This Urban Institute report examines findings from its replication validation of the National Institute of Correction’s Employment Retention Inventory (ERI). This study was conducted to determine the ERI’s capability of identifying workforce detachment risks and reductions in labor force participation for justice-involved populations in Indiana, New York, and Massachusetts. Conducted from June 2017 to July 2018, the study reviewed the employment and recidivism rates of 185 employed and 148 unemployed persons and compared this group with the overall justice-involved population. Employment outcomes and prediction of unemployment were made 3 to 6 months following release into community correctional settings.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration has posted a set of data resources and publications to identify rates of labor force participation among people with disabilities, as well as to illustrate the barriers to the labor market this population faces.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration presents two podcasts that support how Workforce Development Boards (WDBs) can engage with employers and businesses in their advisory capacity. This advisory role supports WDBs as they create sector strategies and develop demand-driven career pathways. Additional toolkits and handouts, which focus on board engagement, strategic planning, and program development, are also outlined.

This blogpost from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service identifies the activities and experiences that occurred at the first SNAP E&T State Institute, “Taking SNAP E&T to Scale.” The blog highlights best practices shared, as well as the strategic planning processes used to develop a road map for an effective state SNAP E&T program. Successful programs find in-demand jobs and pair them with skills training that employers need for high-growth occupations.

Both at the national and state level, Prosperity Now scorecards provide data on household financial health and racial economic inequality. These scorecards rank financial status and the path to prosperity for residents across all states. Indicators include job quality and wages, liquid savings for emergencies, credit scores and access to credit, homeownership rates, and access to health insurance.

This blogpost from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration discusses the strategic planning process that workforce entities use to understand which occupations are suited for job seekers in their respective jurisdictions. Also included is a set of presentations and resource guides on how to identify in-demand jobs and use labor market data for workforce planning and business intelligence gathering.

This issue brief from the National Skills Coalition outlines how to collect data and track the completion of registered apprenticeships against identified state postsecondary educational attainment goals. Case studies of how data is tracked in Iowa and Washington State are discussed.

This Urban Institute report examines a case study of the Chicago Housing Authority’s (CHA’s) work requirement, which has been in existence for 10 years. The study covers the CHA staff and resident perceptions of the work requirement’s implementation and outcomes.

This report from the Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation (OPRE) describes major welfare and family self-sufficiency research that OPRE’s Division of Economic Independence sponsored in Fiscal Year 2018. The five areas of research explored by OPRE projects are: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, employment and the labor market, education and training, behavioral science, and cross-cutting and other safety net research. The report provides project summaries and highlights key findings.

This Administration for Children and Families blog post from the Office of Child Support Enforcement Commissioner presents examples of how states are taking the lead in testing and implementing child support-led employment services. These projects, funded under the National Child Support Noncustodial Parent Employment Demonstration program, IV-D incentive funds, and waiver authority granted under Section 1115 of the Social Security Act (to support programs in Colorado, Ohio, and Wisconsin), include intensive case management, parenting peer support, and related employment services. A final evaluation report expected in April will demonstrate the positive outcomes of these programs that lead to increased capacity of noncustodial parents to support their children financially.