Stemming from the lessons learned of the initial conditional cash transfer program, this report provides key findings from the first two years of implementing Family Rewards 2.0. Launched during 2011 in the Bronx, New York and Memphis, Tennessee, Family Rewards 2.0 targets low-income families with children primarily in the ninth and tenth grade. In addition, the program seeks to provide financial stability for disadvantaged communities through conditioned-based rewards.

On September 11, 2014, the Office of Family Assistance hosted a Webinar, titled "An Overview of OMB Approved Form ACF-196R State TANF Financial Report Form." The revised reporting form is the 196R for State submission of quarterly financial data on their State TANF and MOE expenditures, which was released in this OFA Program Instruction in July 2014. Presenters included:

• Susan Golonka, Acting Director, Office of Family Assistance, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services;
• Winston Gonzalez, Office of Information Services, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services;
• Maria Sciannameo, Office of Family Assistance, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services;
• Peter Germanis, Office of Family Assistance, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; and
• Julie Siegel, Office of Family Assistance, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Welfare is often touted as the area where rigorous social science research has been most sustained and has had the clearest impact on policy. Roundtable panelists will reflect on the history of this research, discussing questions including: Why were randomized experiments sustained over 40 years? What questions did this research answer well? How did the research inform and influence legislation, policy, and practice at the national and state levels? To what extent are lessons relevant to social policy research today and to other fields? What can be done to promote such rigorous research? Rebecca Maynard (University of Pennsylvania) will moderate this session, and Mark Greenberg (Administration for Children and Families) will serve as a discussant. Panelists are:

• Howard Rolston (Abt Associates)

• Judith Gueron (Independent Scholar)

• Ron Haskins (The Brookings Institution)

• Don Winstead (Don Winstead Consulting, LLC) (conference program description)

This presentation was given at the 2014 Welfare Research and Evaluation Conference (WREC).

The Region VI State TANF Meeting: Building a Path to Family Stability, convened by the Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Assistance, took place on September 23 - 25, 2014 in Dallas, Texas. The meeting brought together TANF program directors, stakeholders, and State administrators to learn strategies, engage in dialogue, and build linkages with peers to improve program outcomes and promote economic and social well-being for individuals, children, and families. Specific topics covered during the meeting included: moving towards evidence-based practices; engaging non-custodial parents to improve child and family outcomes; improving effective programming for families facing homelessness; working with victims of family violence; and addressing the needs of rural TANF participants.

Authored by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, this report presents an innovative approach to reducing poverty. It describes methods to help low-income families connect with early childhood education and job training; achieve financial stability; and break the cycle of poverty. In addition, the report recommends new ways to better equip parents and children with what they need to thrive.

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.