This paper, from the Crittenton Women’s Union (CWU), discusses how executive functioning skills are important to move out of poverty. Executive functioning includes skills like impulse control, working memory, and mental flexibility. Persistent poverty can influence brain development and executive functioning and provide challenges for individuals as adults. The paper reviews how improving executive functioning can help promote positive outcomes and discusses how policy and programs can be developed to improve executive functioning.

Published by MDRC, this report highlights the early results on how program providers in New York City, Tulsa, and Cleveland implemented the WorkAdvance framework into a workable program. The WorkAdvance program encompasses sectoral as well as job retention and career advancement strategies. This report offers lessons learned to assist organizations seeking to implement a similar sector-focused career advancement program.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This Crime Victims' Institute resource describes the strengths and limitations of several intimate partner violence (IPV) risk assessment instruments, including the Danger Assessment and Ontario Domestic Assault Risk Assessment. In addition, it summarizes a few studies that examined the predictive validity of various risk assessment instruments. Finally, it describes how risk assessment instruments are being used as part of IPV response protocols by first responders in certain States.

The Maryland Network against Domestic Violence (MNADV) site provides an overview of the Lethality Assessment Program—Maryland Model (LAP). It also includes information about implementation of the model nationally. Created by MNADV in 2005, LAP is based on the Danger Assessment, a protocol created by Dr. Jacquelyn Campbell. Together with LAP, service providers use a tool called the Lethality Screen for First Responders -- an evidence-based series of questions -- used to assess an individual suspected of being in danger. Jurisdictions in at least 31 States have implemented LAP.

Authored by faculty at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, this series of reports focuses on poverty and food security. The report provides detailed analysis of statewide trends in poverty and food security by county in comparison with the State. In addition, it includes a discussion of possible implications for policies and programs.