This discussion paper, from the Urban Institute, summarizes how States are serving clients with multiple barriers on their TANF caseloads and provides information on recent changes in States’ approaches to serving this population. Authors interviewed TANF program officials in the States of California, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin.

Through MDRC’s Employment Retention and Advancement project, this report presents findings after two years of a program in Riverside County, California. The program’s objective was to promote job retention and advancement among employed individuals who recently left the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. It was found that participants in the program had increased employment rates of four percent above the control group, and increased earnings of 11 percent.

Strategies to engage youth transitioning to adulthood is crucial to addressing needs such as education, employment, and mentoring. This report from the National League of Cities describes cross-system initiatives from eight cities across the country on supporting vulnerable youth. Specifically, Boston, Albany, and San Diego have developed creative partnerships across their cities to include a variety of public systems and agencies.

More than 650,000 prisoners are released annually in the United States. The Urban Institute conducted this four-year study to understand challenges of prisoner reentry in Cleveland, Ohio. This brief provides the results from interviews with 300 prisoners 12 months after release. The study includes information on the ability of returning prisoners to find stable housing and employment, reunite with family after release, and avoid substance use and recidivism.

The proportion of the labor force over 65 years old is estimated to increase between 2004 and 2014. Therefore, the health of the aging population is crucial to ensure the elderly are physically and cognitively capable of work. This article from the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) calls for additional research to be done on how improving health will stimulate the economy and national wealth.

This study tests family homelessness based on patterns of public shelter use and examines whether family characteristics are associated with homelessness. It was found that 20% of homeless families are in shelters for longer periods, and some cycle in and out of shelters. The families with repeat stays have the highest rates of intensive behavioral health treatment, placement of children in foster care, disability, and unemployment.

Mathematica authored this resource on vouchers and gives an overview of how vouchers are used in public programs. Information is provided on the design and implementation of voucher programs and outcomes associated with existing voucher programs, specifically regarding the Child Care and Development Fund and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families programs.

Research from the National Poverty Center at the University of Michigan provides information on the low-wage workforce in the United States. Due to recent immigration, the typical low-wage worker is now most likely to be a Hispanic immigrant. Data also shows that the wage gap between white and Hispanic workers has increased dramatically over the last 20 years. Authors provide policy implications and recommendations based on this new data.

Utilizing the National Center for Children in Poverty’s Family Resource Simulator, this article reviews policies in Illinois that support work and self-sufficiency among families. It was found that Illinois is successful in providing adequate family resources, but rewarding progress in the workforce is still a challenge. The Simulator showed that full-time, low-wage workers in Illinois cannot afford basic family necessities—including housing, food, health care, child care, and transportation—without the help of public work supports.

This article from Child Trends offers information on how professional development is crucial to helping youth workers succeed in the workplace. Additionally, authors identify core competencies for youth workers and highlight professional development training delivery models.