A Promising Alternative to Subsidized Lunch Receipt as a Measure of Student Poverty

Record Description
Historically, low-income students have been identified in schools by receipt of the federal free or reduced lunch program, but this measure is becoming irrelevant and misleading as more districts offer “community eligible” free lunches to all students. As a result, some states have begun to identify low-income students by family participation in programs like TANF, SNAP, Medicaid, and foster care. The post’s authors at the Brookings Institution applaud these methodological changes because they will yield more accurate data on the achievements of disadvantaged students without including non low-income students who may be receiving free or reduced price lunch. This post highlights practices and data from states, such as Delaware, Massachusetts, New Mexico, and Tennessee, as well as the District of Columbia, as exemplary initiatives of linked data measure systems.
Record Type
Combined Date
2018-08-15T20:00:00
Source
Region
City/County
URL
https://www.brookings.edu/research/a-promising-alternative-to-subsidized-lunch-…
Publication Date
2018-08-16
Section/Feed Type
Latest Information from Network (Home)

The Effects of Universal Preschool in Washington, D.C.

Record Description
In 2009, Washington, D.C. began offering two years of full-day public preschool, citing literature on better school performance and higher parental work hours that come with preschool enrollment. This report from American Progress studies the effects of D.C.’s program on maternal labor force participation (LFP) and finds that the program caused a 10-percentage point increase in maternal LFP, as well as a large increase in employment. The effects come mainly from low- and high-income women, since LFP for middle-income families remained the same. Overall, the researchers conclude that universal full-day preschool positively affects maternal labor supply and suggests that the United States should consider expanding child care for all.
Record Type
Combined Date
2018-09-25T20:00:00
Source
Region
City/County
URL
https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/early-childhood/reports/2018/09/26/4582…
Publication Date
2018-09-26
Section/Feed Type
Latest Information from Network (Home)

Provisional Drug Overdose Death Counts

Record Description
The National Center for Health Statistics presents a data visualization, drawn from the National Vital Statistics System, for drug overdose deaths for all 50 states and the District of Columbia. This data series compares the percentage changes in provisional drug overdose deaths in the current 12 month period with the previous 12 months. There is also data to indicate the reported and predicted provisional counts by month.
Record Type
Combined Date
2018-11-13T19:00:00
Source
Region
City/County
URL
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/drug-overdose-data.htm
Publication Date
2018-11-14
Section/Feed Type
Latest Information from Network (Home)

TANF on the Brink of Change: Reflections of Mothers Receiving Cash Assistance in the District of Columbia

Record Description
This report from the Urban Institute shares the experiences of women who have received TANF cash assistance for more than five years in the District of Columbia. Recently, the District changed their policy to do away with the five-year time limit for full benefits and as of April 1, 2018, those past the five- year limit will still receive full benefits. The report does not evaluate the DC TANF program but provides a picture in time of the participating women's experiences as DC embarks on services changes and improvements to their program.
Record Type
Combined Date
2018-04-30T20:00:00
Source
OFA Initiatives
SFS Category
Region
City/County
URL
https://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/publication/98505/tanf_on_the_brink_o…
Publication Date
2018-05-01
Section/Feed Type
Latest Information from Network (Home)

Status of State Efforts to Integrate Health and Human Services Systems and Data: 2016

Record Description
This research brief from the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation provides a snapshot of the progress health and human service agencies are making to integrate their data systems across programs. The brief presents the results of a questionnaire completed by officials in 45 states and the District of Columbia and provides a synthesis of results that paint a picture of this issue nationally.
Record Type
Combined Date
2017-01-04T19:00:00
Source
Region
City/County
URL
https://aspe.hhs.gov/pdf-report/status-state-efforts-integrate-health-and-human…
Publication Date
2017-01-05
Section/Feed Type
Latest Information from Network (Home)

Pathways after High School: Evaluation of the Urban Alliance High School Internship Program

Record Description
This Urban Institute report details an evaluation of a high school internship program at Urban Alliance in Washington, DC. The program provided training, an internship, and mentorship to high school seniors at risk of becoming disconnected from school and work. Using an experimental design, the researchers compared outcomes between the treatment and control groups two years after high school. Key findings include an increase in the probability of graduating from high school and enrolling and persisting in college for males in the treatment group, as well as a positive impact on hard and soft skills at the one year mark.
Record Type
Combined Date
2017-07-31T20:00:00
Source
Region
City/County
URL
http://www.urban.org/research/publication/pathways-after-high-school-evaluation…
Publication Date
2017-08-01
Section/Feed Type
Latest Information from Network (Home)
Innovative Programs

DC Central Kitchen's Culinary Job Training Program

Mission/Goal of Program

DC Central Kitchen provides 14 weeks of Culinary Arts training to participants that leads to certifications, then helps them find employment in the culinary field so they can be self-sufficient. Founded in 1989, DC Central Kitchen’s mission is to use food as a tool to strengthen bodies, empower minds, and build communities. For almost 30 years, DC Central Kitchen’s Culinary Job Training program has helped more than 1,700 men and women launch culinary careers. The program had 86% job placement rate from among 104 graduates from Culinary Job Training program in 2018.

