The Online Work Readiness Assessment (OWRA) is a free, web-based tool that offers an innovative approach to assess work readiness. OWRA helps caseworkers facilitate an in-depth assessment which creates a plan for participants that summarizes their strengths and barriers and makes recommendations on placement into work activities and work supports. Included with OWRA is a suite of Work Readiness Resources, a valuable guide for both participants and case managers. For participants, three building block levels are available to provide tips on basics like resume writing and job interviewing to exploring more complex concepts like the local labor market and developing a personal education plan. For case workers, the resources offer an interactive hub of tips and information to help participants become more self-sufficient, be able to provide more options for education and training to participants, and explore labor market and career development resources. To allow for easier access to these critical resources, the Office of Family Assistance (OFA) has recently published these guides on the OWRA Peer TA website under the Resources tab.

As a part of continued support to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs and their endeavors to serve individuals and families virtually during the current COVID-19 pandemic, the Office of Family Assistance recorded a PeerTA webinar on June 24, 2020. TANF staff and those they serve had to retool quickly to adapt to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Staff who conduct in-person case management and coaching are looking for ways to continue these needed services virtually in order to protect the health and safety of individuals and families, ensure the health and safety of their own families, and maintain confidentiality by using virtual services that are secure. Luckily, remote case management services are not new concepts, as they are increasingly being used across TANF and other client/student serving organizations to provide efficient and effective support to those they would normally see face-to-face.

This panel webinar discussed virtual TANF case management and coaching strategies considering the risks associated with COVID-19. Information was delivered in a panel format with question and answer dialogue with panelists. Through the panel webinar registration process, registrants had the opportunity to pose questions for the panelists and the field to consider as they make critical decisions about their ongoing operations, including use of virtual tools and processes to conduct coaching/case management sessions.

Speakers included:

• Annette Waters, Ph.D., Social Science Analyst, Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE)
• DaiJuan Wade, Supervisor -- Special Projects, Operations and Training, District of Columbia Department of Human Services
• Suzie Miller, Workforce Programs Manager, Arapahoe/Douglas Workforce Center 
• Mary Roberto, PeerTA Project Director, Manhattan Strategy Group (Panel Moderator)

Thank you for your interest in attending today's webinar, TANF and the Transition to a Remote Workforce. We are currently attempting to increase capacity due to the overwhelming response. We are recording the webinar and will provide a link to all registrants as soon as possible.

This TANF Program Instruction (PI) provides program guidance on TANF administration in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This PI offers questions and answers about the use of TANF funds, work participation rates, flexibility in case management regarding TANF participant requirements, and overall TANF administration.

The Office of Family Assistance hosted a webinar on Wednesday, February 26 entitled Improving Employment Outcomes for TANF Recipients with Substance Use Disorders. The webinar outlined employment-focused strategies that can contribute to, rather than inhibit, substance use treatment and featured experts with backgrounds in research and practice on working with TANF recipients who have substance use disorders. Speakers discussed national trends in substance use disorders and strategies to move those with substance use disorders towards treatment, employment, and economic stability.

Speakers included:

• Dennis Romero, Regional Administrator, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

• Dr. Christine Cauffield, Chief Executive Officer, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Managing Entity, Lutheran Services Florida

• Kim Griswold Releford, University of Kentucky, Opioid Use Disorder Project, Targeted Assessment Program

This video covers highlights from the “Thriving Communities for a Better Southern Nevada” meeting that was held in Las Vegas, Nevada on January 10, 2020. This event, hosted by the Office of Family Assistance (OFA) and Las Vegas-Clark County, Nevada, brought together a local planning team, community leaders, and practitioners who discussed constructive measures to help individuals overcome barriers to employment and improve their families’ economic well-being and mobility.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Family Assistance (OFA), held the Helping Families to Overcome: Partnering to Build a Strong Society Meeting at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Virginia on September 17-19, 2019. This meeting allowed Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program representatives from around the country the opportunity to learn about promising practices and actionable implementation strategies to improve employment outcomes and economic independence among TANF families. Over the course of the meeting, attendees attended presentations from experts and program administrators, and participated in moderated InfoSessions, OFA Regional breakout discussions, and a sharing session with OFA leadership. Almost 300 TANF representatives, State and Territory Human Service Commissioners, and federal partners attended the meeting.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Family Assistance (OFA), held the 2019 National Tribal TANF/NEW Summit at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Virginia on September 16-17, 2019. Sponsored by the Office of Family Assistance (OFA), the 2019 National Tribal TANF/NEW Summit brought together program administrators, stakeholders, and leaders. The event provided attendees with opportunities to interact with peers, hear from experts in the field, and share best practices and the latest self-sufficiency research, with the common goal of improving Tribal TANF/NEW programming to benefit families in need.

“Creating a Strong Foundation for Change” is a resource for programs working with low-income families when anticipating or implementing a new approach such as coaching. This guide will help you to systematically look at your foundational readiness for change, so the improvements you want to make will take root and grow.

During this final Coaching for Success webinar, states from the IIEESS Learning Community share highlights of their work and future goals with others on the team. The IIEESS team also shares strategies and resources for sustainability that may benefit the webinar attendees’ organizations in the attached handout.