Published by the Center for Housing Policy, this report provides guidance on how housing authorities can implement both behavioral and cognitive science in improving programs. In addition, it offers direction that public housing authorities (PHAs) can utilize to design self-sufficiency programs aimed at meeting the needs of chronically low-income households.

Jobs-Plus is an evidence-based model used to help individuals that live in public housing find work. Published by MDRC, this guide assists users in implementing Jobs-Plus programming. In addition, it serves as a resource for practitioners to learn from others around the world who have had experience with the program.

Beginning with an overview of the measures and state of economic mobility in America, this session, moderated by Sarah Sattelmeyer (The Pew Charitable Trusts), will address three key questions related to mobility, specifically: Do all Americans enjoy equal opportunity at birth, regardless of the financial and economic status of their parents? What factors help propel someone up the economic ladder or push them down? What role should public policy play in promoting economic mobility?

• Mobility and the Metropolis: How Communities Factor into Economic Mobility

Diana Elliott (The Pew Charitable Trusts)

• Hard Choices: Navigating the Economic Shock of Unemployment

Hannah Thomas (Brandeis University)

• Why Do Some Americans Leave the Bottom of the Economic Ladder, But Not Others?

Denise Wilson (Independent Contractor) (conference program description)

These presentations were given at the 2014 Welfare Research and Evaluation Conference (WREC).

The Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Assistance Region VIII held the 2014 ACF Region VIII State Meeting, entitled “Collaboration and Innovation: Keys to Engaging TANF Customers” on September 18 - 19, 2014 in Denver, Colorado. This meeting brought together Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program directors and staff from six States to learn strategies, engage in strategic dialogue, and build linkages with peers to improve program outcomes and promote economic and social independence for individuals, children, and families. During the meeting, State representatives had opportunities to share promising practices in collaborating with State, local, and community agencies to successfully serve TANF participants. There was also a State of the State’s Panel Discussion with ACF/OFA leadership. Meeting attendees also heard from subject matter experts in the areas of program performance, employment outcomes and career pathways, kinship care and home visiting programs, housing and homelessness issues, supporting refugee populations, assisting victims of human trafficking, and engaging rural communities, among others. This interactive and collaborative event allowed for rich discussion and training opportunities.

The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) created a database that pulls information related to efforts to end homelessness from federal, state, and local partners around the country. The database includes resources on exemplar programs and promising practices.

This report presents results from the early implementation of the study of the Impact of Housing and Services Interventions for Homeless Families, referred to as the Family Options Study. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the study measures the relative impacts of four interventions commonly employed within local communities to help families experiencing homelessness. The study compares the impacts of: community-based rapid re-housing (CBRR), project-based transitional housing (PBTH), permanent housing subsidies (SUB), and the usual care (UC) emergency shelter system in 12 communities.

The Wilson Foundation released a report that summarizes findings from the Service and Housing Interventions for Families in Transition (SHIFT) Longitudinal Study. The SHIFT study examined the effectiveness of different housing and service models in helping families who are experiencing homelessness establish and maintain residential stability and self-sufficiency. The characteristics, experiences, and challenges of the families are presented, followed by the outcomes including housing stability, economic independence, maternal mental health, maternal substance abuse, and child functioning. Characteristics of successful family members as well as those who met challenges in establishing and maintaining residential stability are also explored. The findings are intended to inform policies that address housing stability and self-sufficiency among families.

In Colorado, TANF provides funding to a substance abuse treatment program called New Directions for Families at the Arapahoe House treatment facility. Substance abuse intervention and transitional housing assistance is provided for mothers and their dependent children with a focus on achieving self-sufficiency. In the latter half of the program, employment is emphasized and mothers are expected to be working as they complete treatment.