Low-income families who do not receive TANF during periods of unemployment are often referred to as “disconnected.” This session will draw on recent qualitative and survey research, including OPRE-funded work, to examine how disconnected populations manage economically and investigate child well-being and overall family functioning in disconnected families. Emily Schmitt (Administration for Children and Families) will moderate this session. (conference program description)

• Understanding the Dynamics of Disconnection from Employment and Assistance

Heather Sandstrom (The Urban Institute)

Kristin Seefeldt (University of Michigan)

The presentation describes the results of qualitative research conducted to examine why single-mother families become disconnected from work and TANF, how these women manage financially, and what are the impacts for families while disconnected.

• The Well-Being of Low-Income Children in Families that are Disconnected from Work and Cash Assistance

Zakia Redd (Child Trends)

The presentation describes analyses conducted using data from the National Survey of Children's health to examine disconnected children and families, and how they differ from other low-income families.

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

The Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Assistance, Region IX convened a meeting for Region IX staff and State and Territory Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program representatives in San Francisco, California from September 16 - 17, 2014. The meeting provided staff and TANF program representatives with technical assistance, training, and guidance on topics pertaining to the current and future landscape of TANF programming and client services. This meeting also provided program representatives with tools and strategies to improve program performance by increasing collaboration across agencies to improve outcomes for low-income families.

The Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Assistance, Regions V and VII convened a meeting in Chicago, Illinois entitled “Building Bridges to Self-Sufficiency: Tools for ACF Region V and VII TANF Programs” from September 4 - 5, 2014. This one and one-half day in-person technical assistance meeting was aimed at State TANF managers and State leadership. Participants were provided technical assistance and training that would contribute to and facilitate improvements in their States’ ability to meet TANF program goals and Federal requirements. The Region’s focus was provided through facilitated collaboration, communication, and problem-solving sessions. Region V and VII managers shared lessons learned and gathered strategies that can improve their own programs’ ability to identify and address multiple barriers, including assisting the homeless community, understanding the foundations of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), and how executive functioning and soft skills can led to economic success. Participants were provided an opportunity to interact with presenters, while receiving new information on programmatic changes and updates, and practical approaches to take to their home States dealing with TANF Programs.

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.

Authored by the Office of Community Services, Compassion Capital Fund (CCF), this guidebook is aimed at better equipping nonprofit organizations with the knowledge and information needed to identify, validate, and promote effective practices that will help improve their organization and the quality of services they provide within their communities.