On Wednesday, September 13th from 2:00-3:30 p.m. EDT, the Office of Family Assistance hosted the second webinar in our series on helping TANF clients develop social capital. The first webinar in the series was held in April 2016 and may be viewed by using this link. The webinar series emphasizes the importance of building social connections and relationships that can enhance economic well-being among low-income families. Research has demonstrated that social capital provides valuable assets for families as they move out of poverty. This webinar offered an opportunity to hear the latest ideas, models, and practices around the development of social capital among low-income families. It featured three programs with experience implementing and developing social capital with low income families as they move toward employment and self-sufficiency. 

This Office of Family Assistance webpage is a directory of free resources available for Temporary Assistance for Needy (TANF) block grant programs and other federal workforce development programs. This 2025 edition of the Catalog includes 24 identified toolkits that were published by federal agencies, state agencies, research organizations, and workforce stakeholders. Each featured resource aligns with ACF priorities and uplifts the presidential administration’s streamlining of fragmented workforce development programs that have been historically too disconnected from propelling workers into secure, well-paying, and high-need American jobs. They include information on collaborating with employers, strengthening registered apprenticeship programs, linking community college or job training into sequential credentials, starting a Career Pathways initiative, and engaging state, local, and county partners.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs are exploring new ways to improve services while helping staff meet growing demands. This MDRC video examines how organizations can thoughtfully evaluate artificial intelligence (AI) tools before using them to support clients. Rather than focusing only on technology, the video offers practical guidance for selecting tools that improve service delivery, protect client information, and complement staff expertise. TANF leaders and practitioners can use these insights to make informed decisions about incorporating AI into programming and identify opportunities to enhance client engagement without compromising trust or program quality.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) supports families as they work toward financial independence, but misconceptions about who receives assistance and how they participate in work activities continue to shape public discussions. This issue brief, co-written by Office of Family Assistance Director David Swegle and Assistant Secretary of Administration for Children and Families Alex Adams, explores the gap between public perception and how TANF's work requirements operate in practice. As the first in a series on TANF work requirements, it explains the purpose of the federal work participation rate, why measuring state performance is more complex than it appears, and how federal rules influence program reporting and accountability. TANF leaders, administrators, and frontline staff can use this resource to better understand the policies behind work participation requirements and support informed conversations with partners and stakeholders.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs has launched the Indigenous Growth in New and Innovative Trade Employment (IGNITE) Grant Pilot Program, a competitive funding opportunity that will support implementation-ready Tribal workforce development programs. The grants will prepare participants for careers in construction and infrastructure trades as well as emerging technology fields, including advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, drone and geospatial systems, digital fabrication, and other STEM-related occupations. Programs are designed to lead directly to employment, apprenticeships, and industry-recognized credentials while aligning with local workforce needs.

For Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs, IGNITE offers an opportunity to expand employment pathways for participants by applying for funding or partnering with Tribal organizations that apply. This opportunity can help Tribal TANF programs connect families to high-demand careers, strengthen workforce partnerships, and increase access to training that supports long-term economic independence. Applications are due September 18, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. ET.

These Rural LISC case studies provide real examples of workforce development efforts in rural communities across the country. Each example shows different approaches to skills training, employer engagement, and community partnerships. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) practitioners can refer to these concrete ideas for building local partnerships, designing training programs, and supporting workers in rural areas.

• Upskill NW Arkansas
• Delta Compass, Washington County, MS
• People, Inc. of Virginia

Reaching both job seekers and employers can be especially challenging in rural areas. This WorkforceGPS webinar recording shares outreach strategies that help connect workers with workforce services and employment opportunities. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) practitioners can use the ideas shared to improve recruitment, strengthen employer relationships, and expand awareness of available services among families who may not regularly engage with the workforce system. A PowerPoint presentation and transcript are also provided.

This case study from the Shared-Use Mobility Center shows how a transportation initiative in Oklahoma grew from a pilot project into a long-term service. This resource offers useful lessons for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) practitioners who are considering new transportation partnerships or innovative service models. The resource demonstrates how TANF programs and their communities can build sustainable transportation solutions that continue supporting families beyond the initial launch phase.

This resource provides a peer example of transportation support designed to help participants transitioning off of Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) to access employment and related activities. It demonstrates how targeted transportation assistance can remove a major barrier to work participation. Tribal TANF practitioners can use the example to explore how transitional transportation services may help participants maintain employment, attend training, and successfully move toward greater self-sufficiency.

This Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility Technical Assistance Center technical assistance resource focuses on transportation coordination for people participating in employment and training programs. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) practitioners can use it to identify transportation solutions that support work activities, job training, and career development. By helping TANF programs coordinate across other social services, the resource can improve access to employment opportunities and reduce transportation-related disruptions.