Beginning in April 2023, states began “unwinding” the pandemic-related continuous coverage requirement in Medicaid, which prohibited states from disenrolling Medicaid enrollees during the public health emergency. The unwinding process revealed that many states’ systems and renewal processes have been out of compliance with federal requirements, with many of the compliance issues disproportionately affecting children. This Urban Institute resource proposes that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services could provide stronger federal oversight and accountability for improving Medicaid eligibility and redetermination systems to ensure eligible children retain coverage.

Many young people transition to adulthood without access to familial resources and struggle to meet their basic needs. Public benefit programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), housing subsidies, and Medicaid can help young people meet these needs at a critical time in their lives. Young people also need sufficient cash income to meet specific needs these in-kind programs do not provide, and some may receive this through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. However, many young people do not access programs they are eligible for. This Urban Institute report presents the results of a literature scan for evidence about what works to expand young people’s access to public benefits. This report highlights various promising approaches, including targeted youth outreach, benefit navigation, cross-organizational partnerships, simplifying or expanding eligibility, and enhancing administrative efficiency and effectiveness.

The Office of Family Violence Prevention and Services (OFVPS) leads Administration for Children and Families' comprehensive approach to domestic violence prevention and administers the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) to improve support for families and individuals experiencing violence and trauma. Each October, OFVPS recognizes Domestic Violence Awareness Month by standing in solidarity with survivors, their loved ones, advocates, and communities to mourn those who lives have been lost to domestic violence; to celebrate the accomplishments to end and prevent further violence; and to connect with others leading this movement to transform communities to be more inclusive and supportive of all individuals and families fleeing violence.

This OFVPS resource highlights FVPSA grant recipients that are hosting engaging events throughout October 2024.

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline can provide help for people experiencing suicidal, substance use, and/or mental health crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress. 988 is a three-digit support line that provides free, 24/7 access to compassionate mental health support, and that can complement other employee wellbeing resources offered by employers. WorkforceGPS will host a webinar on October 24th, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. ET that will highlight the services of 988 available when a person or their loved one is experiencing mental health distress and simply needs someone to talk to or be connected to crisis care. By promoting awareness of 988 and encouraging its use, employers and those supporting people seeking employment can create a more supportive environment. The 988 network also offers a potential employment opportunity for those with lived experience who seek to bring their expertise and insights to helping others.

To help workforce development and education professionals better understand trauma-informed and healing-centered practices and strategies, Corporation for a Skilled Workforce and InsideTrack have developed a report providing research and data on trauma and toxic stress. This report shows field examples of workforce development organizations and school systems addressing trauma- and stress-related challenges and offers two actionable trauma-informed and healing-centered frameworks.

This Grandfamilies and Kinship Support Network and National Indian Child Welfare Association fact sheet highlights the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe (PGST) Kinship Parenting Program. The PGST Kinship Parenting Program provides outreach and support to kin caregivers and their families in Kitsap County, Washington, including helping them identify and connect to services such as childcare, behavioral health, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), TANF non-needy (child-only) grants, assistance with Social Security Income and other paperwork, and much more. Other tribal nations and service providers can utilize the outlined practices as a guide as they develop or modify their own programming that best aligns with their community values, needs, and resources.

Social safety net programs can help low-income people afford necessities like food, health care, and utilities. However, many older Americans do not receive assistance from the government programs they are eligible for. Understanding where these gaps in eligibility and participation exist is an important step in reaching older adults and providing them with the resources to improve their economic security. This Urban Institute paper reviews information on US households from the American Community Survey to estimate how many people ages 65 and over are eligible for each of three programs that provide essential support to older adults: the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and the Medicare Savings Program (MSP).

Aligned Customer-Centered Ecosystem of Supports & Services (ACCESS) is a two-year initiative, led by the American Public Human Services Association (APHSA) and the National Association of State Workforce Agencies, that aims to create a roadmap for aligning modernization efforts from agencies across the health, human services, and labor ecosystem in service of promoting truly customer-centered improvements to program design and delivery. This APHSA brief unpacks how core components of program and service design and delivery, funding models, and technical infrastructure impact systems’ ability to operate in alignment.

In October 2023, the Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion featured presenters who shared insights on employer practices that consider the mental health and well-being of youth who are transitioning to the workforce, with a particular focus on youth of color. The webinar was intended to help employers understand the importance of mental health and trauma-informed practices in relation to their talent acquisition and workforce retention processes.

The Gathering of Native Americans (GONA) is an almost four-decade-old proven model to assist communities to heal from the lasting impacts of colonization. Historical and intergenerational trauma is at the root of hopelessness and healing is the answer to trauma. The GONA follows four developmental phases and values of Belonging, Mastery, Interdependence and Generosity. The Native Wellness Initiative is hosting GONA virtually, from August 6 and 7, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. PT. Staff members in tribal and urban communities who work in prevention, promotion of culture, social service programs, youth workers, behavioral health staff, tribal leaders and others interested in bringing healing as a tool to address suicide in Indian Country are invited to attend.

There is a registration fee to attend this training course.