Research and Evaluation Conference on Self-Sufficiency (RECS)

Since 1998, the Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation (OPRE) in the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has convened the Research and Evaluation Conference on Self-Sufficiency (RECS) to present the latest findings from evaluations of programs, policies, and services that support low-income and vulnerable families on the path to economic self-sufficiency. For nearly 20 years, the RECS been a leading forum for researchers, State and local administrators, practitioners, and Federal officials and policymakers to discuss cutting-edge research on family self-sufficiency and social welfare programs and policies. The next RECS, which will take place May 30-June 1, 2018, will provide an opportunity to gather in Washington D.C. and hear the latest findings from evaluations of social welfare programs and policies, discuss ways to incorporate findings into the design and implementation of programs, and develop strategies for future evaluations. The agenda for the three-day RECS includes six different session tracks (http://recsconference.net/2018agenda_detail.htm). The deadline for registration has been extended to May 17.
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Posting Date
Combined Date
Sponsor
Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation
Location
Washington, DC
Event Date
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Moving Apprenticeship Forward: Five Key Questions to Confront

Record Description
This web article from New America examines the Trump Administration’s apprenticeship goal to create five million apprenticeships over the next five years by looking at some of the more complex issues and potential answers. The article identifies potentially fractious issues about where apprenticeship is going in the U.S. by looking at who apprenticeships can serve – including among others, unemployed youth and low-skilled adults; how industry will need to lead with regard to shaping programs, thus ensuring that new programs meet employer needs; and how and what role education will play, in particular to make sure that apprenticeship is seen as high-quality post-secondary school education, not an alternative to it. It also looks at the role of public policy as it relates to investment in apprenticeship programs such as tax credits for employers and tuition reimbursement options. As well, the article highlights the importance of ensuring that strong and adaptive quality assurance programs are in place.
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Combined Date
2017-03-22T20:00:00
Source
Region
City/County
Publication Date
2017-03-23
Section/Feed Type
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ACF Family Room Blog: Rising to the Opioid Challenge

Record Description
This article, from the director of the Office of Family Assistance (OFA), discusses OFA’s response to the opioid crisis. OFA is targeting the hardest hit communities and focusing on the economic impact on low- income families. They are hosting workshops on community-based solutions, collaborating with other agencies, and meeting with workforce development partners to help alleviate the barriers to family self-sufficiency that can be caused by opiate use and addiction.
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Combined Date
2018-03-21T20:00:00
Source
Region
City/County
Publication Date
2018-03-22
Section/Feed Type
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Veterans in Workforce Development: Participation and Labor Market Outcomes

Record Description
This working paper from the W.E. Upjohn Institute compares employment and earnings of veterans to non-veterans after accessing workforce development services in Washington State. The cohort was followed over the course of eight years, and the rate of veteran participation in workforce programs was predictably higher in programs specifically targeting veterans. The employment rates for veterans after receipt of program services were still substantially lower than non-veterans.
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Combined Date
2017-06-12T20:00:00
Source
Region
City/County
Publication Date
2017-06-13
Section/Feed Type
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Low Skills are Widespread in Service Sector, but Investments in Worker Upskilling Can Pay Off

Record Description
This fact sheet by the National Skills Coalition provides a succinct overview of the challenges faced by low-skilled service workers and their employers due to a lack of foundational and key skills with regard to job knowledge. The fact sheet outlines potential options for employers to boost worker skills, including industry partnerships, apprenticeships, work-based learning programs, and integrated education training. It provides informative tables and charts to illustrate how investment in upskilling workers can pay off for employers.
Record Type
Combined Date
2017-02-28T19:00:00
Source
Region
City/County
Publication Date
2017-03-01
Section/Feed Type
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Developing a Strategy for Effective Employer Engagement

Record Description
This article from Social Solutions looks at how understanding the employer perspective is a key to successful engagement between workforce programs and employers. Employers rely on workforce development organizations to help them understand and navigate services and programs; successful engagement with employers involves doing not just talking and discussing but more action and results. The article outlines five steps for building collaborative business services, including: proactively targeting businesses for outreach, listening to employers regarding the challenges or issues they are facing, sharing information with staff and partner organizations, identifying challenges and opportunities and developing services to address them, and working with employers to provide solutions in a seamless manner.
Record Type
Combined Date
2018-03-01T19:00:00
Source
OFA Initiatives
Region
City/County
Publication Date
2018-03-02
Section/Feed Type
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Rebuilding Social Capital Through Community Institutions

Record Description
This discussion paper from the Heritage Foundation examines how community institutions serve to build social capital within a community. Focus is given to charter schools, religious institutions, housing associations, and virtual networks as community institutions that promote social capital and foster a sense of opportunity within communities. Within these four types of institutions, numerous example programs are highlighted for their work in each area.
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Combined Date
2013-12-05T19:00:00
Source
Region
City/County
Publication Date
2013-12-06
Section/Feed Type
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Building Blocks and Strategies for Helping Americans Move Out of Poverty

Record Description
This working paper from the U.S. Partnership on Mobility from Poverty explores a variety of approaches to help move families out of poverty. One of the building blocks explored is community building and social capital (beginning on page 36). Relevant research is presented describing the importance and impact of social capital, and an overview of example programs is given. Additionally, the documented impact and funding for each example program is listed.
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Combined Date
2016-07-31T20:00:00
Source
Region
City/County
Publication Date
2016-08-01
Section/Feed Type
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HPOG Grantee/Employer Partner Engagement Video

Record Description
This informational Health Profession Opportunity Grants (HPOG) Program video intends to assist grantees in establishing their own employer partnerships by highlighting established in-demand healthcare trainings used across 21 states to meet growing employer need. The video illustrates relationships between HPOG 2.0 grantees and their employer partners.
Record Type
Combined Date
2017-11-13T19:00:00
Source
OFA Initiatives
Region
City/County
Publication Date
2017-11-14
Section/Feed Type
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A Two-Generation Human Capital Approach to Anti-Poverty Policy

Record Description
This journal article from The Russell Sage Foundation Journal of the Social Sciences outlines a plan for utilizing Head Start and career pathways services offered through a community college to create a two- generational human capital approach to serving low-income families. The article outlines policy and funding that would encourage this type of collaboration across anti-poverty programs. It highlights recent research that has shown that this model can work and produce positive outcomes as evidenced by a program in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Record Type
Combined Date
2018-01-31T19:00:00
Source
OFA Initiatives
SFS Category
Region
City/County
Publication Date
2018-02-01
Section/Feed Type
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