This webpage presents the priorities of the Tribal Behavioral Health Agenda (TBHA), which were identified through discussions with Tribal leaders, Tribal administrators, and Tribal members. It is organized around five foundational elements: historical and intergenerational trauma, a socio-cultural-ecological approach, prevention and recovery support, behavioral health systems and support, and national awareness and visibility. It also includes cross-cutting considerations and additional considerations for collaboration. The TBHA is not an exact map but an initial step toward driving action in the same direction and along a common path.

Some of the most dynamic, responsive industry partnerships are developed between rural community colleges and local employers. When colleges, employers, and communities work together to create these place-based opportunities, they can develop workforce education and training programs and career pathways that put students on a path to good jobs, meet the workforce needs of local employers, and improve the economic prosperity of rural communities. This National Skills Coalition report highlights how industry partnerships benefit rural learners and employers alike – and shines a light on the rich variety of rural contexts, state systems, investments, and policies that can help drive and sustain effective partnerships between rural community colleges and local industry.

The National Center on Leadership for the Employment and Economic Advancement of People with Disabilities (LEAD Center) will be hosting a Good Jobs Initiative webinar on April 25, 2024 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. Attendees will look at the construction industry to learn how inclusive hiring practices – including equitable workforce development pathways like pre-apprenticeship and Registered Apprenticeship programs, as well as labor-management partnerships – have benefited employees with disabilities and their employers in the construction industry.

This Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation toolbox highlights selected resources and tools that are particularly relevant for current and future Tribal TANF-Child Welfare Coordination (TTCW) grantees, and that may also be relevant for other human services programs. Resources included address the following topic areas: developing and using logic models for systems change; planning for data collection and collecting data; collecting and using stories in program research and dissemination; collaborative approaches to screening and assessment; data sharing and protecting sensitive information; performance measurement; data-driven decision making and continuous quality improvement; measuring collaboration; measuring program outcomes; dissemination; and sustainability.

Though high-quality services for families are critical, implementing community pathways is about much more than expanding services. The concept of community pathways represents an opportunity to craft a fundamentally different experience for families, especially those who may distrust public entities or consider child protection punitive and threatening. The Family First Prevention Services Act (Family First) allows states and tribes to use federal Title IV-E funds for prevention services that support children living safely with their families. Family First provides an opportunity to reorient child welfare and advance transformation in terms of the types of services offered, and how and where families access them. Through community pathways, approved entities such as community-based organizations, prevention services providers, and other public agencies may deliver support and perform required Family First administrative functions. To date, at least 14 states have articulated a community pathways approach in their Family First Prevention Plan. This Casey Family brief highlights three unique approaches to building community pathways while using Family First as a strategic lever.

The Child Welfare Community Collaborations (CWCC) initiative is designed to mobilize communities to develop and evaluate multi-system collaboratives that address local barriers and provide a continuum of services to prevent child abuse and neglect. In 2018 and 2019, the Children’s Bureau awarded 5-year cooperative agreements to a total of 13 states, non-profit organizations, and Native American tribal organizations. This Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation brief provides a high-level description of each of the 13 CWCC projects and is one of a series of products the evaluation team will produce as part of the cross-site process evaluation. This brief contains a one-page description of each project, including its geographic catchment area, population of focus, key partners, prior experience with community-level collaboration, timeline, and local evaluation.

Access to basic needs is key to a successful transition to adulthood, but gaps in the safety net leave many young people without the supports they need. To address these gaps, human services agencies are increasingly recognizing the importance of engaging young people with lived experience navigating safety net programs. This Urban Institute fact sheet highlights strategies human services agencies can use to develop strategic partnerships. It draws on insights from a series of workgroups with staff at human services agencies and youth-serving nonprofits, as well as young leaders.

Connecting children, youth, and families to the services they need is critical, but it can be a challenge for child welfare agencies and community providers. This Chapin Hall Evidence-Based Practice Desk Guide allows case workers and providers to make informed decisions and ensure a good fit between clients and the services they receive. This tool focuses on programs proven to support family well-being and stability. Services areas include mental health treatment, substance abuse prevention and treatment, and in-home parent skill-based programs.

The Center for Excellence in Family-Finding, Engagement and Support launched a series of webinars that are dedicated to promoting the transformative work happening in California towards cultivating a kin-first culture in child welfare. The Center will host a webinar on January 9, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. PT where panelists will share their unique perspectives and insights on the Kin-First philosophy. The webinar will delve into the power of Kin-First Culture and the transformative programs that are redefining family connections. This session will shed light on how agencies can form meaningful partnerships, helping children and youth stay connected with their family, extended family, and community.

In today’s rapidly evolving job market, becoming and staying relevant requires targeted training with specialized skills to align with top industries seeking talent. The National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP) is hosting a webinar on January 24, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. CT where their experts will guide attendees through a virtual career training certification prep, ed2go. Presenters will share how ed2go enables NAWDP’s partners to target and train according to local demand, why industry-recognized credentials help candidates stand out, and how attendees can implement a similar course program for their organization.