The Bureau of Indian Affairs has launched the Indigenous Growth in New and Innovative Trade Employment (IGNITE) Grant Pilot Program, a competitive funding opportunity that will support implementation-ready Tribal workforce development programs. The grants will prepare participants for careers in construction and infrastructure trades as well as emerging technology fields, including advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, drone and geospatial systems, digital fabrication, and other STEM-related occupations. Programs are designed to lead directly to employment, apprenticeships, and industry-recognized credentials while aligning with local workforce needs.

For Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs, IGNITE offers an opportunity to expand employment pathways for participants by applying for funding or partnering with Tribal organizations that apply. This opportunity can help Tribal TANF programs connect families to high-demand careers, strengthen workforce partnerships, and increase access to training that supports long-term economic independence. Applications are due September 18, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. ET.

These Rural LISC case studies provide real examples of workforce development efforts in rural communities across the country. Each example shows different approaches to skills training, employer engagement, and community partnerships. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) practitioners can refer to these concrete ideas for building local partnerships, designing training programs, and supporting workers in rural areas.

• Upskill NW Arkansas
• Delta Compass, Washington County, MS
• People, Inc. of Virginia

Reaching both job seekers and employers can be especially challenging in rural areas. This WorkforceGPS webinar recording shares outreach strategies that help connect workers with workforce services and employment opportunities. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) practitioners can use the ideas shared to improve recruitment, strengthen employer relationships, and expand awareness of available services among families who may not regularly engage with the workforce system. A PowerPoint presentation and transcript are also provided.

This Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility Technical Assistance Center technical assistance resource focuses on transportation coordination for people participating in employment and training programs. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) practitioners can use it to identify transportation solutions that support work activities, job training, and career development. By helping TANF programs coordinate across other social services, the resource can improve access to employment opportunities and reduce transportation-related disruptions.

This National Rural Transit Assistance Program webpage offers tools, training, and information for improving transportation services in rural communities. For Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs, it can help identify strategies for connecting rural participants to jobs, training, childcare, and other essential services. The resource focuses on the unique transportation challenges faced by rural residents and offers practical approaches that can support employment goals.

Many communities have transportation funding available through different programs, but combining those resources effectively can be difficult. This National Rural Transit Assistance Program guide explains best practices for “fund braiding,” or coordinating multiple funding sources, to support transportation services. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs can use it to explore partnerships that expand transportation options, reduce duplication, and maximize available resources.

This webpage highlights KANSASWORKS’ mobile workforce center that brings employment services to rural and underserved communities. This is a practical example of how workforce agencies can meet people where they are. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs can use the model to explore joint outreach events, job fairs, skills workshops, and other collaborative activities that make employment services more accessible to participants.

Supportive services—such as childcare, transportation, housing assistance, and career coaching—can make the difference between participating in employment services and successfully reaching long-term goals. This National Skills Coalition resource highlights how these supports can help people overcome everyday barriers that can prevent them from finding and keeping a job. For Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs, this resource can offer practical ideas for strengthening service delivery by connecting families with the resources they need to participate in work activities, training, and education. Whether reviewing your program's supportive services or looking for new partnerships, this resource can help TANF practitioners better meet families where they are and support lasting economic stability.

The Office of Human Services and Emergency Preparedness and Response, in partnership with The Council of State Governments, will host a webinar on July 16, 2026, from 2:00-3:00 P.M. ET to examine how the Social Work Licensure Compact enhances disaster preparedness, response, and recovery by increasing workforce mobility and strengthening human services delivery. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) practitioners and social workers can play a vital role in disaster relief and emergency preparedness, and multistate licensure can help ensure affected communities receive timely, coordinated support during emergencies. This webinar is open to the public and is free.

Helping families achieve economic security requires more than employment services. This Child Trends brief examines Virginia's Comprehensive Health Investment Project, a comprehensive case management program that helps families with low incomes meet immediate needs, such as housing and other basic supports, while also working toward long-term education and employment goals. The findings show how a whole-family approach can improve employment outcomes over time. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) practitioners can use these insights to strengthen case management, build partnerships with community providers, and better connect families with the coordinated supports they need to achieve lasting economic stability.