Programs/Services Offered

There are two training options offered: 

  • Culinary Job Training at DC Central Kitchen:  Their renowned training program provides culinary arts education, career readiness training, and real-world internships for adults who have experienced barriers to employment.  They provide 14 weeks of training leading to these certifications:
    • ServSafe Managers License
    • National Restaurant Association/ Restaurant Ready Certification
    • Allertrain Certification
  • Culinary Job Training at DC Central Kitchen Cafe:  provides hands-on culinary training and career readiness training to young adults ages 18-24 who are not in school and not working.
Start Date
Sunday, January 1, 1989
Type of Agency/Organization
Community-Based Organization
City
Washington
State
District of Columbia
Geographic Reach
Onesite
Clientele/Population Served
Participants with multiple barriers to employment, including returning citizens, people in recovery, formerly homeless, and others.
Topics/Subtopics
Employment
Education and Training
URL
https://dccentralkitchen.org/

IMPACT 5000: Serving Children in Public Housing in DC

Record Description
IMPACT 5000 is the District of Columbia Housing Authority’s (DCHA) initiative to increase support for the 5,000 children living in its properties. These children face several challenges, including food insecurity, economic uncertainty, and health issues. This resource includes materials from an event at Urban Institute at which a panel presented findings from a community needs assessment of residents of DCHA family properties.
Record Type
Posting Date
Combined Date
2017-01-17T19:00:00
Source
Region
City/County
URL
http://www.urban.org/events/impact-5000-serving-children-public-housing-dc
Publication Date
2017-01-18
Section/Feed Type
Latest Information from Network (Home)
Innovative Programs

Vehicles for Change

Mission/Goal of Program

Vehicles for Change Inc. (VFC) empowers families with financial challenges to achieve economic and personal independence through car ownership and technical training. In 1999, Vehicles for Change opened outside of Baltimore, Maryland. After building its program in the Maryland-Virginia-Washington D.C. region, VFC began work to replicate those programs nationally, aiming to bring independent transportation and training in the automotive field to as many people as possible. VFC opened its second location in Detroit, Michigan in 2015.

Programs/Services Offered

The car ownership program currently awards cars to families in Maryland, Washington D.C., Virginia and Detroit, Michigan. Families are referred to VFC by their partner agencies, which include TANF agencies, domestic violence shelters, or other workforce training programs. Families are provided with a 12-month loan to purchase vehicles on their own for around $85/ month, and can bring the vehicle to VFC centers for repair, as needed. VFC covers the repair at their cost, at a significant discount.

The program did expand to include: 

  • VFC Training Center

In September 2013, VFC launched the Center for Automotive Careers in Baltimore. Later renamed the Full Circle Auto Repair and Training Center, the center has 2 training programs, a program that trains automotive detailers and a prison reentry program that trains automotive technicians. Trainees are paid a stipend of $340/week. 

  • The VFC Advantage

As part of the Full Circle Auto Repair & Training Center, VFC opened the center to serve the public in June 2015. The garage provides basic auto repair, brakes, tune ups, tires, and oil changes and is open to the local residents, former VFC customers and recipients.

Start Date
Monday, February 1, 1999
Type of Agency/Organization
Community-Based Organization
City
Baltimore
State
District of Columbia
Maryland
Michigan
Geographic Reach
Multisite
Clientele/Population Served
Low-income families, many of whom are receiving TANF benefits; ex-offenders
Topics/Subtopics
Transportation
Access and Availability
Car Purchase Programs
Transportation Subsidies /Vouchers
URL
https://www.vehiclesforchange.org/

State TANF Redesign/Human Services Modernization Efforts

Record Description

On November 21, 2013, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Region X held a webinar, "State TANF Redesign/Human Services Modernization Efforts" that was open to all State TANF Directors and staff, local TANF agencies, and contractors. The webinar featured the following speakers: Babette Roberts, Washington State Department of Social and Health Services; Lorie Young and Catherine Scardino, State of Hawaii Department of Human Services; and Deborah Carroll, District of Columbia Department of Human Services. For nearly 20 years, Federal and State governments have been working together in earnest to simplify, streamline and enhance publicly financed, human services programs. Most States have embraced increasing access and simplifying policies, have streamlined processes, made procedures more client-friendly, reduced paperwork, and sought to increase outreach to potentially eligible individuals. As a result, millions of at-risk individuals who might not have obtained vital human services supports now do. This moderated webinar provided an overview of State TANF redesign efforts, including the process, lessons learned, and progress made thus far in Washington, Hawaii, and the District of Columbia.

Record Type
Posting Date
Combined Date
2013-11-21T09:00:00
Source
OFA Initiatives
SFS Category
Region
City/County
URL
Video Recording
Publication Date
2013-11-01
Upload Files
Attachment Size
Webinar Slides 6.67 MB
Transcript with Updates from Speakers 656.39 KB
Q and A 211.24 KB
Audio: 8 Region X 11-21 Webinar Transcript 58.23 MB