During their work in multiple states, the Foster Insights team at the University of Chicago observed notable trends in kin placement rates and the stability of kin placements. The Grandfamilies and Kinship Support Network hosted a webinar on September 29, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. ET to share these observed trends and discuss their implications for stakeholders across the child welfare space. There was a discussion on what could be learned about kinship families using placement data, and how these data-driven insights could help further the case for a kinship-first culture.

The American Public Human Services Association has released a three-part series on the use of Artificial Intelligence in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) case processing. This brief examines customer experience, potential risk, and the importance of human oversight through the lens of perspectives shared by SNAP customers.

The American Public Human Services Association will release a three-part series on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) case processing. This brief details the rapidly changing policy landscape surrounding the use of AI in SNAP and explores potential enabling policy actions to support this use.

Kinship families interact with many systems, including child welfare, education/schools, housing, Medicaid/Medicare, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Dealing with multiple systems is time-consuming and emotionally draining. TANF child-only grants are often the only source of ongoing financial support for these families. This Grandfamilies and Kinship Support Network resource outlines how TANF programs can help these families by facilitating or participating in cross-system collaboration and coordination while helping individual families navigate the challenging landscape.

Kinship families interact with many systems, including child welfare, education/schools, housing, Medicaid/Medicare, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. Dealing with multiple systems is time-consuming and emotionally draining. Family Resource Centers (FRCs) can help by supporting individual families as they navigate this challenging landscape. This Grandfamilies and Kinship Support Network resource outlines how FRCs can serve as welcoming hubs of supports, services, and opportunities for families as they are well-positioned to assist kinship families and grandfamilies.

To help address diaper need and increase economic security for families, the Office of Community Services in the Administration for Children and Families, in partnership with the Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation (OPRE), launched the Diaper Distribution Demonstration and Research Pilot (Diaper Distribution Pilot) in September 2022. This pilot provides grants to expand diaper distribution programs using networks of community partners. In addition to providing diapers and diapering supplies such as ointment and wipes, these programs offer to connect families to wraparound services such as job training, educational support, and Head Start.

This OPRE brief describes early findings on how grant recipients and subrecipients from the first two cohorts of the Diaper Distribution Pilot obtain diapers and diapering supplies. It can be used by organizations designing diaper distribution programs to guide planning and decision making.

Without enough diapers, children are at risk of serious health problems like rashes and infections, and parents may miss work or school, undermining family stability and economic mobility. Federal programs that help families purchase food and nutrition supports and provide cash assistance in times of need, like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), do not cover diapers, requiring parents to pay high out-of-pocket prices. This Urban Institute tool shows how many diapers it would take to fill the gap faced by families with low-to-moderate incomes in a given county.

Many human services providers struggle with recruiting and retaining staff due to work-related stress, burnout, low salaries, and lack of benefits. This Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation brief describes approaches to overcoming challenges with hiring and retaining staff for human services programs. Leaders of human services programs may find it helpful for strengthening their talent pool.

This Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation report explores how employer engagement and job development can be mutually beneficial for programs, participants, and employers. The report provides practical examples and lessons learned about strategies for engaging employers in job development. This resource is written for leaders and staff of employment programs that work with people who face complex challenges to employment.

This Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation brief summarizes promising strategies used to hire and support peer support staff. Leaders of human services programs may find it helpful to draw on this information as they are considering hiring peer support staff.