers in a long-term weekly support group. With this circle of support and resources, participants are empowered to move toward employment and self-sufficiency.

This brief is part of the Emerging Practice Series of the Office of Family Assistance’s Integrating Innovative Employment and Economic Stability Strategies (IIEESS) initiative, which highlights the strategies of TANF agencies and their partners to help low-income individuals gain and sustain meaningful employment. Each brief describes an emerging practice that has been implemented in one site, an overview of the program model, and the results that have been achieved. Compelling stories of participants’ success and suggestions from TANF agency staff to their peers provide actionable insights and on-the-ground perspectives.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops provides education and guidance on Natural Family Planning, a fertility awareness-based approach that helps individuals understand reproductive cycles to support either pregnancy planning or spacing. For Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs, this resource provides family planning education that centers on knowledge-building and personal decision-making. It can be used in supportive conversations or referrals to help individuals better understand how timing and planning for children connects to financial stability, caregiving capacity, and long-term goals. The value here is not just the method itself, but the way it broadens the range of family planning approaches available to participants—supporting informed choices that align with personal values while also reinforcing stability for parents and children.

The National Youth Employment Coalition will host a webinar on April 30, 2026 at 2:30 p.m. ET to provide an overview of the current apprenticeship landscape and where opportunities are expanding across industries. For Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) practitioners, this is a practical way to understand where to focus efforts when connecting participants to work. It can help staff identify high-demand sectors, partnership opportunities, and strategies that can lead to quicker employment outcomes. By offering a clearer picture of how apprenticeships are evolving, this resource can support TANF programs in building stronger pathways to employment—helping participants gain skills, earn income, and move toward greater financial independence.

TAG-Ed will host a webinar on April 29, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET to explore how apprenticeships are being used to prepare workers for jobs that involve artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. For Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs, this will highlight how “earn while you learn” models can extend beyond traditional industries into growing, higher-wage fields. Practitioners can use this resource to identify new apprenticeship opportunities that incorporate digital skills, helping participants stay competitive in a changing job market.

Vertical Leap Learning Center and New Chapel Christian Academy will host a webinar on April 28, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. ET in celebration of National Apprenticeship Week, highlighting how Registered Apprenticeships drive growth and innovation across critical industries. The webinar will showcase how education and workforce partners can work together to introduce apprenticeships earlier and build clear pathways into employment. Many Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program participants need structured, supportive entry points into the workforce. TANF practitioners can use examples from this webinar to think about how partnerships with training providers or community organizations can create smoother transitions into apprenticeships. It can help fill a gap around early engagement and preparation, making it easier for participants to step into work-based learning opportunities that support long-term employment.

This online community offers a space for workforce professionals to share ideas, tools, and real-world experiences related to apprenticeships. For Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) practitioners, this is a practical way to learn from peers who are working through similar challenges. It can help staff stay current on apprenticeship strategies, discover partnership opportunities, and troubleshoot implementation issues. This resource is valuable because it supports ongoing learning and connection, which can lead to stronger programs over time. By tapping into shared knowledge, TANF programs can more effectively engage participants in apprenticeship opportunities that lead to employment and long-term stability.

This Department of Labor report shares lessons learned from efforts to expand apprenticeships into new industries and reach more diverse populations, including individuals facing barriers to employment. Many Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) participants need opportunities that are designed with their challenges in mind. TANF practitioners can use this resource to identify what works when engaging populations similar to TANF clients, including strategies to improve retention and completion. It helps address the gap between access and success by showing how apprenticeship programs can be adapted to better support participants as they work toward employment and reduced reliance on benefits.

This toolkit is designed to help public sector organizations—including state and local agencies—develop and expand apprenticeship programs. For Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs, this opens opportunities to connect participants to jobs within government and public service roles that offer stability, benefits, and clear career progression. Practitioners can use this resource to explore how their own agencies or partner organizations can create apprenticeship pathways for TANF clients. It can help them actively shape job opportunities, giving clients access to structured, paid pathways that support long-term employment and financial independence.