This report displays and discusses some of the data related to the poverty of children and their living arrangements and data on male employment and earnings, educational attainment, and incarceration. It then provides information on federal programs that could play a greater role in addressing poverty of children through the fathers of these children (nearly all noncustodial parents are fathers). These programs provide economic assistance, family support, and job training and employment to eligible participants. The report also examines federal programs that have the purposes of preventing teen pregnancy and helping disadvantaged youth obtain the skills and support they need to make the transition to adulthood. The underlying premise of these programs generally is that the aid or services received from these programs by low-income noncustodial fathers can help them in meeting their financial commitments to their children (or future children) and providing emotional support to their children. The report concludes by presenting several public policy approaches proposed by the policy community that might improve the lives of low-income noncustodial fathers and their children. For example, social policy could play a role by expanding economic assistance programs to noncustodial fathers, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); and implementing strategies to prevent the build-up of unpaid child support through early intervention. (author abstract)

Department of Labor's Workforce3One recently posted 20 Innovation in Action write-ups that were gathered from successful reemployment practices shared by States with the Employment and Training Administration. They include processes, procedures or systems implemented by States that have resulted in process improvements and/or resource or cost savings. The successful practices were identified either through objective measures or subjective methods such as expert opinions, and include a detailed description, contact information and related attachments.

Mathematica released a report evaluating the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP). This study analyzed quantitative and qualitative data to learn about local-project performance, program outcomes, and participants' views of this employment and training program for low-income, older adults. The study, conducted with Social Policy Research Associates, found SCSEP projects provide needed services to older workers, offer necessary staffing for host agencies, and place nearly half of program exiters who are available for work into unsubsidized employment.

The National Bureau of Economic Research released a paper summarizing recent evidence on what achievement tests measure; how achievement tests relate to other measures of cognitive ability; the important skills that achievement tests miss or mis-measure; and how much these skills matter in life. It discusses the inability to adequately capture soft skills – personality traits, goals, motivations, and preferences – that are valued in the labor market, schools, and in many other domains. The overarching message of the paper states that soft skills predict success in life, and that programs that enhance soft skills have an important place in an effective portfolio of public policies.

The Associated Press and National Opinion Research Center's (NORC) Center for Public Affairs released a report on a two-part study conducted to better understand how lower-wage workers and employers think about jobs and opportunities for advancing workers' careers. This study revealed six critical issues with the potential to inform the policy conversation around investments in America's new economy and the workers who help drive it.

ConnectEd released a video about the Exploring College and Career Options (ECCO) curriculum, developed by MDRC and Bloom Associates, which includes lessons and activities that help students prepare for college and careers that expose them to real-world experiences on college campuses and in the workplace.

MDRC released a policy brief describing an innovative program designed to target the psychological and social behaviors that contribute to pain, disability, and inactivity among veterans with disabilities. The goal is to help these veterans resume daily activities and get on a path to work.

This joint paper by the National Transitional Jobs Network at Heartland Alliance and the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) provides suggestions and examples of innovative funding strategies for subsidized job programs to cities, States, and other public-sector entities that are considering or have decided to implement or expand subsidized employment programming. In particular, the paper may be helpful to sites that operate subsidized employment programs under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Emergency Fund and are interested in building on that experience but can no longer access TANF funds at the previous scale. The paper analyzes these strategies and makes recommendations based on prior successes.

The Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) has released a guide for Health Profession Opportunity Grants (HPOG) in a report titled Navigating Federal Programs to Build Sustainable Career Pathways in the Health Professions. This report explains the requirements and performance accountability systems of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and the workforce and adult education programs supported under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Titles I and II. The report also discusses specific strategies that States can use to overcome potential barriers caused by the disparate requirements of these programs.

The Department of Labor (DOL) Employment & Training Administration (ETA) released new features and enhancements to its range of online electronic tools (E-tools) to assist individuals in exploring careers, and preparing for and finding employment. ETA's E-tools help individuals explore career opportunities and link to job postings to make informed employment and education choices.